Influence of Geography

Influence of Geography on Kerala
 Kerala comprises of a narrow coastal strip lying between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
 This geographical position has helped to ensure its political and cultural isolation of Kerala from the rest of
India.
 It also facilitated extensive contacts with foreign countries.
Natural Divisions of Kerala

 Kerala can be divided into three natural divisions:
1. Highland (മലനാട്)
2. Midland (ഇടനാട്)
3. Lowland (തീരപ്രദേശം)
Highland
 The Western Ghats on the eastern side of the state constitute the highland.
 It is covered by thick forests in its upper ranges.
 In the lower ranges, the forests are interspersed with plantations.
Lowland
 The lowland stretches along the coastal plain on the western side of the state.
 The soil in this region is sandy.
 Paddy and coconut are extensively cultivated in this region
Midland
 It is sand-witched between the highland and the lowland.
 Laterite soil predominates in this region.
 The important crops are: paddy, tapioca, spices, cashew, etc.
Impact of Geographical Position

 The Western Ghats on the eastern side gave immunity from political events in north- India.
 Kerala never felt the impacts of numerous foreign invasions that took place in north- India.
 It took longer time for Brahmanism, Buddhism and Jainism from the north to penetrate to Kerala.
 As a result, Kerala was able to evolve its own social institutions like; Marumakkathayam (matrilineal system of
inheritance), polyandry, etc.
 Kerala could also evolve its own distinctive styles of art and architecture like; Kathakali, Chakiar Koothu,
Ottam Thullal, etc.
Impacts of Mountains and Hills

 Western Ghat- acted as a guarding wall against attacks from the east.
 Ezhimala- was the seat of Ezhimala kingdom.
 Puralimala- played an important role in Pazhassi revolts.
 Some of the important pilgrim centres are on hill tops or on their valleys. Eg:
 Tirunelli temple in the valley of Brahmagiri peak
 Sabarimala Temple
 St. Thomas Church on Malayattur hill
 The Portuguese were cut off by the Western Ghats from rest of the peninsular India. Thus they were prevented
from building up a permanent empire in India.
Impacts of Gaps and Passes

 Passes facilitated interstate trade and travel.
 In the ancient period, Romans used Palghat pass for commerce.
 North- east monsoon reaches to kerala through Palghat pass and gives rains in Kerala.
 Palakkad is known as the rice-bowl of Kerala largely due to the rainfall in the north-east monsoon season.
 Chola kings invaded Kerala through Palghat pass. Similarly, the Chera kings invaded 'Kongu nadu'
(Coimbatore region) through this pass.
 In the 18th century, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan invaded Kerala through Palghat pass.
 Cultural exchange-
 A number of Jains, Tamil Brahmins, etc. migrated to Kerala through Palghat pass.
 The customs and manners of people in Palakkad is a mix of Tamil and Kerala cultures.
 The festivals and folk arts in Palakkad (eg: Rathotsavam, Pavakuthu, Kongan Padai) have the influence of
the Tamil.
 Periya pass & Thamarasseri pass-: connect between Wynad and Mysore. They served as route of Mysorean
invasions.
 Aruvaimozhi pass-: connects between Trivandrum and Tirunelveli. Tamil powers invaded southern Travancore
through this pass.
 Several rivers passes through the mountain gaps and helps the economy.
Impact of the Sea

 Kerala coast attracted foreign traders from Europe and Asia.
 Kerala had some important ports.
 Examples of ancient ports: Muziris, Tyndis, Barace, Nelcynda
 India was exposed to the invading European forces by the Kerala coast.
 The religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam came to Kerala by sea.
Impact of Rivers
 Several places of historical and cultural importance are located on river banks.
 Tirunavai, where 'Mamankam' was held , is situated on the banks of the Bharathapuzha.
 Aluva, where 'Sivarathri' festival is held, is on the banks of Periyar.
 On the river of Pamba are located such places of religious importance as Aranmula, Maramon and
Edathwa.
 Mortal remains of the national leaders (Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri) were
immersed in Bharathapuzha.
 Kaladi, the birthplace of Shankaracharya, is situated on the banks of Periyar.
 Some rivers have importance in the political and military history of the state.
 The floods in the river Periyar in 1341, choked the mouth of the Kodungallur harbour and made it useless
for trade purpose.
 The flood in 1341 brought into existence the island of Vaipin from the sea. 'Puthuvaipu Era' commencing in
1341 commemorates this event.
 It was the flood in Periyar that prevented Tipu Sultan in 1789 from attacking Travancore.
 The important industrial centres like Punalur, Kallai, Valapatanam, Aluva, etc. are on river banks.
 Several Hydro-electric and irrigation projects depend on rivers.
Impact of the Climate

 The High Ranges have a cool and bracing climate throughout the year.
 The plains are very hot in the summer.
 The state gets rains from both the south-west monsoon and north-east monsoon.
 The discovery of the south-west monsoon by Hippalus facilitated the direct sea voyage from the Persian Gulf to
Muziris.
 The wars were stopped on the outbreak of the monsoons. The wars were continued after the end of the
monsoons.
 The monsoon has caused floods which prevented military operations. Eg: The flood in Periyar in 1789 prevented
Tipu Sultan from attacking Travancore.
Impact of Flora and Fauna

 In ancient Kerala, many animals and birds ( elephant, peacock, monkey) were exported to foreign countries.
 Ivory was also a valuable export.
 Spices such as pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger were exported to countries of Asia and Europe.
 It was the demand for pepper, that brought European powers to Kerala which led to the European domination
over India.
 Teak-wood was in much demand in the foreign markets. They were used for the manufacture of ships.
 Kerala was famous for its mineral resources. Kautilya's Arthasastra refers to the river Churni (Periyar) as one
of the places where pearls could be found.
 the ancient Romans carried pearls and diamonds from Kerala in exchange for their gold

Influence of Geography

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Influence of Geography

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Influence of Geography on Kerala

Natural Divisions of Kerala

Impact of Geographical Position

Impacts of Mountains and Hills

Impacts of Gaps and Passes

Impact of the Sea

Impact of the Climate

Impact of Flora and Fauna

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