Question

why kerala was not come under the british rule

Answer 1

Of course. British entered into Kerala as a friend of Princely states to assist in expelling other foreigners and for trade.Kerala was known as the Garden of Spices and the rich spices always attracted the foreigners. Kerala comprising the three princely states of Travancore,Cochin and Malabar has had a long tradition of trade and commercial relations with the outside world. The Portuguese,Dutch,Arabs all had trade relations with the state.Later, when the traders started to take control over the affairs of state,British came as an ally to protect the state and demanded permission for trade in return.Eventually they took control over the land of Kerala.

Zamorin of Calicut sought the help of British to expel the Portuguese from the state and in return British had received several trade facilities.

A friendly alliance was signed between Travancore and the company ,which helped the British to gain supremacy for trade around Travancore. The British East India Company founded its first factory in the south in 1644.The company also established factories at Anjengo,Thelichery and many other places in Kerala.

Tipu`s famous invasion helped British to strengthen their hold.During the invasion, rulers of Malabar sought help from British.The British declared war against Tipu and by the treaty of Srirangapatanam,they defeated Tipu and eventually Malabar became under the control of East India Company.Gradually British started to interfere with internal administration of Travancore as well.

The British unified the small kingdoms of Kerala and became the authoritative power to approve decisions taken by the Kings.Thus they established effective control over the administration.

English imposed their paramountcy over all the states and started violating all tax and trade agreements .When the local rules started to realise that they are losing control over the land ,economy and the peasants, various agitations started.

Pazhashi Raja of Kottayam, Velu Thampi Dalawa of Travancore were the first rulers who declared war against British imperialism.Both of them fought for the freedom of their state but British with all its power destroyed their kingdom and continued their atrocities.

When freedom movements became prevalent,Congress gained popularity among the locals. Khilafath movement,Mapila Rebellion,Civil disobedience movement and various other protests started in Kerala and land witnessed various riots and social-reform movements.

British rules also had some advantages. They helped to unify the princely states who always fought themselves. British also helped the land of Kerala by providing Educational Facilities,by implementing an effective administrative body and by various social and cultural reforms. They established schools,gave importance to Literature ,art,press and Western Education, and this had a great influence in the Kerala society