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The inscriptions of South Indian temples constitute the major sources for the construction of the history of South India. They contain many historical information and many data regarding the social and economic conditions of contemporary life. The inscriptions are unique in the sense that they record in detail everything connected with the registering of grants to temples. So a careful study of records will give an authentic picture of the contemporary growing along with the devotees by material offerings, accumulation of society in its aspects. The religious significance was properties etc. It helps us to form a social centre of divinity. From the available inscriptions of the temple, some useful…

Introduction Travancore occupies a prominent place in the Indian States. This state has in the past, come in intimate contact with every type of ancient civilization, the Chaldaean, the Egyptian, the Greek, the Roman and the Chinese. But it preserved its cultural tradition intact, while, profiting in certain respects by association with outside. The paramount duty of the Government in the matter of imparting Public Instruction was recognised . They developed well desciplined Army. The early Cheras were great conquerers, Imayavarmpan Netuncheralatan (1st century A.D.) scored a victory over the Kadambas and this victory is compared by a poet of the time to that of the war - God Subrahmanya…

Introduction The establishment of British hegemony over different parts of Kerala was followed by several armed insurrections and popular upheavals organized by the patriotic elements of the population who were determined to overthrow British authority to regain the lost independence.  The dispossessed princes and chieftains and aggrieved sections of the population like the peasantry and the tribal communities were in the forefront of these insurrections and upheavals. One of the most serious of the rebellions organized against the British was the one associated with the name of Kerala Varma, popularly known as Pazhassi Raja.  A heroic figure in the history of Kerala who belonged to the western branch of the…

Right from the beginning of the modern era (15th century), people had to encounter serious terrorization due to the incursion of Muslims, Portuguese and British East India Company and due to severe wars between native Indian Kings and foreign intruders, and the kings too didn’t have a peaceful mind to take attempts to carve inscriptions denoting their achievements and appreciation of performing arts. However, Adiyaarkkunallaar, who gave a commentary to Silappathikaaram in the 16th century, had cited a poetic verse to denote that there were many folk performing arts in Tamilagam in his time as far as he had known from some Tamil literatures which are not available today.1 It is therefore believed…

Abstract Travancore was the then princely state, which existed in South India and its Reeling House was perhaps the oldest in India. It was seated in the extreme south-west portion of the Indian Peninsula. Trivandrum is the Capital of Travancore situated in the South Travancore. It was the seat of the ruling family. Here are the native government, and the chief courts and offices. In 1956, Indian States were reorganized, the South Travancore divided into four taluks namely Vilavancode, Kalkulam, Thovalai and Agastheeswaram formed Kanyakumari District and were integrated with the state of Madras which later becomes Tamil Nadu. The socio-economic mosaic of Travancore in the 18th and 19th centuries was one…

The present day place, Poompuhar is now a small fishermen hamlet.  It is called as Kaveripoompattinam.  It is also otherwise called as Puhar.  Poompuhar is situated on the northern bank of kaveri river at her confluence with the water of the Bay of Bengal, in Sirkali Taluk of Nagappattinam District.1 Puhar is only a remnant of an extensive and famous port city of Chola Country of the Sangam age. Among the dynastic rulers of Cheras, Cholas, Pandiyas who ruled over Tamilnadu, the cholas who held a place of great esteem had this ancient town for their port capital. Puhar means the estuary of river in the sea. The port town…

The administrative system of Travancore reveals that formerly there were only two jails - one at Trivandrum and the other at Quilon, for securing the convicts maintained by the Sircar and they were employed to repair the roads, cultivating government lands, etc. every day1. The jails were formerly under the medical charge of Native Physicians whose pay was mere six or seven rupees per mensem which resulted in uncleanliness and excessive mortality. About 1860 A.D. the medial charge was transferred to the Durban Physician as Principal Medical Officer of Government and to each jail was attached medical subordinates2. In 1862-63, Administrative Report mentions, besides the three principal jails at Trivandrum,…

Women Empowerment is a concept of everyone in this world. It inculcates in all dimensions to portray the constructive activities for women’s enhancement and advancement in the society, administration, education and financial status. It is proved that, work participation rate made its Positive impact to a great extent in empowering women in the society. Concept of Empowerment of Women Empowerment is nothing but a multi-faceted, multi-dimensional and multi-layered concept. Women’s empowerment is a process in which women gain greater contribution in controlling over resources - material, human and intellectual  areas like knowledge, information, ideas and financial resources like money and control over decision-making in the home, community, society and nation,…

Abstract The period of Selvamony’s Ministry can be termed as a period of theological revival. He wanted the believers of the heretical teaching spread by the popular teachers and advised the pastors to be vigilant on the choice of preaching for revival meetings. The theological convictions were expressed in social action programmes as well. Bishop Selvamony had been totally devoted him in the spiritual field. Even though he faced many sufferings in his life, he himself devoted his life to Lord Jesus Christ. According to him, “Christ is the Supreme for us since we are Christians. There are many religious and principles are prevailed in the world, but Jesus Christ…

The antiquity and the original home of the Tamils is still a mystery. But it is proved by archaeological excavations as well as foreign evidences that long before the Christian era, South India witnessed a high culture and the land produced a highly developed literature. However during the later Sangam period, the society was unequal. The social stratification was vertically arranged based on their profession. In the early Tamil society, women were not treated as equals. Women faced cruelty in the form of widowhood, sati, illiteracy, economic dependency, bride price and so on.1 women showed great interest in fine arts and honoured by rulers. Madhavi was given the title talaikoil, recongnizing…

Abstract The concern for improving employment potential for the villagers and providing an immediate as well as long term remedy to the pressing problems of poverty, ill health and illiteracy, originated in the minds of some professors and theological and secular colleges. This was given concrete shape in the formation of Creed in 1979. Centre for Rural Employment and Education for Development. Introduction The Creed propagates various self employment schemes of the Government and educates appropriately the qualified candidates, to apply for jobs. It helps the unemployed in the following ways, viz. employment guidance, vocational guidance and guidance under the New Economic Policy of the Central Government. If one wants…

NAYAK’S RELATIONSHIP WITH TRAVANCORE RULERS The discovery of the sea-route to India by Vasco- Da- Gama in 1498 A.D. had far reaching repercussions on the history of the world in general and India in particular. It opened the doors of India not only to the European traders but also to the Christian Missionaries. The devoted and dedicated service of these Christian missionaries would have come to a standstill in this land of Idolaters if the native rulers were hostile towards Christianity. The native rulers were known for their generosity and hospitality, extended their support and co-operation to the missionary activities of the Christians. The Nayaks of Madurai in particular Tirumalai…

ABSTRACT Kanniyakumari, the southernmost District of the Indian peninsula, is formed with the State Reorganization Commission in November 1, 1956 with Kalkulam, Vilavancode, Thovalai and Agasteeswaram as its four Taluks.  At the bottom level of the administration lies the Village Panchayats. “Panch” means five and ‘Ayat” means assembly.  Therefore “Panchayat” means assembly of five wise and respected elders chosen and accepted by the local community.  Traditionally, these assemblies settled the disputes between individuals.  In due course these assemblies became the governing body of the villages. There were officials for revenue administration, general administration, welfare administration and judicial administration.  These are confirmed with the archaeological findings along with written evidences.  Uthremerur…

As has been visualized in other economic sectors, tourism industry also plays crucial role in the employment generation and socio-economic development in the state and the country as a whole. Besides the direct income generation from tourists, this industry generates jobs for thousands of people who are directly concerned with tourism and for many local people too, which of course, uplift the socio-economic standards of people in the tourist destinations. Such economic diversification in the modern era and rapid development of tourism industry owing to technological innovations such as transportation facilities and internet facilities are gearing to achieve significant progress in the social life of the people. Even if hill…

Introduction Empowerment has become a fashionable buzzword. It es­sentially means decentralization of authority and power. It aims at getting participation of deprived sections of people in decision-making process. In other words giving voice to the voiceless. The goal of empowerment may be of threefold revolution: To change people’s heart. To create a change in their lives and to change the social structure. Change people’s heart It is the desire of the people who feel powerless to have more control of their lives. People feel powerless in many ways. They feel that their lives are ruled by forces over which they have no control, which are too powerful for them, they…

Kanyakumari   or  Cape  Comorin   as  was  originally   called,  is  the  Land’s  end  of  India,  where  one  can  see  the  confluence  of  the  Arabian  Sea,  the Bay  of  Bengal  and  the  Indian  Ocean.1   The  place is  famous  not  only  for  its  natural  charm  but  also  a  place  of  ancient  pilgrimage  for  the  Hindus  at  the  abode  of  Goddess  Bagavathi.   The  rock  bordered  promontory  of  Cape  Comorin  at  the  southern  extremity  of  the  country  where  land  and  water  beautifully  intermingle   and  heighten  their  charm  presents  a  variety  of  delectable  natural  scenery  to  the  curious  visitor.   The  roaring  waves  of  the  Arabian  Sea  and  the  Bay  of  Bengal  sweep  round  this  joint  in …

Tamil Nadu has abundant tourist attractions. Though known for its conventional types of tourism where a tourist seeks pleasure and leisure supplemented by business, educational, religious, cultural and other social motives, modern forms of tourism, fulfilling different purposes is also becoming popular. Tamil Nadu, apart from its cultural, historical and religious wealth, has ail abundance of natural wealth, which makes it a tourist paradise. Its gurgling waterfalls, beautiful beaches, exotic hill stations, emerald green natural habitats wondrous flora, fauna and avifauna found in its Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks, zoological Parks, Bird Sanctuaries, Botanical/ Horticultural Gardens, Mangroves, Lakes, Rivers, Streams, Springs, scenic grandeur and many an alluring spot constitute its…

Kanchipuram,  most  popularly  called  as  Kanchi,  known  as  the  ‘Golden  City’  very  near  to  Chennai,  is  situated  on  the  banks  of  the river  Vegavathi.1   It  abounds  in  precious  antiquities  and   rich  in  its  historical  associations.   Renowned   as  a  cultural  centre  of  the  south,  it  is  hailed  as  the  ‘Dakshina  Kasi’.   From  time  immemorial,  the  ‘Sapthapuris’  -  seven  sacred  places  have  been  considered  as  the holy  places  of  pilgrimage.   They are Kanchipuram, Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Varanasi,  Avantika  and  Dwaraka.   Of  these,  three  are  sacred  to  Saivites  and  three  to  Vaishnavites,  while  Kanchipuram  is  sacred  both  to  Saivism  and  Vishnavism.2   It  was  the  foremost  of  the  seven  Kshetras  (Nagareshu  Kanchi),   Kanchi   is  …

Tamil Nadu has a rich cultural heritage, a fact which draws large number of tourists from India and abroad to this state.  Tall palms, taller gopuras and intricately carved temples are standing proud in a land of oriental lushness.1  Tamil Nadu is without doubt, the soul of the south. A land of palaces, forts, memorials, art galleries, museums, libraries,  buddhist and jain centres, places of historical significance and so on, Tamil Nadu is pulling tourists from all over the world.2  The gateway to South India, Tamil Nadu is an archives of ancient legacy, retaining its cultural steam side by side with its distinctive modernity.  Tradition bound,   the people of Tamil…

Kumbakonam,   near  Thanjavur  in  Tamil  Nadu,  one  of  the  oldest  towns  in  South  India,  is  a  sacred  pilgrim  centre  on  account  of  its numerous ancient temples and the sacred Mahamakam Tank. Situated  on  the  banks  of  the  river  Cauvery,  it  rose  as  an  important  and oldest  cultural  centre of South India.1  From about the 6th C  A.D. it  seems to have been under the rule of the Pallavas. Thirunavukkarasar and Tirugnana Sambandar have visited Kumbakonam and sung in praise of the deities. The  noteworthy  temples  of  Kumbakonam  included  the  Ramasamy  and  Adikumbeswarar  temple  which  contain  excellent  and exquisite sculptures.  The  Ramasamy  temple  is in  the  western  part  of  the  city  near …