The Early History of Nedunganad: Megaliths in the Citadel of Marayamangalam

Rajendu Sulochana

Several tribes have lived in this area. The local chiefs were thought to have originated from the tribes. The former ruler of Walluvanad, Walluvakkonatiri, worshipped a megalith known as Ammengottukavu. The area has a high number of megaliths. Several stone weapons from the early period were worshipped as a nameless deity at the neighbouring Vengunnattu temple. This temple served as the place of worship of Nedungetiri, the former ruler of Nedunganad. During the British administration, the Marayamangalam village was found to contain an extensive collection of umbrella stones. The Vengunnattu Temple was nearby. The citadel, which formerly contained hundreds of megaliths, was eventually transformed into a school playing field. A significant number of burials were destroyed. This study highlights research into how prehistoric evidence supports the growth of local chieves and the formation of areas known as Nadus during the early medieval period. These locations, such as Walluvanad, Nedunganad, and Eranad, may have emerged during the megalithic period before becoming one of the seventeen districts during the Ceras of Makotai period. The author gathered accessible prehistoric evidence for this study.