kannadasans novel seraman kathali was somewhat related to these things.
Cheraman Juma Masjid is a mosque in Kodungallur in the Indian state of Kerala. Built in 629 AD by Malik Ibn Dinar, it is the oldest mosque in India, and the second oldest mosque in the world to offer Jumu'ah prayers.[1][2] Constructed during the lifetime of Muhammed, the bodies of some of his original followers are said to be buried here.[3
since ancient times, trade relations between Arabia and the Indian subcontinent were active. Even before Islam had been established in Arabia, Arab traders to used visit the Malabar region, which was a link between the ports of South and South East Asia. With the advent of Islam, the Arab merchants became carriers of the new religion and they propagated it wherever they went.[4] A number of Indians living in the coastal areas of Kerala were moved by the principles of Islam and converted. King Cheraman Perumal is said to be the first convert to Islam in India.[5]
Legend has it that a group of Muhammad's companions visited Kodungallur. Cheraman Perumal, then the Chera ruler, had witnessed a miraculous happening the sudden splitting of the moon, the celebrated miracle of Muhammad and learned on inquiry that this was a symbol of the coming of a Messenger of God from Arabia. Soon after, Perumal travelled to Mecca, where he embraced Islam, and accepted the name Thajudeen. On his way back to India he died at Salala in the Sultanate of Oman. On his deathbed he is said to have authorised some of his Arab companions to go back to his kingdom to spread Islam. Accordingly, a group of Arabs led by Malik Bin Deenar and Malik bin Habib arrived in north Kerala, and constructed the Cheraman Juma Masjid at Kodungallor.
But is the cheraman perumal (who is a contemporary of sundara) and this cheraman - are they same ? Because the name cheraman perumal is generic enough to refer any chera king.
The cheraman perumal of sundara period wrote ponvannathu anthathi and is said to have travelled together with sundara to kailaasa. The thanjavore big temple paintings portray that as well
kannadasan says the same family of cheras gave rise to one nayanmar, one alwar and one friend of muhammed.
but the period is very close to each other. we should chronologically list these people. because it is widely beleived the chera family and king dom broke up after this king.
hi There is a well known story that the last Perumal who ruled Kerala divided his kingdom between his nephews and his sons and got himself converted to Islam and went to Mecca for pilgrimage. Keralolpathi states the above story as " The last and the famous Perumal king Cheraman Perumal ruled Kerala for 36 years. He left for Mecca by ship with some Muslims who arrived at Kodungallur (Crangannore) port and converted to Islam. Before leaving to Mecca he divided his kingdom between his nephews and sons."
Perumpadapu Grandavari states " The last Thavazhi of Perumpadapu Swaroopam came into existence on the Kaliyuga day - shodashangamsurajyam. Cheraman Perumal divided the land into half, 17 amsha north of Neelaeswaram and 17 amsha south totaling to 34 amsha, and gave his powers to nephews and sons. Thirty four rajyas in between Kanyakumari (now in Tamil Nadu) and Gokarna (now in Karnataka) were give to the Thampuran who was the daughter of the last niece of Cheraman Perumal."