Kerala

Kerala, known as Keralam in Malayalam, is a state located on India’s Malabar Coast. The States Reorganisation Act established Kerala on November 1, 1956, by merging Malayalam-speaking regions from the former states of Cochin, Malabar, South Canara, and Travancore. It covers an area of 38,863 km² and ranks as the 21st largest state in India. Karnataka borders Kerala to the north and northeast, Tamil Nadu to the east and south, and the Lakshadweep Sea to the west.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census, 33 million people live in Kerala, making it the 13th most populous state in India. The state comprises 14 districts, with Thiruvananthapuram as its capital. The majority of people in the state speak Malayalam, which is also the official language of the state.

Historical Significance

The Chera dynasty established the earliest significant kingdom in Kerala, alongside the kingdoms of Ay and Ezhimala. Kerala’s strategic location on the spice route allowed it to become a major trade hub as early as 3000 BCE, attracting international traders. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea and the writings of Pliny the Elder highlight the significance of this flourishing trade. In the 15th century, Portuguese traders arrived in Kerala to exploit its spice trade, setting the stage for European colonization.

Formation of Kerala

In the early 20th century, the princely states of Travancore and Cochin joined to form Thiru-Kochi in 1949. In 1956, the States Reorganisation Act reorganized Kerala by merging parts of the Madras province with Thiru-Kochi, creating the modern state of Kerala.

Development Indicators

Kerala outperforms other Indian states in several development indices. The state achieved the lowest population growth rate of 3.44%, the highest Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.784 (as of 2018), and the highest literacy rate at 96.2%. People in Kerala enjoy the longest life expectancy in India, at 77.3 years, and the state has the highest sex ratio, with 1,084 women per 1,000 men. According to NITI Aayog, Kerala stands as the least impoverished state in India, with 47.7% of its residents living in urban areas.

Economy

It maintains a robust economy, ranking as the 8th largest in India in 2019–20, with a gross state domestic product of ₹8.55 trillion (US$100 billion). The tertiary sector contributes approximately 65% to Kerala’s economy. Agriculture plays a vital role, with major crops including pepper and rubber. The state’s 595-kilometer coastline supports a thriving fishing industry, which employs 1.1 million people.

Tourism

Kerala attracts global recognition for its tourism. The state offers beaches, backwaters, hill stations, Ayurvedic tourism, and lush greenery to visitors. National Geographic Traveler recognizes the state as one of the world’s ten paradises, and millions of domestic and international tourists visit the state each year.

Etymology of Kerala

The name “Kerala” likely originated from a 3rd-century BCE rock inscription by Emperor Ashoka, which referred to the region as Keralaputo. The name connects to the Chera dynasty and may derive from Classical Tamil terms meaning “land of the Cheras” or “slope of a hill.” A folk interpretation suggests that the name derives from the Malayalam words kera (coconut) and alam (land), reflecting Kerala’s abundant coconut trees.

Historical Term “Malabar”

Trade circles historically used the term “Malabar” to refer to Kerala. The name comes from the Dravidian word for hill, representing the state’s geographical features. People have documented this term since the 6th century, and its usage has evolved across different languages and texts throughout history.