Mushika dynasty

Mushika Ezhimala/Kolladesham
c. 6th century BC–11th century AD
Ezhimala, early historic headquarters of Mushika dynasty
Capital	Ezhimala (early historic) Kollam (early medieval) Karippattu, Taliparamba (c. 12th century)
Common languages	Tamil, Malayalam, Sanskrit
Religion	Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism
History
• Established	c. 6th century BC
• Disestablished	11th century AD
Today part of	India

Mushika dynasty, also spelled Mushaka, was a minor dynastic power that held sway over the region in and around Mount Ezhi (Ezhimala) in present-day North Malabar, Kerala, India.^[1][2] The country of the Mushikas, ruled by an ancient lineage of the Hehaya clan of the same name, appears in early historic (pre-Pallava) south India^[3][4] and it is believed that Mushika dynasty has their descents from Heheya Kingdom. Early Tamil poems contain several references to the exploits of Nannan of Ezhimalai.^[5] Nannan was known as a great enemy of the pre-Pallava Chera chieftains.^[5] The clan also had matrimonial alliances with the Chera, Pandya and Chola chieftains.^[6] The Kolathunadu (Kannur) Kingdom, which was the descendant of Mushika dynasty, at the peak of its power, reportedly extended from Netravati River (Mangalore) in the north to Korapuzha (Kozhikode) in the south with Arabian Sea on the west and Kodagu hills on the eastern boundary, also including the isolated islands of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea.^[7]

The Mushika/Ezhimala kingdom/chiefdom gradually developed into a monarchical polity (known as Kolla-desam^[8]) in the early medieval period.^[5] The medieval Mushikas were considered as Kshatriyas of Soma Vamsa.^[9] The hereditary title of the Mushika kings in the medieval period was Ramaghata Musaka (Malayalam: Iramakuta Muvar).^[10][11] The Mushaka Vamsa Kavya, a dynastic chronicle composed in the 11th century by poet Athula, describes the history of the Mushika lineage.^[12][13]

Mushika kingdom came under the influence of Chera/Perumal kingdom in the 11th century AD.^[14] Mushika royals seem to have assisted the Chera/Perumal kings in their struggle against the Chola Empire.^[13][9] Two subsequent Chola inscriptions (c. 1005 AD, Rajaraja I and c. 1018–19, Rajadhiraja) mention the defeat of the Kolla-desam and the fall of the Iramakuta Muvar.^[8][9][11] The presence of the Cholas in north Kerala (1020 AD) is confirmed by the Eramam inscription.^[11] The kingdom survived the Chera/Perumal state, and came to be known as Kolathunad (Kannur-Kasaragod area) in the post-Chera/Perumal period.^[5]

The Mushika kings appear to have encouraged a variety of merchant guilds in their kingdom. Famous Indian guilds such as the anjuvannam, the manigramam, the valanchiyar and the nanadeshikal show their presence in the kingdom. The kings are also described as great champions of Hindu religion and temples. Some Mushika rulers are known for their patronage to a famous Buddhist vihara in central Kerala.^[9] Presence of Jewish merchants is also speculated in the ports of Mushika kingdom. A location in Madayi is still known as "the Jew's pond" (the Jutakkulam).^[9]