Koothanallur, a small village started from the Turkish colonization, is known as Little Singapore because of its abundant wealth.
The Sultanate of Rum who was called as Seljuk Turkish Sultanat...e ruled Anatolia from 1077 – 1307. The word “Rum” is from the Arabic Language for Rome. The capital city spans from Iznik up to Konya. During the climax of their rule,the colonization was extended from Antalya-Alanya shoreline on the Mediterranean coast to the territory of Sinop on the Black Sea. Its westernmost limit was near Denizli and the gates of the Aegean basin. In the east, the sultanate absorbed other Turkish states and reached to Lake Van, Israel , Oman , Arab Emirates, Persia , North India and the one and only place in South India , Koothanallur which Turks received as gift from Kulothunga Chola III on 1212King Kulotungga Cholan III invited Turkish Seljuk Sultan of Rum(Anatolian) Izzad-Din (Kaykaus I) to get to know each other and for business purpose on 1212. Izz ad-Din sent 3000 men and women from the Turkish Elite, hundred Bedouin Imam, a government advisor and an army to the empire of Chola. The Turkish troops landed together with Emirate of Granada troops at Tharangambadi (now known as Nagapattinam) and they marched towards Tanjore to meet the king but King Kulotungga Cholan III did not permit them to enter or stay at Tanjore or Mannargudi because he knew their hidden intention was to spread Islam. King Kulotungga Cholan III presented to them a small village which was located in the east of Mannargudi. That village was owned by the brothers of Koothan. The Turkish troop chased Koothan Brothers away and they settled at that village and named it as Koothanallur.
Turkish built the first mosque made from clay and sand on 1212 and it was called Big Mosque. In the 16th century the mosque was enlarged and became very famous in that area. The Turkish plan to spread Islam within Tanjore area was unsuccessful because of the strong belief of Hinduism there.
The 3000 troops stayed permanently at Koothanallur,Podakkudi and Attikadai and their number is more than 30,000 now. The Basharat Mosque in Pedro Abad, Spain carries same architectural designs as Chinna Palli Mosque and Big Mosque as the proof of invasion by troops from Seljuk Sultanate of Turkey and Emirate of Granada.
The residents of Koothanallur,Podakkudi and Attikadai were very well known for their cleanliness because they were the descendent of Turkey and Moors (Arab Bedouin), none of them was converted from Hindu to Islam. Most of them had fair complexion but the dark complexion ones was the Moors (Bedouin) generation. A written rock in Turkish language was found at the wall of Chinnapalli and Big Mosque.
Some of the written stones were confiscated by Indian government who were aided by the Madras Museum in order to abolish the religion of Islam within the area of Tanjore. It’s was unknown what is the real reason by Indian Government to destroy and hide history of this village by demolishing Chinnapalli by pretending this building no more safe and weak. This demolition program will spread to Big Mosque too very soon if Koothanallur peoples didn’t defend their unique history.
Koothanallur’s Big mosque and Chinnapalli Mosque shares similar architectures of Anatolian design in Turkey also from Emirate of Granada. Nevertheless Turkish in Koothanallur was different from Mamluk Dynasty (Delhi Sultanate) who attacked the area of Tamil Nadu. Delhi Sultanate was the army of Monghul who invaded Madurai and the neighboring area
Replace the word Israel and put as Palestine
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DeleteIf Allah had not intended Israel to survive,he would have destroyed all israelis and Israel. Before Palestine was created that area was called yahudi israel. They appeared before islam and not the other way around. All our prophets were Jews. Just for your information. Jews are also people of the book. They too pray to yahueh or Allah, both are one and same.
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ReplyDelete### The Enigmatic Sultanate of Rum and the South Indian Legacy
ReplyDeleteImagine a realm where the echoes of Rome met the whispers of the Orient—a kingdom known as the Sultanate of Rum, the Seljuk Turkish Sultanate, reigning over Anatolia from 1077 to 1307. This enigmatic kingdom, with its name derived from the Arabic word for Rome, boasted capitals that shifted from the ancient city of Iznik to the storied lands of Konya. At its zenith, the Sultanate's dominion spanned from the sun-kissed Mediterranean coastlines of Antalya-Alanya to the breezy shores of the Black Sea at Sinop. To the west, their reach extended to near Denizli and the Aegean basin, while to the east, they embraced Turkish states, reaching as far as Lake Van and into distant regions like Israel, Oman, the Arab Emirates, Persia, North India, and notably, Koothanallur in South India, a gift from Kulothunga Chola III in 1212.
In that year of 1212, a significant meeting was arranged by King Kulothunga Chola III. He invited the Seljuk Sultan of Rum, Izz ad-Din (Kaykaus I), to discuss mutual interests and forge an alliance. Izz ad-Din responded by sending an impressive delegation of 3000 elite Turkish soldiers, accompanied by women, a hundred Bedouin Imams, an advisor, and an army to the Chola empire. They arrived with a contingent from the Emirate of Granada at Tharangambadi, now Nagapattinam, and journeyed to the majestic city of Tanjore to meet the Chola King.
However, King Kulothunga Chola III, wary of their intent to spread Islam in his dominion, decided against allowing them to settle in the heart of Tanjore or Mannargudi. Instead, he offered them a village east of Mannargudi, previously owned by the Koothan brothers. The Chola King compensated bigger land to the Koothan brothers and bestowed the land upon the Turks, naming the place Koothanallur.
In the same year, the Turks erected their first mosque, known today as the Big Mosque, using simple materials like clay and sand. This mosque, initially modest, grew in fame and underwent significant expansion in the 16th century. Despite their efforts, the Turks found it challenging to spread Islam in the deeply Hindu region of Tanjore.
The 3000 Turkish troops and their families settled permanently in Koothanallur, Podakkudi, and Attikadai. Today, their descendants number over 30,000, a testament to their lasting legacy. The architectural marvels of the Basharat Mosque in Pedro Abad, Spain, share striking similarities with the Chinna Palli Mosque and the Big Mosque, underscoring the Seljuk Sultanate and the Emirate of Granada’s influence.
Known for their impeccable cleanliness, the residents of Koothanallur, Podakkudi, and Attikadai are descendants of the Turks and Moors (Arab Bedouins), with none converting from Hinduism to Islam. Their physical features often reflect their diverse ancestry—fair complexions from the Turks and darker hues from the Moors. Turkish inscriptions discovered on rocks at Chinnapalli and the Big Mosque provide fascinating glimpses into their history.
Some of these inscriptions were seized by the Indian government with the help of the Madras Museum, allegedly in an effort to diminish the Islamic influence in the Tanjore area. The motives behind the demolition of Chinnapalli, ostensibly for safety reasons, remain shrouded in mystery, posing a continued threat to the Big Mosque if the people of Koothanallur fail to protect their heritage.
Koothanallur's Big Mosque and Chinnapalli Mosque, adorned with Anatolian designs reminiscent of Turkey and the Emirate of Granada, stand as enduring symbols of this historical confluence. Yet, the Turks of Koothanallur were distinct from the Mamluk Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, which later invaded Tamil Nadu under Malik Kafur’s rule, attacking Madurai and surrounding regions.
The story of the Sultanate of Rum and its enduring legacy in South India is a tale of cultural fusion, resilience, and the enduring spirit of a people who bridged continents and centuries.