Ancient Jewish settlements in Kerala

According to traditions the oldest Jewish settlements in Kerala are 

1.     Cranganore 

2.     Paalur or Paalyur

3.     Polut or Pullut

4.     Madai or Madayi

Cranganore

Ancient name of Cranganore,(also known as or Mahodayapuram, Muziriz, Muchiri, Musirippattanam, Muyiricodu, Vangi, Vanchi, Vanchinadu, Tiruvanchinadu, Jangli, Gingaleh, Cyngilin, Shinkali, Chinkli, Jinkali, Shenkala , Cynkali, Columguria, Kotilingapuram, Kudalingapuram, Makodai, Kodunkaliyur, Thiruvallur, Ravivisvapuram and Balakreetapuram these were different names of Cranganore which is the angelized form of Kodunkaliyur , now this place is known as Kodungallur )  is also mentioned in the epics Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Akananuru, and Chilappathikaram.

 The Greeks, the Romans (known locally as the Yavanas) and the Jews, Arabs etc all have come to this place at different times in its history for trade and according to legend, the history of Kerala’s Jews goes back as far as the time of King Solomon (1011-931 B.C) when trade in exotic items from India such as peacocks, ivory, sandalwood and spices flourished.

Many believe that Jews arrived on the Malabar Coast after the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Interestingly, the Christian tradition recounts that when St Thomas arrived on the Malabar Coast in the first century, he attended a wedding in Cranganore (a port town near Cochin). He sang a wedding song in Hebrew, which no one understood, except a local Jewish flute girl. This story seems to prove the existence of Jews on the Malabar coast as early as the first century.

The Jewish community in and around Cranganore enjoyed amicable relationships with local rulers. It grew and prospered over the centuries, building several synagogues. In 1524, because of conflicts with the Portuguese and Arab Moors, they were forced to flee from Cranganore to Cochin and to other jewish settlements In cochin they found protection under the Hindu Raja, who granted them land adjacent to his own palace for a town that became known as "Jew Town”.

Palur or Paalyur

Palur ( Palayoor or Palayur) is a part of Thrissur district and is located on the west coast of Kerala, in India. By road it is 28 km from Thrissur on the Thrissur - Chavakad route via Pavaratty. It is very near to Guruvayoor, which is only 2 km away.

Palayoor is famous for its Christian church, St. Thomas Church (Palayur) which is believed to have been established by St. Thomas the Apostle in AD 52. Palayoor also had an ancient Jewish settlement known as the Jews' Hill. There are evidence for the existance a synagogue in Palayur and a torah finial from this synagogue is still with The Hebrew of Jerusalem, donated by the Cochin Jewish immigrants. And ruins of a synagogue is found near the Church and a Hindu temple. This settlement is also mentioned in “Notisias dos Judeos de Cochim” by the traveler  Moses Pereyra de Paiva.

Polut or Pullut

Pullut is a small and beautiful village located in Kodungallur municipality. It is an island surrounded by Kodungallur back waters.4 bridges at the 4 corners connecting the outside world with Pullut. Near to Kodungallur bared a Jewish community but there exists no physical evidence for that.

Madai or Madayi

Madayi is a small place in Cannanore (Kannur district), Kerala, South India. It is located near Payangadi. Madayi today hosts a vibrant community of Hindus and Muslims alike but there is a fact that is given below.

“The hillock of Madayipara, which carries several signs of historic relevance, is also a place important from a religious point of view. Here, a pond in the shape of a hand held mirror, connected to ancient Jewish settlers is another historic attraction.”***

This is a relevant detail of the existence of the settlement, and proves the reliability of the tradition too. Apart from that this community has a speciality, that is that this community was established much far from other three ancient jewish communities communites. And this can be counted as the “Jews of Cannanore.”  which is mentioned by many indigenous historians and medieval travelers.

 "Malik bin Habib who constructed and established Madayi mosque in Ezhimala (also known as Mount Deli) found Jews in the place. Even they used to have place of workship Heli Mala" ***

Duarte Barbosa (1480-1521 A.D) mentioned his book “Livro de Duarte Barbosa” about the Jews of canannore who dwelled in Marvel (Madayi/ Pazhayangadi) “Close to its foot to the south is a place called Marvel, an old town prosperous and well furnished with food, peopled by Moors, Heathen and Jews, who speak the country language and have long dwelt there.”

There were other neighboring settlement for Madayi namely Muttam.