Goda Ravi

Goda Ravi (fl. c. 905–c. 943 AD[1]) was a Chera Perumal king of medieval Kerala, south India.[2] An inscription mentioning Goda Ravi from Nedumpuram Thali, Wadakkanchery (929-30 AD) is one of rare Chera Perumal inscriptions which give both the regnal year and another era (Kali Era or Kollam Era) at the same time.[2] The Koyil or the Royal Prince during the time of Goda Ravi was certain Ravi Aditya (who was also a minister).[3]

Goda Ravi
Ruler of Chera Perumal Kingdom
Reign	c. 905–c. 943 AD
Predecessor	Goda Goda (or) Kerala Kesari
Successor	Indu Goda
House	Chera Perumals of Makotai
Religion	Hinduism

The Chola relations with the Chera Perumals were consolidated during the rule of Goda Ravi. Vellan Kumaran, son of the chieftain of Valluvanad, and other nobles from Kerala, are known to served under Chola prince Rajaditya.[4] Temple inscriptions dated in the regnal years (15th to 30th) of Goda Ravi were discovered from Chokkur (Puthur village, near Koduvally), Nedumpuram Thali (Wadakkanchery), Avittathur, Tripparangode, Poranghattiri, Indianur (Kottakkal) and Thrippunithura.[2] The records mention, among other things, certain Cheraman Maha Devi (the Chera queen), the so-called Agreement of Muzhikkulam, and the chieftains of Vembanadu (Alappuzha) and Valluvanad (the later with the title 'Rayira Ravar').[2]

Goda Ravi was formerly identified with king Vijayaraga of the Chera Perumal dynasty.[2][1]

Coronation year

Recent scholarship suggests that the regnal year and the Kali Era, mentioned at the same time, may not be the same actual year.[1]

Nedumpuram Thali inscription

	Regnal Year (Slab I)	Kali Era Reading (Slab II)	Corresponding Dates	Jupiter in Mithuna	Coronation Year	Presently accepted
A. G. Warrier	Regnal Year 17	'nālāyirattumuppata' ('4030')	929 AD	Does not agree with the position of Jupiter	912 AD
Elamkulam P. N. K. Pillai		'nālāyirattumuppat[tancu].' ('4035')	934 AD	Agree with the position of Jupiter	917 AD
M. G. S. Narayanan		'nālāyirattumoppata' ('done in 4000')	900 AD		883 AD
Present view		'nālāyirattumuppata' ('4030') = 929 AD	922 AD (Agreement Year) 929 AD (Inscription Year)		905 AD

Epigraphic records

Avittathur Temple

Avittathur Temple

Note: Material: granite, script: Vattezhuthu with Grantha characters, and language: old Malayalam (unless otherwise stated)

Year	Regnal Year	Location	Contents
			Nature	Notes
920 AD	15	Chokkur inscription (Chokoor, Puthur village) - near Koduvally - single granite slab in courtyard of the ruined Chokkur Temple.	Temple inscription (by founder)	A person known as Karkottupurathu Kadamba Kumara establishes "Kumara-Narayana-Pura Temple" by a land grant.[3] Earliest record to refer the 'Agreement of Muzhikkulam'.[3]
922 AD	17	Nedumpuram Thali inscription, Thichoor Wadakkanchery (Thali inscriptions of Cochin State) - two granite slabs fixed into the half wall in the entrance corridor on the left side of Nedumpuram Thali.	Temple committee resolutions	Dated in Kali Year 4030 (=929/30 AD).[1] Two halves of the record on two separate slabs (one with the regnal year and the other one with the date in Kali Era) were initially registered separately.[3] Council is the chieftain of Vembanadu (Alappuzha) called Goda Ravi.[3] Mentions the Nangaimar (dancing girls) of the Nedumpuram Thali.[3]
925 AD	20	Avittathur inscription I - single granite slab paved in the courtyard of the Avittathur Temple near the sopana.	Temple committee resolutions	Mentions the Cheraman Maha Devi (the Chera queen) - only record mentioning a Chera queen from Kerala.[3] Council is attended by the chieftain of Valluvanad (the Rayira Ravar).[3]
		Avittathur inscription II - single granite slab paved in the courtyard of the Avittathur Temple to the right of the srikoyil (a few feet away from sopana).	Temple committee resolutions	Council is attended by the chieftain of Valluvanad (the Rayira Ravar).[3]
		Avittathur inscription III - single granite slab paved in the courtyard of the Avittathur Temple (a few feet away from sopana).	Temple committee resolutions	Council is attended by the chieftain of Valluvanad (the Rayira Ravar).[3]
932 AD	27	Tripparangode inscription (originally in Sri Krishna shrine, Tripparangode Shiva Temple) - Triprangode- now in Archeological Museum, Trichur.	Temple committee resolutions	Mentions the Agreement of Tavanur.[3] Council is attended by the Ala-koyil (a Chera prince).
		Poranghattiri inscription (Chaliyar) - single granite slab in the courtyard of the Poranghattiri Temple.	Temple committee resolutions	Cites the Agreement of Muzhikkulam.[3] Council is attended by the Koyil and the Ala-koyil (members of the Chera royal family).[3]
		Indianur inscription (Kottakkal) - originally at Indianur Temple - now in Department of History, Calicut University.	Temple committee resolutions	A slab with inscriptions two separate Chera-Perumals on either side.[3] Council is attended by the Koyil (a Chera prince).[3]
935 AD	30	Thrippunithura inscription (originally from Santhana Gopalakrishna Temple, Thrippunithura) - now in Archeological Museum, Trichur.	Temple committee resolutions	Latest regnal year Kota Ravi mentioned in the inscriptions.[3] Council is attended by Ravi Aditya, a minister and a Chera prince.[3] Kota Ravi was initially identified as the brother-in-law of Jatavarman Kulasekhara Deva.[3]

References

1. 'Changes in Land Relations during the Decline of the Cera State,' In Kesavan Veluthat and Donald R. Davis Jr. (eds), Irreverent History: Essays for M.G.S. Narayanan, Primus Books, New Delhi, 2014. 74-75.
2. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumals of Kerala: Brahmin Oligarchy and Ritual Monarchy Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 65-67.
3. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumals of Kerala: Brahmin Oligarchy and Ritual Monarchy Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 438-42.
4. Ali, Daud (2017). "The Death of a Friend: Companionship, Loyalty and Affiliation in Chola South India:". Studies in History. doi:10.1177/0257643016677455.