Thoma of Villarvattom was a "king" (landlord) of Villarvattom, a vassal fiefdom of the

Kingdom of Cochin The Kingdom of Cochin, named after its capital in the city of Kochi (Cochin), was a kingdom in the central part of present-day Kerala state. It commenced at the early part of the 12th century and continued to rule until 1949, when monarchy wa ...

ruled by the heirs of Villarvattom dynasty, an aristocratic Syrian Christian family of

Udayamperoor Udayamperoor is a town situated in Ernakulam district, Kerala, in India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the ...

. The origin of this royal family is traced to the 9th century. Christianity spread in the kingdom of Villarvattom (

) under the saintly Chaldean bishop Mar Sapor who occupied the Episcopal seat of

Quilon Kollam (), also known by its former name Quilon , is an ancient seaport and city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. The city ...

. According to tradition, Mar Sapor succeeded in converting the Villarvattom dynasty. Thus originated the Christian royal family of Malabar known as ''Villarvattom''.Narayanan, M. G. S. ''Perumāḷs of Kerala.'' Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 358. In 1439,

Pope Eugene IV Pope Eugene IV ( la, Eugenius IV; it, Eugenio IV; 1383 – 23 February 1447), born Gabriele Condulmer, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 3 March 1431 to his death in February 1447. Condulmer was a Venetian, and ...

sent an apostolic letter through his legates to Thomas, the Villarvattom king in the following manner, ''"To our dearest son in Jesus the great king Thomas of India happiness and apostolic benediction. We have been often told that you and your subjects are true and faithful Christians”''.

(known as

Diamper Udayamperoor is a town situated in Ernakulam district, Kerala, in India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area, ...

in Portuguese), the capital of this kingdom, was the venue of the famous Synod of Diamper of 1599 CE. It was held in the All Saints Church in Diamper. The venue was apparently chosen on account of the place having been the capital of a Syrian Christian principality. According to accounts, this Christian dynasty lasted till about the close of the 15th century. The last ruler of the line Jacob Swaroopam died without a male heir. His surviving daughter was married by a prince of the

Cochin royal family The Kingdom of Cochin, named after its capital in the city of Kochi (Cochin), was a kingdom in the central part of present-day Kerala state. It commenced at the early part of the 12th century and continued to rule until 1949, when monarchy wa ...

who was converted to Christianity. So the territories of the Villarvattom came to be absorbed in the Kingdom of Cochin. Consequently, it was considered that the rulers of Cochin had a special responsibility for looking after the welfare of the Saint Thomas Christians of

Malabar Coast The Malabar Coast is the southwestern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Geographically, it comprises the wettest regions of southern India, as the Western Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon rains, especially on their westward-facing m ...

. The Malabar Syrian Christians however preserved the royal emblems of the Villarvattom and presented this to Vasco da Gama, when he arrived in

Cochin Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of K ...

. This was done to show their homage to the Christian King of Portugal. His place of royalty were handed over to the succeeding descendants-Varghese family. The Tomb of Villarvattom Thoma Raja can be found in the Udayamperoor church.

In popular culture

The tale of Villarvattom dynasty is mentioned in the Malayalam novel ''Manja Veyil Maranangal'' (''Yellow Lights of Death'') by Benyamin.

References

History of Ernakulam district Saint Thomas Christians People of the Kingdom of Cochin {{Kerala-stub

In popular culture

See also

References