Some historical facts on Kerala: Your opinion is required
In another social platform where I am active, there have been some very high-level discussions on the practice of beef-eating among the Malayali people. Some Leftist, Marx-leaning, educated intellectuals are giving various evidences which apparently prove that beef-eating is a long-standing practice in Kerala, irrespective of religion.I do not know history including Kerala's history. I read some books or papers on historical subjects and pose myself as a learned intellectual. But, frankly speaking, I avoid intellectuals.
Now let us come to the basic issue of food practice in Kerala. I would like to point out three facts on this particular aspect below. These facts I have read very recently:-
(a) The Nairs are considered a martial community in Kerala. All the armies of local Kings and Zamorin used to appoint Nairs as soldiers and high-ranking generals. These Nairs were required to take an oath in front of their kings to protect the Brahmins and the cows. Many kings like Zamorin also used to take oath to protect Brahmins, temples, and cows.
(b) A Chinese traveller visiting the Malabar coast wrote that even Muslims did not eat cow meat. Hindu kings gave them land only if they agreed to not eat cows.
(c) Kamal-ud-din Abdur Razzaq was an emissary of Shah of Persia to Vijayanagar empire. He visited Kozhikode on his way to Vijayanagar, and wrote the following about Kozhikode:-
"The inhabitants of Calicut are adventurous sailors. They are known by the name Tchini Betchagan (sons of Chinese) and pirates do not dare to attack the vessels of Calicut. In this harbor, one may find everything that can be desired. One thing alone is forbidden, namely, to kill a cow, or to eat its flesh: whosoever should be discovered slaughtering or eating one of these animals would be immediately punished with death."
[This is mentioned in Andre Wink's book: "Al-Hind: Making of Indo-Islamic World Volume 2: The Slave Kings and Islamic Conquest".]
From the above three facts, the Marxist theory that the Malayalis are partaking beef since time immemorial, seems very doubtful. What do the knowledgeable members of ISC say in this regard?
Should I challenge those Marxists on other platform? Please advise.
