While it is widely believed that Cheraman Perumal converted to Islam
and went to Mecca, the sources on which this is based are very
recent. There are many legends about Cheraman Perumal.

Cheraman Perumal is somewhat like Bhoja of Dhara in MP, about whom
there are many legends, including one that he converted to Islam.

One of the earliest sources to mention Cheraman Perumal's conversion
and travels is Keralotpatti in Malayalam. It was printed in 1890. It
may have been written in the 17th century, as a historical record it
is regarded to be of doubtful value.

The miracle of splitting of the moon has associated with both
Cheraman Perumal and Bhoja.

On the other hand, the gift of ginger pickles is narrated by al-
Hakim al-Naysaburi (1015 CE) in Al Musthadrak, where he quotes a
companion of prophet Muhammad.


Yashwant

--- In IndiaArchaeology@yahoogroups.com, JK <tiptronicus@g...> wrote:
> Ram,
>
> What would be a good reference for finding about Cheraman
Perumanl's
> trip to Mecca ?
>
> JK
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: fritzv@a... <fritzv@a...>
> Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2004 23:45:09 -0400
> Subject: Re: [Ind-Arch] Re: Three Sanskrit words in Quran
> To: indiaarchaeology@yahoogroups.com
>
>
> It is known that the last Cheraman Perumal of the Chera Kingdom,
> abdicated his throne to his three nephews, (who then ruled Malabar,
> Cochin and Travancore, respectively), converted to Islam and left
for
> Mecca, never to return.
> I do not know if the fable of the jar of pickle is in any way
> connected to the above historical fact.
> Ram
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: ymalaiya
> To: IndiaArchaeology@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, August 02, 2004 11:49 PM
> Subject: [Ind-Arch] Re: Three Sanskrit words in Quran
>
> That is interesting. Turns out all three are indeed from Sanskrit.
>
> There is an account that prophet Muhammad was presented a jar of
> ginger pickle by an Indian king (which would prove that export of
> Indian pickles is not new!). According to some he was Cheruman
> Perumal, but I am not convinced.
>
>
>
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