Koothanallur
History
Koothanallur, a small
village started from the Turkish colonization, is known as Little Singapore
because of its abundant wealth. The Sultanate of Rum who was called as
Seljuk Turkish Sultanate ruled Anatolia from 1077 – 1307. The word “Rum” is
from the Arabic Language for Rome. The capital city spans from Iznik up to
Konya. During the climax of their rule,the colonization was extended from
Antalya-Alanya shoreline on the Mediterranean coast to the territory of
Sinop on the Black Sea. Its westernmost limit was near Denizli and the gates
of the Aegean basin. In the east, the sultanate absorbed other Turkish
states and reached to Lake Van, Israel , Oman , Arab Emirates, Persia ,
North India and the one and only place in South India , Koothanallur which
Turks received as gift from Kulothunga Chola III on 1212
King Kulotungga Cholan III invited Turkish Seljuk Sultan of
Rum(Anatolian) Izzad-Din (Kaykaus I) to get to know each other and for
business purpose on 1212. Izz ad-Din sent 3000 men and women from the
Turkish Elite, hundred bedouin Imam, a government advisor and an army to the
empire of Chola. The Turkish troops landed at Tharangambadi (now known as
Nagapattinam) and they marched towards Tanjore to meet the king but King
Kulotungga Cholan III did not permit them to enter or stay at Tanjore or
Mannargudi because he knew their hidden intention was to spread Islam. King
Kulotungga Cholan III presented to them a small village which was located in
the east of Mannargudi. That village was owned by the brothers of Koothan.
The Turkish troop chased Koothan Brothers away and they
settled at that village and named it as Koothanalhu. Turkish built the first
mosque made from clay and sand on 1212 and it was called Big Mosque. In the
16th century the mosque was enlarged and became very famous in that area.
The Turkish plan to spread Islam within Tanjore area was unsuccessful
because of the strong belief of Hinduism there. The 3000 troops stayed
permanently at Koothanallur,Podakkudi and Attikadai and their number is more
than 30,000 now.
The residents of Koothanallur,Podakkudi and Attikadai were
very well known for their cleanliness because they were the descendent of
Turkey and Arab Bedouin, none of them was converted from Hindu to Islam.
Most of them had fair complexion but the dark complexion ones was the
Bedouin generation. A written rock in Turkish language was found at the wall
of Chinnapalli and Big Mosque. Some of the written stones were confiscated
by Indian government who were aided by the Madras Museum in order to abolish
the religion of Islam within the area of Tanjore.
Koothanallur’s Big mosque and Chinnapalli Mosque shares
similar architectures of Anatolian design in Turkey. Nevertheless Turkish in
Koothanallur was diffirent from Mamluk Dynasty(Delhi Sultanate) who attacked
the area of Tamil Nadu. Delhi Sultanate was the army of Monghul who invaded
Madurai and the neighboring area.
As for the Islamic education, Koothanallur is known as the
very first institution in Tamil Nadu teaching Islamic studies. There are two
Islamic Higher Education Institutions in operation today. The FAIZUL BAKIATH
Islamic College has a history of more than 200 years. It is based together
with Koothanallur's Big Mosque.The MANBA UL ULA Islamic College was founded
in 1892 and glitters among other Islamic Institutions throughout the Tamil
Nadu. These two are the historical institutions that signify the
Koothanallur's early Islamic history. The female community still cover their
faces with a white color veil like their descendents did in Turkey.
Some of the inscriptions have been confiscated by the Madras
Museum under the order of the Indian Government to abolish the existence of
Islamic religion within the Tanjore area. This was done for the sake of
reserving the dignity of Hindu Chola whose empire was very well known.
Koothanallur History (Research by Professor JP Mulliner- Anglo Saxon
University)