Conflicts negotiations and compromises a study on the syrian christians of kerala in the 18th and 19th centuries

Abstract

The present study is about the conflicts, negotiations and compromises that occurred among the newlineSyrian Christians especially the Puthencoor (Jacobite/Orthodox) community in Kerala during the newlineeighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The study focuses on Travancore and Cochin states, where the newlinemajor events in the history of this community occurred. The colonial interventions had led to conflicts newlineleading to the emergence of different factions among the once united community. The conflicts led to newlinenegotiations and compromises among the factions leading finally to the crystallization of the newlinecommunity and acceptance of each other. The major players in these conflicts, negotiations and newlinecompromises were key political powers, prelates and sometimes prominent laity. This is studied by the newlinehelp of the palm leaves, Church records, Padiyolas and so on. The conflicts within the Syrian Christian newlinecommunity began with the interference of the colonial powers. The modus operandi of the Portuguese, newlineDutch and the British during this period varied and many a times, their actions precipitated issues.The newlineconflicts caused by these interventions later led to the split of the community into various factions. But newlinein some cases the colonial powers helped the Syrian Christians to bring prelates from West Asia for newlineordination of the local prelates. The conflicts brought about changes in the power structure and newlinehierarchy that can be observed throughout the 18th and 19th century. The conflicting groups always tried newlineto project their past. They constantly held on to the ancient usages and traditions of their forefathers to newlineestablish their antiquity. They also used cultural symbols to legitimise their positions. The native state newlineand colonial powers played crucial role in the negotiations and compromises of these conflicts. The newlinechurch during this period emerged as a major institution in the local and regional level involving not newlineonly in spiritual but also in economic activities during the period.