MGS a key force behind the Muziris project, says Satheesan

Historian M.G.S. Narayanan passed away on April 26, 2025.
| Photo Credit: RAMESHKURUP S

Notwithstanding his strong disagreements with the identification of the Pattanam archaeological site as the ancient port of Muziris, historian M.G.S. Narayanan played a pivotal role in shaping the Muziris Heritage Project, recalls V.D. Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition and legislator from the Paravur constituency.

“I vividly remember his spirited arguments with fellow historians during the initial seminar on Muziris, held at North Paravur. He openly voiced his apprehensions, firmly stating that there was insufficient archaeological evidence to claim Pattanam as the ancient Muziris port,” Mr. Satheesan recalls.

M.G.S. Narayanan consistently argued that Pattanam was not Muziris, and criticised the Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) for what he believed were historical inaccuracies in their identification. He advocated for the use of “Mahodaya”—a historically grounded name , instead of the Eurocentric “Muziris.”

According to him, it was Kodungalloor, the harbour town ruled by the Cheraman chiefs of ancient Tamizhakam, with their political center located inland at Karur, near modern-day Tiruchi, that truly held the identity of ancient Muziris.

Yet, despite his theoretical differences, M.G.S. Narayanan never allowed his opposition to cloud his commitment to the Muziris Heritage Project.

“He was convinced of the existence of a thriving ancient port at Pattanam, which had trade links with over 34 countries. He recognised the evidence of a vibrant port culture in the region, unearthed during excavations,” Mr. Satheesan said.

“It was this conviction that led him to participate in the seminar on Muziris, even as he used the platform to publicly air his objections. As the organiser, I had to navigate between divergent scholarly opinions, but he respected my position too,” Mr. Satheesan added.

He also recalled M.G.S. Narayanan’s deep concern over the slow progress of the Muziris Heritage Project in the past decade. “That indeed highlighted the historian’s dedication to preserving Kerala’s rich historical legacy,” noted Mr.Satheesan.