Analyze the administrative and socio-political structure of the ancient Ay kingdom of southern Kerala: 1. The Ay chieftains maintained their primary hill fort at Aykudi and controlled the trade routes passing through the Aramboly pass. 2. The kingdom was entirely independent of Pandya political hegemony and never entered into matrimonial or tributary alliances with northern Tamil powers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Statement 1 is correct because the Ay kingdom strategically controlled the mountain passes, particularly the Aramboly pass connecting modern Kerala to Tamil Nadu, which was vital for inland trade. Statement 2 is incorrect because epigraphical and Sangam records indicate that the Ay rulers frequently engaged in shifting alliances, often facing military pressure and entering into subordination under the Pandyas and Cholas. The Ay monarchs held sway over regions spanning parts of modern Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam.