Geologists from the marine theological studies have proved that the landmass of Kerala was the result of a seismic activity. Today's agro climatic landscape, backwaters and waterlogged tracts, which cover one third of the total land, was a gradual evolution of nature.

The first recorded history of Kerala appears in the inscriptions of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka (269-232 BC). Ashoka refers the independent Kingdoms of Cholas, The Pandyas, the Keralaputhras and the Satyaputras. Among them Keralaputhras or Cheras, reigned over Malabar, Cochin and North Travancore (all parts of present day Kerala).

The Christians who arrived in Kerala in 3rd Century and Muslims in 8th century were generally traders. Jews also arrived in Kerala during early years of Christian era and were more powerful. Kerala gradually entered a phase of warlords (Naduvazhis). The prominent ones were Zamorin of Calicut (North) and Moopins of Perimpadappu (Central).

In 1602, the Dutch East India Company was established and by 1663 Dutch drove out Portuguese with the help of Zamorin. Dutch dominated Kannur and Kochi area. By 1799 British drove out the Dutch, weakened after the defeat in 1741 by Marthanda Varma, King of Thiruvithamkur. Pazhassi Raja in North Kerala and Velu Thampi Dalawa in Central Kerala mainly opposed the British entry.

The freedom struggle started in Kerala in 1922 by students against the fee hike. Many eminent personalities in Indian freedom fight from Kerala are, AK Gopalan, VK Krishnamenon, K Kelappan, KP Kesavamenon, AV Kuttimalu Amma, K Karunakaran, EMS Namboodirippad, Muhammad Abdulrahiman Sahib, K Kunhirama Kurup and so on.

After independence, a new state "Thirukochi" was formed on 1st July 1949. Malayalam speaking regions of Malabar and Thirukochi joined together as one state on 1st November 1956 and named it Kerala. 1st November is celebrated as Kerala Piravi (Birth Day of Kerala).