The oral histories passed down through generations, which I heard in my childhood from my parents and grandparents, are my greatest wealth. The connection of my family with the history of Thiruvananthapuram, especially Palayam, is not just a collection of stories, but is deeply rooted in historical truths.
1. Malik Deenar and Thengapattanam
I heard directly from my grandfather that we belong to the lineage of Malik Ibn Deenar. Malik Deenar, an early follower of Prophet Muhammad, arrived with his group at Thengapattanam in Kanyakumari district and established a mosque there. According to the Islamic calendar, this "Valiya Palli" (Grand Mosque), which is about 1,400 years old, still stands today. History says that the companions of the Prophet who arrived there entered into local marital alliances, and that lineage continues.
2. The Egyptian Connection and the Imam Gazzali Lineage
The descendants of Imam Gazzali (CE 1058–1111), the incomparable scholar and philosopher of Islamic history, later migrated from Egypt to the coastal regions of India. This Egyptian heritage reaches us through my maternal grandfather, Assanarupilla Peer Muhammed Gazzali. The physical traits commonly found in people of Middle Eastern descent—such as large eyes, large ears, a prominent nose, and distinct features of the feet—were genetically visible as markers of this lineage in our family members. This lineage later came to be known as the famous Palayam Gazzali Imam Family of Thiruvananthapuram.
3. Migration from Kottar and the Palayam Mosque
My maternal grandfather's family migrated from Kottar, a famous trade center in Tamil Nadu, to Palayam in Thiruvananthapuram about 300 years ago. When I saw the present-day Palayam Juma Masjid in my childhood, it was just a small thatched structure. It got the name "Palayam" (Military Camp) because it was built around 1813 for the Muslim soldiers of the Travancore Army (Nayar Brigade). The religious harmony of the Travancore Maharajas, who permitted the establishment of a mosque, a temple, and a church in the same area for the prayers of the soldiers, is historically renowned.
Later, this mosque was reconstructed and inaugurated in 1967 by the then President of India, Dr. Zakir Husain. My mother's only elder brother, Zainulabdeen Gazzali, was a prominent leader in the mosque management committees during that period.
4. Relations with the Royal Family and the 'Sarottu' Chariot
During the reign of Maharaja Sree Moolam Thirunal (1885–1924), my ancestors served as chief bodyguards and held ADC (Aide-de-Camp) positions in the palace. As a token of royal trust, they were granted the special privilege of using a 'Sarottu' (Chariot) drawn by twin horses. In my childhood, my mother had shown me a stable near our ancestral home where this chariot was kept.
5. Dr. Palpu and Social Commitment
The upper floor of that stable, which was owned by our family, was later given by my ancestors to Dr. Palpu—the famous social reformer and close associate of Sree Narayana Guru—for his social activities. All these matters, which I heard from elders six decades ago during my childhood, remain clear and unfaded in my strong memory today. Palayam Nizar Ahamed Copyright © All rights reserved Author
Palayam Nizar Ahamed (M.Nizar Ahamed) Writer| Journalist |Blogger| Poet| Editor-in-Chief | Flash News-Breaking News Bulletindaily |for investigative reports & editorial writings. 
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