No, Madagascar was not part of Kerala. Kerala is a modern state located on the southwestern coast of India. However, geological history reveals a deep ancient connection between the landmasses that constitute present-day Madagascar and India.
Ancient Geological Connections Between Madagascar and India
While modern political boundaries and geographical features clearly separate Madagascar and Kerala, scientific discoveries illustrate their shared past as components of an ancient supercontinent.
Approximately 85 million years ago, Madagascar and India were conjoined landmasses within Gondwanaland, a vast supercontinent that began to break apart during the Mesozoic Era. This ancient connection means that Madagascar was, in fact, linked to the south-western part of India—the very region where Kerala is situated today.
Key Aspects of Their Ancient Relationship:
- Gondwanaland: Both Madagascar and India were integral parts of this massive southern supercontinent.
- Separation Event: Around 85 million years ago, the process of continental drift led to the rifting and separation of Madagascar from the Indian landmass.
- Connecting Land Sliver: Scientists have identified a submerged microcontinent or 'sliver of land' called Mauritia that once connected Madagascar and India, providing evidence of their former contiguity.
This geological past is distinct from present-day political and geographical divisions. Kerala, as a state, is a relatively recent formation in human history, whereas the connection between the landmasses of Madagascar and India dates back tens of millions of years, long before any modern states or regions existed.
Therefore, while not 'part of Kerala' in the modern sense, Madagascar shared a common geological ancestry with the land that now forms the south-western part of India.
