History of Grama Panchayat
Kudayathoor Grama Panchayat was once a continuous part of the dense forest area of Idukki.
The Legend of Lord Shasta: According to popular folklore, while traveling, Lord Shasta of Sabarimala stopped to rest in the forests of Kudayathoor after placing his palm-leaf umbrella (Olakuda) on the ground. Because it was the place where the umbrella (Kuda) was placed (Vacha), the region came to be known as "Kudavechoor." Over time, Kudavechoor evolved into Kudayathoor.
The Warriors of Azhvanchery Thamprakkal: Other records suggest a different origin. The warriors of the Azhvanchery Thamprakkal conquered this land. To establish their sovereignty, they decorated the highest mountain peak with umbrellas (Kuda) and festive banners (Kodi) to celebrate their victory. Thus, the place got the name Kudayathoor, meaning "the land where umbrellas and banners were hoisted."
The Kudayathoor Vindhyan: A third belief is tied to the mountain range standing tall on the southern side of the Kudayathoor Grama Panchayat, which rises to a height of 3,500 feet. Since it resembles a replica of the Vindhya Mountain range, it is locally called the "Kudayathoor Vindhyan," from which the place supposedly derived its name.
Local History
The original inhabitants of this region were tribal communities belonging to the hill tribes. Their places of worship included shrines like Vayanakkavu, Mankombukavu, and Chakkikkavu.
Migration and Settlement
In the early days, 500 families belonging to the Vellala community migrated to Travancore from Tenkasi, and 300 families migrated from Kumbakonam. Some of these families settled in the Kudayathoor and Kolapra areas. While clearing the forest for cultivation, they discovered an ancient raised platform (Thara) and the ruins of an old temple. This temple is known today as Chakkulathukavu.
Governance & Trade: The leader of the Malayaraya tribal community held the title of "Koramban." This region was under the jurisdiction of the Keezhmalainadu principality, which had its capital at Karikode.
At one time, several settlements named after the Malayaraya tribes existed in this land. Timber for sailing ships, pathemaris (cargo boats), and kettuvallams (houseboats) was logged on a large scale from here and transported to commercial centers via the Vembanad Lake.
Displacement and Land Ownership
Due to large-scale deforestation and mass migration, the indigenous tribal population was displaced, and the land came under the control of migrant farmers and timber traders. Concurrently, lands were granted as Dhanappathivu (gift deeds) to landless members of the Pulaya community.
In the early period, land ownership was completely undefined. Apart from shifting cultivation by clearing forests from time to time, there was no permanent possession of land.
Socio-Cultural History
Early Life and Agriculture
In the early days, people practiced Punam (shifting/slash-and-burn) cultivation, growing only crops like paddy, foxtail millet (Varagu), finger millet (Thina), and little millet (Chama). Migrant landlords engaged tribal people and Pulayas as laborers for agricultural work, subjecting them to harsh labor. Paying meager wages, the landlords took the surplus grain left after consumption, carried it as headloads to Karikode and Thodupuzha to sell, and purchased essential items like tobacco, salt, and clothing.
Society and Lifestyle
Rest Stops: Granite rest-stops (Chumaduthangikal) built along the walking paths served as relief points for the hardworking laborers. There were also Thanneerpanthals (water booths) and Vazhiyambalams (wayside inns) for weary travelers to quench their thirst and rest.
Housing: Early dwellings consisted of treehouses (Erumadam) and houses built using reed bamboo (Eera), bamboo, and palmyra palm leaves.
Attire & Jewelry: Early on, women wore a single cloth wrapped around (Ottamundu), and men wore a short towel (Thorthu) that did not cover their knees. Women from wealthy families wore ornaments like Pulingamala, Minnu, Thoda, Pambadam, and Membadam, while men wore ear studs called Kadukkan. Women were restricted from even entering the front courtyard of houses.
Healthcare & Education: Medical treatments relied solely on herbal medicines and chanting/mantras. Wealthy sections of society established traditional schools (Ezhuthukalari) to impart education.
Social Reform and Places of Worship
Toddy tappers like Sanku Manaparath, Chacha Chelaplakkar, Achuthan Thenadikulath, and Kutti Mattathil took the initiative to establish a Shiva Temple (Bhajanajamadhom) in Kanjyar to facilitate worship for lower-caste communities. Around the same time, members of the Pulaya community established the Sree Kumara Mandiram at Muthiyamala. The functioning of these institutions significantly helped uplift the marginalized communities from their backward state.
In 1872, the Koovappally C.S.I. Church was established by Rev. Henry Baker (Junior), a Western CMS missionary.
Political Transition and Revenue Systems
Historians state that the King of Vadakkumkoor annexed territories from the jurisdiction of the Keezhmalainadu kingdom, and later, King Marthanda Varma of Venad conquered it through war.
The 'Viruthikettu' System: During those times, modern survey records or structured tax collection did not exist. Ancestors speak of a tax system called “Viruthikettu,” under which tribute or seasonal offerings were delivered to the King or his representative once a year.
Land Survey: Land ownership became secure only with the arrival of migrant farmers who began cultivating permanent crops like coconut, black pepper, and coffee. During this period, land was surveyed, and tax (Karam) was assessed and levied. Land pattas (title deeds) began to be issued during the tenure of Diwan Madhava Rao.
Modern Administration: During the regency of the Rani, Colonel Munro became the Diwan; he surveyed the land, conducted land registration (Kandezhuthu), and fixed the taxes. Subsequent administrative reforms led to the present-day Village Offices, administrative officials, and structured tax collection.
Infrastructure and Education
Before 1926, a rough track (Vettuvazhi), which was called a road, was formed from Thodupuzha to Moolamattom. T.G. Sankaran Nair and Monimala Thekkethil Konthalasarn were the pioneers who started a bus service on this route using buses fitted with iron bars and powered by charcoal gas.
Vanchikunnel Sulaiman Rawther led the efforts to establish a police outpost, a local market, and an Anchal Office (early postal system). The first school in Kanjyar was established under the management of Palekunnel Muhammed Rawther, which later evolved into the present-day St. Joseph’s School.
Most of the schools in Kudayathoor Panchayat were established before independence. The Kudayathoor Government High School is nearly a century and a half old.
Agricultural History
In its early periods, Kudayathoor Panchayat was a forested area inhabited by tribal communities who practiced the "Kurumpoopo" (shifting/slash-and-burn) cultivation method. This involved clearing a patch of forest, setting it on fire, and cultivating crops there. The following year, they would abandon this patch and clear a different area for farming.
Evolution of Crops
Early Crops: Cultivation was limited to food grains like paddy, little millet (Chama), finger millet (Panjappullu/Ragi), horse gram (Muthira), foxtail millet (Thina), pigeon pea (Thuvara), and various tuber crops.
Settled Farming: Once permanent settlement began, farmers started cultivating cash crops like coconut and black pepper, along with intercrops like tapioca, elephant foot yam, purple yam (Kachil), and bananas.
Wetland Farming: Rice was cultivated in the flat plains adjacent to the river.
Topography and Soil
The geographical landscape of this Panchayat consists of mountainous terrain sloping towards the south and north, with a small plain in the central region. The soil is predominantly red earth and sandy soil mixed with rock dust. Agriculture in this region depends entirely on rainfall.