ERNAKULAM, Kerala

Main Attraction: Jewish synagogues

Ernakulam District has a few Jewish synagogues which lend colour to the archaeology of the State. They present some features for a study of the plastic art of Kerala. The famous White Jew’s or Paradesi Synagogue was originally built around 1567 A.D. The Portugese partially destroyed the original synagogue in 1664, but it was rebuilt after the Dutch returned to Cochin. The Clock Tower which is still preserved was built in 1767. 

The famous Copper Plate Grants of Bhashara Ravi Varma dated 1000 A.D. are still seen in this synagogue. A golden crown presented by the Maharaja of Travancore in 1805 is one of the interesting exhibits preserved here. The blue and white willow – pattern tiles imported from Canton in China are hand painted, numbering approximately 256. The cemetery attached to the Synagogue contains many tomb stones with inscriptions in Hebrew script. Besides the White Jew’s Synagogue there is Black Jew’s Synagogue also in Kochi.

Brief History

Ernakulam district is situated almost at the middle of Kerala State and on the coast of the Arabian Sea. It has the credit of being the economic nerve centre of the State. It is the most industrially advanced and flourishing district of Kerala compared to the other districts. The district headquarters is at Kochi, which is a palm green commercial city endowed with one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Kochi is the commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala. The harbour is the nucleus around which Kochi and surrounding regions have grown and has become the “Queen of the Arabian Sea”. The hinterlands of the district lying in every direction also have been contributing to its fast trade and industrial developments.

Ernakulam district is constituted of territories which formed part of the erstwhile Princely States of Cochin and Travancore and Malabar district of then Madras Presidency. The history of Ernakulam district, therefore, represents the history of the three regions. Major portion of the Cochin and Kanayannur taluks belonged mostly to the erstwhile Cochin State, Paravur, Aluva, Muvattupuzha and Kothamangalam taluks, excluding a few areas, belonged to the erstwhile Travancore state and Fort Cochin belonged to the old Malabar district of Madras Presidency. But the history of the district is centered mainly on the rise and growth of Kochi which coincides with the history of Cochin State. The history of Ernakulam district synchronized with the history of Cochin State.

Very little is known about the early history of Ernakulam district. Neither inscriptions nor other literary works throws much light on the history of the district prior to the arrival of the Portuguese. Kochi, the most important port of today is not found mentioned in any of the earlier foreign write-ups on Malabar. Neither Pliny nor the author of the Periplus nor Ptolemy, neither Marco Polo nor Ibn Battuta makes any mention of the Cochin port. Cochin port is believed to have been formed only by 1341 AD when the ancient harbour of Muziris (also known as Cranganore and Kodungallur) was silted up due to heavyfloods in Periyar and became unsuitable for maritime trade. However, this viewpoint regarding the formation of the port is a matter of dispute among historians. 

The district figures in the early Christian tradition current in Kerala according to which St. Thomas, one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ landed at Malliankara in Muziris (Cranganore) about 52 AD and founded several churches in the Malabar coast. The present magnificent church at Paravur is believed to be one of the seven churches built by St. Thomas and it is in the very same foundation where stood the ancient church. The famous church at Malayattur where the footprints of St. Thomas are visible on the sheet rock is believed to be the spot in the thick forests chosen by the Apostle as a resting place on his return to Malabar coast from Coromandel.

During the Sangam age, which comprised of the first five centuries of the Christian era, Kerala formed part of Tamilakom and politically it was ruled by the Ays in the south, rulers of Ezhimala in the north and Cheras in the central part. The early political history of the district is inter-linked with the Cheras of Sangam age who ruled over Kerala with their capital at Vanchi or Karur. Kerala which formed a part of the larger unit of Tamilakom then consisted of four political divisions viz. Poozhanad, Kudanad, Kuttanad and Venad. Kuttanad or the land of Lakes comprised the whole of Ernakulam, Alleppey, Kottayam and a portion of Quilon districts. In the Sangam age hereditary monarchy was the prevailing form of Government. There was considerable progress in the economic front during this age. There was active trade relation between Kerala and the outside world during this period. During the post Sangam period (6th to 8th century AD), there are references of war between Cheras and other South Indian powers and the defeats suffered by the former. By about 800 AD Kulasekhara Varma (also known as Kulasekhara Alwar, the famous Hindu Saint) once again established the political ascendancy of the Cheras. 

The Second Chera Empire set up with capital at Mahodayapuram or Thiruvanchikulam flourished till the 12th century AD and its rulers exercised their sway over Kerala including Ernakulam district. The Kulasekharas were zealous Hindus and under their generous patronage there was a great movement for the revival of Hindu religion. Sankaracharya, the great Advaita philosopher was a contemporary of the great Chera Emperor and Vaishnava Saint Kulasekhara Alwar (800-820 AD). Sree Sankara, a Namboothiri Brahmin, was born at Kalady on the banks of the Periyar. There was considerable progress in the economic and social front during the period of Kulasekharas. Since the 12th century, the history of the district is closely linked with the rise and growth of Perumpadappu Swarupam (Cochin Royal House). The early seat of Perumpadappu Swarupam was probably at Pazhayannur and from there it might have moved to Chitrakootam in the Perumpadappu village in Vanneri. Early in the 15th century the Perumpadappu Mooppil shifted his headquarters from Mahodayapuram to Kochi. Ma Huan, the Chinese traveller visited Kochi in 1409 AD. In the early 15th century Nicolo Conte, the Italian traveller, also visited Kochi.

Towards the close of the 15th century Portuguese arrived at Kochi, which was only a principality dependent on Calicut at that time. The great navigator and statesman Vasco da Gama arrived at Kochi on the 7th November, 1502. He was received by the then ruler of Kochi with great cordiality. Under an alliance between the Rajah and Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese got a strong foothold for commerce on Indian coast. Albuquerque who came next shifted the headquarters of the Portuguese government in India in 1510 from Kochi to Goa. In 1524 Vasco da Gama was again sent to India as Viceroy of their dominion. He visited Kochi also. He died on the 24th December, 1524 and was accorded a princely funeral in the principal chapel of St. Antonio in Kochi. The Dutch who came into the political scene later established their supremacy over the Portuguese by capturing Kochi in 1663 and made Kochi their headquarters in Kerala. The British captured Kochi from the Dutch in 1795, though the formal cessation of territories took place only by the convention of Paris in 1814. 

In the last quarter of the 18th century, Kochi became a tributary to Mysore during the regime of Hyder Ali. In 1774 the Maharajah of Cochin agreed to pay a lakh of Ikkeri Pagodas as subsidy to Mysore. Tippu who succeeded Hyder Ali sought the help of Kochi to attack Travancore. An attack on the Travancore lines was made by Tippu Sultan of Mysore in 1789 and 1790 and Travancore and Cochin were completely at his mercy. But fortunately the monsoon set in with all fury and further advance of Tippu Sultan was checked. In the meantime, the British started negotiations with the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Marathas for a joint attack on Seringapattam. Alarmed at these developments, Tippu withdrew and the Mysorean invasion came to an end. Treaties were signed on February 22nd and March 18th, 1792 at Seringappatam between Tippu and the British. The Mysorean supremacy of Cochin thus came to an end.

The modern period in the history of Cochin begins with accession to throne in 1790 of Ramavarma, the Sakthan Thampuran, and the treaty concluded by him with the English East India Company. Cochin had vigorous administration during the period of Sakthan Thampuran. But his relation with the English was strained later. After the death of Sakthan Thampuran there was revolt organised by the Paliath Achan, Chief Minister of Cochin in 1809 with the assistance of Velu Thampi Dalava of Travancore against the English. In 1812 Col. Munro, the British resident took the administration of Cochin state. The office of Diwan which was installed by Col. Munro in 1812 continued till 1947. During the period there were many prominent Diwans like Sankara Warrier, Thottekkat Sankunni Menon, Govinda Menon, Shanmugham Chetti, A.R. Banerji etc. under whose efficient administration the Cochin state attained many-sided progress. The legislature council of Cochin was formally inaugurated in 1925 during the Diwanship of Shri P. Narayana Menon.

The Indian National Congress was functioning in the Cochin State from even as early as 1919. The Government of Cochin Act passed on the 17th June, 1938 provided for a novel constitutional experiment in the history of Indian states. The powers of the old Cochin Legislatures Council were enhanced and the Council was made directly responsible for the administration of certain departments through a minister. 

The first minister was Ambat Sivarama Menon. A.R. Menon and T.K. Nair succeeded him as ministers. The Cochin State Praja Mandal was founded in 1941 and its activities in the next five years paved way for a responsible government in the State. The first popular Ministry of Cochin consisting of Panampally Govinda Menon, C.R. Iyyunni, K. Ayyappan and T.K. Nair assumed office on the 9th September, 1946. Prof. L.M. Pylee became the first elected president of the Legislative Council. In July, 1947, when the British Government made preparations for their exit from India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru sent a message to the then ruler of Cochin emphasizing the need for a full responsible Government in the state. In pursuance of the wishes, on the 14th August, 1947 the Maharaja issued a proclamation taking away Finance and Law and Order from the Diwan. Panampally Govinda Menon who was sworn in as Chief Minister was also in charge of Finance portfolio. The integration of Travancore and Cochin States took place on the 1st July, 1949. The Maharaja of Travancore became the Rajapramukh of the new state and Paravur T.K. Narayana Pillai its first Chief Minister. The regions falling in the present Ernakulam district mostly belonged to Thrissur and Kottayam districts of Travancore-Cochin state.

The taluks of Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Kunnathunad, Paravur and Aluva which belonged mostly to the erstwhile Travancore State shared the general administration and economic progress of that state. These areas formed part of Kottayam district of Travancore and had benefit from the administrative, social and economic progress introduced by a succession of enlightened rulers.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Kerala

Main Attraction: Museum at Thiruvananthapuram

The Museum at Thiruvananthapuram was originally started in the year 1853. In 1855, a Society was organized by His Highness, the Maharaja of Travancore as Patron for the satisfactory functioning of the Museum. It was established with the objective of offering instructions and encouragement in arts and crafts by exhibiting specimens of interest in natural history and products of art and industry. The Museum, in its present precincts was started functioning in 1880. The building was designed by Chisholm, Architect to the Government of Madras and was named after Lord Napier, a Governor of Madras. The architectural beauty of the building is enormous. Three big halls connected by long corridors of four towers, gables, ornamental ceilings, coloured panes and artistically painted walls constitute the main scheme of the building. It houses a rare collection of archaeological and historical artifacts. A beautiful Botanical Garden and Zoological Park were also located in the premises of Museum, attracting hundreds of tourists every day

Brief History

The name, Thiruvananthapuram, means the abode of the sacred snake god Ananthan, on whom Vishnu, the god of Preservation, is believed to be reclining. The old name, Trivandrum, is an anglicised form of the word - Thiruvananthapuram. Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala State and the District head quarters came into existence as a result of linguistic Reorganisation of States on the 1st November, 1956.

Thiruvananthapuram City and several other places in the District loom large in ancient traditions, folklores and literature. South Kerala, particularly the Thiruvananthapuram District, had in the early past a political and cultural history, which was in one way independent of the rest of the State.

The history of the District is intertwined with the history of the princely State of Travancore. Trivandrum remained as the Capital of this princely State for over two centuries There is little knowledge about the pre-history of the District. Though no paleolithic (old stone age) man lived in this region, some pre-historical antiquities of the neolithic (new stone age) culture and megalithic monuments have been discovered in the District. The archaeological remains of the pre-historic period which comprises of natural or artificial caves were discovered when the Varkala Tunnel was bored. There are a number of archaeological antiquities particularly inscriptions in the District. Almost all the inscriptions and sculptures are found in the various temples located in the District. As in the case of other Coastal Districts, the District had also commercial contacts with many parts of the world. The famous book of ‘Periplus of Erythrean Sea’ mention about Varkala Hills.

Upto the beginning of the 10th Century A.D., the Ays were the leading political power in the area. The disappearance of the Ays as a major political power in the 10th Century A.D., synchronized with the emergence of the rulers of Venad. In 1684, during the regency of Umayamma Rani, the English East India Company obtained a sandy pit of land at Anjengo (Anchuthengu) on the sea coast about 31 kms. North of Thiruvananthapuram with a view to erect a factory and to fortify it. The place had earlier been frequented by the Portugese and later by the Dutch. It was from here that the English gradually extended their domain to the other parts of Travancore.

The modern history begins with Marthanda Varma who is generally known as the ‘Maker of Modern Travancore’ (1729-1758 A.D). Thiruvananthapuram was known as a great centre of intellectual and artistic activities in those days. The accession of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal (1829-1847 A.D) ushered in an epoch of cultural progress and economic prosperity. The beginning of English education was made in 1834 by opening an English School at Thiruvananthapuram. In 1836, an observatory and a charity hospital were established at Thiruvananthapuram. During the reign of Ayilyam Thirunal (1860-1880 A.D), a fully equipped Arts College was started at Thiruvananthapuram besides several English, Malayalam and Tamil schools for boys and girls all over the State. A large Civil Hospital and a Lunatic Asylum were also established. In 1873, the present University College of Thiruvananthapuram was opened. During the period of Sree Moolam Thirunal (1885-1924 A.D) a Sanskrit College, an Ayurveda College, a Law College and a Second Grade College for Women were opened at Thiruvananthapuram. A department for the preservation and publication of oriental manuscripts was also established. One of the significant measures associated with his reign was the inauguration of the Legislative Council in 1888. In 1904, the Sree Moolam Assembly came into being.

The activities of the Indian National Congress echoed in Thiruvananthapuram and other parts of Kerala during the reign of Sree Moolam Thirunal. In 1938, a political conference of the Congress was held in the city under the presidency of Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramaiah.

The period, since the Maharaja Sree Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma took the reign of administration in 1931, witnessed multifaceted progress. The promulgation of the Temple Entry Proclamation (1936) was worth mentioning. In 1937, a separate University for Travancore was started. This was later re-designated as University of Kerala, following the formation of Kerala State in 1956.

With the accession of Travancore to the Indian Union after independence, the policy of the State Government underwent radical changes. The first popular Ministry headed by Sree Pattom Thanu Pillai was installed in office on March 24, 1948. Consequent on the recommendation of the State Reorganization Commission, the four Southern Taluks of Thovala, Agastheeswaram, Kalkulam and Villavancode were merged with Tamil Nadu. The Kerala State came into being on the 1st November, 1956.

MALAPPURAM, Kerala

Main Attraction: Tirur Thunchan Parambu

Located 32 kms from Malappuram at Tirur is the hallowed Thunchan Parambu, the birth place of Thunchath Ezhuthachan, the father of Modern Malayalam Language. This stretch of ground has been carefully preserved for posterity with items like the iron stylus used by the scholar and literary giant kept on display. The holy day of Vijayadasami witnesses children being brought here to be initiated into the world of education and knowledge The ancient Kanjira tree (Nux vomica) under which he is supposed to have imparted knowledge to his beloved disciples and composed his poems is one of the treasured exhibits here. The memorial also houses granite Saraswathi Mandapam along with a library of rare manuscripts.

Brief History

Malappuram district came into existence on June 16, 1969. Malappuram district is composed of portion of the erstwhile Palakkad and Kozhikode districts. It was carved out of Ernad taluk and portions of Tirur taluk of Kozhikode district and portions of Perinthalmannna and Ponnani taluks of Palakkad district. The ancient history of the places comprising of the district is obscure. However, there are some pre-historic relics found in some parts of the district, particularly Dolmens, Menhirs and Rock-cut caves. In Manjeri town and in Nilambur village, these relics are found. Rockcut caves are also seen in Trumbuli, Puliyakkode, Trikkulam, Urakam, Melmuri, Ponmala, Vallikunnu and Vengara. The ancient archeological relics include the fortified palace of the eastern branch of the Zamorin’s family known as Kizhakke Kovilakom. The Zamorins held sway over Malappuram and their chieftain Para Nambi, ruled the area in early days. There are some renowned old temples in the district, which have archeological and architectural values. Of them Thirunavaya Vishnu temple, Triparangode Siva temple, Hanumankavu, Chamravattathu Ayyappankavu, Trikkandiyur Siva temple, Keraladhiswaram Vishnu temple, Vennayur Vishnur temple and Karikkad Subramonia temple are important. During the Sangam period, the district formed part of the Chera Empire. No further details are available about the life and culture of the people either during the Sangam age or in the post-Sangam age. However, the inscriptional evidence found at the Triparangode temple indicates that Goda Ravi of the Chera empire had his sway over this region. 

Similarly details of the rulers of Ernad, who were the ancestors of later Zamorins, figure in the Jewish copper plates of Bhaskara Ravi Varman (1000 AD) and in the Kottayam copper plates of Veera Raghava Chakravarthy (1225 AD). The later history of the district is interwoven with the history of Zamorin’s rule. Zamorin or Samury or Samuthiri originally belonged to Nediyiruppu in Ernad taluk of Malappuram district before shifting his seat to Kozhikode. The conquests of Zamorin in the pre-Portuguese period deserve special mention, particularly his conquests over Parappanad and Vettathunadu (Tanur). The war with Valluvakkonathiri ended in establishing Zamorin’s superiority and gave him the honour of presiding over the Mamankam, as the ‘Rakshapurusha’ or protector of Mamankam. By 1400 AD Zamorin acquired hegemony over the entire district.

The Portuguese period commences with the arrival of VascoDa Gama on the Kerala coast in 1498. The Zamorin gave him all facilities for trade, However, the attitude of the Portuguese underwent radical changes resulting in conflicts with the Zamorin. Ponnani (which now forms part of the district) also was an important target of the Portuguese. In 1507 Almeida raided Ponnani and started building a fortress there in 1585. By the close of the 16th century, the Portuguese supremacy in the Malabar Coast started dwindling and it slowly declined giving political advantage to the Dutch.

Unmindful of Portuguese opposition, the Zamorin entered into a treaty with the Dutch East India Company on 11th November 1604. This was followed by another treaty in 1608, which confirmed the earlier treaty and the Dutch assured assistance to Zamorin in expelling the Portuguese. By the middle of the 17th century, the Dutch had monopoly of the foreign trade in the Kerala coast except for small English factories at Ponnani and Calicut. The arrival of Captain Keeling at Kozhikode in 1650 and the conclusion of a treaty with the Zamorin paved way for the British supremacy in the region. Though the British had to face stiff resistance in Malabar from the Portuguese, the Dutch and the French, the English in the earlier years mainly concentrated in fostering trade rather than involving themselves in military exercises.

The Mysorean invasions during the period had political overtones in Malabar. During his conquest between 1766-93, Haider Ali marched to Ponnani facing stiff resistance from the local Nairs. Haider Ali adopted severe and primitive means for punishing enemy troops. With headquarters at Manjeri, his troops spread all over the district capturing men, women and children. His draconian measures produced an outward calm in the district though it did not last for long. During 1768-73 Haider was busy with his campaigns against the Mahrattas, but at the end of 1773, he again invaded Malabar through the Thamarasseri pass. In 1778 a rebellion broke out against the authority of Mysorean ruler. The English East India Company encouraged the local rulers and they helped the local people to rise to shake off the Mysorean yoke. The British force under Col. Humberstone had to face the Mysorean army led by Makhdum Ali, which ended in the death of the latter in April 1782. The greater part of his army was also lost. At this juncture, Haider Ali sent his son Tippu Sultan to restore his authority over Malabar. But Tippu could not continue for long in Malabar as his father passed away and he had to inherit his father’s throne. In 1788 Tippu Sultan again invaded Kerala with a large army and without facing much resistance he could establish his suzerainty and establish Feroke as his capital. But the signing of the treaty at Serinagapatanam in 1792 resulted in the collapse of the Mysore throne and the large tract of Malabar, which was under the authority of Mysoreans, was ceded to the British. The British Commissioner’s effected a political settlement and thereby the rulers of Parappanad and Vettathunad were required to pay their revenues through the Zamorin, who was also temporarily vested the powers to administer justice over all these petty Rajahs. These arrangements also did not last long as the revenues of the district could not be paid by the Zamorin to the British promptly. Under the strict orders of the Governor of Bombay on 5th July 1796, the Commissioners took the direct management of the Zamorin’s estates, but on payment of dues they returned the territories to him.

However, the rebellion of Manjeri Attan Gurukkal again resulted in nonpayment of revenues by Zamorin and the Company taking this opportunity assumed the control of the districts governed by the Zamorin in October 1798. Thereafter the British Collectors ruled Malabar, which include the present Malappuram district. During the reign of the British also, the peace of the region was often disturbed due to Mappila riots. At the close of the 19th century the situation in the district was almost peaceful.

The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 and many delegates from Kozhikode and Malabar attended the annual sessions of the Congress held at various places in the country. However, no organised political movement took place until the beginning of the 20th century. In 1908, the District Congress Committee was formed in Malabar and many people actively participated in its activities. The first political conference was held at Palakkad in 1916 followed by the conferences at Kozhikode in 1917, Tellicherry in 1918 and at Badagara in 1919. But the most important conference was the Manjeri Political Conference held on 28th April 1920, consequent on the announcement of the Montague Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 which was attended by about 1300 delegates from all parts of Malabar.

Sri K.P.RamanMenon on behalf of the extremists moved the main political resolution declaring that India was fit for full self-government and the Monague Chelmsford Reforms were quite unsatisfactory and disappointing. Dr.AnnieBeasant, who was also present at the conference, opposed the resolution but it was passed by a huge majority. Another noteworthy resolution passed at the conference was the demand for tenancy reforms. In a nutshell Manjeri Political Conference was a turning point in the history of the political movement in Kerala. The Non-cooperation and Khilaphat movement had also their repercussions in the district. The Khilaphat movement was started as a protest against the decision of the British government who deprived Turkey of her homelands, which they agreed during the Great War. The Khilaphat committees were set up all over Malabar particularly in the then Ernad and Valluvanad taluks. The arrest of the Secretary of the local Khilaphat committee of Pookkottur on the pretext that he had stolen a gun from the Pookkottur palace of Nilambur Thirumulpadu resulted in a series of outbreaks in Malabar. Several encounters took place between the Mappila rebels and the British troops.

These events, known as the Malabar Rebellion of 1921, spread to Tirurangadi, Malappuram, Manjeri, Perinthalmanna, Pandikkad, Tirur etc. The official history of the Congress states that upto 28th August 1921, the administration in Malappuram, Tirurangadi, Manjeri and Perinthalmanna was almost virtually ended, as these areas fell under the rebel leaders. At the same time, the congress workers were very active in preaching, nonviolence and rendering all help to various victims of the disturbances. It is an irony of fate that while the Mappila rebels were being rounded up and punished, the Congress leaders who were preaching non-violence were also arrested and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. The Kozhikode district Gazetter states that, at the final phase of the rebellion the Mappilas became desperate and committed acts of forcible conversion, looting of Hindus, arson and murder besides looting and destroying public offices. The rebellion was crushed by hanging or deporting the rebels to the AnadmanIslands, besides imprisoning large number of persons. Sri K.P.Kesava Menon who had intimate personal knowledge of the men and women connected with the rebelllion has expressed the view quoted from Kozhikode District Gazetteer that “there is no doubt regarding the genesis of the rebellion on 1921. It was born out of police repression. Its chief cause was the excessive violence used by the authorities to suppress the Khilaphat movement, and not any Jenmi-Kudiyar conflict or dispute regarding mosque. When police atrocities became unbearable, they gave up the vow of non-violence and decided to meet violence with violence itself”. After the rebellion, the political activity in Malabar came to a standstill till the starting of the Civil Disobedience Movement. The Payyanur Conference in May 1928 was presided over by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and it generated great enthusiasm among the masses and gave a fresh impetus to the activities to the activities of the Congress in Malabar. Volunteers from this district also participated in the famous Salt Satyagraha on 1930 and may courted arrest.

The withdrawal of the Civil Disobedience Movement led to a peculiar political situation in the country. The younger general of the Congress men decided to form a Congress Socialist Party in 1934. This leftist group who subscribed to the community ideology was under the leadership of P. Krishna Pillai and E.M.SNamboodiripad. The rift in the Congress became very serious at its meeting in Shornur in October 1934. In 1936, elections were held to the Madras Legislature base on the revisions of the Government of India Act, 1935 and all the Congress candidates from Malabar were retuned to the provincial legislature. The volunteers of this district also participated in the Quit India Movement of 1942 and many persons were put behind the bars. Of the major political set up in Malabar, the most important was the emergence of Kerala Muslim League as a political party in the district under the leadership of Syed Abdul Rahman Bafaki Thangal, K.M. Sethi Sahib and C.H.Mohammed Koya. It is worthwhile to say here that the population of this district consists mostly Muslims. The people are pious and the back ground of the people tells the story of an arduous life in the midst of hills, boulders and rocks.