History Of Panchayat
Panchayat History
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Panchayat History
History of Adimali Grama Panchayat
Adimali Grama Panchayat, located in Devikulam Taluk of Idukki District and within the Mannankandam Village area of Adimali Block, covers an area of 271.53 square kilometres. The boundaries of the Panchayat are Kuttampuzha Grama Panchayat to the west, Vellathooval Panchayat to the east, Mankulam Grama Panchayat to the north, and the Periyar River to the south.
Mannankandam and Kuttampuzha were once settlements of the Mannan community situated at the foothills of historically significant mountain ranges. In the language of the Mannan community, Adimali means "a place where water falls." Once a dense forest, this region belonged to the rulers of Poonjar.
This region, which was once part of Kottayam District, was included in Ward 6 of Kavalangad Panchayat. During the first Panchayat election in 1955, Kuttampuzha and Mannankandam were part of Ward 6 of Kavalangad Panchayat. Mannankandam Panchayat was formed in 1960. When Kuttampuzha Panchayat was formed in 1967, two wards were separated from Mannankandam Panchayat, resulting in its present form. Later, Mannankandam Panchayat was renamed Adimali Panchayat.
This beautiful little village on the slopes of the Western Ghats is bordered by the Periyar River to the south, the towering Korangatti Hills to the north, the foothills of the Koombanpara Hills to the east, and the famous Neriamangalam Arch Bridge to the west.
From Ernakulam District, the route into Adimali Panchayat follows the historic royal public road constructed by Rani Lakshmibai, which later became National Highway 49 and leads towards Munnar, a paradise for tourists. This region, once filled with dense forests and streams, was also a habitat for wild animals.
The region came to be known as Adimali because it is mainly situated at the foothills of the mountains. The scenic Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls, cascading through rocky formations amid lush green forests, make travel along National Highway 49 a visually spectacular experience.
From the top of Kuthirakutty Hill, located approximately 4,000 feet above sea level, it is possible to enjoy a distant view towards Ernakulam town. The Lower Periyar Project is situated in the valley. Approximately 75% of the soil in this Panchayat consists of black lateritic soil, while 25% is red soil.
This daughter of the Western Ghats, which provides prosperity to tribal communities and migrant farmers alike, remains a source of pride for the High Range region.
Mannankandam and Kuttampuzha were once settlements of the Mannan community situated at the foothills of historically significant mountain ranges. In the language of the Mannan community, Adimali means "a place where water falls." Once a dense forest, this region belonged to the rulers of Poonjar.
This region, which was once part of Kottayam District, was included in Ward 6 of Kavalangad Panchayat. During the first Panchayat election in 1955, Kuttampuzha and Mannankandam were part of Ward 6 of Kavalangad Panchayat. Mannankandam Panchayat was formed in 1960. When Kuttampuzha Panchayat was formed in 1967, two wards were separated from Mannankandam Panchayat, resulting in its present form. Later, Mannankandam Panchayat was renamed Adimali Panchayat.
This beautiful little village on the slopes of the Western Ghats is bordered by the Periyar River to the south, the towering Korangatti Hills to the north, the foothills of the Koombanpara Hills to the east, and the famous Neriamangalam Arch Bridge to the west.
From Ernakulam District, the route into Adimali Panchayat follows the historic royal public road constructed by Rani Lakshmibai, which later became National Highway 49 and leads towards Munnar, a paradise for tourists. This region, once filled with dense forests and streams, was also a habitat for wild animals.
The region came to be known as Adimali because it is mainly situated at the foothills of the mountains. The scenic Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls, cascading through rocky formations amid lush green forests, make travel along National Highway 49 a visually spectacular experience.
From the top of Kuthirakutty Hill, located approximately 4,000 feet above sea level, it is possible to enjoy a distant view towards Ernakulam town. The Lower Periyar Project is situated in the valley. Approximately 75% of the soil in this Panchayat consists of black lateritic soil, while 25% is red soil.
This daughter of the Western Ghats, which provides prosperity to tribal communities and migrant farmers alike, remains a source of pride for the High Range region.
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Social History
Social History
This Panchayat was once part of Kothamangalam Village. During the period between 1933 and 1935, under Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer, approximately 3,000 acres of land within the present-day Mannankandam Panchayat boundaries were auctioned and sold on the instructions of Tharyath Kunjithomman, who was then an MNC.
Pala Central Bank and several financially influential individuals acquired various portions of the land through auction. In March 1934, cultivation was started in the region for the first time. During that period, Virippu paddy was the main crop cultivated.
During the same period, 200 acres of land in the area now known as 200 Acres and 1,000 acres in the area then known as Edakkanam, now Chatrupara, were allotted for Harijan communities. Fourteen acres of land in the area where Adimali town is now located were reserved for public purposes.
Subsequently, the institutions and individuals who acquired the land through auction divided and leased portions of it to other farmers. Crops such as tapioca and lemongrass became increasingly cultivated in the region.
During the severe food shortage of 1949, under P. S. Rao, land adjoining the areas initially auctioned under the lease system was provided to farmers under the Grow More Food Programme for the cultivation of food crops. Farmers began cultivating tapioca along with paddy. However, forest authorities removed these crops.
During 1954–55, farmers in the region organised themselves and formed a farmers' organisation. At that time, documents registered in these areas stated that the land belonged to the rulers of Poonjar and that legal proceedings were pending with the government.
Permission to cultivate cash crops and tuber crops such as tapioca was granted during the period of the people's government that came to power in 1957. The efforts of Tharyath Kunjithomman in securing land titles for farmers in this region were highly commendable.
The levy system was in force at that time, under which half of the agricultural produce had to be surrendered as levy. Strong protests were organised under the leadership of the farmers' organisation against this system.
Deviyar Colony was the first colony established within this Panchayat. As colonies were established in various parts of the district to address food shortages, the colony originally established at Marayoor was relocated because of water scarcity, resulting in the establishment of Deviyar Colony. There were 79 families in this colony.
Deviyar Government LP School was established as part of this colony scheme. Later, in 1976, it was upgraded to a high school. Deviyar Colony was a symbol of religious harmony and cooperation.
In this colony, a Brahmin Iyer, known as Mani Iyer, arranged marriages between his sons and women from Dalit (Pulaya) families and married his daughters to men belonging to the Paraya community, including members of the Ullada community.
After 1957, permission was also granted to cultivate lemongrass on the leased lands. During that period, landowners collected approximately two and a half bottles of lemongrass oil per acre per year from farmers as lease rent.
Subsequently, various other crops were also introduced in different parts of the region. Since the area was inhabited by members of the Mannan community, it came to be known as Mannankandam.
When the Panchayat system came into existence in 1955, the area comprising Kuttampuzha and Mannankandam was part of Ward 6 of Kavalangad Panchayat. In 1960, the present-day Adimali Panchayat was formed under the name Mannankandam Panchayat.
Due to the heavy losses associated with lemongrass cultivation, during the 1960s farmers began cultivating arecanut extensively on titled lands as well as on revenue and leased forest lands. Coconut, pepper, coffee, cardamom, jackfruit and mango were among the major cash crops cultivated during the early period.
Pala Central Bank and several financially influential individuals acquired various portions of the land through auction. In March 1934, cultivation was started in the region for the first time. During that period, Virippu paddy was the main crop cultivated.
During the same period, 200 acres of land in the area now known as 200 Acres and 1,000 acres in the area then known as Edakkanam, now Chatrupara, were allotted for Harijan communities. Fourteen acres of land in the area where Adimali town is now located were reserved for public purposes.
Subsequently, the institutions and individuals who acquired the land through auction divided and leased portions of it to other farmers. Crops such as tapioca and lemongrass became increasingly cultivated in the region.
During the severe food shortage of 1949, under P. S. Rao, land adjoining the areas initially auctioned under the lease system was provided to farmers under the Grow More Food Programme for the cultivation of food crops. Farmers began cultivating tapioca along with paddy. However, forest authorities removed these crops.
During 1954–55, farmers in the region organised themselves and formed a farmers' organisation. At that time, documents registered in these areas stated that the land belonged to the rulers of Poonjar and that legal proceedings were pending with the government.
Permission to cultivate cash crops and tuber crops such as tapioca was granted during the period of the people's government that came to power in 1957. The efforts of Tharyath Kunjithomman in securing land titles for farmers in this region were highly commendable.
The levy system was in force at that time, under which half of the agricultural produce had to be surrendered as levy. Strong protests were organised under the leadership of the farmers' organisation against this system.
Deviyar Colony was the first colony established within this Panchayat. As colonies were established in various parts of the district to address food shortages, the colony originally established at Marayoor was relocated because of water scarcity, resulting in the establishment of Deviyar Colony. There were 79 families in this colony.
Deviyar Government LP School was established as part of this colony scheme. Later, in 1976, it was upgraded to a high school. Deviyar Colony was a symbol of religious harmony and cooperation.
In this colony, a Brahmin Iyer, known as Mani Iyer, arranged marriages between his sons and women from Dalit (Pulaya) families and married his daughters to men belonging to the Paraya community, including members of the Ullada community.
After 1957, permission was also granted to cultivate lemongrass on the leased lands. During that period, landowners collected approximately two and a half bottles of lemongrass oil per acre per year from farmers as lease rent.
Subsequently, various other crops were also introduced in different parts of the region. Since the area was inhabited by members of the Mannan community, it came to be known as Mannankandam.
When the Panchayat system came into existence in 1955, the area comprising Kuttampuzha and Mannankandam was part of Ward 6 of Kavalangad Panchayat. In 1960, the present-day Adimali Panchayat was formed under the name Mannankandam Panchayat.
Due to the heavy losses associated with lemongrass cultivation, during the 1960s farmers began cultivating arecanut extensively on titled lands as well as on revenue and leased forest lands. Coconut, pepper, coffee, cardamom, jackfruit and mango were among the major cash crops cultivated during the early period.
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Cultural History
Cultural History
In 1995, the former Mannankandam Panchayat began to be known as Adimali Panchayat. Before 1946, the inhabitants of this Panchayat were primarily tribal communities belonging to the Mannan and Muthuvan communities.
In marshy areas such as Adimali, 200 Acres and Machiplavu, they cultivated different plots of land on a rotational basis each year and lived together in groups at safer locations on dry land.
The name Mannankandam itself originated from the fact that tribal people belonging to the Mannan community lived in this region during the early period. The tribal communities had their own distinctive culture, traditions and arts.
The joint-family system and the matrilineal Marumakkathayam tradition were prevalent. Their sacred family life and the social framework governing it, although not written down, continued as customary practices for generations.
Migration to this Panchayat began around 1946. At that time, under the government's Grow More Food Programme, marshy lands in the Kothamangalam and Muvattupuzha areas were auctioned and provided to landlords for cultivation under the lease system.
Those who came to cultivate the land, along with the labourers who came to work for them, became the first settlers. Later, as cultivation expanded through sharecropping, leasing and seasonal farming arrangements, permanent habitation gradually developed in the region.
In marshy areas such as Adimali, 200 Acres and Machiplavu, they cultivated different plots of land on a rotational basis each year and lived together in groups at safer locations on dry land.
The name Mannankandam itself originated from the fact that tribal people belonging to the Mannan community lived in this region during the early period. The tribal communities had their own distinctive culture, traditions and arts.
The joint-family system and the matrilineal Marumakkathayam tradition were prevalent. Their sacred family life and the social framework governing it, although not written down, continued as customary practices for generations.
Migration to this Panchayat began around 1946. At that time, under the government's Grow More Food Programme, marshy lands in the Kothamangalam and Muvattupuzha areas were auctioned and provided to landlords for cultivation under the lease system.
Those who came to cultivate the land, along with the labourers who came to work for them, became the first settlers. Later, as cultivation expanded through sharecropping, leasing and seasonal farming arrangements, permanent habitation gradually developed in the region.