Palakkad district

Coordinates: 10°46′30″N 76°39′04″E / 10.775°N 76.651°E / 10.775; 76.651
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Palakkad
Palghat District
Clockwise from top:
Palakkad Fort, Ottapalam town, Alathur town, Malampuzha Dam Water Canal, Pattambi town, Palakkad city
Nickname: 
The Granary of Kerala
Location in Kerala
Location in Kerala
Map
Palakkad district
Coordinates: 10°46′30″N 76°39′04″E / 10.775°N 76.651°E / 10.775; 76.651
Country India
StateKerala
RegionSouth Malabar
HeadquartersPalakkad
Government
 • CollectorDr.S.Chitra IAS[1]
 • S.PDebesh Kumar Behera, IPS
 • DFONarendranath Veluri, IFS
Area
 • Total4,482 km2 (1,731 sq mi)
 • Rank2nd
Highest elevation2,383 m (7,818 ft)
Population
 (2018)[2]
 • Total2,952,254
 • Rank5
 • Density659/km2 (1,710/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialMalayalam, English[3]
 • Spoken
HDI (2005)Increase 0.761[6] ( High)
Literacy89.31%[7]
Websitewww.palakkad.nic.in

Palakkad (Malayalam: [pɐːlɐkːɐːɖɨ̆] ) is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala. It was carved out of the southeastern region of the former Malabar District on 1 January 1957. It is located at the central region of Kerala and is the second largest district in the state after Idukki. The city of Palakkad is the district headquarters. Palakkad is bordered on the northwest by the Malappuram district, on the southwest by the Thrissur district, on the northeast by Nilgiris district, and on the east by Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. The district is nicknamed "The granary of Kerala". Palakkad is the gateway to Kerala due to the presence of the Palakkad Gap, in the Western Ghats. The 2,383 m high Anginda peak, which is situated in the border of Palakkad district, Nilgiris district, and Malappuram district, in Silent Valley National Park, is the highest point of elevation in Palakkad district. Palakkad city is about 347 kilometres (216 mi) northeast of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram.

The

Chittur taluk in the south and Attappadi-Malampuzha area in the north, which are hilly and fall in the highland region (elevation > 250 m or 820 ft). Attappadi valley of Palakkad district, along with the Chaliyar valley of the neighbouring Nilambur region (Eastern Eranad region) in Malappuram district, is known for natural Gold fields,[8] which is also seen in other parts of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
.

The climate is pleasant for most parts of the year, the exception is the summer months. There is sufficient rainfall and it receives more rainfall than the extreme southern districts of Kerala. The district has many small and medium rivers, which are tributaries of the

Kaveri River, also flows through the district. Kadalundi River has its origin in Silent Valley National Park. The Chalakudy River
also flows through district.

Palakkad district have total number of seven municipalities.The largest city in the district is the Palakkad municipality.

2011 Census of India
, 24.09 percent lives in urban regions of district. In total 676,810 people lives in urban areas of which males are 328,012 and females are 348,798. Sex Ratio in urban region of Palakkad District is 1063 as per 2011 Census of India data. Similarly child sex ratio in Palakkad District was 959 in 2011 census. Child population (0–6) in urban region was 70,405 of which males and females were 35,933 and 34,472. This child population figure of Palakkad district is 10.95% of total urban population.

Etymology

In earlier times, Palakkad was also known as Palakkattussery.

Tipu sultan
became the ruler.

Before the Indian Independence, present-day Kerala state was scattered in South Canara, Malabar District of British India, and two princely states namely Cochin and Travancore. The first All-Kerala conference of Indian National Congress was held in 1921 at Ottapalam on the banks of the river Bharathappuzha, which also later demanded a separate state for the Malayalam-speaking regions in future Independent India. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee was formed in that conference. Before that, Malabar District, Cochin, and Travancore had separate Congress committees. Ottapalam is located right in the middle of Kerala state.

History

The region around Coimbatore was ruled by the Cheras during Sangam period between c. first and the fourth centuries CE and it served as the eastern entrance to the Palakkad Gap, the principal trade route between the Malabar Coast and Tamil Nadu.[14] Palakkad city, which lies on the northern bank of the River Bharathappuzha, was ruled by the Palakkad Rajas (Tarur Swaroopam).[15] Palakkad Raja had the right over the Taluks of Palakkad, Alathur, and Chittur.[15] The original headquarters of Palakkad Rajas were at Athavanad, Tirur Taluk, in present-day Malappuram district.[15] It is said that their lands at Athavanad area were given to the Azhvanchery Thamprakkal and the Palakkad-Chittur areas were bought from them instead.[15]

Zamorin of Calicut around 15th century CE.[15] Parts of Palakkad had also become under the Zamorin for sometime.[15]

In 1757, to resist the invasion of the

Malabar District in 1951

Tipu ultimately ceded the

British India in the years 1792 and 1799 respectively.[21][22][23] Later in 1800, both of the Malabar District and South Canara were separated from Bombay presidency to merge them with the neighbouring Madras Presidency.[24] Palakkad was under British Raj
until 1947.

The municipality of

British Indian Empire, along with the municipalities of Kozhikode, Kannur, Thalassery, and Fort Kochi
, making them the first modern municipalities in the modern state of Kerala.

Present-day Palakkad district was a part of Malabar District before the formation of Palakkad district.[29][17] Thrithala Revenue block of present-day Pattambi Taluk was a part of the Ponnani taluk.[30] Rest of Pattambi Taluk, Ottapalam, and Mannarkkad Taluks were included in the Valluvanad Taluk of Malappuram Revenue Division in Malabar District.[17][31] The remaining three Taluks of current Palakkad district (Palakkad, Alathur, and Chittur) together formed the Palghat Taluk of Malabar District during British Raj.[17][31]

At the time of

1951 Census of India, Palakkad was the second-largest city in the erstwhile Malabar District after Kozhikode.[32] At that time only two towns in Malabar was treated as cities: Kozhikode and Palakkad.[32] Following the formation of the state of Kerala in 1956, the erstwhile Taluk of Palakkad in Malabar District was divided into three: Palakkad, Alathur, and Chittur.[24] Palakkad district was formed by taking parts of the erstwhile Malabar District.[31] On 16 June 1969, Perinthalmanna taluk and Ponnani taluk were separated to form Malappuram district.[30] On same day, Parudur village of Tirur Taluk was transferred to Palakkad district.[30][33] Later some years, the Silent Valley National Park of Karuvarakundu village in Eranad Taluk (now Karuvarakundu is a part of Nilambur Taluk) of Malappuram district was transferred Mannarkkad Taluk in Palakkad district.[33]

Administration

Kerala Legislative Assembly seats

Legislative Assembly constituencies with their limits

There are 12 legislative assembly seats in Palakkad.

Kerala Legislative Assembly Constituencies from Palakkad district (12)
Sl no. Constituency Member Party Alliance
1
Thrithala
M. B. Rajesh CPI(M)   
LDF
2
Pattambi
Muhammed Muhsin
CPI   
LDF
3
Shornur
P. K. Sasi CPI(M)   
LDF
4
Ottapalam
P. Unni CPI(M)   
LDF
5
Kongad
K. Shanthakumari CPI(M)   
LDF
6
Mannarkkad
N. Samsudheen IUML   UDF
7
Malampuzha
Prabhakaran CPI(M)   
LDF
8
Palakkad
Shafi Parambil INC   UDF
9
Tarur
A. K. Balan CPI(M)   
LDF
10
Chittur
K. Krishnankutty JD(S)   
LDF
11
Nenmara
K. Babu CPI(M)   
LDF
12
Alathur
K. D. Prasenan CPI(M)   
LDF

Members of Lok Sabha

There are two Lok Sabha seats in Palakkad district.

Sl. No Constituency MP Party Alliance
1
Palakkad
V.K Sreekandan
INC   UDF
2
Alathur
Ramya Haridas INC   UDF
3
Ponnani

(Thrithala only)
E. T. Mohammed Basheer IUML   UDF

Subdistricts (Taluks)

Taluks of Palakkad
Subdistrict Area
(in km2)
Population
(2011)
Villages
Pattambi 369 467,722 18
Ottapalam 477 462,970 24
Mannarkkad 1,209 384,393 25
Palakkad 713 612,116 30
Chittur 1,136 437,738 30
Alathur 571 444,995 30
Sources:
2011 Census of India,[34] Official website of Palakkad district[35]

Economy

Stadium bypass, developing brand street
Growing Skyline of Palakkad city
Upcoming Shopping Mall in Kanjikode

The presence of

Bharat Earth Movers Limited
(BEML), Rubfila International Ltd, Arya Vaidya Pharmacy have production facilities. The commercialization of Palakkad City is Picking up and growing at steady pace in recent years, Nowadays Palakkad City and the suburbs are witnessing rapid amount of commercial and public development activities. The developments are mainly concentrated on the bypass roads, Both Stadium and Calicut bypass roads passing through city are getting major commercial projects. Major national and international branded Retail chains, food Chains, Restaurants, Hotels, Shopping complexes, Textiles, branded jewellers, Vehicle Showrooms, are functioning in and around city. There are many housing colonies consist of Villas and apartments are also present in Palakkad City and suburbs.

Transport

Palakkad Junction Railway Station
KSRTC Bus terminal, Palakkad
A view of the railway bridge over the river Bharathappuzha at Shoranur

Air

The nearest international airport is

Calicut International Airport
serve the city as well.

There has been a proposal for a mini domestic airport at East Yakkara with respect to setting up domestic airports for enhanced air connectivity by the civil aviation ministry of India. 60 acres has been identified for the project at East Yakkara Palakkad.[36]

Railways

The

Mahé (in the Union Territory of Puducherry), it is one of the oldest railway divisions in India. The major stations under this railway division are Palakkad Junction, Shoranur Junction, Tirur, Kozhikode, Thalassery, Kannur, Kasaragod, Mangalore Central, Mangalore Junction and Pollachi Junction
. It is the only division in India with no terminal facilities in its headquarters. The terminal facility of Palakkad division is situated in Shoranur Junction & Mangalore Central of Karnataka state.

The city is served by two railway stations –

.

Palghat Gap. It is also the meeting point of three important Railway lines: Mangalore-Chennai line, Nilambur–Shoranur line, and Kanyakumari-Shoranur line, due to the presence of Palakkad Gap

Road

Palakkad has a medium-grade network of roads. The National Highway 544 from Salem to Kochi passes through the outskirts of the city.National Highway 966 starts from Palakkad and joins NH 66 near Kozhikode.[38] Another important road is the Palakkad – Ponnani road which connects NH 544 and Mumbai-Kanyakumari coastal NH 66.

Palakkad City has four Bus Stations includes

Vadakkenchery and Mannarkkad serving the respective towns. KSRTC Station Master office is present at Pattambi.[39]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901763,917—    
1911819,726+0.71%
1921853,988+0.41%
1931941,286+0.98%
19411,025,058+0.86%
19511,214,208+1.71%
19611,369,508+1.21%
19711,685,347+2.10%
19812,044,399+1.95%
19912,382,235+1.54%
20012,617,482+0.95%
20112,809,934+0.71%
20182,952,254+0.71%
source:[40]
Religions in Palakkad district (2011)[5]
Religion Percent
Hinduism
66.76%
Islam
28.93%
Christianity
4.07%
Other or not stated
0.24%

According to the

640).[7] The district has a population density of 659 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,710/sq mi).[7] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 7.39%.[7] Palakkad has a sex ratio of 1067 females for every 1000 males.[7] The literacy rate of Palakkad district is 89.49%, which is the lowest in Kerala.[43] Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 14.37% and 1.74% of the population respectively.[7] The district is home to the largest ratio of Scheduled Castes (SC) population in Kerala, which accounts for around 15% of total population of the district.[44]

The total

Palakkad District
is 88.31% as per census data 2011. Gender wise, male and female literacy stood at 92.36 and 84.56 percent respectively. In total, 1,678,895 people were literate of which males and females were 843,855 and 835,040 respectively.

In 2011, Palakkad had population of 2,809,934 of which male and female were 1,359,478 and 1,450,456 respectively. In 2001 census, Palakkad had a population of 2,617,482 of which males were 1,266,985 and remaining 1,350,497 were females. Palakkad District population constituted 8.41 percent of total Kerala population in the census of 2011. In 2001 census, this figure for Palakkad District was at 8.22 percent of Kerala population.[7]

In the

2011 Census of India, child sex ratio is 967 girls per 1000 boys compared to figure of 963 girls per 1000 boys of 2001 census data.[7]

There were total 302,297 children under age of 0–6 against 318,884 of 2001 census. Of total 302,297 male and female were 153,696 and 148,601 respectively. Child Sex Ratio as per

Palakkad District compared to 12.18 percent of 2001. There was net change of −1.42 percent in this compared to previous census of India.[7]

Languages

Languages of Palakkad district (2011)[4]

  Malayalam (93.71%)
  Tamil (4.82%)
  Others (1.47%)

At the time of the 2011 census, 93.71% of the population spoke Malayalam and 4.82% Tamil as their first language.[4]

The administrative language and widely spoken language is Malayalam. Minority Dravidian languages like Irula (3560 speakers) and Kurumba (1028 speakers) are also spoken here. According to the 2011 census report, the percents of mother tongue of the total population is as follows:

Tourist attractions

Varikkasseri Mana-one of the oldest traditional Namboothiri family houses (illam) in Kerala
Malampuzha Dam Entrance
Pothundi Dam constructed in 19th century (British period), is one of the oldest dams in India
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary

Silent Valley National Park

It is located in the rich biodiversity of

Kaveri River, and Kunthipuzha River, a tributary of Bharathappuzha river, originate in the vicinity of Silent Valley. The Kadalundi River
has also its origin in Silent Valley.

Panoramic view of Mangalam Dam
View of the Western Ghats Mountain Range from Mangalam Dam Reservoir

Noted personalities

Education in Palakkad

Government Victoria College, Palakkad
Indian Institute of Technology, Palakkad
NSS College of Engineering, Palakkad
B. E. M. Higher Secondary School, Palakkad

, and many more higher level of educational institutions are located in
Palakkad District
.

Government Victoria College, Palakkad, established in 1866, is one of the oldest colleges in the state.[48] The Government Medical College, Palakkad[49] is started in 2014 is the first Government medical college in the district. The NSS College of Engineering[50] at Akathethara, is the Fourth Engineering Institution established in Kerala, India. The Chembai Memorial Government Music College[51] is one of the main centres of excellence in teaching carnatic music in the state. The Mercy College, Palakkad[52] a women's college established in 1964 is one of the familiar institution in Palakkad city.

Mannampatta

  • Thunchath Ezhuthachan College of Management, Information Technology and Biotechnology, Palakkad
  • V.V. College of Science and Technology, Palakkad
  • Yuvakshethra Institute of Management Studies, Palakkad
  • Ahalia Ayurveda Medical College, Palakkad
  • Poomulli Neelakandan Nampoodiripad Memorial Ayurveda Medical College, Shoranur
  • Santhigiri Ayurveda Medical College, Olassery Palakkad
  • Vishnu Ayurveda College, Shoranur
  • Ahalia School of Engineering & Technology, Palakkad
  • Ammini College of Engineering
  • Chathanmkulam Institute of Research and Advanced Studies, Menonpara
  • Jawaharlal College of Engineering and Technology, Mangalam
  • Prime College of Engineering
  • Sreepathy Institute of Management and Technology
  • NDFC Technical Institute & College for the Deaf, Shangaramangalam, Pattambi, Palakkad
  • Government Arts & Science College, Pathirippala, Palakkad
  • Govt. Arts and Science College, Kozhinjampara
  • Govt. Arts and Science College, Nattukal, Palakkad
  • Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Govt Arts & Science College, Attappadi, Palakkad (est. 2012)

Media

Major Malayalam Newspapers include

Hindi movies, there are few other multiplex
screens are under construction and expect to open near future in and around city.

Sports in Palakkad

Palakkad has produced some world class athletes. Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium in the center of city was once used for Major sports meets and football matches in the state, but the stadium is not currently in condition for conducting games due to the lack of maintenance. There is a proposal for the renovation of the stadium with international facilities by the Municipality.[53] The city has Fort Maidan[54] also known as Kota Maidanam, a multi-use stadium in the center of the Palakkad. It is currently used mostly for cricket matches. Fort Maidan holds a maximum capacity of 10,000 people. Until 2002, the ground was considered for local cricket only.[55] In 2003, the Ranji Trophy was introduced in Fort Maidan. The city has an Indoor Stadium[56] located near Government Victoria College, Palakkad with a total area of 100,000 square feet (9,300 m2) with commercial establishments still unfinished & incomplete. There is a Synthetic Track with eight lines operational in the ground of the newly constructed Government Medical College, Palakkad.[57]

Major Towns in Palakkad District

Ottapalam town
Pattambi Town
Vadakkencherry Town
Alathur Town

[58]

Gram panchayats in Palakkad District

[59]

See also

References

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  3. ^ "The Kerala Official Language (Legislation) Act, 1969" (PDF).
  4. ^ a b c "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Kerala". www.censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  5. ^ a b "Table C-01: Population by religious community: Kerala". Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  6. ^ "Kerala | UNDP in India". UNDP.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i "District Census Hand Book: Palakkad" (PDF). Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
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  9. ^ "Fact sheet on Indian dams at Diehardindian.com". Archived from the original on 13 December 2006.
  10. ^ "*** Official WebSite Of Palakkad District ***". Palakkad.nic.in. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
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  13. INFLIBNET
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  14. ^ Subramanian, T. S (28 January 2007). "Roman connection in Tamil Nadu". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 19 September 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
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  16. ^ a b K. V. Krishna Iyer (1938), Zamorins of Calicut: From the earliest times to AD 1806, Norman Printing Bureau, Kozhikode
  17. ^ a b c d 1951 census handbook - Malabar district (PDF). Chennai: Government of Madras. 1953. p. 1.
  18. . Retrieved 18 November 2012.
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  21. ^ The Edinburgh Gazetteer. Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green. 1827. pp. 63–. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
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  23. . Retrieved 18 November 2012.
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  25. ^ "CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF CENTRAL ACTS (Updated up to 17-10-2014)". Lawmin.nic.in. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
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  30. ^ a b c K. Narayanan (1972). District Census Handbook – Malappuram (Part-C) – 1971 (PDF). Thiruvananthapuram: Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala. p. 3.
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  35. ^ "Villages in Palakkad". palakkad.nic.in. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  36. ^ "60 Acres Identified For Airport Project". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 21 May 2011. Archived from the original on 26 May 2011.
  37. ^ "Train services resume on Pollachi – Palakkad section". Coimbatore. The Hindu. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  38. ^ "National Highways and their lengths" Archived 6 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine. National Highways Authority of India. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  39. ^ "KSRTC Depots". 14 March 2011. Archived from the original on 14 March 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  40. ^ Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901
  41. ^ US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2011. Jamaica 2,868,380 July 2011 est
  42. ^ "2010 Resident Population Data". U. S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 30 September 2011. Utah 2,763,885
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  44. ^ Government of Kerala (2021). Economic Review 2020 – Volume I (PDF). Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala State Planning Board.
  45. ^ "MUNNAR TOURISM".
  46. ^ "Biography" (PDF). Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research. 3 June 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  47. ^ "Education | Palakkad | India".
  48. ^ "District Profile". spb.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  49. ^ "-CUSTOMER VALUE-". -CUSTOMER VALUE-.
  50. ^ "NSS College of Engineering – Palakkad , Kerala". www.nssce.ac.in.
  51. ^ "借金SOS | Just another WordPress site". cmgmusiccollege.org.
  52. ^ "Affiliated Colleges and courses" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 September 2017.
  53. ^ "Palakkad municipal stadium turns into dump yard covered with weeds". Mathrubhumi.
  54. ^ "Fort Maidan | India | Cricket Grounds | ESPNcricinfo.com".
  55. ^ "The Home of CricketArchive". cricketarchive.com.
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  58. ^ "Kerala (India): Districts, Cities and Towns – Population Statistics, Charts and Map". www.citypopulation.de.
  59. ^ "Panchayaths | Palakkad | India".

Further reading

Satellite Images

External links