History of Malappuram

Caves found in Oorakam, Melmuri and Vengara show human settlements in pre-historic times. Ernad was ruled by the Tamil during the Sangam period.

The king Zamorin of Calicut also ruled Malappuram for some time. The chieftain of Zamorin Para Nambi ruled Malappuram with headquarters at Kottappady, Malappuram.

[1] The 800 year old rule of the Zamorin came to an end with the arrival of Hyder Ali from Mysore. His successor Tippu Sultan handed over the area to the British government. Thus Malappuram became part of the British Malabar.

The headquarters of the British garrison became the headquarters of the Malabar Special Police. The Moplas of Malappuram fought courageously against the British and their uprising is memorized in the Malappuram Nercha festival celebrated in every summer. The British built the first school of Malappuram and it was called Anglo Indian Vernacular School.

The Headquarters of Malabar Special Police at Malappuram

After India achieved Independence in 1947, Malappuram became part of the newly formed Kerala state. Malappuram became a separate district in 1969.

The people of Malappuram conducted a heroic agitation to protect the river Chaliyar from pollution. The source of the pollution was the liquid waste coming from Gwalior Rayons factory at Mavoor. The leader of the agitation was K.A.Rahman and the finally the factory closed down and the river regained its vitality.