CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Vilavancode taluk forms one among the four taluks of the present

Kanyakumari District of the Indian Peninsula. It is bounded by

Ambasamudram taluk of Tirunelveli District in the North, Arabian Sea in

the South, Kalkulam taluk in the East and Neyyatinkara taluk of Kerala State

in the West. Vilavancode taluk had no independent political history of its

own. Its political, economic and social developments largely depended upon

the history of Travancore. Generally it is economically backward and

socially primitive,Vilavancode developed its economy and attained social

stability only after independence.

Land and the People

River Thamravarni which flows through this taluk is formed by the

union of the Kodayar and the Paralayar. It divides this taluk from Kalkulam

and takes a bend to the North-West and flows into the Arabian Sea near

Thengapattanam which was a commercial centre in the erst while

Travancore State. Generally river Thamravarni is a rainfed river. During

South West and North East monsoons, it overflows and causes much

damage to the lives and properties of those who live on the banks of the

river. During the rest of the period the river is almost dry.

The Western Ghats add beauty to this taluk. Coffee, tea and rubber are

cultivated in the hilly and mountainous tracts. Teak, blackwood, ebony,

veengai etc. are some of the important timber trees found in the hills. At the

foot of the hills, rubber plantations, coconut and plantain groves are found.

They present a pleasing sight. KaliyalAmbadi Estate, Kanthimathi Gardens,

Palali Estate and Vaikundam Estates are some of the important rubber

plantations in this taluk and they improve the economic activities of the

people of Vilavancodetaluk.

Paddy, coconut, plaintain and arecanut are the principal crops

cultivated in the low land and pepper in the midland. In a few selected areas

betelvine is also cultivated. The major portion of the dry land of this taluk is

suitable for tapioca cultivation. Besides this fruit bearing trees like jack and

mango are found here and there. The cultivation of pulses like horse-gram,

red-gram, green-gram and black-gram adds to the economic stability of the

taluk.

The Arabian seacoast which bounds the southern part of the taluk

extends over 12 kilometres. The coastline is regular and there are no

backwaters and lakes in this taluk. The alluvial soil along the coastal strip is

well adapted for the cultivation of paddy and coconuts. Good clay with soil

that exists in abundance in Vilavancode taluk is used for manufacturing

pottery and tiles.

The South West breeze keeps the temperature normal throughout day

and night. The South West monsoon and the North East monsoon provide a

pleasant climate. A warm humidity is the prevailing characteristic of the

climate in the low lands of this taluk. Extremes of temperature are seldom

experienced.

The people of this taluk belong to several castes such as Brahmins,

Nairs, Nadars, Kurupus, Mukkuvas, Ezhavas, Muslims, Parayas and the

Pulayas. The Brahmins held high posts in the social ladder. Next to the

Brahmins, The Nairs claimed high status in the society. At the bottom of the

society stood the Exhavas, the Nadars, the Pulayas and the Parayas. The

Parayas form the backbone of agriculture. The Pulayas occupied a very low

rank in the social scale. They took part in every kind of agricultural work,

fencing, ploughing, manuring, sowing, weeding, transplanting, pumping of

water and harvesting. They use basket trap for fishing.

The Kanis or Kanikars are wild but inoffensive hill tribe found in

certain parts of Vilavancode taluk. Their huts are made of bamboos and

reeds. They spend their time in raising crops and hunting. No other hill tribe

has a greater wealth of traditions as the Kanikkar do possess. Their colourful

traditions have been handed ever from generation to generation in popular

songs.

Agriculture is the important occupation of the people of Vilavancode

taluk. Besides agriculture small scale industries like palmyrafibre industry,

jaggery, mat-making, brush making, weaving, copra-making, coir industry,

embroidery carpentry, smithery and fishing are carried on by the people.

Temples and churches are many in Vilavancode taluk.

VettumaniSasta temple is situated just across the Kuzhithurairiver. This

temple is dedicated to VettumaniSasta. Parvathisekharapuram temple at

Munichirai was built by a Pandya king in the ninth century. A great

educational centre with provision for 95 selected students was also attached

to this temple. The Sanyasi mutt that exists at Munchirai exercises no

ecclesiastical function. The Bhagavathi temple at Chitaral is a jain belongs

to the 13th Century.

Places such as Kuzhithurai, Martandam, Kaliakkavilai, Puthukkadai

and Athencode are historically important. Kuzhithurai is the headquarters of

this taluk. Martandam is named as Marthandapuram in commemoration of a

visit made by VishakomThirunal. Kaliyakkavilai is a populous village about

three kilometer South West of Kuzhithurai.

Political History

Vilavancodetaluk remained a part of the erst-while princely state of

Travancore till 1947. The early history of Travancore traces its descent from

the old Chera dynasty, one of the three great dynasties of ancient Tamil

country. From the 11th till the 16thcentuary the Nambudiris ruled Travancore.

The Pandyas and the Cholas extended their sway uptoKuzhithurai which

was a part of Vilavancodetaluk. Its authentic political history began with

Maharaja MartandaVarma (1721-1758). He appointed a Chief Minister

otherwise know as Dewan and improved agriculture, irrigation and public

works. KarthbikaiThirunalRamavarma, later known as Dharma Raja (1758-

1798) became the ruler in 1758. BalaramaVarma succeeded Dharma Raja in

1798.

Rani LekshmiBai (1810-1815) was crowned after the death of

BalaramaVarma. When the political supremacy was established by the

British Col. Munro, the resident suppressed the councils and organization of

the Nairs so that they would not be a danger to the British political

supremacy.

After the GouriParvathiBai (1815-1829) ruled the country. The reign

of Swati Tirunal (1829-1847) represented a period of enlightenment. His

period witnessed the introduction of education in Travancore. The next ruler

AyilaymTirunal (1860-1880) reduced the land tax, opened new schools,

hospitals and irrigation projects.

AyilyamTirunal was succeeded by VisakamTirunal (1880-1885). The

reign of SrimulamTirunal (1886-1924) witnessed many sided progress in the

departments of agriculture, education, communication and medical services.

The last ruler of the dynasty was ChitraTirunalBalaramaVarma. While he

was a boy of 12 SrimulamTirunal died. So Maharani SethuLekshmiBai

(1824-1931) was proclaimed as regent.

With the advent of the English East India Company, in the year 1600,

Travancore attracted the attention of the foreign masters. In course of time

the British exercised their influence over Travancore through the Resident,

who served as the channel of communication between Travancore and

British India. After 1947 the British intereference in the administration came

to an end.

On July, 1, 1949 the states of Travencore and Cochin were integrated

and the new state was called Travancore – Cochin. The Legislatures and the

Ministries of the two states were combined to form the Legislature and the

Ministry of the new state of Travancore Cochin.

The first popular ministry was headed by T.K. NarayanaPillai, the

Chief Minister of Travancore and it continued till 1951. A new ministry

under the Chief Ministership of C. Kesavan was in office for a short period.

After the general elections of 1951-52, A.J. John formed the ministry. It fell

in 1953. In 1954 Pattom A. ThanuPillai became the Chief Minister. During

his period of office the Travancore Tamil Nadu Congress launched a

vigorous campaign for the merger of the Tamil speaking areas in South

Travancore to the neighbouring state of Madras.

In February, 1955 the Congress Ministry headed by

PanampilliGovindaMenon assumed office as the Chief Minister. This

cabinet fell in March 1956. The fall of the Panampilli Ministry was followed

by Presidents rule in the state. In 1956, under the state re-organisation

Vilavancode Taluk along with Thovalai, Kalkulam and Agasteeswaram

became part of the Madras State. Vilavancode taluk attained the present

shape only after the merger with the State of Tamil Nadu. After that

Vilavancodetaluk enjoyed all the political, socil and economic changes that

fell on Travancore.

Sources

The sources for writing the history of Vilavancode taluk can be

divided into primary and secondary. The Administrative reports of

Travancore and the Assembly proceedings of the state of Travancore Cochin

constitute primary sources for writing the history of Vilavancode taluk. They

bring to light the social and economic conditions of the people of

Vilavancode. The Travancore Directory and the Travancore Birth day

Souvenir deal with mostly on Vilavancode taluk.

The Report of the census of India also gives a lot of information about

the small scale industries flourished in Vilavancode taluk. The Industrial

Survey of Travancore enriches various information about the occupation of

the inhabitants of this taluk.

News papers, journals and periodicals which form the secondary

source of information supply enough information about the social and

economic developments of Vilavancodetaluk after independence. They are

the Travancore Information and Listener and the Gazettee.

Books like Travancore a guide book for the visitor’ by Emily

Gilchriest Hatch, `Progressive Travancore’ by S. RamanathaAiyar,

Travancore State Manual by NagamAiya, Travancore Economic Depression

Enquiry Committee-1931, A Truth About Travancore by Perumal,

Travancore Tribes and Castes by L.A. Krishna Iyer, A Review of Education

in India, `Administration of Village Panchayats in Kerala by Visalakshi, etc.

give enough information about the social, cultural and educational

conditions of the people of Vilavancode taluk.