History of Wayanad and Mananthavady: By Mananthavady Locals

It will be intriguing to explore the geography of Wayanad and its capital, Mananthavady, by examining texts from a century ago. Gaining a fresh perspective on our own land is indeed exhilarating. I have included excerpts from the "Description of the Wynaud Talook" in its original form. The additions in Malayalam have been made by me. Identifying the current locations can be quite challenging, and there may be inaccuracies; therefore, your insights regarding the Malayalam terms would be greatly valued in this discussion. For our ease in locating these places.

Ref: PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOMBAY GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY MAY 1840 

 (Historical and Geographical Account of the Western Coast of India Revenue and Land Tenures By Major TB Jervis of the Bombay Engineers FRS) 

വയനാട്

Wynaud or Byenaud (വയനാട്) one of the largest divisions of Malabar situated above the ghauts the crest of which to the W and S forms its limits and divides it from the Talooks of Kotiote Karta naud (കടത്തനാട്)  Karumbanaud and Erranaud (ഏറനാട്)  for 120 miles on the north it is bounded by the Province of Koorg കുടക് on the E by that of Mysore and to the SE from Coimbatoor by the Bukkary river (കാവേരി) which divides the elevated table land of the Neelgherries (നീലഗിരി)  into two portions its perimeter measures 226 miles its length from NW to SE 60 miles in breadth about the centre 30 miles and in shape an oval. It contains a superficial area of 1160 square miles of which is occupied by rice lands one fifth of it may be considered waste and marshy but the whole was once cultivated the remainder is composed of low ridges of hills and mountains with a very small portion plain overrun with forest.

The population according to the census in 1827 gives about 30 to the square mile but it is of unequal density the eastern portion being almost deserted owing to the very unsettled nature of the country when taken possession of by the British and since from sickness and the depredations committed by elephants a large portion to the E (Read as East: കിഴക്ക് )is now become almost a perfect wilderness.

 

The villages or deshums in this portion are very similar to those below being much scattered on the sides of the fields but not so much shaded by trees. The cocoanut does not thrive and but very few groves of the suparee (അടക്ക) is to be seen. In the vicinity of some of the deshums are groves of sagoo plants പന from which a strong toddy is extracted. A few of the villages on the borders of Mysore are compact but notwithstanding are insignificant hamlets and throughout the whole of Wynaud there is nothing in the shape of a respectable town.

പ്രധാന അങ്ങാടികൾ 

 A street of bazars is here and there to be seen as at Manantody  മാനന്തവാടി Culputty(കല്പറ്റ)  Corote കോറോം  Peria (പേരിയ) and Gunnaputty vuttom (ഗണപതി വട്ടം - സുൽത്താൻ ബത്തേരി) which may contain from 40 to 200 shops.

 The most conspicuous of them is at the village and post of Manantody  (മാനന്തവാടി) .The cantonment at this place on a low flat hill (ലത്തീൻ പള്ളി  ഏരിയ)consists of a small redoubt an artillery shed, (താലൂക്ക്  ഓഫീസ് കുന്ന്), a range of officers quarters (NGO QUARTERS) , place of arms (പഴയ പോലീസ് സ്റ്റേഷൻ- Now Thaluk office) , hospital etc.  There is an upper roomed house here used as a cutcherry now falling to decay.

 Gunnaputty vuttom; (ബത്തേരി) situated SE 22 miles from Manantody is a street of shops kept by Malabar people and a few moplahs At the eastern extremity is a redoubt on a height and a small building in it is the Umshum Cutcherry used also as a traveller's bungalow.

 Culputty; (കല്പെറ്റ)  SSE 13 miles from Manantody is a place of some note from its being the residence of a few brahmins and Chetties. Here also are a few shops and a temporary traveller's bungalow it is on the high road from the Tamberchary Pass 10 miles NNE of it താമരശ്ശേരി ചുരം

 In a valley of the mountains to the S of Brammagerry peak ബ്രഹ്മഗിരി is the famous pagoda of Tirrunelly (തിരുനെല്ലി) delightfully situated the valley is well watered from several mountain streams and cultivation continually in progress. Once a year a festival is held at it which is well attended. The Tirchulery pagoda (ത്രിസിലെരി) SSE of the above is an inferior building but considered a place of sanctity.

About 2 miles to the E of Manantody is a temple on the left bank of the river on the Aratuthurra deshum (ആറാട്ട് തറ) at which a festival takes place when an immense concourse assemble and live in small booths built from materials obtained on the spot. (വള്ളിയൂർകാവ് Valliyoor Kavu )    The fish in the river at this place are held sacred and fed by the persons officiating at the temple.

Punnamaramcotah (പനമരം Kotta) was once a strong military post consisting of an extensive square mud fort with a sepoy place of arms and other buildings but the whole is now a few mounds At this place and its vicinity several severe engagements were fought by our troops. To the E is a line of bazars inhabited by people of the eastern coast Goodaloor a small village SE 39 miles from Manantody has lately become a place of note being at the foot of the Nedduvuttom  Pass (ഊട്ടി ചുരം)  where the roads from Mysore and Malabar unite bungalows have been erected and bazars established for the convenience of travellers 

 The Kuppany river (കബനി നദി)  has its principal sources on the western ghauts which take their rise in the range of high mountains. NW and NE above the Tambercherry Pass it runs a devious NNW 15 miles to the E of Coorumbullah deshum വൈത്തിരി  പ്രദേശം numerous mountain streams and one and a half miles N of the place it is joined by the Culpaty കല്പെറ്റ a large rivulet issuing from Vellary (വെള്ളരിമല)  and Munnymulla  (വവുല്മല, ചെമ്പ്ര)  mountains from thence it runs NW and a half miles then NE two miles and receives another mountain stream on its right bank from the western ghauts. These united streams flow E and NE leaving Panamaramcotah on the bank joins another powerful mountain stream rising to the SE Munnymulla it then flows N three and a half miles and is joined by the Manantody river which has its sources in the mountains between Banasoorpeak (ബനാസുരാൻ മല)  the summit of the Kotiady  (കുറ്റ്യാടി) and Peria Passes and being joined by numerous streams of the cultivated valleys flows past Manantody and making several irriguous windings joins the main river which now runs NNE with a widened bed forms several woody and rocky islands receives the Bavaly (ബാവലി) a very rapid stream on its right bank near the post of that name.

 The Bavaly rises in the Terenelly valley and meandering in a south easterly direction for 16 miles receives several streams before its junction with the Cappany (കബനി) .  A strong stone bridge was thrown across it where the high road from Cannanore crosses into Mysore but the stream being powerful and rising above its banks the bridge is now left in a precarious state(ബാവലി Bridge) .  which forms the Cubbuny river (കബനി)  flowing through the southern districts of Mysore and ultimately joins the Cavary 

The table land of Wynaud is composed of low ridges with innumerable tops and valleys running in all directions the only which is of a more level surface is about Porukudy, Punnamaram cotah and Gunnaputty vuttom to the SE. The eastern is excessively woody and few hills appear the whole of it is undulating to the SE are the Nedduvuttom mountains  ഊട്ടി മലനിരകൾ with sublime peaks and cataracts 

The ghauts from the Peria(പേര്യ)  towards the Tambercherry Pass(താമരശ്ശേരി ചുരം)  and 1 1 miles to the E are lofty consisting of immense peaks from 5 to 6,000 feet high in short a perfect Alps and occupy a large surface. The ghauts in the SE are low till they meet the Neelgherries നീലഗിരി) and have only a few prominent tops perceiveable from the interior fall in magnificent slopes into the low country towards Nellumboor .

 To the N of Manantody five miles is a lofty ridge branching off from the ghauts and N of it four miles is the famous mountain of Brummagerry (ബ്രഹ്മഗിരി)  this ridge forms the limit common to Koorg and Wynaud and these two ridges form the valley of Tirunelly.

 In the interior are several detached hills of great elevation Munnymulla  (മുനിമല? ?)SE 15 miles of the capital occupies a space of about twenty square miles the forests in the valleys are rich and contain a variety of palms also timber of immense size the summit is however plain covered with grass.

 Coorumballa cotah (കുരുംബല കോട്ട  പനമരം) though not lofty is excessively woody During the late war the inhabitants took refuge on it it being impossible to follow their track in such a wilderness.

 Yeddacul എടക്കൽ a lofty rock on a table land SSE twenty miles  from Manantody is surrounded with others which though lower are remarkable for their shapes the slopes of this hill are covered with forest Murpinmudy ( Meppady-ചെമ്പ്ര  പീക്ക് ?)a conspicuous hill with two peaks lies WNW six miles off Goodaloor the slopes occupy a large space and with the exception of the summit are covered with a dense forest of an inferior nature.

 The Davala deshum S three miles of these peaks Sucymulla (ശശി മല) ENE fifteen miles and Shegabetta E fifteen miles of Manantody are situated in the midst of extensive forest containing teak the ridge of the latter running E to W defines the limit with Mysore.

 Manselbetta a low detached hill in the midst of forest yielding much timber defines the limit with Mysore. A large portion of this division towards the Mysore frontier is overrun with forest containing some very superior teak most of the surface is flat here and there with a few low hills interspersed.

 From Gunnaputty eastward country is intersected by low ranges of hills and streams between with extensive cultivation on either bank to Teruvanur E five miles of the above place beyond which to the NEE and SE it becomes a sea of forest up to the Mysore limit. 

പേര്യ  ചുരം 

The high road from Manantody to Cannanore (കണ്ണൂർ) runs in a WNW direction passes by Dendumelterrah  തിണ്ടുമ്മൽ to Peria a distance thirteen and a half miles it is an elegant road but very circuitous owing to the hilly nature of the country it leads principally lofty wood a few stripes of paddy intervening at Peria is a and bungalow for travellers from thence the road winds around the slopes of the hills crosses several small streams to the summit of the Pass WNW three miles from hence is a commanding view of the sea coast and low country here the descent commences towards Neddibrinjal നെടുമ്പോയിൽ .

 പാൽചുരം 

From Manantody the high eastern road winds over slopes and hills and descends to the Bavaly river NE ten miles principally through forest and hills scarcely crosses any stream but water and fields in the hollows on the right and left are close at hand Bavaly is an insignificant place consisting of a few huts an old ruined redoubt a bungalow was ordered to be built to accommodate travelers.(?കൊട്ടിയൂർ )The bridge here thrown across the river was in a dilapidated state in 1827 in consequence of the river overflowing its banks.

 This spot is considered to be very unhealthy the jungle fever prevails to alarming extent travellers are known to have caught it who have been obliged to remain beyond a day.

താമരശ്ശേരി ചുരം

 The military road from Calicut by the Tambercherry Pass താമരശ്ശേരി ചുരം enters this district at its summit runs N half a mile to Lukkady ലക്കിടി a ruined redoubt on the right from thence NNE by Viteerey വൈത്തിരി  Shaylode  ചെലോട്  Perntut  to Culputty കല്പറ്റ a street of bazars and a temporary bungalow ten and a half miles it runs chiefly thick forest and crosses at intervals four large mountain streams,from Culputty the road winding NE through open country slopes crosses a good deal of cultivation to Porakady seven (PURAKADI ) and a half miles it then proceeds N two and a half miles and the high road from Gunnaputty vuttom to the capital(Manathavady) it now assumes a NW course over slopes covered with wood Punpaddy(Pulpally) descends and crosses a large stream and immediately after the river half a mile NE of Punamaramcotah nine and a quarter miles from Porakady.(Meenangady- Varadoor Panamaram Road)

 from the river പനമരം പുഴ the road runs NW over heights and fields in the hollow one and three quarter miles and SW half a mile of Koopatode a new and near cut from Manantody joins being four and a half miles less than by the main road( നാലാം മൈൽ) which now proceeds W winding over slopes and fields at intervals to Kutoor Angady bazar four and half miles from thence NW three and a quarter miles to near Pullykul Angady (പള്ളിക്കൽ) .

 The road now assumes a NE course and crosses a river to Manantody two and a half miles from Pullykul Angady situate SW two and a half miles from the capital a road runs WSW eight miles to Corote Angady (കോറോം)  over very uneven ground and cultivation at intervals from thence it proceeds to the summit of the Kotiady Pass (കുറ്റ്യാടി  ചുരം)W five and a half miles passing a small redoubt on the right in ruins another cross road from Kulur Angady കെല്ലുർ  passes by Vellaman(വെള്ളമുണ്ട) to Pyengan Angady W (?  പൈങ്ങാട്ടിരി) five miles in the same course winding joins the road from Manantody towards the Kotiady Pass (കുറ്റ്യാടി  ചുരം)  above described about three quarters of a mile from Pyengan Angady another road strikes off towards the Tambercherry Pass proceeds by Poolanjole

(പുളിഞ്ഞാൽ)   redoubt one mile crosses a mountain stream half a mile SE of Verampettay വരാംബറ്റ) proceeds winding over heights descends and crosses extensive fields ascends to a ruined redoubt NW in the Eddaturrah deshum crosses a small river and through fields winding over heights joins the main road a mile E of Polamoody the distance from Poolanjole redoubt to this spot being fourteen miles .

From Kulputty കല്പെറ്റa road runs E and SE round the northern face of the Munnymulla hill to Trickypetta over heights and crosses several small streams from thence it winds nine miles to Konjote cotah കുന്നംബറ്റ a post one and three quarter miles N of the Pass leading to Nellumboor നിലംബൂർ which has been for many years unfrequented over heights crossing much cultivation and the country well inhabited from

 Porakudy a road runs NE two and a quarter miles over heights and joins the high road from Manantody to Gunnaputty vuttom it then runs on an even slope covered with wood to the latter place seven miles a street of bazars and redoubt on a height to the east with a temporary Chowkey for travellers from the above place a road(? മീനങ്ങാടി?)

towards Goondulpett  in Mysore runs E crosses a stream proceeds over woods and heights descends to Tirvanoor six and a quarter miles and then crosses a broad field and over woody slopes to Edetorrahcotah once a strong military frontier post there is now a Chowkey established at it on leaving it crosses a river proceeds through forests River winding on the left to Pongalycotah and pagoda both in ruins NE two and a quarter miles from thence two and a quarter miles Pottancotah fort in ruins in Mysore the river crossed SE three quarters of a mile from it defines the limit one and three quarter miles E of Gunnaputty vuttom ബത്തേരി a tolerable road strikes over woody heights to the NNE four miles to a pagoda in the Wuddekeneddaungay deshum വടക്കനാട് ?

crosses fields it proceeds winding NNE over high woody slopes hills rising on the right descends to the left bank of the Kittarputty polay  കുപ്പാടി പുഴ  six and a half miles being the limit of Mysore. A road strikes off N one and half miles from the pagoda abovementioned proceeds E and ENE over high wooded slopes and descends to the ruins of Rampoor six and a half miles a branch of the Cubbany flowing to the E of the above ruins defines the boundary between Malabar and Mysore.

 The road from Konjotecotah to Chuliode proceeds NNE four and a half miles it first passes over a great deal of cultivation and crossing a deep nullah ascends and proceeds over heights winding to the latter place.

 The road from Sultan Battery or Gunnaputty vuttom towards the Neelgherries runs S through fields then SE over heights and fields to Coilandy കോളിയാടി a pagoda ജെയിൻ ടെമ്പിൾ and tank മണിചിര on the right two and a quarter miles it then resumes a SSW course crossing fields then over heights and low jungle descends to Chuliode ചുള്ളിയോട് two and three quarter miles from thence across fields winds over high grounds and joins a tolerable road from Moopyenad മൂപൈനാട് one mile N of Chayruncotah hill five and a quarter 

 Manantody

 In the eastern and woody portion S and W of the river കബനി there are many paths leading in various directions communicating between the hamlets and farm houses scattered among woods. There is a tolerable road but one of a different nature off from the high road NE two and a quarter miles of Manantody it ascends a ridge and descends into the cultivated valley of N one and three quarter miles the pagoda on an eminence on the three quarters of a mile from thence its course NNW over difficult ground ascends the summit of a high ridge in one and three quarter miles and descends rather steep into the Teroonelly valley  തിരുനെല്ലി N one and half miles crosses a branch of the Bavaley river and then through extensive rice fields river on the left ascends again the slope of the pagoda NW one and three quarter miles from thence a road communicates with Koorg it runs up a ridge of the Brummagerry mountain to its summit two miles N and descends on the other side into the above named province.പക്ഷിപാതാളം 

 There is also a communication with the pagoda and high road leading to Mysore it passes SE by Cooducootum Hoongy nile and Chaimbyle and joins the main road on its crossing the Bavaley bridge.

 Iron ore may be obtained in many parts in this division but none of it is manufactured there being no smelting places to work it Gold is procured in all parts of the Nellialam and Numbleycotah subdivisions but the ore obtained will scarcely pay the labor.