Showing posts with label PEPPER. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PEPPER. Show all posts

Wayanad belongs to Karnataka

Is Wayanad belongs to Karnataka?



The geological position of Wayanad is not in line with the rest of Kerala. That is why my attention turns to this topic and a larger number of Kannada speaking communities around me in my childhood.  Even in Tribal languages in Wayanad, Kannada has more influence and resemblance than Malayalam. I think more studies and research is needed on this topic.

According to the ancient history of Wayanad, other than native Tribes, Jains are the first group who migrated to Wayanad. The Kannada speaking people in Wayanad are known as Jains, they belong to the Digambara sect and they are called Gowadas. Around the medieval period Saiva religion became a strong hold in Karnataka and the frequent attacks from Salva religion to Jain lead to the migration of Jains to Kerala and especially to Wayanad.
These names of wayanadan villages are Kannada names and it shows the influence of the Karnataka in Wayanad. All these Kannada names are the fool-proof evidence to justify the existence of Jainism this area and its influence from 12th centuary.Hoysala kings were the rulers of Kamataka'in the 12th century and Wayanad was a part of Karnataka. At that time Wayanad was known as Bailnad. The rulers of Hoysala Dynasty were Jains till Vishnuvardha. Around the medivial period Saiva religion became a strong hold in Karnataka and the frequent attacks from Salva religion to Jain lead to the migration of Jains to Kerala and especially to Wayanad.

Jainism was in its peak in Wayanad during the days of Hoysala Dynasty. Hoysala kings promoted Jainism and they sent many missionaries to the different parts to spread Jainism. There are many proofs, which justify the existence of Jainism in Wayanad. The history tells us that the Bathery Jain temple was built 800 years ago.

Earlier this temple was known as Kidangad Basti and the older name of Battery was Hennaredu Bedhi (twelve streets). These two names are Kannada names and it shows the influence of the Karnataka Jains. Some other similar place names are: Bennagode (Venniyode), Palagonthu (Palukunnu), Muthangadi (Puthangadi), and Hosengadi (Mananthavady). All these Kannada names are the fool-proof evidence to justify the existence of Jains in Wayanad.

It is believed that the wall inscriptions in Edakkal Caves (the oldest historical monument in Wayanad) are closely related to Jainism. The Swastik mark, the mark of the seventh Tirthankara, Suparswa Natha, has been engraved on the wall. The Chandrabimbamark, the mark of the eighth Tirthankara, Chandra Natha, also can be seen on the wall of the cave. The other inscriptions on the wall are the Hoysala kings'. The former Hoysalas were Jains.

In the thirteenth century, Jainism was in its peak in Wayanad. By the end of the eighteenth century the religion became too weak because of the increasing influence of the Hindu religion and the invasion of Saiva - Vaishnava religions. In this period many Jain temples were destroyed and some of them were possessed by Hindus. The relics of these ruined temples can be seen in Bathery, Puthangadi and Poothadi.

At present Wayanad is considered to be one of the important Jain centres. In Wayanad the main Jain centers are: Mananthavady, Panamaram, Anjukunnu, Varadoor, Kalpetta and Kaniyambatta

The migrated Jains first came to Panamaram on the banks of Kabani river. From there the Jain groups spread to the different parts of Wayanad. These Jains were basical1y farmers. Digging and ploughing were against their belief. So as to keep their belief they introduced eco-farming in Wayanad.  Hoysala kings promoted Jainism and they sent many missionaries to the different parts to spread Jainism.Some other similar place names with Kannada origin are given below.
 All of the place names sounds resemblance or influence of   Kannada.   I believe this the roots form is different from other names of places in plais of Kerala. But remember, Wayanad has a thriving activity of life in that era when most of the Present middle land in Kerala was covered by forest and without population.

Hennaredu Bidhi (twelve streets) Bathery.
Hosengadi ( Ondayangadi,Mananthavady).
Bennagode (Venniyode),
Palagonthu (Palukunnu),
Muthangadi (Puthangadi),
Dhottappan kulam -Dodappan Kulam,-
BAaradhoor-Varadoor,
Kolagappara Ambalavayal
Kanniya Betta, Kaniyampetta -
Kalpetta -Kalbetta ,
Hanjukonthu (Anjukunnu)
Arapatta,
Echome,
Beenachi,
Kollur,
Thaloor,Madhoor
Bavali
Muthanga -Muthangadi
Meenagadi,
Banasura, Brahmagiri. (Names of Hills)
Koottamunda
Varambatta
Bellure- Valliyoor- Valliyoorkavu( a temple of historic and social significance).

Vellamunda
Peruvaka
Ambukuthy
Nalloornad
Cherukattoor
Payyampally
Koilery
Puthiyidam
Aarattuthara
Thavinjal
Ozhakkody
Anjukunnu;
Kallumottamkunnu
Kakkanchirakunnu
Kappumkunnu
Vilakkupadamkunnu
Kacherikunnu
Panamaram
Tharuvana
Karingari
Paliyana
Kommayad
Ellumannam
Kallody (The word Kallody is derived from malayalam words kallu ( means stone ) and ody ( means run ). The combined word Kallody means running stone.Earlier this place was a forested area. The merchants from Calicut to Mananthavady town through Kuttyadi hill pass were attacked by the thieves from this area. To escape from attack, they used to carry stones with them and ran as fastly as possible. They used to pelt stones to defend from the thieves. Hence the name Kallody.
The land is divided into EDAVAKA and EDACHANA "desam". The disciple of the great Pazhassi Raja, Edachena Kunkan, belongs to this area


Balad(Valat)
Trissilery
Chundale
Edavaka
Kabanigiri
Kavumannam
Thariyode
Kidanganad
Kottebadi- Kottappadi
Kuppadi
Kuppadithara
Vaduvanchal
Muppainad
NAADBAYAL (Nadavayal)
Payyampally
Periya
Poothadi
Porunnanore
Pulpalli
Lakkidi,
Tharuvana
Thavinhal
Thirunelly
Thondernad
Trikaibetta-Thrikkaipatta
Thrissilery
Kommayad
Vellamunda
Vengappally

 AS we hear everyday these names in daily life ,we may miss the influence of Kannada in them. Try to compare these names to names of typical villages of Karnataka, or speak to a kannada speaking person.You may get some clues.












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Wayanad .The Plantation History

THE PLANTING INDUSTRY

Coffee.
 In the first half of the nineteenth century Manantoddy was a military station and the troops were cantoned on the hill on which the Travellers' Bungalow once standed. Near Pazhassi Kudeeram, at Hospital Kunnu. District Medical Office(DMO) was operated till 2005-07 I was astonished the size and shape and buety of this old building whenever I go there for my official things there. sadly Before 5 years this magnificent building was abolished by local authority to avail more space for the District Hospital.  On my child hood this building known as TB and we  boys will go there in the noon intervals of our nearby school where I studied my primary education. This bungalow was the mess house of the officers of the detachment. The Officer in command appears to have planted coffee experimentally on this hill employing his men for the work, and the tree flourished on this fertile soil.

In 1820 or thereabouts, a partner of Messrs. Parry & Co., was on his way from Madras, across the peninsula to Calicut, and went up the Kuttiyadi ghat on a visit to their coffee estates on the Baba Budan Hills in Northern Mysore. He stopped with the officers of the detachment and in course of conversation, when the visitor remarked on the difficulties of travel to the distant coffee estates, one of the officers pointed out to him the flourishing coffee plants on the Manantoddy hill just behind the mess. He was greatly impressed with the growth of the trees and the quantity of the crop, and on his return to Madras sent Mr. King to purchase Grass hills near Manantoddy and experiment on coffee cultivation. He built a bungalow on the hill near Manantoddy Feryr(probably Changadakkadavu) and opened about 75 acres of land for coffee.(Bishop house hill) This was the first attempt, which however ended in failure. Mr. Pugh from Ceylon, an experi- enced planter then visited Manantoddy and established the first coffee estate known as the Pew estate. The exact year is not known, but it was between 1830 and 1840. North Wynad then became a planting centre with all the paraphernalia of a European club and a race course. There is another version that it was Major Glasson who opened the first Coffee Estate in Manantoddy in 1840. The account given here was furnished by Dr. Hewston, an old resident of Manantoddy.


Tea
Tea began to be planted on various estates in Wynad from 1892 forward. It had existed before then 
Opened in 1876 by the English Cooperative Society and the Scottish Cooperative Society, the fields were planted with select China and Assam hybrid varieties of teas. Visible even now are the mining shafts, where once gold was explored. Assambrook Ltd was incorporated in the year 1947. It was formerly known as Brooke Bond Estate Ltd. and changed its name to Assambrook Estate Ltd. in 1969; and then again in the year 1982 it got its present name to Assambrook Ltd. In the year 2000, the company declared a lock-out at its Mananthavady Group comprising of Talapoya,Cherakara, Tatamala & Jessie Tea Estates .
 
 
The Parisons Group has acquired this tea plantations.
The quaint old Bungalows have been renovated for Eco-Tourism. An old Planters Club equipped with a well-stocked library with facilities for both indoor and outdoor games.

Tea is now confined to South Wynad; but lands are now being taken up for tea planting also in North Wynad, which in course of time, will recover its past glory, with the many advantages incidental to the in- troduction of this valuable industry into this at present deserted part of Wynad. The technical names found on the labels of tea packets are the names of each
of the leaves of the shoot of the tea plant. The bud at the extreme end is the tip or the " Flowery pekoe," the two next "Orange pekoe," the two next "Souchong," and the next two "Congou".

Pepper
Wayanadan pepper is one o the special item of pepper which is dignified from other sets of pepper from all over the world. It flourished in North Malabar, and on the failure of coffee, the planters tried it in Wynad. It was first grown there in the sixties and Mr. Powell took charge of a South Wynad Estate with bearing pepper on it in 1875. For some years, it throve, and the disease that is doing so much damage first attracted attention in 1900. Since tea has turned out successful, pepper is merely tolerated by the planter and not encouraged.

Rubber.
 Ceara rubber was planted ex- perimentally a good many years ago. In 1889 there were full grown trees in Cherambadi and it was then thought that it would not yield any latex in Wynad. No one thought of doing anything with it until 1903 when an expert deputed by the Govern- ment made experiments and demonstrated that the trees would yield rubber. In 1904 Mr. C. E. Abbott tapped a number of trees in Moovatee and Poothram Shola Estates near Vayitri (South Wynad). Getting a fair yield he made an experimental ship- merit, which sold for six shillings per pound. Tapping experiments were made in Rasselas and certain other estates when it was abundant- ly proved that latex existed in the trees. But the method of tapping then recommend- ed was an unsound one, and so many trees died under the process that it was discontinued. A new method has been since discovered
giving good results, and it is proposed to plant Ceara extensively. It grows freely but must be protected from wind.

Para Rubber (Havea Brazileinsis) is also being planted on some estates and though the growth is slower than in the low country it does well when carefully planted and cultivated.



" The Planter has brought into cultiva-
tion land which but for him would have
been unproductive at the present day;
he has tilled the desolate mountain -tops ;
he has turned the hill fastnesses in-
to fruitful gardens ; he has made the
fever-poisoned valleys to rejoice in health
and plenty. By his labours, and at no
mean expenditure of British lives and
 
British gold, tracts of jungle which half a
century ago gave but a scanty gleaning of
gall-nuts and wild honey, to-day produce
harvests worth over a million and a half
of money."
The above published in the Madras Mail,  sums up the situation admirably. European enterprise has contributed materially to the prosper- ity of the country and the planting indus- try is giving work to hundreds of labourers, who in these days of over-population, would otherwise be starving. The country is being opened up year by year and the millions of English money spent here will not be in vain.

Other posts related to  Wayanad in this blog
 
 
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