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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
'''Kundah taluk''' is a [[taluk]] of [[Nilgiris district]] of the [[Indian state]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]. The headquarters of the taluk is the town of [[Kundah]] and consists of seven revenue villages. Being Balacola, Kil Kundah, Mulligoor, Bikkatty, Kinnakorai, Ithalar and Mel Kundah.

==History==
[[File:Malabar 1854.jpg|left|thumbnail|An old map of Malabar District (1854). Note that the taluks [[Pandalur taluk|Pandalur]], [[Gudalur taluk|Gudalur]], and Kundah in present-day [[Nilgiris district]] were parts of [[Wayanad]] Taluk in 1854. The [[Tehsil|Taluk]]s of Malabar were rearranged in 1860 and 1877.<ref name="wnd">{{cite book
| author = M. Vijayanunni | year=1983
| title= 1981 Census Handbook- Wayanad District (Part-A&B) | publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala
| url= http://lsi.gov.in:8081/jspui/bitstream/123456789/5755/1/29610_1981_WAY.pdf
}}</ref>]]
The Gudalur and Pandalur taluks of Nilgiris district one time together constituted the Southeast [[Wayanad]]. The total area of Gudalur and the neighboring town of Pandalur is approximately 124,800 acres. In medieval times, before the arrival of the British, the area was divided between three rulers: Vallavanoor, the leader of the [[Paniya people|Panniyas]], Nelliarasi, another adivasi ruler, and the [[Nilambur Kingdom|Nilambur Kovilakam]], a kingdom based in present-day [[Kerala]]. Subsequently, the Kovilakam decided to expand its borders by conquering the other two areas. Vallavanoor was killed and Nelliarasi kidnapped and forced to hand over her lands. Despite some resistance from Vallavanoor's community, the Kovilakam succeeded in subjugating the area and taking approximately 100,000 acres under its control. Gudalur was actually a part of [[Kerala]] and [[Malabar District]] until 1877. In 1877, it was transferred to [[Nilgiris district]] only because of the heavy size of [[Malabar District]] and small size of [[Nilgiris district]]. Actually Gudalur was the southeastern region in [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]] during the British rule. Though this [[Malayalam]] majority region was transferred to Nilgiris, the court and official language in this region continued to be [[Malayalam]]. In modern times, the recognized extent of the Kovilakam's holdings was 80,087 acres under the Malabar Tenancy Act, until 1969. This area is known as 'janmom' land. Kovilakam constructed a temple named Nambalakottai and handed over to Moundadan Chetty community. Chetty community is one of the oldest community in Gudalur where most of their community still have 'Rani Patta' as a proof of oldest community. They have their own tradition and languages.

===Pre-history===
Historians believe that the human settlements existed in these parts for at least ten centuries [[before Christ]]. Much evidence of [[New Stone Age]] civilisation can be seen in the hills throughout the present day Wayanad district. The [[Edakkal Caves]] has 6000-year-old rock engravings from the Neolithic age. The recorded history of this district is available only from the 18th century. In ancient times, this land was ruled by the Rajas of the Veda tribe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://anandbharat.com/2017/11/27/wayanad/|title=Wayanad- A scton of Western Ghats|date=27 November 2017|website=Anand Bharat|access-date=7 January 2020}}</ref>

===Ezhimala kingdom===
{{main article|Ezhimala}}
{{See also|Mushika dynasty}}
In the earliest part of the recorded history of Gudalur region, Wayanad District, Kasaragod-Kannur-Wayanad-Kozhikode Districts in the northern part of present-day Kerala were ruled by the Nannans ([[Mushika dynasty]]) who later came to be known as the [[Kolathiri]]s.<ref>{{cite book |title=Census of India, 2001: Wayanad |year=2004 |publisher=Controller of Publications |page=4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s3AfkDDN5vYC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Census of India, 1991: pt. 2A. General population tables |year=1995 |publisher=Controller of Publications |page=13 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bze2EMoZ4GEC |language=en}}</ref> Politically the area was part of the [[Ezhimala Kingdom]] with its Capital at [[Ezhimala]] in present day [[Kannur district]]. The most famous King of Ezhimala was Nannan whose Kingdom extended up to [[Gudalur, Nilgiris]] and northern parts of [[Coimbatore]]. It is said that Nannan took refuge at Wayanad hills in the 5th century CE when he was lost to [[Chera dynasty|Cheras]], just before his execution in a battle, according to the [[Sangam literature|Sangam works]].<ref name="wnd"/> Wayanad was a part of the ''Karkanad'' which included the eastern regions of Ezhimala kingdom (Wayanad-[[Gudalur, Nilgiris|Gudalur]] areas including part of [[Kodagu]] (Coorg)).<ref name="wnd"/> ''Karkanad'' along with ''Poozhinadu'', which contained much of the coastal belt wedged between [[Mangalore]] and [[Kozhikode]] was under Ezhimala kingdom with the headquarters at [[Ezhimala]].

===Kolathunadu===
{{Main article|Kolathunadu}}
The Mooshaka Kings were considered descendants of Nannan. By the 14th century, [[Mooshika dynasty|Mooshaka Kingdom]] was known as Kolathirinad and the Rulers as [[Kolathiri]]s. The Kolathunad Kingdom at the peak of its power reportedly extended from
Kasaragod in the north to [[Korapuzha]] in the south with Arabian Sea on the
west and [[Kodagu]] hills on the eastern boundary.<ref name="Census_Handbook">{{Cite book|title=District Census Handbook, Kasaragod (2011)|publisher=Directorate of Census Operation, Kerala|location=Thiruvananthapuram|pages=9|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/3201_PART_B_KASARAGOD.pdf}}</ref>

===Kingdom of Kottayam===
The [[Kolathiri]] Dominion emerged into independent 10 principalities i.e., [[Kadathanadu]] ([[Vadakara]]), [[Dharmadom|Randathara]] or Poyanad ([[Dharmadom]]), [[Kingdom of Kottayam|Kottayam]] ([[Thalassery]]), [[Nileshwaram]], Iruvazhinadu ([[Panoor (Municipality)|Panoor]]), [[Kurumbranad]] etc., under separate royal chieftains due to the outcome of internal dissensions.<ref name="wnd"/><ref name="Logan">{{Cite book|title=Malabar Manual (Volume-I)|last=Logan|first=William|publisher=Asian Educational Services|year=2010|isbn=9788120604476|location=New Delhi|pages=631–666}}</ref> The [[Nileshwaram]] dynasty on the northernmost part of [[Kolathiri]] dominion, were relatives to both [[Kolathunadu]] as well as [[Zamorin]] of [[Calicut]], in the early medieval period.<ref name="Neeleswaram fete">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/neeleswaram-fete-to-showcase-its-heritage/article2645520.ece | title=Neeleswaram fete to showcase its heritage | author=The Hindu staff reporter | website=The Hindu | date=21 November 2011 | access-date=24 November 2016 }}</ref> The origin of [[Kingdom of Kottayam|Kottayam Royal Family]] (the Kottayam referred here is [[Kottayam-Malabar]] near [[Thalassery]], not to be confused with [[Kottayam]] in Southern Kerala) is lost in obscurity. It has been stated that the Raja of Kottayam setup a semi-independent principality of his own at the expense of Kolathiris. In the 10th century AD, the region comprised erstwhile Taluks of Kottayam, Wayanad and Gudallur was called ''Puraikizhanad'' and its feudal lord ''Puraikizhars''. The [[Thirunelly]] Inscriptions refer to the division of Puraikizhar Family into two branches viz., Elder (''Muthukur'') and Younger (''Elamkur'') in the beginning of the 11th century. In 17th century [[Kottayam-Malabar]] was the Capital of Puraikizhanad (Puranattukara) Rajas. It was divided into three branches i.e., Eastern, Western and Southern under separate dignitaries known as Mootha, Elaya and Munnarkur Rajas. The Kottayam Rajas extended their influence up to the border of [[Kodagu]]. By the end of the 17th century, they shared the area of [[Thalassery]] Taluk with the Iruvazhinadu Nambiars and were in possession of North Wayanad and the small Village of [[Thamarassery]] which formed the Eastern portion of the present Vadakara, Quilandy and Thamarassery Taluks.<ref name="wnd2">{{cite book
| author = Government of India | year=2014–15
| title= District Census Handbook – Wayanad (Part-B) 2011 | publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala
| url= https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/3203_PART_B_WAYANAD.pdf
}}</ref>

===Carnatic invasions into Wayanad and Gudalur===
In 930 AD, emperor Erayappa of [[Western Ganga dynasty|'''Ganga Dynasty''']] led his troops to south west of Mysore and after conquering, called it ''Bayalnad'' meaning the land of swamps. After Erayappa, his sons Rachamalla and Battunga fought each other for the new kingdom of their father's legacy. Rachamalla was killed and Battunga became the undisputed ruler of Bayalnad. In the 12th century AD, Gangas were dethroned from Bayalnad by [[Kadamba dynasty]]<ref>The Kadamba kula A history of ancient and medieval Karnatak , By George M. Moraces BX furtado &sons Bombay 1931</ref> of North Canara.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/kadambakula035210mbp|title=The Kadamba Kula|year=1931|publisher=Bombay B X Furtado And Sons}}</ref> In 1104 AD Vishnuvardhana of '''[[Hoysala]]''' invaded Bayalnad followed by [[Vijayanagara]] dynasty in the 16th century. In 1610 AD, Udaiyar Raja Wadiyar of Mysore drove out Vijayanagara General and became the ruler of Bayalnad and the Nilgiris. Bayalnad is the present Wayanad.

====Mysore Sultans====
When [[Wayanad]] was under [[Hyder Ali]]'s rule, the ghat road from [[Vythiri]] to [[Thamarassery]] was invented.<ref>Madrass District Gazetteeers, The Nilgiris. By W. Francic. Madras 1908 Pages 90-104</ref> Then the British rulers developed this route to Carter road.<ref>Report of the Administration of Mysore 1863-64. British Parliament Library</ref> After Hyder Ali, his son [[Tipu Sultan]] took control over the territory.

====Colonial era====
Kundah taluk was transferred from Malabar to Coimbatore in 1860.<ref name="wnd"/> Southeast [[Wayanad]] region of [[Wayanad]] Taluk in [[Malabar District]] was the regions included in the [[Gudalur, Nilgiris|Gudalur]] and [[Pandalur]] Taluks of present Nilgiris district. Southeast Wynad was a part of Malabar District until 31 March 1877, when it was transferred to the neighbouring [[Nilgiris district]] due to the heavy population of Malabar and the small area of Nilgiris.<ref name="Logan_2">{{cite book |last1=Logan |first1=William |title=Malabar Manual (Volume-2) |date=1887 |publisher=PRINTED BY R. HILL, AT THE GOVERNMENT PRESS. |location=Madras |url=https://archive.org/details/malabar_manual_volume2/page/n7/mode/2up}}</ref> It consisted of the following 3 ''Amsoms''.
{{div col|colwidth=12em}}
* Munnanad
* [[Gudalur, Nilgiris|Nambalakode]]
* Cherankode<ref name="Logan_2"/>
{{div col end}}

During the mid-19th century, English companies began mining for gold in the area, mostly in [[Devala]] and Pandalur. A [[London]]-based mining company created a township in Pandalur that began with a church, post office, shops, and a race course. After the gold boom, the mining business gradually fell into decline because the percentage of gold ore was below the average. Even so, mining was continued until the beginning of the 20th century.

Once the British companies had determined that gold mining would not succeed in this area, thus changing to agricultural industries and created [[tea plantation]]s on a massive scale. The climate and soil were well suited for [[tea]], which helped to ensure the success of the new industry. Coffee and tea plantation started at Pandalur area in the early eighteenth century during this time many European planters settled in the Nilgiris and Wyanad to establish tea and coffee estates. D.H.McLeod and Henry Atzenwiler are few among them.

Kunjalikutty Haji of Pandalur was one of the leading manpower suppliers for British estates.

He brought a large number of people from [[Malabar District|Malabar]] to work on the estates, and became very close to the British administration, being recognized as Khan Bahadur Kunajalikutty. During this period in India, the non-cooperation movement against the British was in full swing. The Mappila rebels were agitated over the [[Khilafat]] issue, and determined to eliminate the people among the community who supported the British Raj. A group of Khilafat rebels went to Pandalur and completely destroyed the shop owned by Kunalikutty Haji, though his life was saved by his friend Malla Gawdar, chief of the [[Badagas]] community in Pandalur.

Most of the land in this area was the property of the princely states of Nilambur, Kovilagam, and Mysoor Maharaj. The Nelliyalam Rani administered the region for Mysoor Maharaj and enjoyed the highest rank in society. The remains of the Nelliayalam Ranis fort can still be viewed in the Nelliayalam village.

Pandalur was believed to be a sacred place for the aboriginal communities such as the Paniyas, Kurumbas, and Kattu Nayakkans. It was then dominated by the Gowdar community. In Ponnani, near the village of Nelliyalkam, there is a century-old temple (Sree Maha Vishnu Temple) constructed in the unique Kerala temple architecture.
The migration of Malabar people had a major impact on the area, including the social, cultural, economic, and environmental systems.

==Demographics==
According to the 2011 census, the taluk of Kundah had a population of 46,157 with 22,247 males and 23,910 females. There were 1075 women for every 1000 men. The taluk had a literacy rate of 79.28. Child population in the age group below 6 was 1,391 Males and 1,430 Females.<ref>{{cite web|title=Provisional Population Totals - Tamil Nadu-Census 2011 |url=http://www.census.tn.nic.in/census2011data/PPT_taluk_data_final.pdf |publisher=Census Tamil Nadu |accessdate=4 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617095215/http://www.census.tn.nic.in/census2011data/PPT_taluk_data_final.pdf |archivedate=17 June 2013 }}</ref>
Kundah is one of the taluks of Tamil Nadu state, where Tamil is not the most spoken language. [[Badaga language|Badaga]] is the most spoken language in Kundah taluk.

== References ==
<References/>

{{coord missing|Tamil Nadu}}
{{Nilgiris district}}

[[Category:Taluks of Nilgiris district]]

{{Nilgiris-geo-stub}}

Kundah taluk - Revision history

Delinker at 23:47, 31 July 2023