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Palakkad,is among the more fertile and thickly forested districts of Kerala, Palakkad is supposed to have derived its name from the Pala (Alsteria Scholaris) tree and kadu(forest). The whole area is said to have been once covered by 'pala' trees. Palakkad district has got its own characteristics in many fields. Its geographical position, historical background, rural nature, educational status, tourist attractions and above all developmental activities are vivid and varied. Palakkad district provides the inlet for the rest of India to the State through a 32 to 40 m. wide natural gap. In the 960 kms. long Western Ghats this gap is perhaps the most influential factor in the unique characteristics of the district. It has also contributed to the commercial as well as cultural exchanges between the State and the rest of the country.
The district which lies at the foot of the colossal Western Ghats has only midland and highland areas. Much of the area is made up of plains, scattered with a few hillocks. The plains are so fertile and productive that the district is considered the "Granary of Kerala". Along with Idukki, Palghat is the other district in Kerala which has the rare distinguishing characteristic of not having a sea coast. Kerala's longest river Bharathapuzha flows through the district. During the hot season its wide sandy bed is dry except for some miles from its origin. Being too shallow and rocky for water transport, the Bharathapuzha has little commercial significance but holds a special place in the cultural psyche of the State.
Palakkad witnessed invasions of historical importance that have left indelible impressions on the history of Kerala. The gap in the Western Ghats in Palakkad district provided easy access to all invaders.Historically Palakkad district has got its own peculiar characteristics. The Fort of Hyder Ali tells us the story of Mysore invasions and the advent of the Britishers to this part of the country. When the Zamorin of Calicut invaded Palakkad in 1757, the Raja of Palakkad sought the help of Hyder All of Mysore. Hyder Ali's help forced the Zamorin to retreat. Later Hyder Ali conquered all territories in Palakkad which were under the possession of Zamorin. Thus the whole dominion possessed by the Raja of Palakkad passed into the hands of the Mysore rulers, Hyder Ali and his son Tipu. The war between Tipu and the East India Company ended with the Treaty of 1872 and all the possessions of Tipu in Malabar were ceded to the British. Gradually these formed part of the Malabar district of the Madras presidency. The present Palakkad district as an administrative unit was formed on the first of January 1957. |
