History

History of Kannur 

     Kannur is a beautiful miniature of the picturesque state of Kerala. Now history of Kannur

commences since the arrival of Europeans. In 16th centuary Portugese, Dutches, English and French

people louded at Kannur. In February 1766 Hyderali invaded and subdued Kolathunadu, subsequently

during his invasion Tippu sultan subdued Malabar and Kannur being then in Malabar came under Mysore

Regime. In 1792 the English people attacked and defeated Tippusultan and former Malabar District was

brought under British Regime.

        The former Kannur district was carved out of the portions of Malabar district and the Kasaragod

Taluk of the Madras state, linked to Kerala as per the state Re-organisation Act.There upon Ist January

1957 it was bifurcated for administrative convenience, into three districts namely Kannur, Kozhikode, and

Palakkad. Then kannur district had six taluks namelyKasaragod, Hosdurg, Taliparamba, Kannur,

Talassery and North Wayanad. On 1.1.1979 North Wayanad was linked to Wayanad District. On

formation of kasaragod district, the taluks namely Kasaragod & Hosdurg were de-linked from Kannur

district and the present Kannur district was formed with the remaining taluks namely Taliparamba, kannur

and Thalassery. The district is bound by the western ghats in the east ((Kodagu district of Karnatak),

Kozhikode & Wayanad District in the South, Lakshadweep Sea in the west and kasaragod District in the

North. It is located between attitudes 11 degree 40 minute and 12 degree 48 minute towards north and

between longitude 75 degree 10 minute and 75 degree 57 minute towards east.

        The old port St. Angelo built by Don.Francisco-De-Almayde the first Portugese Viceroy, in 1505

at Payyambalam Beach near Kannur Condonment, and the Talassery port built by the English East India

Company in 1708 A.D. are monuments of historical importants which atracts tourists. The only drive-in beach in Kerala is at Muzhappilangad in Kannur. Talassery is also acknowledged as the home of

IndianCicus which is believed to have evolved from the celebrated Martial Arts “Kalarippayattu”. The

pageant of impersonated local duties- Theyyams-elevates Kannur into a land of spectacular fantasics.

Payyannur in Kannur districrt is believed to be one of the 64 villages founded by Lord Parasurama and

one of the first regions in the state inhabited by Aryan Ammigrants.

      The Parasinikkadavu- Muthappan Temple, Raja RajeswarTemple, Taliparamba the Snake Park at

Parasinikkadavu, the Trichambaram Sree Krishna Temple and Pythalmala are some of the other place

which attracts tourists.

      Dr.Herman gundart, the famous German Missionery and lcxicographer, compiled the first

dictionary in Malayalam when he lived in Thalassery in the first half of the 19th century.

      Head quarters of Kannur in Kannur Town the district has its Revenue Divisional Office in at

Thalassery from 1793 (as a part of former Malabar District).As stated earlier Kannur district is comprised of 3 taluks and the area of the district is 2967.97 Sq Kms. This is about 7.6% of the area of the state. There are 129 villages in the district.

     

Deposits of minerals:

      Deposites of China Clay, Bauxite, illemenite, Monocite are seen in the district.China Clay is

mostly seen in Pattuvam, Perumba, Karivellur and Vadakkumbade in the district. Illmenite and monocite

are seen in the southern part of Valapattanam River and in Azhikode. Deposits of bauxite are seen in

Payyannur and Pattuvam. Since its quality is poor it is used for the manufacture of cement

.

Temperature:

      When it is examined the past 10 years data, the maximum temperature noticed in the district is

found to be 38.8 sdegree celsius (in March 1996 and in April 1997) and a minimum of 18.2 degree celsius

(in January 1992).

Rainfall:

      Rainfall is found to be maximum during the month of June and July. 70% of the rainfall is got in

the district during this period. During the past 10 years rainfall was maximum in 1994 (4993.6m.m)

Month(s) in which the district had maximum days (31 days) of rainfall are July 1994, July 1995,July

1997,June2001,June2002, June2003 and June2004

Industry:

    Handloom forms a major portion of the industrial units in the district. The district is also well known for its Beedi industry. Prohibition of smoking has adversely affected this industry recedntly. The major Beedi company viz; Dinesh Beedi has adopted product diversification.

Population:

    Population in Kannur district as per 2001 census in 2408956 out of this 11,52,817 are males and

12,56,139 are females. This shows a sex ratio of 1090. Density of population in the district is 812

(population per square kilometre).Population in the age group 0-6 is 2,79,803;out of which 1,42,625 are

males and 1,37,178, are females.

During 1991-2001, the growth rate of population in the district is 7.13 percent. Malappuram

district shows a highest growth rate of population (17.22) in the state and Pathanamthitta district shows a

lowest growth rate (3.72).

Total literates in the district are found to be 19,71,403 out of which 9,71,065 are males and

10,00,338 are females. This indicates a majority of literate females over males. Literacy rate of the district is

92.80 (Percentage of literates to the population aged 7 and above).

The district has 9 development blocks, 81 Panchayats, 6 Municipalities and one cantonment.