About Wayanad
Wayanad District (Malayalam: വയനാട്) in the north-east of Kerala, India,
was formed on November 1, 1980 as the 12th district by carving out areas
from Kozhikode and Kannur districts. Kalpetta is the district headquarters
as well as the only municipal town in the district. The region was known
as Mayakshetra (Maya's land) in the earliest records. Mayakshetra evolved
into Mayanad and finally to Wayanad.The Folk etymology of the word says it
is a combination of Vayal (paddy field) and Naad (land), making it 'The
Land of Paddy Fields'. There are many indigenous tribals in this area. It
is set high on the majestic Western Ghats with altitudes ranging from 700
to 2100 m.According to archaeological evidence, the
Wayanad(Vayal+nadu(Tamil/Malayalam)) forests have been inhabited for more
than three thousand years.Wayanad has a powerful history. Historians are
of the view that organised human life existed in these parts, at least ten
centuries before Christ. Countless evidences about New Stone Age
civilisation can be seen on the hills of Wayanad. The two caves of
Ampukuthimala located between Sulthan Bathery and Ambalavayal, with
pictures on their walls and pictorial writings, speak volumes of the
bygone era and civilisation. Recorded history of this district is
available from the 18th century. In ancient times, this land was ruled by
the Rajas of the Veda tribe. In later days, Wayanad came under the rule of
the Pazhassi Rajas of Kottayam royal dynasty. When Hyder Ali becames the
ruler of Mysore, he invaded Wayanad and brought it under his sway. In the
days of Tipu, Wayanad was restored to the Kottayam royal dynasty. But Tipu
handed over the entire Malabarregion to the British, after the
Sreerangapattanam truce, he made with them. This was followed by fierce
and internecine encounters between the British and Kerala Varma Pazhassi
Rajah of Kottayam. When the Rajah was driven to the wilderness of Wayanad,
he organised the war-like Kurichiya tribals into a sort of people's
militia and engaged the British in several guerrilla type encounters. In
the end, the British could get only the dead body of the Rajah, who killed
himself somewhere in the interior of the forest. Thus, Wayanad fell into
the hands of the British and with it came a new turn in the Home of this
area. The British authorities opened up the plateau for cultivation of tea
and other cash crops. Roads were laid across the dangerous slopes of
Wayanad, from Kozhikode and Thalassery. These roads were extended to the
cities of Mysore and Ooty through Gudalur. Through the roads poured in
settlers from all parts of Kerala and the virgin forest lands proved a
veritable goldmine with incredible yields of cash crops. When the State of
Kerala came into being in November 1956, Wayanad was part of Kannur
district. Later, south Wayanad was added to Kozhikode district. In order
to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Wayanad for development, north
Wayanad and South Wayanad were carved out and joined together to form the
present district of Wayanad. This district came into being on November 1,
1980 as the 12 district of Kerala comprising three taluks; Vythiri,
Mananthavady, and Sulthan Bathery.
