Sreenarayanapuram
Grama Panchayat

Socio-Cultural History

The place name “Sreenarayanapuram” originated from the Sree Krishna Temple situated slightly west of National Highway No. 17 at Sreenarayanapuram Centre, on the northern side of Asmabi College Road. The temple is believed to be around 700–800 years old.

The region that includes Sreenarayanapuram Panchayat was once part of the ancient Vanchi Kingdom. This area extended from Kodungallur to Mathilakam. During the final centuries BCE and the early Christian era, Kodungallur was known as “Muziris,” while Mathilakam was called “Thrikkana Mathilakam” and “Koonavayil Kotta.” These places share a common historical background and therefore must be viewed together.

From ancient times, many new ideas and belief systems entered this region and were accepted with tolerance. As a result, Kodungallur and its surrounding areas became centres of religious harmony. Buddhism and Jainism reached this region during the final centuries BCE. Buddhism was centred in Kodungallur, while Jainism flourished in Thrikkana Mathilakam. Both religions promoted social equality and expressed concern for poverty and social problems.

One among the five ancient universities of South India was situated at Vanchi (present-day Thiruvanchikulam). It is also believed that charitable hospitals and veterinary centres were first established here by followers of these religions. A Buddha idol was discovered from Ala, which belongs to the Panchayat. The sacred fig trees, sacred groves, and serpent worship commonly seen in this region are considered lasting influences of Buddhism.

In later periods, Buddhism and Jainism gradually disappeared from this land, and caste divisions became deeply rooted only after their decline.

The Nelppini Subrahmanya Swamy Temple is historically very significant. It was once associated with Thrikkana Mathilakam. It is believed that the sacred ghee vessel (“Ney Bharani”) meant for Thrikkana Mathilakam was preserved in this temple. Over time, the term “Ney Bharani” may have transformed linguistically into “Nelppini.” The temple is believed to have originally been a Jain temple. If the local belief that the temple is more than a thousand years old is true, it is likely to have been a Jain place of worship. It is also the only west-facing temple in the region. Surrounded by a serene atmosphere, the temple remains a source of pride and spiritual comfort for the people. Today, the name “Nelppini” has become both a temple name and a place name.

Another ancient place of worship is the Sahib’s Mosque at Santhipuram. Elements of its traditional architecture still survive. Christianity had spread here as early as AD 52, long before it spread widely in Europe. Jewish communities whose temples were destroyed in their homeland are believed to have chosen this area for safe settlement around AD 68. In the 7th century AD, Malik Dinar and his companions arrived here and spread Islam.

Thus, along with the spices exported from this region to foreign lands, the fragrance of its religious tolerance also spread far and wide.

After the rule of the Chera kings and the Kodungallur royal family, this region came under the Kingdom of Cochin during the 14th century AD. Later, Cochin was conquered by the Zamorins, the Zamorins by Tipu Sultan, and Tipu Sultan by the British. Consequently, the area that includes Sreenarayanapuram came under the Madras Presidency.

Tipu Sultan unified the taxation system by imposing taxes even on the lands owned by upper castes. During that period, there were no proper transportation facilities in the Panchayat. The military movements of Tipu Sultan led to the development of the small eastern pathway into a major road extending southwards. Today, this route is the National Highway No. 17 coastal road, formerly known as the Tipu Sultan Road. Several other roads in the Panchayat are also associated with Tipu Sultan. In many ways, he can be considered a pioneer in road development.

The present-day taluks and firkas (sub-taluks) were also part of Tipu Sultan’s administrative reforms. The earlier “Tharas” later evolved into administrative divisions known as “Amsams.” Except for renaming these divisions, the British retained most of Tipu’s reforms.

There is no evidence within the Panchayat supporting the claim that Tipu Sultan destroyed Hindu temples. The strongest proof is that the Sreenarayanapuram Sree Krishna Temple, located very close to the Tipu Sultan Road, still survives unharmed.

The original form of today’s Sreenarayanapuram Panchayat was established in the mid-1950s as Padinjare Vemballur Panchayat, administered by a nominated committee. On January 1, 1962, the areas of Ala and Panangad were merged with Padinjare Vemballur Panchayat to form Sreenarayanapuram Panchayat. However, the new Panchayat officially came into existence only in September of that year. Initially, it consisted of nine wards and was governed by an advisory board. A democratically elected governing body came into existence in December 1963.

Until the formation of the state of Kerala on November 1, 1956, Sreenarayanapuram was considered the southernmost part of Malabar and was administered under the Malabar District Board. Although British rule had many disadvantages, caste oppression was comparatively less severe in British Malabar. Even the Sub-Collector of Malabar belonged to the Thiyya community.

The Sree Narayana movement had already begun in this Panchayat area during the period of organized protests against untouchability. The Congress movement took root here during the 1920s. Along with ending British colonial rule, the freedom struggle was also used to fight social evils such as untouchability.

The farmers’ movement emerged in Sreenarayanapuram in 1938, initiated by leaders from Edathiruthy. The struggle was directed against feudalism, landlordism, and untouchability. Farmers who cultivated the land had to borrow paddy and money at exploitative interest rates just to survive and continue farming after paying taxes and rent.

Long before the present Panchayat system, village panchayat courts existed in this region as was common in Malabar. At that time, Panangad Village did not exist. These courts had the authority to try minor civil and criminal cases. Each court consisted of a five-member jury with a tenure of five years. At the end of each term, the next jury was elected.

An interesting election took place in 1936. The Chavakkad Magistrate acted as the Returning Officer. The election was held at Velluthakadavu. One group was led by Kattakath Kollikkura Kunjumoytheen Sahib and the existing committee members, while the opposition was led by Kattakath Choolakkadavu Seythu Muhammad and his supporters. Supporters gathered in large numbers. The magistrate tied a rope across the ground and instructed supporters of the existing panel to stand on one side and supporters of the opposing panel to stand on the other. After counting the people, the existing panel was declared victorious based on majority support.

After Kollikkura, Kattakath Choolakkadavu Seyd Muhammad Haji became the chairman of the committee and was also the last president of the village court. This system disappeared long before the first Panchayat elections.

There may have once existed a period in this region when private property ownership was uncommon. The landlord system likely emerged only after the 11th century. One characteristic of the local landlord system was its strong caste-based structure. Unlike Travancore, Malabar did not have a “Pandarappattu Proclamation.” Numerous peasant struggles took place over the years.

The Land Reform Act of 1957 finally fulfilled the aspiration that agricultural land should belong to the farmers who cultivated it.

Earlier generations from this region received education in nearby places such as Perinjanam, Kodungallur, Kattoor, and Valappad. Today, Sreenarayanapuram is one of the Panchayats with the highest number of educational institutions in Kodungallur Taluk.

The region is also blessed with several important places of worship including:

• Ala Sankaranarayana Temple consecrated by Sree Narayana Guru
• Sreenarayanapuram Thevar Temple
• Nelppini Temple
• Munavvar Shah Sahib Mosque at Santhipuram
• St. Antony’s Chapel at Padinjare Vemballur
• Thekke Ayyappankavu Temple

It is believed that if the ancient Vattezhuthu inscriptions engraved on the stone walls of the thousand-year-old Nelppini Temple are properly deciphered, many more valuable facts about the history of Sreenarayanapuram could be revealed.