Alappuzha
Alappuzha is a district in the State of Kerala in India. The name of Alappuzha was derived by the geographical position and physical features of the place which means ”the land between the sea and the network of rivers flowing into it". The district lies at North Latitudes - 9°05' and 9°54' and East Longitudes - 76°17'30" and 76°40'.The district is bounded in the north by Kochi and Kanayannur Taluks of Ernakulam district, in the East by Vaikom, Kottayam and Changanassery Taluks of Kottayam district and Thiruvalla, Kozhencherry and Adoor taluks of Pathanamthitta District, in the South by Kunnathur and Karunagappally of Kollam District and in the West by Lakshadweep (Arabian) sea.
The district is a sandy strip of land intercepted by lagoons, rivers and canals. There are neither mountains nor hills in the district except some scattered hillocks lying between Bharanikkavu and Chngannur blocks in the eastern portion of the district. Cherthala, Ambalappuzha, Kuttanad and Karthikappally fully lie in low land region. There is no forest area in this district.
Area of this district is 1,414 Sq.Km and the population as per census of 2001 was 2,105,349. Population density is 1492 persons per Sq.Km, and Sex-ratio (No. of females per 1000 males) is 1079. Literacy Rate in the district is 93.66 per cent. Female Literacy rate is 91.14 per cent.
The present Alappuzha district comprises of six taluks namely Cherthala, Ambalapuzha, Kuttanad, arthikappllly, Chengannur and Mavelikkara.
History
Alleppey has a wonderful past. Though the present town owes its existence to the sagacious Diwan Rajakesavadas in the second half of 18th century, district of Alappuzha figures in classified Literature. Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala with the unending stretch of paddy fields, small streams and canals with lush green coconut palms , was well known even from the early periods of the Sangam age. History says Alappuzha had trade relations with ancient Greece and Rome in B.C and in the Middle Ages.It is believed that during paleolithic age the coastal taluks of Cherthala, Ambalapuzha and Karthikappally might have been under water and these areas were formed by the accumulation of silt and sand later than the other parts of the district.
Kuttanad was well known even from the early periods of the Sangam age. The early Cheras had their home in Kuttanad and they were called 'Kuttuvans' named after this place.
Some archeological antiques like stone inscriptions, historical monuments etc. found in the temples, churches, rock-out caves etc., and literacy works like "Unninili Sandesam" give some insight into the ancient period of this district.
The famous travelers Pliny and Ptolemy of the first and second centuries had mentioned about places like Purakkad(Barace) in their classical works.
Christianity had a strong foot-hold in this district even from the Ist century A.D. The church located at Kokkomangalam or Kokkothamangalam was one of the seven churches founded by St.Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. It is generally believed that he landed at Maliankara in Muziris Port, presently known as Cranganore or Kodungallur in 52 A.D and preached Christianity in South India.
During 9th to 12th century AD the district flourished in the field of religion and culture under the second Chera Empire. The famous literary work of this period was ‘Ascharya Choodamani’ a Sanskrit drama written by Sakthibhadra who was a scholar of Chengannur gramam.
During 16th century small principalities like Kayamkulam (presently Karthikappally and Mavelikkara taluks), Purakkad which was often called Ambalappuzha or Chempakasseri(present Ambalappuzha and Kuttanad taluk) and Karappuram comprising of two principalities called Moothedath and Iledath (present Cherthala Taluk) emerged into power. In the same period the Portugese came into prominence in the political scene of the district. Christianity became popular in all parts of the district and they built several churches of which Churches located at Purakkad and Arthungal are well known. The kingdom of Chempakasseri was at its zenith during the reign of Pooradam Thirunal Devanarayana, a great scholar and a poet who was the author of ‘Vedantha Retnamala’, a commentary on the first verse of Bhagavat Geetha. It is said that Sreekrishna Swami temple at Ambalappuzha was constructed and the idol of Lord Krishna installed during that time. It is believed that Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri, Sri Neelakanta Deekshithar and Sri Kumaran Namboothiri were eminent scholars who patronized his court.
In the 17th century the Portugese power declined and the Dutch had a predominant position in the principalities of this district. As a result of several treaties signed between the Dutch and the Rajas of Purakkad, Kayamkulam and Karappuram, the Dutch built factories and warehouses in various places of the district for storing pepper,ginger etc. In course of time they inferred in the political and cultural affairs of the district. It was at that time Maharaja Marthandavarma, the ‘Maker of modern Travancore’ interfered in the political affairs of those principalities. The annexation of the Kingdoms of Kayamkulam, Ambalappuzha, Thekkumkur, Vadakkumkur and Karappuram to travancore gave the Dutch a setback from the political scene of the district.
Marthandavarma Maharaja had a remarkable role in the internal progress of the district. He gave special attention to the development of Mavelikkara as an administrative as well as a commercial centre. The Krishnapuram plalace, which is now a protected monument of the State Archaeology department, was constructed during that period. It was at that time that the great and talented poet Kunjan Nambiar was installed in the court at Trivandrum.
During the reign of Dharmaraja the district was improved by all means. Raja Kesava Das, the then Diwan of Travancore who was known as the ‘Maker of modern Alleppey’ made Alappuzha a premier port town of Travancore. He constructed several roads and canals to improve communications and built warehouses. He gave all facilities to merchants and traders from far and near. During the reign of Balaramavarma Maharaja, Velu Thampi Dalava took keen interest in the development of the town and port. He brought the whole area of the island Pathiramanal under coconut cultivation and large tracts under paddy cultivation. The role of Velu Thampi Dalava in the development of Alappuzha is worth mentioning. In the 19th century the district attained progress in all spheres. One of the five subordinate courts opened in the state in connection with the reorganization of the judicial system by Colonel Munro was located at Mavelikkara. The credit of having the first post office and first telegraph office in the erstwhile Travancore state goes to this district. The first modern factory for the manufacture of coir mats and mattings was also established in 1859 at Alappuzha. The town Improvement Committee was set up in 1894.
In the early first decade of the 20th Century the then Viceroy of the Indian Empire, Lord Curzon made a visit in the State to Alleppey, now Alappuzha. Fascinated by the Scenic beauty of the place, in joy and amazement, he said, “Here nature has spent up on the land her richest bounties”. In his exhilaration, it is said, he exclaimed, “Alleppey, the Venice of the East”.
Carved out of erstwhile Kottayam and Kollam (Quilon) districts, Alleppey district was formed on 17th of August 1957. The name of the district Alleppey, the anglicized form was changed as ‘Alappuzha’ as per government order of 7.2.1990.
Politics
Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) constituencies and their areas after delimitation order of 2008102 Aroor Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Arookutty, Aroor, Chennam-Pallippuram, Ezhupunna, Kodamthuruth, Kuthiathode, Panavally, Perumbalam, Thycattussery and Thuravoor Panchayat in Cherthala Taluk.
103 Cherthala Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Cherthala Municipality and Cherthala South, Kadakkarappally, Kanjikkuzhi, Muhamma, Pattanakkad, Thanneermukkam and Vayalar Panchayats in Cherthala Taluk.
104 Alappuzha Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Alappuzha Municipality and Wards no. 1-19 & 45-50 and Aryad, Mannanchery and Mararikkulam South Panchayats in Ambalappuzha Taluk and Mararikkulam North Panchayat in Cherthala Taluk.
105 Ambalappuzha Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Alappuzha Municipality Wards no. 20 to 44 and Ambalappuzha North, Ambalappuzha South, Punnapra North, Punnapra South and Purakkad Panchayats in Ambalappuzha Taluk.
106 Kuttanad Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Champakkulam, Edathua, Kainakary, Kavalam, Muttar, Nedumudi, Neelamperoor, Pulinkunnu, Ramankary, Thakazhy, Thalavady and Veliyanad Panchayats in Kuttanad Taluk and Veeyapuram Panchayat in Karthikappally Taluk.
107 Haripad Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Arattupuzha, Cheppad, Cheruthana, Chingoli, Haripad, Karthikappally, Karuvatta, Kumarapuram, Muthukulam, Pallippad and Thrikkunnapuzha Panchayats in Karthikappally Taluk.
108 Kayamkulam Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Kayamkulam Municipality and Devikulangara, Kandalloor, Krishnapuram, Pathiyoor Panchayat in Karthikappally Taluk and Bharanikkavu and Chettikulangara Panchayats in Mavelikkara Taluk.
109 Mavelikkara Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) - Mavelikkara Municipality and Chunakkara, Mavelikkara–Thekkekara, Mavelikkara-
Thamarakkulam, Nooranad, Palamel, Thazhakara, Vallikunnam Panchayats in Mavelikkara Taluk.
110 Chengannur Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Chengannur Municipality and Ala, Budhanoor, Cheriyanad, Mannar, Mulakuzha, Pandanad, Puliyoor, Thiruvanvandoor, Venmony Panchayats in Chengannur Taluk and Chennithala–Thriperumthura Panchayats in Mavelikkara Taluk.