Pozhuthana
Grama Panchayat

Social History

In ancient times, Wayanad was under the domain and protection of the Kottayam Rajas (rulers). During those days, the Kottayam Raja would occasionally visit Wayanad to inspect the welfare of the land. Whenever they visited these parts, they resided at the place known today as the Kovilakam Temple. It is inferred that the sanctum sanctorum (Sreekovil) of the present Kovilakam Temple was originally the private puja room belonging to the Kottayam royal lineage where they offered worship.

Historical evidence shows that several Mappila soldiers, who had to flee the country during the Malabar Rebellion of 1921, came and settled in this area. Many of them took up employment as plantation laborers. These workers integrated with laborers recruited from the interiors of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In the early 19th century, the social fabric of this region was collectively forged by these diverse groups. During that period, laborers were brought from various parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and other regions of Kerala through Kanganis (supervisors/mesthiris) to work here. The exploitation and oppression endured by the laborers in this history was severe. The oppression intensified as the estate owners happened to be British. It was only after India's historic independence that the workers began to experience some relief from this exploitation.

Migration History

Towards the end of the 18th century and in the first decade of the 19th century, the Pozhuthana Edam Taravad (feudal ancestral family) transferred approximately 800 hectares of forest land to British companies on a long-term lease. Subsequently, three-fourths of this land was converted into tea plantations. Currently, Harrison Malayalam Company, the successor to those British firms, is the largest tea plantation owner in Pozhuthana Grama Panchayat. During the freedom struggle, participants and sympathizers of the 1921 Malabar Rebellion came and settled in this region. They joined the tea estates as workers. A significant percentage of the current plantation laborers belongs to their second and third generations.

Agricultural History

The true modern history of Pozhuthana begins with the first Kerala Ministry in 1957. It was from this period onward that the lands held by the landlords (Janmis) of the Pozhuthana Edam, who were massive landowners, began to be fragmented into various hands. The Kerala Agrarian Relations Act, followed by the Land Reforms Act and the takeover of surplus land, led to the decentralization of land ownership. Apart from voluntary land sales made to evade legal ceilings, the government also acquired thousands of hectares of land under the Private Forest Conservation Act.

Despite these measures, a historic labor strike accelerated the partition of the Pozhuthana Edam Taravad, which had previously stood strong like a massive banyan tree. In a sense, it was this labor strike that transformed the face of modern Pozhuthana. In the olden days, the best and most fertile lands held by big landlords were used for paddy cultivation strictly for personal consumption. Consequently, profit and loss were of little consequence, and the wages paid were meager. Every landlord family maintained specific laborer families to carry out agricultural activities.

The Pulayar and Paniyar communities—the sons of the soil of Wayanad—practiced a traditional group dance and drumming ritual called Kambala Adi while plucking and transplanting paddy saplings. Although the primary intent was to complete the landlord's cultivation as quickly as possible, the society of that era viewed it as a celebration. The objective of Kambala Adi was to uproot and transplant saplings meant for nearly 10 pothi of seeds within a single day and night. For this, all the laborers of the locality came together, creating a festive atmosphere.

Lemons, water apples (Chambakka), and various other fruits were also cultivated here. It is said that a coffee bean processing factory once existed at a place called Old Parakkunnu. The British companies operated in this region in various capacities from the year 1800. Initially, they cultivated lemons and coffee, and later, from 1860, they transitioned into setting up tea plantations.

Educational History

During the British colonial rule in 1922, when the region was part of Malabar District and Wayanad Taluk, Achutha Kurup of Pozhuthana Edam constructed a building of his own. By renting it out for a monthly rent of 6 rupees, the Mappila L.P. School, offering education up to the 5th standard, was established under the Malabar District Board. During the same period, Punathil Mammadu Haji constructed a building on 37 cents of land in the 8th ward of the Panchayat and rented it out to establish the Pinangode L.P. School under the Malabar District Board. Later, M.K. Padmaprabha Gowder donated one acre of land to the government, and the institution was upgraded to Pinangode U.P. School.

Transportation History

Before the formation of Pozhuthana Panchayat in 1972, when this region was part of Vythiri Panchayat, there were only a handful of roads within these boundaries, such as the Vythiri-Tharuvana-Kuthirapandi Road. The construction of the Aanoth-Pappalamoola Road was the first collective, community-driven effort by the local residents. Another significant project was the construction of the Aanur-Chunda Road. In the early days, only a small portion of the Olarana-Perudana Road existed. Later, the Olarana-Perumukku Road was fully completed. The Aanoth-Pozhuthana Road remains a major and vital thoroughfare in this Panchayat today.

Cultural History

The history of Pozhuthana during the feudal era is closely linked to the Wayanad life of the Kottayam Rajas and the military marches of Tipu Sultan. The houses where the Kottayam kings resided at various times were known as Edams. It is believed that Aanothidam, Achuridam, Pozhuthanaidam, and Tariodidam (located in Thariyod Panchayat) were the palatial residences of the Raja. Kuthirapandi Road is the historical route used by Tipu Sultan’s cavalry during his military campaign. Thus, this land shares deep roots with the history of local kings and feudal lords.

Toponymy (History of Place Names)

Numerous flowing rivers and streams can be seen throughout this Panchayat. Legends and folklore suggest that the phrase "Evideyum Puzha Thanne" (Everywhere it is just rivers) eventually evolved into the name Pozhuthana.

The Amba Estate, where the Sugandhagiri Project is located, was a well-organized coffee plantation. It operated on a classic estate model. The ruins of bungalows built by Europeans can still be found in the Amba Estate. On top of a hill in the Amba region lies Pambanpara, which stands as a remnant of ancient times. Large caves, a snake-like formation carved in stone, a stone sword, and several other ancient artifacts can still be seen there.

History of Educational Institutions

In 1926, the Pozhuthana Achuranam Mappila Govt. L.P. School was established. In 1952, a single-teacher school (Eka-Adhyapaka School) was started in Achur. It later evolved into the Achur Govt. L.P. School, then a U.P. School, and it currently functions as a High School. Around the same time, an L.P. School was started in Pinangode, which now functions as a U.P. School. In 1973, the Valiyapaara L.P. School was established, and the Kurichyarmala L.P. School was also started in the very same year.