Kasaragod | Districts of Kerala

Kasaragod, often known as the Land of Gods and Land of Rivers, is the northernmost district of Kerala.

Bound by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west, it boasts a beautiful natural landscape with twelve rivers.

The district is also known for its picturesque landscapes, pristine beaches, and cultural heritage. It continues to thrive as a melting pot of different communities, contributing to its rich tapestry of traditions and customs.

The lengthy section below provides information different aspects of the Kasaragod district of Kerala, which may prove helpful for all Kerala PSC and other competitive exam aspirants as they prepare for future exams.

One opinion suggests that Kasaragod is a combination of two Sanskrit words, 'Kasara' (lake or pond) and 'Kroda' (place where treasure is kept).

Another opinion is that the name Kasaragod is derived from the Kannada word 'Kusirakoot,' meaning group of wormwood trees. It can be understood that ancient people of Kerala also called Kasaragod by the same name as Kanjirod.

Kasaragod is home to ancient human settlements dating back to the Great Stone Age,  Pottery, copper, and ancient ironworks provide hints for these settlements in Chenkal areas in midlands of the district.

The district is home to various tribes and has a rich history of Buddhism and Jainism. The influence of the Vedic religion in Kerala was stronger during the time of Sankaracharya.

Kasaragod's northernmost regions were once a part of the Tuluva kingdom, and it had 32 Tulu and 32 Malayalam villages.

While the Chirakkal (Mushika or Kolathiri) Royal Family of North Kerala ruled over the central and southern regions.

The region was developed during the reign of the Ezhimala dynasty (Tamil name for Mushika) and later by the Muthu Dynasty. Later Vijayanagara empire attacked Kolathiri and conquered this region of strategic importance.

TheVijayanagara empiredeclined after theBattle of Talikota in 1565and was divided into provinces, with the Ikkeri Nayaka  dynasty establishing control over the region. Bekal Fort, built during this period, was constructed to defend against foreign invasions.The Mysore Sultan, Hyder Ali, invaded the Ikkeri dynasty in 1763 and conquered Malabar fortresses. However, he died in 1782 without realising his dream of capturing the entire Kerala region.His son, Tipu Sultan, later conquered the Malabar region and with theTreaty of Srirangapatnam of 1792,he ceded Malabar except Tulunadu (Canara) to the British.Only untilTipu Sultan died in 1799 in theFourth Anglo-Mysore Wardid the British gained the control of Canara region.

Many Arab travellers who arrived in Kerala between the 9th and 14th centuries A.D. visited Kasaragod, which was then an important trade center. They dubbed this placeHarkwillia.

Duarte Barbosa, the Portuguese navigator who visited Kumbla in Kasaragod in 1514, noted that rice was shipped to Male Island, whence the coir was imported.

Dr. Francis Buchanan, surgeon to then Governor-General of India, Lord Arthur Wellesley, visited Kasaragod in 1801. In his travels, he discusses the political and communal structures in areas like as Athiparamba, Kavvai, Nileshwar, Bekkal, Chandragiri, and Manjeshwar.

Kasaragod taluk, the part of Bekal taluk, was established on April 16, 1882 when Bekal taluk was included in Madras presidency.

In 1913, a resolution by Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar was moved in the Madras Governor's Council demanding merger of Kasaragod taluk with Malabar district. Later, it was withdrawn due to Karnataka's opposition.

In 1927, Malayalee Seva Sangham was established under imminent personalities like K.P. Keshava Menon, and with their efforts led to the merging of Kasaragod with Kerala.

The state of Kerala was formed on November 1, 1956, by combining Malabar district and Kasaragod taluk of Dakshina Kannada into Travancore-Kochi under theState Reorganisation Act.

At the time ofKerala district formation, the Malabar district was divided into 3 districts, namely Kannur, Kozhikode and Palakkad. Kasaragod taluk was then divided into Kasaragod and Hosdurg talukas and became a part of the Kannur district.

Kasaragod district was then formed on 24 May 1984 by merging Hosdurg and Kasaragod taluks which were part of the Kannur district.

Kasaragod district has been a hotbed of various revolts and movements, reflecting the socio-political dynamics of the region.

First District Panchayat in India to have official symbols-official tree, flower, bird, species –Kasaragod.

Title | Official Symbol | Scientific Name ---------------------------------------- Title: Official Animal Official Symbol: Bheemanama /Asian Giant Softshell Turtle /Cantor's Giant Softshell Turtle Scientific Name: Pelochelys cantorii --- Title: Official Bird Official Symbol: White Bellied Sea Hawk Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucogaster --- Title: Official Tree Official Symbol: Kanjiram Scientific Name: Strychnos nux-vomica --- Title: Official Flower Official Symbol: Malabar River Lily Scientific Name: Crinum malabaricum ---