Alappuzha
About the city
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 BC and in the Middle Ages.Carved out of erstwhile Kottayam and Kollam (Quilon) districts, Alleppey district was formed on 17th August 1957.The name of the district Alleppey, the anglicized form was changed as ‘Alappuzha' as per GO(P) No.133/90/RD dated 7th February 1990. It is assumed that 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". As per GO (MS) No.1026/82/(RD) dated 29th October 1982, Pathanamthitta district was newly constituted taking portions from the then Alappuzha, Kollam and Idukki districts. The area transferred from the erstwhile Alappuzha district to Pathanamthitta district is Thiruvalla taluk as a whole and part of Chengannur and Mavelikkara Taluks. Thus the present Alappuzha district comprises of six taluks namely Cherthala, Ambalapuzha, Kuttanad, Karthikappllly, Chengannur and Mavelikkara.
Alluring Alappuzha, the ‘Venice of the East' is endowed with exceptional natural beauty and has emerged as a major tourist destination of the State. The serence Vembanad lake covering an area of 204 Sq.km stretches from Alappuzha to Kochi and the Kayamkulam lake with an area 59.57 sq.km extends to the districts of Alappuzha and Kollam. These lakes are widely used for the inland water transport of cargo and passengers in the region and provides a perfect introduction to the amazing backwaters of the state.
Cheer at a boat race, light lamps at a temple festival or simply soak in the monochromatic greens of the verdant countryside. The rice bowl of Kerala with its ample waters, Alleppey or Alappuzha as it is now known, is nature at its most spiritual. The silent town gives a feeling of solitude even when surrounded by local folk, as they go about their business quietly except when the local boat races elicit wild cheers and much action. Gliding through the gentle backwaters on a rice boat can be a deeply introspective experience and if you're looking for a quiet commune with nature, then you're in the right place. In God's Own Country, this is God's greenest patch.
The town was founded by Raja Keshawadasan, Divan of Travanacore in 1762.
With the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. Referred to as the Venice of the East by travellers from across the world, this are is also home to diverse animal and bird life. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala.
Today, Alappuzha (Alleppey) has grown in importance as a backwater tourist center, & also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry.
History
During the 16th century, while some small principalities like Kayamkulam and Purakkad emerged into power, the Portuguese too came into prominence in the political scene of this district. They integrated with the local culture and even introduced their own. The Portuguese had started losing control by the turn of the next century when the Dutch gained entry. The Dutch built factories and warehouses in various places of the district for storing pepper, ginger, etc. In course of time, they participated in the political and cultural affairs of the district.It was at that time that Maharaja Mathandavarma, the 'Master of Modern Travancore' developed the infrastructure of the area. It soon rose to be a busy commercial center where merchants from neighbouring states gathered for business. The coir business flourished as factories mushroomed. Alappuzha also saw the first Anglican Church in 1816, built by the Christian missionaries.
The history of Alleppey goes back a long way and it is believed that its coastal regions of Cherthala, Ambalapuzha and Karthikapally may have been underwater, formed only by the accumulation of silt and sand. Kuttanadu, one of the taluks of the present Alleppey district, was known from the early periods of the Sangam age. The early Cheras had their home in Kuttanadu and they were called Kuttuvans , after this place. Alleppey is also multi-religious and the presence of Christianity was felt as far back as the first century A.D. The church located at Kokkomangalam or Kokkothamangalam in Cherthala is one of the seven churches founded by St. Thomas, one of the twelve desciples of Jesus, who is believed to be responsible for the spread of Christianity in south India. Between the 9th and 17th century AD, the district had passed hands from the second Chera empire to the Portuguese and the Dutch. It was Maharaja Mathandavarma, known as the Master of Modern Travancore , who annexed the kingdoms of Kayamkulam, Ambalappuzha, Thekkumkur, Vadakkumkur and Karappuram to Travancore , driving the Dutch away and contributing greatly to the progress of the area. Mavelikkara was developed as an administrative and commercial centre and the Krishnapuram Palace is a fabulous remnant of that glorious era. When the town was founded by Raja Kesavadasan, the Diwan of Travancore in 1762, there was just one canal through the strip of sand between the backwaters and the sea. This developed into a busy waterway, with shops and commercial establishments on either banks of the canal, transforming it into a hub for trade. By the mid 19th century the sea had receded by a mile and there was now more land along the sand strip, attracting a number of trading vessels. A local home trade was transformed into a flourishing industry when the first organised coir factory was started here by the British, in 1859. Other British owned weaving establishments followed. Meanwhile, in 1816 the Church Missionary Society set up its local headquarters here and three years later the first Anglican church was built. In 1851, Alappuzha had the honour of housing the first post office in the erstwhile Travancore State.