Punalur - History

History

Punalur is a city on mountain path, since ancient times, which had good relations with Tamil Nadu to the East. Most parts of Pathanapuram taluk were inhabited since before the Indus Valley Civilization, and civilization may have existed in and around Punalur during the 1st Century AD, but most parts of it were thick forests. Punalur is described in inscriptions of Mithranandpuram and Vellayani. Until 1734, Punalur was under the direct rule of the Ilaydathu swaroopam.Later it was occupied by Marthanda Varma and came under the rule of Travancore . Britishers had a good hold in this part due to its rich agricultural background.

Portuguese Captain Road Drigs tried to establish his supremacy over the black pepper trade in 1552, but the local traders were not interested and so they transported the pepper to Tamil Nadu in about 500 bullock carts. This act of the local traders evoked the anger of the Captain and he sent his troops and killed many people.

The Taluk headquarter was shifted from Pathnapuram to Punalur ,after an attack at Pathnapuram ,in 1880. This helped in the growth of Punalur . Later flow of goods to and from Tamil Nadu started flowing through Punalur. Punalur is the first settlement after the majestic Western ghats.The opening of Punalur Suspension Bridge incresed the importance of Punalur as the centre of trade, after the Palakad, between Tamilnadu and Kerala.

Punalur also served as pivot point in the rise of independence movement and also against the rule of Diwan. Many meetings where centered around Punalur due to the close proximity to Tamilnadu. Many important decisions on planning and attacking Tirunelveli collector was taken in Punalur.

Cultural history of Punalur reflects in the work of traditional and modern artists and performing groups of music, drama, cinema, etc., especially acclaimed contributions of Punalur N. Rajagopalan Nair, Punalur Balan and Lalithambika Antharjanam in Theatre and Malayalam literature.

Punalur Paper Mills, the first of its kind in Kerala, served both as an economic centre as well as a source of jobs. Later Travancore plywood industry added to Punalur's importance in the industrial field. Punalur Market (formerly Sri Ramapuram market) is one of the largest vegetable / agro-products markets in Kerala.