Palghat or Palakkad is one of the fourteen revenue districts of Kerala. Its geographical position, historical background, rural nature, educational status, tourist attractions and above all, the development activities that are carried out, are wide and varied.

                   This district, situated almost in the centre of the state, has no coastal line. The district opens the state to the rest of the country through the Palakkad gap. This 32 to 40 kms. Wide natural gap in the 960 kms. Long Western Ghats is perhaps the most influencial factor for the unique characterestics of the district such as climate, commercial as well as cultural exchanges between the State and the rest of the country. Palakkad witnessed invasions of historical importance that have left indelible impressions on the history of Kerala. Bharathapuzha, the longest river in Kerala, originates from the highlands and flows through the entire district.

                  The district is one of the main granaries of Kerala and its economy is primarly agricultural. Agriculture engages more than 65 per cent of the workers and 88.9 per cent of the district’s population is rural in nature. The proximity and easy approach to Tamil Nadu have caused the admisture of Malayalam and Tamil culture, here.

                 This district is perhaps the foremost in fostering Carnatic music, Great musicians like Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar and Palakkad Mani Iyer, who have enriched Carnatic music by their contributions, hailed from this district.

                 Forests, numerous streams, several dams and the gardens in them have made this district a tourist paradise.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

                    Based on the physical features, the district is divided into two natural divisions - midland and highland. The midland region consists of valleys and plains. It leads up to the highland which consists of high mountain peaks, long spurs, extensive ravines, dense forests and tangled jungles. While Ottappalam taluk lies completely in the midland regions. The road and rail links between Kerala and Tamil Nadu pass through the Palakkad gap.

                  The Western Ghas has an average altitude of 5000 ft. except for two peaks of more than 6000 ft. The important peaks above an altitude of 4000 ft. are Anginda peak (7628 ft.), Karimala peak (6556 ft.), Nellikotta or Padagiri peak (5200 ft.) and Karimala Gopuram (4721 ft.).

HISTORY

               Historically too, Palakkad district has its own special characterestics. The fort of Hyder Ali tells us the story of Mysore invasions and the advent of the British to this part of the country. The Victoria College, started in 1866, marks the beginning of higher education in Malabar. The Jain Temple near Chunnamputhra speaks of the maganimity of the King of Palakkad who provided shelter to the people who escaped the religious presecutions of the King of Mysore, five hundred years ago.

               The ancient history of Palakkad is shrouded. According to William Logan, the author of the Malabar Mannual, the Pallava dynasty of Kanchi might have invaded Malabar in the second or third century. One of the their headquarters was a place called Palakada which could be present-day Palakkad. Malabar had been invaded by many of the ancient South Indian rulers. For many centuries, it was ruled by the Perumals. They had under them some powerful Utayavars who held authority in their own respective territories. After the rule of the Perumals, the country was divided among these chieftans. The Valluvakonathiri (ruler of Valluvanad) the rulers of Vengunad (Kollengadu Rajas) and Sekhari varma (Raja of Palakkad) were the prominent rulers of this region, after the Perumals.

                When the Zamorin of Kozhikode invaded Palakkad inn 1757, the Raja of Palakkad sought the help of Hyder Ali of Mysore. Hyder Ali’s help forced the Zamorin to retreat. Later Hyder Ali subjugated all territories in Palakkad which were under the possession of Zamorin. Thus the whole area possessed by the Raja of Palakkad passed into the hands of the Mysore rulers - Hyder Ali and his son Tippu Sultan. The war between Tippu and the East India Company ended with the treaty of 1872 and all the possessions of Tippu in Malabar were ceded to the British. Gradually these formed part of the Malabar district of the Madras Presidency.