Institutional History

History of Peringammala Grama Panchayat – Summary

1. Adivasi Heritage

  • Until about a century ago, Peringammala (Perunthenmala) was a dense forest region.
  • The Kanikkar tribal community were the earliest inhabitants.
  • The term “Kaani” refers to a unit of land measurement; Njaraneeli was their primary settlement area.
  • They collected forest produce and offered it as tribute to the Travancore kings, living a migratory life within the forests.

2. Later Migration and New Settlers

  • Around 100 years ago, various non-tribal groups migrated to the region:
    • For agriculture
    • For trade
    • For plantation work
  • These groups settled mainly in the Palode–Peringammala area.

3. Land, Agriculture, and Settlement Development

  • 1948: The government declared the forest land as a food production zone and allotted up to 5 acres to farmers.
  • Cutting trees and cultivating long-term crops were prohibited.
  • 1959–60: Ownership of the land was officially transferred to the farmers, leading to permanent settlement.

4. British Rule and the Formation of Estates

  • The British and European missionaries established tea and rubber plantations in Braemore, Ponmudi, Merchiston, Invercad, and Chennikkal.
  • These areas were connected through horse tracks.
  • 1880–1886: Major estates were established (e.g., the 1886 Merchiston Estate—present-day Jayshree Tea Estate).
  • Poor Tamil labourers were brought in and forced to work under harsh, exploitative conditions.

5. Epidemics and Population Decline

  • In the 1950s, malaria spread widely, causing many deaths.
  • Chennikkal was completely abandoned around 70 years ago due to a severe epidemic.

6. Struggles and Social Movements

  • During the 1940s–50s, plantation workers organized struggles demanding better wages and living conditions.
  • 1952: The British sold the plantations to local Indian owners (Naidus).
  • 1954: A wage-hike strike escalated to police firing.

7. Political Representation

  • 1945: A.S.J. Nair was elected to the Sreemoolam Popular Assembly representing regions including Peringammala.