Wayanad District History: From Stone Age Caves to Modern Kerala

Wayanad, tucked into the misty green Western Ghats of Kerala, is not just a weekend hill station. The history of Wayanad district runs deep – from Stone Age carvings in caves to battles between kings, spice traders, Tipu Sultan, the British, and the legendary Pazhassi Raja.

Walk through a forest trail or step into an old cave here and you genuinely feel like the past is still around you. Every rock, every stream, every ruined wall has a story to tell. Most visitors come for the cool climate, waterfalls, wildlife and Wayanad tourism spots – but behind all that lies a powerful timeline of tribes, trade routes, kingdoms and resistance.

This guide tries to tell Wayanad district history in a simple, local style – less like a textbook, more like how people here narrate it over tea: real facts, a bit of storytelling, and a lot of heritage hiding in plain sight.

---

---

Wayanad District History – At a Glance

Before we dive deep, here’s a simple timeline of Wayanad Kerala history that helps you see the big picture:

Period	Who / What	Key Highlights in Wayanad
Stone Age (c. 6000 BCE and after)	Prehistoric communities	Rock carvings in Edakkal Caves, early human settlement in the Wayanad plateau.
Megalithic Age	Early Dravidian cultures	Dolmens, cairns and menhirs across the hills, showing organised burial and ritual practices.
3rd c. BCE – 12th c. CE	Chera Dynasty	Part of the Chera realm, key link in the ancient Malabar spice trade.
Later Early Medieval	Gangas & Hoysalas	Invasions from Karnataka, temples and forts, cultural influences in architecture.
14th – 16th c.	Vijayanagara Empire	Administrative control, tax systems, and improved trade routes through the ghats.
16th – 18th c.	Mysore Wodeyars	Consolidated rule, pepper and cardamom trade expanded.
Late 18th c.	Tipu Sultan	Military roads, garrisons, Sultan Bathery named after his battery (artillery post).
1795 – 1805	Pazhassi Raja	Guerrilla resistance against the British from the forests of Wayanad.
19th – mid-20th c.	British Rule	Tea and coffee plantations, roads, forest laws, displacement of many tribal communities.
1947 – 1980	Part of Madras State / Kerala	Under Malabar district, later became part of Kerala in 1956.
Since 1980	Wayanad District	Separate district formed from parts of Kozhikode and Kannur.

---

Prehistoric Wayanad – The Dawn of Civilization

Edakkal Caves – Where Wayanad District History Begins

If you ask anyone about Wayanad district history, almost every local will first mention Edakkal Caves. These caves sit on the slopes of Ambukuthi Hills near Sulthan Bathery. They are not just holes in the rock – they are an open-air museum of Stone Age art.

The petroglyphs (rock carvings) here are believed to be several thousand years old. Long before any dynasty or written Malayalam, people were already scratching their lives into stone. On the cave walls you can see:

• Figures of humans and animals
• Hunters holding bows and weapons
• Geometric patterns and symbols
• Scenes that hint at early social life

Standing inside Edakkal, looking at those carvings, you get goosebumps. It feels like someone from thousands of years ago is quietly saying, “We lived here too.” That’s why many historians say the story of Wayanad’s history truly begins in these caves.

Stone Age & Megalithic Culture in Wayanad

Edakkal is only one part of prehistoric Wayanad. Across the district, especially on hilltops and open plateaus, you’ll find traces of megalithic culture – dolmens, cairns and tall standing stones called menhirs.

• Dolmens – stone slab “rooms” believed to be burial chambers.
• Cairns – stone mounds marking graves or ritual spots.
• Menhirs – tall, upright stones that might have served as memorials or markers.

These structures show that life here was not just about hunting and survival. People had organised communities, spiritual beliefs and clear ideas about death and remembrance.

---

Ancient Kingdoms of Wayanad

Dravidian Tribal Settlements – The First “Locals”

Long before written records and royal titles, Wayanad was home to Dravidian tribal communities. They are the true first locals of Wayanad district. Many of them – like the Kurichiyas, Paniyas, Adiyas, Kattunaikkans and Kurumas – still live here today.

They hunted, practiced small-scale farming, worshipped nature, sang folk songs and passed on traditions orally. When we talk about Wayanad tribal history, we’re talking about people who have been connected to these hills for centuries, sometimes millennia.

Chera Dynasty Rule – Wayanad on the Spice Route

From around the 3rd century BCE up to the 12th century CE, much of Wayanad came under the powerful Chera dynasty. Because of its position between the Mysore plateau and the Malabar coast, Wayanad became a crucial link in the ancient spice trade routes.

• Pepper from Wayanad travelled down to coastal ports like Muziris and Beypore.
• From there, it moved further to Arabia, the Mediterranean and even Rome.
• Small peppercorns from these misty hills helped connect Kerala to the wider world.

So when you see a pepper vine climbing a tree in Wayanad today, remember: this tiny spice helped shape the history of Wayanad district and the entire Malabar coast.

Ganga & Hoysala Invasions from Karnataka

In the following centuries, dynasties like the Gangas and Hoysalas from what is now Karnataka entered Wayanad. They built small forts, temples and outposts to control trade routes and the high ranges.

Some historians and archaeologists still trace inscriptions and architectural features in and around Wayanad that carry these influences, though many structures are now in ruins or hidden inside forests.

Under the Vijayanagara Empire

By the 14th century, Wayanad became part of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire. The rulers were mainly interested in:

• Controlling the passes through the Western Ghats
• Taxing agricultural produce and forest products
• Securing trade routes between the plateau and the coast

While this brought some order and better roads, it also meant more pressure on local tribes and farmers through tax and labour demands.

Mysore Wodeyars – Pepper, Cardamom and Rice

After Vijayanagara declined, Wayanad came under the Mysore Wodeyars. Their rule focused heavily on trade, especially in:

• Pepper
• Cardamom
• Rice and other crops

They strengthened trade networks, which later became the base for Tipu Sultan’s military and economic interest in Wayanad.

---

Colonial Wayanad – Tipu Sultan, Kottayam Rajas & The British

Tipu Sultan’s Rule in Wayanad

In the late 1700s, Tipu Sultan – the “Tiger of Mysore” – took direct control of Wayanad. For him, this region was strategically important:

• He built military roads through the forests and ghats.
• He set up garrisons and defence posts.
• A local Jain temple was reportedly used as an armoury.

The town we now call Sulthan Bathery got its name from this time. “Bathery” comes from “battery” – Tipu’s artillery store or gun battery.

Kottayam Rajas – Local Rulers with Deep Roots in Wayanad

Parallel to Mysore’s rule, the Kottayam Rajas of North Malabar had deep historical ties with Wayanad. Unlike distant invaders, they were closely connected to the land and the local tribes.

They had a strong bond especially with the Kurichiya tribe, known for their skills as archers and warriors. This relationship later became crucial in the fight against the British.

Pazhassi Raja’s Resistance – The Lion of Kerala

When we talk about Wayanad district history, one name towers above almost all others – Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, often called the Lion of Kerala.

• Between 1795 and 1805, he led a strong guerrilla resistance against the British East India Company.
• His men, including Kurichiya archers, knew the forests, rivers and hill paths better than anyone.
• They attacked suddenly from bamboo groves and thick jungle, then disappeared into the mist.

Pazhassi Raja refused to surrender or accept unfair British control. He was finally killed in 1805 in the forests of Wayanad. For people here, he is remembered not just as a local king, but as a freedom fighter long before 1947.

British Rule – Plantations and Displacement

After Tipu Sultan’s death in 1799 and Pazhassi Raja’s fall in 1805, the British gained firm control over Wayanad. This period changed the landscape in many ways:

• Tea and coffee plantations were started on a large scale.
• Forest laws restricted tribal access to their traditional lands.
• Roads were laid to move goods – mainly for colonial profit.
• Many tribal communities were pushed out or turned into cheap labour.

So while the British period brought “modern” administration, it also created deep social and land-related problems that still affect parts of Wayanad today.

---

Tribal Heritage of Wayanad

Main Tribal Communities in Wayanad

Even today, a big part of Wayanad’s identity comes from its tribal communities. Here are some of the main groups:

Tribe	Traditional Role / Identity	Special Notes in Wayanad History
Paniyas	Farmers and field workers	Worked in paddy fields and plantations; historically among the most marginalised communities.
Kurichiyas	Expert archers and cultivators	Backbone of Pazhassi Raja’s army; known for discipline and martial traditions.
Adiyas	Traditional bonded labourers (in the past)	Played a big role in local agriculture; many have fought for and gained more rights in modern times.
Kattunaikkans	Forest-based hunter-gatherers	Deep knowledge of forests, honey collection, minor forest produce and wildlife behaviour.
Kurumas	Farmers, healers, and artisans	Often considered descendants of ancient tribal communities with rich folklore and rituals.

Tribal Culture – Living Close to Nature

Tribal culture in Wayanad is tightly linked to hills, rivers and forests. Many customs are still alive:

• Folk songs that speak of rain, harvest and ancestors.
• Dance forms and tribal festivals that welcome new crops or honour forest gods.
• Simple but powerful rituals around trees, stones, hills and streams.

For these communities, nature is not separate from life – it is family. Any honest history of Wayanad district has to give central space to these people and their stories.

---

Post-Independence Wayanad

After India’s independence in 1947, Wayanad did not immediately become a separate district.

• It remained under the larger Malabar district of the Madras Presidency for some time.
• In 1956, during the reorganisation of states on linguistic lines, the Malabar region – including Wayanad – became part of the new state of Kerala.
• Finally, in 1980, Wayanad district was officially formed by carving out areas from Kozhikode and Kannur districts.

Since then, Wayanad has grown as:

• A major tourism destination in Kerala, known for wildlife, waterfalls and cool climate.
• An important area for pepper, coffee, rubber and other crops.
• A district that still carries debates and struggles around land rights, forest conservation and tribal welfare.

---

Heritage Sites Connected to Wayanad District History

If you are a traveller or student trying to understand Wayanad Kerala history, visiting a few key places makes the story come alive.

Heritage Site	Why It’s Important	What You’ll Experience
Edakkal Caves	Prehistoric rock carvings that prove very early human activity on the Wayanad plateau.	Short trek, Stone Age carvings, panoramic views over Wayanad and a direct feel of ancient history.
Pazhassi Tomb, Mananthavady	Memorial of Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, the “Lion of Kerala”.	Quiet park-like setting, tomb, small museum and a space that honours the earliest resistance to British rule in this region.
Jain Temples (e.g. at Sulthan Bathery)	Evidence of Jain presence and trade routes through Wayanad; some were used by Tipu Sultan for military purposes.	Stone architecture, carvings, and a sense of how religions and communities moved through these hills over centuries.
Thirunelli Temple	Ancient temple often called the “Kashi of the South”.	Beautiful setting in the Brahmagiri hills, rituals connected to ancestors, and a deep spiritual layer of Wayanad’s history.

Beyond these, many lesser-known shrines, forts, tribal hamlets and old estate bungalows quietly hold pieces of Wayanad district history.

---

FAQs on Wayanad District History

Q1: Why is Wayanad historically important?

Because Wayanad brings together Stone Age cave art, megalithic sites, tribal heritage, ancient spice trade routes and famous resistance movements like Pazhassi Raja’s struggle against the British. Few districts in Kerala combine so many layers of history in such a small area.

Q2: Who all ruled or controlled Wayanad over time?

Over different periods, Wayanad has seen the influence of prehistoric tribes, Chera dynasty, Ganga and Hoysala rulers, the Vijayanagara Empire, Mysore Wodeyars, Tipu Sultan, Kottayam Rajas and finally the British. Each left behind cultural, economic or political imprints on the region.

Q3: What are the oldest historical sites in Wayanad district?

Some of the oldest and most important sites include:

• Edakkal Caves – with Stone Age carvings.
• Thirunelli Temple – an ancient pilgrimage centre.
• Jain temples – reminders of old trade routes and religious movements.
• Megalithic sites – dolmens and menhirs spread across hill regions.

Q4: How is tribal history connected to Wayanad’s identity today?

Tribal communities like the Paniyas, Kurichiyas, Adiyas, Kattunaikkans and Kurumas are not just “part” of Wayanad. They are central to its past and present. Their farming practices, songs, rituals and relationship with forests shape how Wayanad looks and feels even today.

Q5: When did Wayanad become a separate district?

Wayanad became a separate district in 1980 after being carved out from parts of Kozhikode and Kannur. Before that, it was part of the larger Malabar region and then Kerala after 1956.

---

Conclusion – Walking Through a Living Museum

The story of Wayanad district history is not just about rulers, dates and battles. It starts with unknown Stone Age artists scratching figures on rock, runs through the lives of tribal communities, flows into the era of spice traders and kings, and explodes in resistance with Pazhassi Raja’s fight against the British.

When you walk through Wayanad today – past green paddy fields, misty hills, sleepy junctions and busy markets – you are literally walking over the footprints of thousands of years of human life. That mix of nature, memory and struggle is what makes Wayanad more than a tourist spot. It makes it a living museum, and a proud chapter in the history of Kerala.