Geographical Boundaries and Features

Azhiyur is a coastal village panchayat bounded by Mahe (belonging to Puducherry State) and the Mahe River to the north, Onchiyam and Eramala Grama Panchayats to the south, the Arabian Sea and Mahe Municipality to the west, and the Mahe River along with Eramala Panchayat to the east. Having a coastline stretching approximately 5 kilometers, the regions from Kappuzha to Pozhithala in the north are highly vulnerable to sea erosion.

Foreign Influence and Resistance Against Colonization

The cultural symbols and knowledge brought by the Chinese and Arab traders who arrived for commerce form an integral part of the history of not just Azhiyur, but Kerala as a whole. The strategic maneuvers carried out by the colonial Portuguese, followed by the Dutch, the French, and the British—both among themselves and against local rulers—profoundly influenced the socio-economic and cultural spheres of this region in various ways.

The newly introduced weapons and martial arts, alongside the century-long resistance put up by the Kunjali Marakkars against the Portuguese—both in their own right and as the naval admirals of the Zamorin, backed by the spiritual guidance of Sheikh Zainuddin Makhdoom—became a golden chapter in history. The region also experienced varying degrees of impact from the military campaigns led by Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan (who formed alliances with the French and local chieftains against the British), as well as the relentless guerrilla warfare waged by Pazhassi Raja to resist British supremacy.

Feudal Governance and Traditional Local Assemblies

The history of this locality is intrinsically linked with the Kannamvalli Namboothiri, Thandrappalli Kurup, the Porlathiri royal dynasty, the Portuguese, the French, the British, and the rulers of Mysore. Following the decline of the Chera Empire, the Azhiyur region came under the rule of the Kolathiri Rajas. In the early decades of the 15th century, an administrative system existed under the Kolathiri King consisting of regional chieftains (Deshavazhis) and local village assemblies (Tharakkoottams) working under them. However, in the 18th century, when the southern Elamkoor Kadathanad Porlathiri dynasty was established as a vassal state of the Kolathiri, Azhiyur came under the direct control of the rulers of Kadathanad.

The transit territory between the dominions of the Kolathiri and the Zamorin eventually became known as 'Kadathanad', which is also referred to as 'Ghadolghajakshi' in ancient Puranic lore. Within this kingdom, the administration of Azhiyur was held by the local Deshavazhi, Kannamvalli Namboothiri. For administrative convenience, this chieftain established several local Tharakkoottams and entrusted their leadership to prominent individuals. The regulatory control of each Tharakkoottam rested with the recognized traditional families of that respective area. During this era, these local heads were responsible for resolving all local disputes and ensuring the safety of life and property.

To resolve complex issues that could not be settled at the individual Tharakkoottam level, broader community assemblies (Nattukoottams) functioned under the Deshavazhi. Outside the fort walls of the ancient Azhiyur Sree Paradevatha Temple, on a specially designated raised platform, this Nattukoottam would convene. It comprised the Azhiyur Paadhali representing the regional ruler, Chaliyadan Kurup representing the Nair community, the patriarch of the Karayi family representing the Thiyya community, and the patriarch of the Karakketti family representing the Muslim community.

The Bench Magistrate and 'Paara Lawyers'

In later years, the judicial responsibilities of this traditional Nattukoottam were transferred to a council known as the Panchayat. The head of this council was designated as the Bench Magistrate. Much like today's legal system, there were specific individuals who argued cases on behalf of the litigating parties, and they were locally called 'Paara Lawyers' (Paara Vakkil). The last serving Bench Magistrates of Azhiyur were Marunnarakkal Choyi and his son, Marunnarakkal Narayanan. It is believed that this traditional court used to convene at the ancestral Marunnarakkal homestead.

The administrative headquarters of the rulers of Kadathanad, which included Azhiyur, was located at Kuttipuram (near present-day Kallachi). During that time, Mahe was a part of Azhiyur under the dominion of the Kadathanad rulers. Today, the only surviving remnants in Azhiyur commemorating the ancient Kadathanad dynasty are the historic Azhiyur Sree Paradevatha Temple, the ancient temple pond (Azhiyur Kshetrachira) located on the western side of the railway line, and the Oottupura (traditional dining hall) on its banks. Standing as a silent witness to the ancient history of Azhiyur, a traditional banyan tree platform (Aalthara) and the sacred banyan tree continue to thrive on the southeastern side of the pond's bank.

The Freedom Struggle and the Liberation of Mahe

Historically, the landscape featured a vast, unending expanse of sand, with Kunjippalli located in the middle of its western side. About two hundred meters south of the mosque stood the grand Malika Mosque (Manooppalli) in Choombala; the current Kunjippalli developed near this larger mosque. In 1942, when the Quit India Movement launched nationwide, the clarion call for the struggle in Malabar was first sounded at Choombala in Azhiyur.

Azhiyur always served as a vital stronghold and sanctuary for the Mahe Liberation Movement. During the 1948 Mahe Municipal Elections, the French authorities refused to issue identity letters (voting cards) to the nationalists of Mahe who were working against French colonial rule. Following the protests, the French government announced harsh punishments, including rigorous life imprisonment, for the nationalists of Mahe, forcing many of them to cross over and seek political asylum in Azhiyur, from where they were temporarily unable to re-enter Mahe.

On Friday, July 16, 1954, the nationalist refugees from Mahe, under the leadership of the legendary freedom fighter I. K. Kumaran Master, entered Mahe via the Mahe Bridge. Consequently, the French authorities decided to surrender and relinquish their power. Thus, the last French administrator of Mahe, Moopan Saippu (Monsieur Deschamps), departed by a French ship. Following the victory, the leader of the Mahe Liberation Struggle, I. K. Kumaran Master, was sworn in as the first Administrator of free Mahe.

Historical Reminiscences

• New Mahe: In memory of the historic march that set off from the Kallayi (Kallazhi) region towards Mahe on July 16, 1954, for its liberation—thereby laying the groundwork for the freedom of Mahe—this region was named 'New Mahe'.
• K. Kunhiraman Kurup: The Kunnummal family was an illustrious Nair homestead in Kadathanad. Born into the later lineage of this family in Nellacheri, K. Kunhiraman Kurup chose Eramala and Azhiyur as his primary spheres of social and political activity. He lived and breathed his last at Kallamala in Azhiyur.