Koipuram
Grama Panchayat

Socio-Cultural History Following the decline of the Perumals who ruled the Second Chera Empire with Mahodayapuram as its capital, and before the period of Marthanda Varma, the present-day Koipuram Panchayat and the surrounding areas of Thiruvalla Taluk were under the rule of the Thekkumkoor royal dynasty, whose capital was Changanassery. During that period, when there was no strong central administration or established centre of authority, local chieftains established their power over small territories and ruled them independently. It is believed that the territory which came under the control of the local chieftains known as the *Kovilans* came to be known as **Kovilpuram**, which later evolved into the name **Koipuram**. Under the old Travancore administrative system, the *Pravarthi* was a sub-unit under a Taluk. The Koipuram region was an important component of the revenue administration of Travancore. Koipuram was a *Pravarthi* area organised with Pullad as its administrative centre, known as a *Kacheri*. The officer responsible for administering the *Pravarthi* was known as the *Pravarthiyar*, corresponding approximately to the present-day Village Officer. By royal decree, the *Pravarthiyar* was vested with the authority to investigate and punish civil and criminal offences. He was an official who exercised powers even greater than those of a present-day District Collector. The King of Edappally, a principality of the Kingdom of Cochin, had the right to collect taxes from this region for centuries. This right came to an end only after Indian independence. The first road in this region was an earthen pathway that started from Ezhamattur, passed through Thadiyoor and reached Kolabhagam Junction, continued through Mundakottu along the common boundary of Thottappuzhassery and Koipuram Panchayats, passed near Pullad Government Upper Primary School, and reached Ilappunkal Junction. From there, it turned westwards and passed through Athmavukavala, finally ending at Oottupuraykkal in Padinjattethil. With minor changes, this route still remains usable for transportation today. The history of this land is closely connected with its geography. The small hills, valleys, paddy fields, water bodies and streams have influenced the lifestyle of the people living here. The terrain, climate, soil characteristics and availability of rainfall have greatly encouraged the people of the region to engage in agriculture. There is a local tradition that the Pamba River once flowed through the Maniyar area of Pullad. Even today, layers of white sand can be found when the paddy fields in the Maniyar area are excavated. It is believed that, during prehistoric times, a natural upheaval at Pramadom Kadavu, south of Kuriyannoor, resulted in the formation of Pramadathupura and diverted the course of the Pamba River towards the south. About 100 metres south of Athmavukavala, an underground water source flows into Areekkuzhi Kulam from the east. This underground flow, believed to originate from the direction of Pramadom, is said to be the reason why Areekkuzhi Pond has remained a perennial water body that never dries up. At the eastern end of Pullad, on the eastern side of Kuravankuzhichira, there is still a locality known as **Maruthona**. It was once the headquarters of the powerful Marthon Pottimars. A temple now stands at Mayiladumpara at the site of a Shiva Linga stone installed in the previous century by a spiritual figure named Omal, who, although not born into a Brahmin family, was regarded as having attained spiritual eminence through his deeds. The temple is situated to the east of Pullad, adjoining Charalkunnu. The cruel practices of caste discrimination also existed in this village. **Nellikalyanam** was one such ritual that was conducted after the elders of prominent families of that period were misled into believing that it was a sacred and auspicious ritual capable of ensuring the birth of children. In this ceremony, the fruitful gooseberry tree (*Nelli*) was symbolically considered the bride and the tulsi plant the groom. Their symbolic marriage was celebrated by the family with great pomp and splendour, followed by an elaborate feast, while substantial offerings and payments were collected. This was reportedly the underlying purpose of the ceremony. In such practices, where members of higher castes exploited others within the upper-caste hierarchy, the lower and oppressed castes had no role other than providing labour. Such lavish ceremonies sometimes continued for as long as four days and were organised competitively as a means of displaying social status. As a result, many once-prosperous and influential families were reduced to poverty. In most parts of Koipuram Panchayat, there was a community that worked day and night for the dominant sections of society without receiving wages or any form of remuneration. Branded as slaves and members of oppressed communities, they lived in conditions of ignorance, neglect and social deprivation. During the first decades of the last century, when severe discrimination against Scheduled Caste communities and restrictions on their access to education were prevalent, **Pullad Vaidyan, N. Narayana Panicker**, established the first night school in the history of this region for these unfortunate people who worked throughout the day. He did so despite strong opposition from conservative sections of society. Christian missionaries and churches also played an invaluable role in bringing the light of education to the darker and neglected sections of society. In 1912, during the tenure of Dr. Mitchell, a European educationist who served as the Director of Education, a school building was constructed by local residents according to a plan prepared by him. The school was inaugurated by the Chengannur Educational Range Inspector and subsequently taken over by the government. This institution became **Pullad Government Upper Primary School**. Poovathoor and Pullad were venues for the traditional ritual art form of **Padayani**. A Kathakali school functioned from the Kadapra Malanada centre. Professional theatre groups, amateur theatre stages, dance schools, martial-arts training centres and traditional village schools (*Kudippallikkoodams*) continue to remain active in the Panchayat. The residents of this Panchayat are fully literate, and all its wards are well served by educational institutions. # Through the Panchayat Koipuram Grama Panchayat is situated in Koipuram Block of Thiruvalla Taluk in Pathanamthitta District. The Grama Panchayat falls within the jurisdiction of Koipuram Village. The Panchayat has an area of **22.23 square kilometres**. The boundaries of the Panchayat are: * **North:** Puramattom and Ezhamattur Grama Panchayats * **East:** Thottappuzhassery Grama Panchayat * **South:** Pamba River * **West:** Eraviperoor Grama Panchayat Koipuram Panchayat has **18 wards**. It is a fertile and picturesque region surrounded by the Pamba River. The State Highway through which a large number of pilgrims travelling to Sabarimala pass every year runs through the central part of the Panchayat. Koipuram Grama Panchayat extends on both the southern and northern sides of this State Highway. The southern part of the Panchayat consists predominantly of flat terrain, while the northern part is characterised by hills and slopes. Koipuram was the centre of a settlement that has existed since prehistoric times on the northern bank of the Pamba River, which flows through central Travancore and enriches the region with abundant water resources. The old Koipuram region was an important component of the revenue administration of Travancore. Koipuram was a *Pravarthi* area organised with Pullad as its administrative centre. It is believed that the territory under the control of local chieftains known as the *Kovilans* came to be called **Kovilpuram**, which later evolved into the name **Koipuram**.