കണ്ണമംഗലം
ഗ്രാമപഞ്ചായത്ത്

Those belonging to the working and marginalized sections of society in this region have passed through the bitter experiences of the rule of local kings, British colonial rule, and the absolute domination of feudal landlords. Until the middle of the twentieth century, even ordinary people were not permitted by the upper castes to wear good clothes, use footwear, or for women to cover their upper bodies. Moreover, members of the backward communities were served gruel in a cruel and humiliating manner by placing it on leaves set in pits dug in the ground in the courtyards of the residences of the upper-caste authorities.

Land ownership in the region was historically governed by systems such as Janmam and Kaanam. The practice of taking land on lease and cultivating it was also prevalent. In all parts of Vengara Panchayat, goats, cattle, and poultry had been reared as sources of livelihood since ancient times. In the hilly areas in the northern part of the Panchayat and the adjoining regions, cattle rearing was once the principal source of income for the people.

The Khilafat Movement of 1921 was able, to some extent, to develop in this region as a struggle against British imperialism. The Left movements also began their activities here by mobilizing peasants and agricultural labourers in the struggles against landlordism.

The Public Distribution System had begun in this region during the early decades of the twentieth century. The government procured the surplus agricultural produce from farmers after meeting their own requirements. Paddy was accepted at such collection centres using the traditional “Palakkadan Para” as the unit of measurement.

Traditional cottage industries included the manufacture of Kaliyadakka and the weaving of Vallikkotta. A dried tapioca product known as “Nurukku,” prepared by peeling, cutting, and drying tapioca, was also exported to other regions. Ginger, dried ginger (chukku), pepper, and betel leaves were also readily available here.

Coconut was the major crop cultivated in the hilly and sloping areas. In the low-lying regions, banana, arecanut, and betel-leaf cultivation was also carried out extensively. Fruit trees such as mango, jackfruit, and cashew were found throughout the Panchayat.

About three-quarters of a century ago, homestead and garden crops (parambu crops) were predominant in this region. Ginger was the major crop cultivated during that period. The varieties grown were mainly “Kizhakkan” and “Naadan.”