Tracing back the family to its roots is a task that often leaves one with the feelings of pride, joy and interest. But traced it must, because to know where you are going, you must know where you have come from. This web site outlines not only the history of Puliyankunnel family, but also showcases its presence.
In the 15th century in Kerala, South India, the Puliyankunnel family emerged from the ancient Narikkattu family of Piravom, in the Kaduthuruthy area of Cochin. Other families which are the offshoots of the Narikkattu family are:
Ambazhathinal, Kudaikanal, Pallikunnel, Thekkolickal, Cherivupurathu, Kozhuvanal, Thekkethil, Olickal, Poyyakkara, Omaloth, Nirappel, Kanayamplakkal, Njattukalakunnel, Perumpally, Manikkompel, Mattathil, Plathottam, Mundankunnel, Naduvanthani, Vettikkattu.
Narikkattu Family: One of the earliest mentions of the Narikkattu family can be traced back to when St. Thomas baptized families in Gokkamangalam (32 km south east of the present day Cochin and 4 km east of Chertallai in Alleppy), making the family one of the oldest Christian families in the state.
Gokkamangalam or Kokkamangalam as it was sometimes called was one of the first places, where St.Thomas, the Apostle of India, installed seven crosses for people to assemble and worship. It was also a Buddhist and Vedic center as well as the main trade center for spices. Nearly 1500 people were baptized by St. Thomas. Those who became Christians at that time were Brahmins, Buddhists and other learned people.
Those people in Gokkamangalam opposed to the new way of life, one day uprooted and threw the cross into the river. The next morning, the cross was floating near Mattelthuruthu. Christians of that area reinstalled the cross there.
During the 6th century, a flood occurred that had a lasting impact on the geography of Kerala. River Muvattupuzha soon became one of the main sources of transportation of goods from the hills and from the state of Tamil Nadu. Due to the floods, people started migrating to the hilly areas. Christians from Gokkamangalam, Kodungallur and other costal regions migrated to the nearest hilly areas like Piravom, Mulakkulam, Kuthattukulam, Kaduthuruthy and Kuravilangad.
It is now known that the Narikkattu family was among those who settled in Piravom.
In the late 15th century, Thomman, a member of the Narikkattu family, got a separate identity known as Puliyankunnel Thomman for reasons unknown.
Puliyankunnel, meaning ‘tamarind hill’ in English became the new family name for Thomman’s descendants. The family’s main profession was agriculture.
After the arrival of Vasco Da Gama, countries like Netherlands, Portugal, England, and France were keen to enter the Indian markets. They made trade agreements and forts in the kingdoms of Kerala.
By the early 17th century, during the Dutch period, Puliyankunnel Thomman, a descendent of the earlier Thomman, along with his brothers and their cousins had to migrate to Palai and its surrounding areas in Thekkumkur kingdom.
The Dutch colonisers built their fort and a palace for the king of Cochin and began to seek the rights to trade spices. Owing to the high demand for spices, the king’s men forced the farmers, who were mainly St. Thamas Christians, to cultivate more. Family members of the Christian farmers and workers from the tribal Pulayan community had to work doubly hard to meet the requirements.
When it soon became apparent that the few people working would not be able to fulfill the spices requirements, Kaimals (tax collectors) began forcing the people, adopting measures like torture and increased tax. That led Thomman, his brothers and their families to run away and settle in and around Palai.
Subsequently, the descendents of the family moved to Mutholy, Bharananganam, Elangulam, Thulapally, Mozhikkadu, Poojar, Poovarani and Panthathala.
Ulahannan, one of the grandsons of Thomman, settled in Panthathala. He had four sons- Avirah, Thomman, Ulahannan, Outha.
Today, the descendants of the Puliyankunnel family are spread across the country and around the world.
From the humble agricultural field, Puilyankunnels are now involved in many leading professions of the modern times, including government service, engineering, education, medicine, film making & media, travel and tourism.
As with every family, the Puliyankunnel family too has evolved and grown, keeping with the prevalent way of life and yet not forgetting its roots.
FAMILY HISTORY
Puliyankunnel Family is one of the main branches originated in 15th century from one of the ancient Narikkattu Family of Piravam, Kaduthuruthy area of Cochin Kingdom in South India.
Puliyankunnel is one of the many other branches of this ancient family. Later on many branches or sub branches of the family, developed from the Narikkatu Family.
Ambazhathinal, Kudaikkanal, Pallikkunnel, Thekkolickal, Cherivupurathu, Kozhuvanal, Thekkethil, Olickal, Poyyakkara, Omaloth, Nirappel, Knayamplakkal, Njattukalakunnel, Perumpally, Manikkompel, Mattathil, Plathottam, Mundankunnel, Naduvathani, Vettikkattu etc are some of them.
Narikkattu Family is one of the oldest St. Thomas Christian families of Gokkamangalam (Kokkamangalam) 32 KM south east of Cochin and 4 KM east of Cherthala in Alleppy. Nearly 1500people of Kokkamangalam got baptized directly from St. Thomas, the Apostle of India.
St. Thomas installed 7 crosses for people to assemble and worship. Kokkamangalam was one of them which was also a Buddhist and Vedic (Brahmin) centre as well as one of the main trade centre for spices. All those who embraced Christianity were Brahmins, Buddhists or learned people. There were some people who opposed to accept the new way of life. They removed the cross and thrown into the river. Next day morning, the cross floated in the water and reached at Mattel Thuruthu. Those who believed in the preaching of St. Thomas reinstalled the cross. It is only after the visit of St. Francis Xavier, people of all sections of the society converted to Christianity.
The flood of 6th century and of 1340, made a geographical change in the coastal areas of Kerala River Muvattupuzha became one of the main sources of transportation of goods from the hills and from Tamil Nadu. Because of the flood, there was a migration to the hill areas. Christians from Kokkamangalam, Kodungallur and other coastal regions migrated to Piravom, Mulakkulam, Kuthattukulam, Kaduthuruthy and Kuravilangad etc. which were the nearest hill areas. Narikkattu Family was one of those who settled in Piravom and surrounding areas.
In the late 15th century, due to some unknown reason, Thomman, one member of the Narikkattu Family got a separate identity and known as Puliyankunnel Thomman. Puliyam Kunnel (Tamarind Hill) became a new family name. Their main profession was agriculture.
After the arrival of Vasco Da Gama, many countries of Europe like Portuguese, Dutch, Arabs and English were eying to win over the trust of the King. They made trade agreements and forts in Cochin. By the early 17th century, during the Dutch period, Puliyankunnelaya Narikkattu Thomman and his brothers and cousins migrated to Palai in Thekkumkur Kingdom of Kerala. Some of the main Narikkattu family members also came and settled in Palai and surrounding areas. There was a story behind this migration to the neighbouring country.
When the Dutch colonizers made their fort at Cochin and made a Palace for the King, they wanted the rights to trade spices. The farmers were oriental Christians. The Dutch were also happy because the beneficiaries are fellow Christians. Due to the high demand for spices, the kings’ men forced Christians to cultivate in more and more areas. At that time, there was not sufficient workforce to work. The family members of Christian farmers and their workers of tribal pulayan community were to work hard to meet the requirements. But when it became impossible for the farmers to produce more, “Kaimals”- who were tax collectors, started forcing people to work hard. They even adopted strong measures like; torture, allotting more land and charge them hefty tax etc. when they faild to pay, Kaimals started torturing children and women at house, by beating them with a plant called “Choringanam” which gives itching and rashes. On his next visit he sprinkled “Nayinkarana Pody” (dust of a plant seed which produces itching and irritation) on them. When, the atrocities of Kaimals became severe, Thomman and his brothers and their families ran away overnight and reached Thekkumkur.
The grandson of Narikkattu Thomman settled in Panthathala. As and when the family grew bigger over a few generations, they moved to Mutholy, Bharananganam, Poojar, Poovarani etc. Puliyankunnel Ulahannan who settled in Panthathala (near Palai) had four sons Avirah, Thomman, Ulahannan and Outha. When the Thekkumkur rule ended, people moved to places like Mutholy, Elangulam, Thulappally, Mozhikkadu etc.
We do not have details of Puliyankunnel family settled in Mutholy.
Today, children of Puliyankunnel family are settled in various countries and all major cities of India. Even through their forefathers were farmers, the new generation is abreast with the changing professions. Many of them are in Government services, travel & tourism, media, engineering, education, business and medical professions.
Family Tree
4 Centuries of generations of Puliyankunnel family since it originated from the ancient Narikkattu family. Many new families originated from Puliyankunnel family, in 17th and 18th centuries, but no proper records available.
Narikkattu Puliyankunnel Thomman
A Memeber of the Narikkattu family migrated from Piravom locality with other brothers and cousins and settled in Panthathala Mevida Palai in late 16th century.
Narikkattu Puliyankunnel Ulahannan, Panthathala Mevida Palai
The other son adopted some other family names. Data not known
Puliyankunnel Thomman
The other son adopted some other family names. Data not known
Puliyankunnel Ulahannan
The grandson of Narikkattu Thomman settled in Panthathala. As and when the family grew bigger over a few generations, they moved to Mutholy, Bharananganam, Poojar, Poovarani etc. Puliyankunnel Ulahannan who settled in Panthathala (near Palai) had four sons Thomman, Avirah, Ulahannan and Outha.
When the Thekkumkur rule ended, people moved to places like Mutholy, Elangulam, Thulappally, Mozhikkadu etc.
Ulahannan Mutholy
Adopted family name as Kayyalakkakathu
CONTACT US
Details of Families of Mutholy Branch: According to our research, this branch has changed their family name to Kayyalakkakathu, But we heard that few members from this branch are still keeping their family name as Puliyankunnel (Former Headmaster of Upputhara Government L P School, Malayalam school Mangulam Puliyankunnel Family etc…) are not collected or available at present. Those who belong to this branch of the family are requested to complete their family details and send to the following address.
