Socio-cultural Processes and Livelihood Patterns at Tirurangadi - CDS

incorporation of the area, into the political formations of the Samutiri, Vettathnad and
Parappanadu.
Growth of Trade
The growth of trade on the area is another vexed question. Obviously, the crucial role
seems to have played by the river itself, which originates from Karuvarakundu area in
two streams (Velliar and Olippram River), joins together into one river before coming to
the region under discussion. The river obviously acted as the link as well as the boundary
between Ernad and Valluvanad at crucial points such as Melattur, Anakkayam,
Malappuram, Parappur and Urakam before it enters Cheranad. The river also offers
trading facilities cutting across the two nadus, which might have been utilized by the
early traders, who brought their goods in boats and changadams along the river. Goods
were brought to kadalundi nagaram and then were taken to Chaliam, Beypore or Calicut.
Another major trade route was along the coast, linking Calicut, Beypore, Chaliam,
Kadalundi, Parappanangadi, Tanur, Tirur, Purattur and Ponnani. This was operated by the
Marakkars of Calicut and Ponnani as well as the Koyas. Some of the Marakkar families
settled along the coast. The conversion of fishermen into Puthia Islam (new Islam-
Puisalan in the local tongue), facilitated by the Samuthiris also might have facilitated the
coastal trade (apart from building the naval force under the Koyas) .Until recently,
puislams formed a sizable section of the Muslims in Vallikkunnu and Parappanangadi.
Parappanangadi gives another indication of an early settlement of the Muslims that has to
be further investigated. We have seen that the area of Alungal beach contains a large
number of old houses and the mosques of the area are built in the Kerala architectural
style. The old trading centre is also located there. There are numerous old Muslim
taravads in the area, which are called akams. British documents show that these taravads
were major landlords in the area, and held lands in the entire Tirurangadi region. They