Arakkal Kettu

Arakkal Kettu was the palace of the erstwhile Arakkal Ali Rajas, the only Muslim royal family of Kerala. The palace is situated opposite the Ayikkara Moplah Bay, about three kilometres from Kannur town.

History – Ali Rajas and Arakkal Beevis

The Arakkal dynasty is believed to have their lineage from a Nair functionary of the Kolathiri Rajas, who later converted to Islam with the name Mammali. A story about Mammali has it that he once saved a girl from the royal family from drowning. Consequently she was declared an outcaste and then, Mammali married her. The King granted her land at Kannur and the palace of Arakkal kettu as dowry.

The Arakkal family were prominent rulers of Kannur and the adjoining areas. They once ruled Malabar and the Lakshadweep Islands as well. One remarkable thing about them was that when it came to ruling and administration, there was no gender difference. They followed a matriarchal system of descent and admitted both male and female members as head of the family and of the state. While the male rulers were called Ali Rajas, the female rulers were known as Arakkal Beevis.

The Arakkal family and their kingdom had good relationships with Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan of Mysore. They also maintained a good rapport with the Dutch and the Sultan of Bijapur. But when the British conquered the Mysore kingdom during the last decade of the 18th century, the Arakkal family too had to surrender their land to the British.

The palace of the Arakkal Rajas which used to be their administrative headquarters later became the office of the Collector of Malabar. Today, it is under the departments of Archaeology and Tourism.

Architecture

The palace complex of Arakkal kettu comprises many independent units around a large open courtyard. It includes mosques and a building which was once used as an administrative office.

Arakkal kettu is built of laterite blocks and wood; the intricate woodwork on most of the houses in the palace complex is striking. The palace, which has long verandahs in the front, has a distinctive look that speaks of a combination of local architecture with a colonial style.

The main palace building is two-storied and the upper floor has large halls with wooden floors. The double shuttered windows of the palace have coloured glass panes that look lovely when they catch the light.

One of the blocks is considered sacred and a lamp is always kept lit there. Such lamps, used by the Hindu community of Kerala as well are called Kedavilakku. A cot and a chair are also kept at this block.

Just opposite to the AyikkaraMoplah Bay, about three kilometres away from Kannur town there situates ArakkalKettu the palace of the erstwhile Arakkal Ali Rajas, the only Muslim royal family of Kerala.

The Arakkal dynasty is said to have their lineage from a Nair functionary of the Kolathiri Rajas, who later got converted to Islam with the name Mammali marrying a girl from royal family. Mammali saved the girl from drowning and hence, she has to face outcaste. Inorder to solve the issue he held her hand. The palace of Arakkalkettu was given as dowry for the girl.

Decades ago Kannur and the adjacent areas were ruled by Arakkal family. They were said to have control over Malabar and Lakshadweep Islands as well. Further, Arakkal dynasty stood different from others following matriarchal system of descent by admitting both male and female members as the heads both of the family and of the state. While the male rulers were called Ali Rajas, the female rulers were known as Arakkal Beevis.

Arakkal kingdom was in a good relationship with Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan of Mysore. They also were also keen in maintaining a good rapport with the Dutch and the Sultan of Bijapur. But they lost their kingdom to British towards the last decade of 18th C when the British conquered the Mysore kingdom.

Later the palace of the Arakkal Rajas, their administrative headquarters became the office of the Collector of Malabar. Today, Departments of Archaeology and Tourism takes care of the palace.

Arakkal kettu

Architecture

The palace of Arakkalkettu is a blend of local architecture with a colonial style presenting itself as the biggest attractions of Malabar tourism. Many independent units, including the mosques and a building which was once used as an administrative office are artistically constructed around a large open courtyard.

The whole structure is built of laterite blocks and wood with a captivating woodwork on most of the houses in the palace complex. The main palace building is two-storied with long verandas in the front. Large halls with wooden floors make the upper floor special. The double shuttered windows of the palace have coloured glass panes that look lovely when they catch the light. In one of the blocks a lamp is lit making it sacred. A cot and a chair are also kept at this block. Such lamps are popular among the Hindu community in Kerala.

Check Arakkal Kettu at Google Map