History of Pathanamthitta district

The King of Pandalam helped Marthanda Varma to conquer the Kayamkulam province. In return for this help, Marthanda Varma did not attempt to attack and conquer Pandalam or Adoor, during the expansion of his kingdom.Pandalam and Adoor was annexed to Travancore in 1820. Before the formation of Pathanamthitta district, Adoor and Pandalam was in Mavelikara taluk of Alappuzha district. King Marthandavarma once came to Adoor to hide from ettuvettil pillai's (a wealthy family who tried to capture King Marthandavarma and to get hold of his throne) and sought the help of nellimuttil family . Mannadi is also another historical place near Adoor where Velu Thampi Dalava died evading the Britishers. Both Pandalam and Adoor were part of Central Travancore and was never directly under British Rule. Adoor was a major town of wealthy Hindu ,Syrian Christian families (now known as Orthdox Christians). Adoor was never captured by King Marthandavarma. It is known that in the rule of the Ay Kings a Buddhist Monastery was there in Adoor.[2]

By the twentieth century Adoor was a fully developed town, with modern facilities like schools, libraries, hospitals etc. After the independence of India, Adoor was made a municipality in 1988 and Pandalam after 2000.[3]

The Kaavil market, which is no longer in existence, was once one of the most famous markets of Kerala, involved in foreign trade. Even now, the houses in this street are known as "Kaavil" among residents, and the houses in the area which is now Pushpagiri-Thukalassery are known as "Malayil" because they are in an elevated area compared to Kaavil. The Kaavil market was actually situated in the street starting from Erankavu Temple to the Kaavil temple in the present Kavumbhagom. It was also the first settlement area of the early Christians in Thiruvalla. The renowned Poem "Unnuneeli Sandesham" discusses this then famous street and its people. This was the heartland of Thiruvalla up to the 19th century. (East to MC road was forest area. Dens were found in the KSRTC garage area, which are now buried.) The first school in Thiruvalla started sometime in mid 19th century in Kaavil market, along the road to Pallippalam. Still, major religious processions are required to pass through this way, even though new roads have been constructed in parallel.

Thiruvalla Christians were part of the autonomous Indian Syrian Church(now known as Malankara Orthdox church ), which was not affected by the schism which occurred in the 17th century due to the intervention of Portuguese colonists. By 19th century, inspired by the work of the British missionaries, a reformation movement happened which eventually resulted in a schism, leading to the formation of Marthoma Church.

Thiruvalla was never under direct British rule, and before India's independence from Britain, it was governed by the Travancore dynasty. The Thiruvalla municipality started functioning in 1919, with Shri M.K. Kesavan Nair as the first Chairman of the Municipal Council. The constitution was officially approved on 8 October 1920. The municipal office has established several public health facilities, libraries and sports facilities.