History of Kanyakumari

History of Kanyakumari district dates back to the year 1956 when it was formed by the passing of the States Reorganisation Act. It is the southernmost district of Tamil Nadu. The district is also considered as the southernmost tip of Indian Peninsula. Until the decline of the Pandya dynasty Kanyakumari was under the rule of the Paravar Kings and later on was under the authority of kings of Travancore indirectly as they had to accept the British supremacy. Mythical Origin of Kanyakumari District Several mythological stories have been told regarding this place. One such story is that of Goddess Parvati`s incarnation. Kanya Devi, Parvati`s incarnation, was to marry Lord Shiva but he never turned up on the wedding day. The grains to be cooked for the wedding remained uncooked and idle afterwards. As time passed by the grains were turned to stones. Kanya Devi, thus, is considered a virgin goddess and blesses pilgrims and tourists who visit the town. Another story is related to Lord Hanuman. According to this legend while carrying the Sanjeevani plant, he dropped a piece of earth. This is why there are number of medicinal plants in the area and it is called Marunthuvazh Malai. It is on the Kanyakumari Nagercoil highway. Another Hindu legend relates the story of sage Agastya. It is assumed the he lived around this area. As he was proficient in therapeutic herbs some believe that this could be the reason for so many medicinal herbs to be found on these hills near Kanyakumari. A village called Agastheeswaram is situated nearby this town. The Travancore region was in anarchy before Marthanda Verma ascended the throne in 1729 AD. Before his reign the Samanthan Nairs ruled the province. Under their rule anarchy was dominant in Kanyakumari region. However, Marthanda Verma brought a sense of disorder under control by annexing the nearby territories. He had also bought some portions of Kanyakumari from the then viceroy making it the southern boundary. Under his rule the district improved in a social context as well as economically. In the year 1949, the area became a part of the reestablished Travancore Cochin state. The people of Agasteeswarem, Thovalai, Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks, which formed the southern divisions of the former district of Trivandrum, were predominantly Tamil speaking people. However, under the rule of Marshal Nesamony, an extreme agitation by Tamil speaking residents took place for including Kanyakumari within Tamil Nadu. Eventually the merger happened in 1956 based on language reorganization of states. Caste Divisions in Travancore Region Travancore society had many several caste based divisions. Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Jains, Buddhists and Jews were the major castes. The Hindus were further divided into sub-castes. The most important community was the Nair community. The lower castes mainly comprised the Nadars and the Ezhavas. They suffered oppression in the hands of upper caste. Since the Nadars belonged to the low caste group, they were not allowed to go near a Brahmin or Nair. They were prohibited from doing many activities. Many economic and social restrictions were imposed on them. The beginning of nineteenth century witnessed a revolution. 
Emergence of Christianity 
The then British residents can be held responsible for the introduction of Christianity in Travancore. Many missionaries had expanded their humanitarian reach which protected the lower castes from high caste oppression. Thereafter revolts of Nadar community followed in districts like Kalakulam, Vilavancode, Nanjil Nadu and Neyyoor Region which are now in Kanyakumari district. 

History of Kanyakumari district dates back to the year 1956 when it was formed by the passing of the States Reorganisation Act. It is the southernmost district of Tamil Nadu. The district is also considered as the southernmost tip of Indian Peninsula. Until the decline of the Pandya dynasty Kanyakumari was under the rule of the Paravar Kings and later on was under the authority of kings of Travancore indirectly as they had to accept the British supremacy. Mythical Origin of Kanyakumari District Several mythological stories have been told regarding this place. One such story is that of Goddess Parvati`s incarnation. Kanya Devi, Parvati`s incarnation, was to marry Lord Shiva but he never turned up on the wedding day. The grains to be cooked for the wedding remained uncooked and idle afterwards. As time passed by the grains were turned to stones. Kanya Devi, thus, is considered a virgin goddess and blesses pilgrims and tourists who visit the town. Another story is related to Lord Hanuman. According to this legend while carrying the Sanjeevani plant, he dropped a piece of earth. This is why there are number of medicinal plants in the area and it is called Marunthuvazh Malai. It is on the Kanyakumari Nagercoil highway. Another Hindu legend relates the story of sage Agastya. It is assumed the he lived around this area. As he was proficient in therapeutic herbs some believe that this could be the reason for so many medicinal herbs to be found on these hills near Kanyakumari. A village called Agastheeswaram is situated nearby this town. The Travancore region was in anarchy before Marthanda Verma ascended the throne in 1729 AD. Before his reign the Samanthan Nairs ruled the province. Under their rule anarchy was dominant in Kanyakumari region. However, Marthanda Verma brought a sense of disorder under control by annexing the nearby territories. He had also bought some portions of Kanyakumari from the then viceroy making it the southern boundary. Under his rule the district improved in a social context as well as economically. In the year 1949, the area became a part of the reestablished Travancore Cochin state. The people of Agasteeswarem, Thovalai, Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks, which formed the southern divisions of the former district of Trivandrum, were predominantly Tamil speaking people. However, under the rule of Marshal Nesamony, an extreme agitation by Tamil speaking residents took place for including Kanyakumari within Tamil Nadu. Eventually the merger happened in 1956 based on language reorganization of states. Caste Divisions in Travancore Region Travancore society had many several caste based divisions. Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Jains, Buddhists and Jews were the major castes. The Hindus were further divided into sub-castes. The most important community was the Nair community. The lower castes mainly comprised the Nadars and the Ezhavas. They suffered oppression in the hands of upper caste. Since the Nadars belonged to the low caste group, they were not allowed to go near a Brahmin or Nair. They were prohibited from doing many activities. Many economic and social restrictions were imposed on them. The beginning of nineteenth century witnessed a revolution. Emergence of Christianity The then British residents can be held responsible for the introduction of Christianity in Travancore. Many missionaries had expanded their humanitarian reach which protected the lower castes from high caste oppression. Thereafter revolts of Nadar community followed in districts like Kalakulam, Vilavancode, Nanjil Nadu and Neyyoor Region which are now in Kanyakumari district.