Meenachil
Grama Panchayat

According to the Travancore history book published by P. Shankunni Menon, Meenachil Grama Panchayat had great historical importance since ancient times. Until Marthanda Varma annexed this region to Venad in 1751, it was under the rule of the Meenachil Karthas, who were feudatories of the Thekkumkoor kings. Sree Veera Damodara Simha is considered the first king of the Meenachil dynasty. It is believed that the region got the name “Meenachil” from the Meenakshi Temple established here by the Meenachil Karthas, who were descendants of the Pandya dynasty. Marthanda Varma annexed Meenachil to Travancore around 1749–50 without any major war. The Meenachil kings governed the region with the help of local assemblies and officials known as Millakkarans. The Arackal Menon family served as chief ministers, while...