The name 'Munnar' literally means 'three rivers' (Munu - three, Aaru - river) referring to the confluence of the Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundala rivers, which defines the town’s location
Before the colonial planters arrived, the region was home to indigenous tribal communities, most notably the Muthuvan people, who were the original inhabitants and caretakers of the forests.
Evidence of far older human habitation exists in places like Marayoor, where Dolmens (ancient burial chambers) date back to the Neolithic and Megalithic ages.
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Munnar’s modern history began in the 1870s with the arrival of the British.
British Resident John Daniel Munro leased the Kanan Devan Hills from the Poonjar Royal Family, recognizing the vast potential for plantation crops.
While coffee, cardamom, and cinchona were initially attempted, it was tea that truly flourished. The first tea saplings were planted in 1880 at Parvathy, now part of the Sevenmallay Estate.
Major British companies, notably James Finlay and Company, established numerous estates, forming the Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company (KDHP). They developed roads, monorails, and ropeways to transport the tea, fundamentally shaping the landscape and culture of Munnar into the world-class tea-growing region it is today.
A catastrophic monsoon devastated the town and its infrastructure, which led to a major effort to rebuild and modernize the entire plantation system.
Nestled in the Western Ghats of Kerala, Munnar has a rich history as a serene hill station renowned for its sprawling tea plantations and mist-covered landscapes. Originally inhabited by indigenous tribes like the Mullukurumba, it became a prominent settlement during the British colonial era in the 19th century, when the British developed vast tea estates and established Munnar as a retreat to escape the summer heat. Today, Munnar reflects a blend of its tribal heritage and colonial legacy, attracting tourists worldwide with its natural beauty, lush greenery, and tranquil ambiance.
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