GLIMPSES
Munnar, one of the most popular and enchanting hill stations in India, is located at the confluence of three picturesque mountain streams—Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundala. Perched at an altitude of about 1,600 metres above sea level, Munnar once served as the charming summer retreat of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Even today, the region retains much of its colonial-era allure, with its cool climate, mist-covered hills, and serene natural beauty.
The region is renowned for its sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes, trekking trails, and a range of unique holiday experiences that attract travellers from across the world. Munnar is essentially a “tea town,” and tea continues to shape the landscape and lifestyle of the region. These tea estates, originally established by British planters, were later taken over by the Tata Tea Company, one of the largest integrated tea companies in the world. Visitors entering Munnar are greeted by miles and miles of unending, neatly manicured tea plantations that stretch across rolling hills.
Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands of Munnar is the rare Neelakurinji flower. This unique plant blooms only once every twelve years, carpeting the hillsides in a mesmerizing shade of blue. The blooming of Neelakurinji is a spectacular natural event that draws tourists and nature lovers in large numbers.
Munnar is also home to Anamudi, the highest peak in South India, rising majestically to a height of 2,695 metres. The peak is a paradise for trekkers, wildlife enthusiasts, and campers seeking adventure amidst pristine wilderness.
A Glimpse Into Munnar’s Historical Past
There are several references to early explorers and travellers who passed through the high ranges. The Duke of Wellington is often believed to have been one of the first Europeans to visit Munnar in 1790, though this claim remains unverified. In the early 19th century, the headman of the Anchanad villages, located just north of the high ranges, was known as Kanan Thevar. Travellers journeying from Madurai to the West Coast passed through these regions and are believed to have named the hills after him, giving rise to the name “Kanan Devan Hills.”
In 1817, an entry made in the diary of a Madras Army Lieutenant referred to a bullock road leading across the Kanan Devan Hills into Coimbatore. Later, between 1877 and 1879, the Poonjar Chief, a subordinate prince under the Maharaja of Travancore, leased a vast land area of 588 sq. km to J. D. Munro, a lawyer serving in the Travancore Government. This area came to be known as the Kanan Devan Concession Land. At that time, the region was untouched, densely forested, and inhabited by wildlife such as elephants and tigers.
Munro, along with H. G. Turner of the Madras Civil Service, founded the North Travancore Land Planting and Agricultural Society. The society attracted several pioneering planters who began experimenting with various crops including coffee, cinchona, sisal, and cardamom. However, it was tea that proved to be the most suitable and successful crop for the region.
The first tea plant was introduced by A. H. Sharp at Parvathi, an area within what is now known as the Sevenmallay Estate. In 1893–95, Muir & Co. purchased the concession land, and it later evolved into James Finlay & Co. Ltd., a major name in the plantation industry.
Development of Plantations
The original route to the Anamallais was cleared in 1858 by Congreve and Macpherson. This route eventually led to the establishment of the present-day Veloine and Valparai Estates. The first plantation crop—20 hectares (50 acres) of coffee—was cultivated in 1897 by “Carver” Mersh. E. J. Martin later introduced tea, which soon became the staple crop of the region. Cardamom, cinchona, and rubber were also cultivated, though rubber cultivation eventually declined.
By 1897, the Kanan Devan Hills Produce Company was formed. Along with other subsidiaries of the Glasgow-based Finlays Group, such as the Anglo-American Direct Tea Trading Company and the Amalgamated Tea Estates Company, the company eventually acquired or developed 33 estates in the high ranges and 9 in the Anamallais.
In 1964, Finlays partnered with Tatas to enhance tea production and develop value-added tea products. By 1976, Tata-Finlays Ltd. bought the black tea manufacturing and marketing operations. The company’s name changed to Tata Tea Ltd. in 1983 after Finlays sold their remaining shareholdings and land assets, including significant holdings in Northeastern India. Today, Tata Tea Ltd. proudly stands as one of the world’s largest integrated tea enterprises.
MUNNAR FACT FILE
- Location : Idukki District, on the high ranges of the Western Ghats
- Altitude : 5000–8000 ft above sea level
- Area : 26.2 sq. km
- Temperature : 0°C to 25°C
- Summer : 15.2°C to 25°C
- Winter : 0°C to 10°C
- Rainfall : 275 cm annually
- Best Time to Visit : September to May
- Clothing : Woollen for winter, light cotton for summer
- Languages Spoken : Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, and English
Boundaries:
- North: Coimbatore
- South: Pallivasal Panchayat
- East: Vattavada Panchayat
- West: Kuttampuzha Panchayat