Question

Which of the following statements about the formation and geography of Kerala are correct?

1. Kerala was formally established by assimilating Travancore, Cochin, and Malabar districts.
2. Geographically, Kerala is located at the south-western tip of the Indian continent with a tropical climate.
3. The Malabar districts were part of the British Madras Constituency.

• A. ii only
• B. i, ii
• C. All of these
• D. None of these

Answer 1

Answer:

C. All of these

Formation of Kerala State

• Kerala State was formally inaugurated on November 1, 1956, under the provisions of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
• This formation was a result of the linguistic reorganization of states in India, aiming to unify Malayalam-speaking regions.
• The new state was formed by integrating the following regions:
  • The erstwhile princely state of Travancore.
  • The erstwhile princely state of Cochin.
  • These two princely states had already been merged to form the state of Travancore-Cochin in 1949.
  • The Malabar District of the former Madras Presidency.
  • Kasargod taluk (or a portion of it) from the South Canara District of the Madras Presidency.
• The princely state of Kanyakumari and a part of Shenkottai taluk (which were part of Travancore) were transferred to Madras State (now Tamil Nadu).
• V. P. Menon played a crucial role in the integration of princely states into the Indian Union, including Travancore and Cochin.

Geographical Features and Climate

• Geographically, Kerala is situated at the south-western tip of the Indian subcontinent, bordering the Arabian Sea to the west and the Western Ghats to the east.
• Its unique geographical position contributes to its distinct climate and biodiversity.
• Kerala experiences a tropical monsoon climate, characterized by high temperatures, humidity, and abundant rainfall, primarily from the South-West and North-East monsoons.
• The state is divided into three main geographical regions:
  • The Highlands (Eastern Ghats foothills and Western Ghats ranges).
  • The Midlands (rolling hills and valleys).
  • The Lowlands or coastal plains (along the Arabian Sea).
• Due to its lush greenery and numerous backwaters, Kerala is often referred to as "God's Own Country" and the "Spice Garden of India".

Historical Context of Malabar

• Prior to the formation of Kerala, the Malabar districts were indeed a significant part of the British Madras Presidency.
• The Madras Presidency, also known as the Presidency of Fort St. George, was an administrative subdivision of British India.
• Malabar had a history of being under various rulers, including the Zamorin of Calicut, before coming under British control after the Anglo-Mysore Wars.
• The Malabar Rebellion (also known as the Moplah Rebellion or Mappila Revolt) of 1921, which occurred in the Malabar district, is a significant event in Indian history.
• Kasargod, which was historically part of the Tulu Nadu region and later the South Canara district of Madras Presidency, was also integrated into Kerala.