Kottayam district, Administrative district in Kerala, India
Kottayam is an administrative district in Kerala, India, covering hills, valleys, and waterways with large areas devoted to rubber tree cultivation. The landscape shifts between dense plantations inland and calm waterways winding through low-lying areas.
The district formed in 1956 from parts of the former princely state of Travancore after the reorganization of Indian states. This restructuring created an independent administrative unit within the newly formed Kerala.
The name Kottayam comes from Malayalam words meaning "inner fort," and the area continues to draw readers and scholars to its many bookshops and publishing houses. This reputation for learning shapes everyday life here, with libraries and reading rooms open throughout towns and villages.
The main railway station connects the region to other cities through regular train services, while bus routes serve smaller towns within the district. Roads pass through plantation areas and along waterways to reach different settlements.
A printing press established in 1821 produced the first Malayalam books here and shaped the development of the regional language. This early publishing activity helped create an environment for writers and journalists that continues today.
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