Diwan Rajakesavadas and four taluks that lie wholly in low land: the making of Alappuzha

Background

The Alappuzha district administration records that the present town owes its existence to Diwan Rajakesavadas in the second half of the 18th century.
The town was formerly called Alleppey.
Four taluks of the district lie fully in low-lying land: Cherthala, Ambalappuzha, Kuttanad and Karthikappally.
Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala, lies below sea level and was well known even from the early periods of the Sangam age.
The rivers Pamba, Manimala and Achenkovil form a delta near Vembanad lake.