How Wayanad became a district: formation, parent districts and the Pazhassi history

Background

Why it matters now: Wayanad is in the news this week as the township for Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide survivors takes shape at Kalpetta.
The district came into being on 1 November 1980 as the 12th district of Kerala, when North Wayanad and South Wayanad were carved out and joined together.
When Kerala was formed in November 1956, Wayanad was part of Kannur district, and South Wayanad was later added to Kozhikode district.
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja of Kottayam organised the Kurichiya tribals into a militia and fought the British in the Wayanad forests.