Kollaimalais
Kollaimalais, 1908
Hill range in the Namakkal and Atiir taluks of Salem District, Madras, lying between 11° 10' and 11° 27' N. and 78 18' and 78 degree30' E. Unlike the Shevaroys, the Kollaimalais rise abruptly from the plains, and present the appearance of a flat-topped mass of moun- tain. But far from being a level plateau, the upper surface is cut up by numerous deep and narrow valleys, which render the scenery all along the 17 miles of its length variegated and picturesque. From the bold crag which rises on the north to a height of over 4,000 feet and overlooks the fertile plains of Atur, the eye travels over long, gently- sloping, sheltered glades down its north-east flank, and rests on the concentric terraces of vivid green in the basin below. Farther south, across ridges whose sides are furrowed by deep ravines, by grassy meadows dotted with the glossy jack and the tall sago, along rocky passes and narrow defiles and wooded glens, is seen the great gorge which opens from the central basin towards the Turaiyur valley, and at its head the shrine in Valapurnad where Arapileswaran presides over the clear waters of the Aiyar before they descend precipitously into the low country at Puliyanjolai. Near the high ridge at the southern extremity, commanding a vast view of the Cauvery in the foreground, and of the distant Anaimalais and the Palnis beyond, are the ruins of an old bungalow, testifying to the evil reputation for malaria which the Kollaimalais have long (perhaps not altogether deservedly) enjoyed among European settlers. The population of the hills consists chiefly of the same Malaiyalis who are found on the Shevaroys, the Pachai- malais, and the Kalrayans. They cultivate considerable areas, but have ruined the forests, which were formerly of value, by promiscuous felling. Kollangod. Town in the Palghat taluk of Malabar District, Madras, situated in 1o° 37' N. and 7 6° 41' E. Population (1901), 9,800. It is the residence of the Nambidi of Kollangod, a landed proprietor who owns estates in the Nelliampathi and Anaimalai Hills ; and it has a high school maintained by the Nambidi, and a weekly market. About 2 miles to the south is a large Hindu temple known by the name of Kachankurichi. Since the opening of the coffee estates in the Kollangod and Nelliampathi Hills the trade of the place has improved.
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
