Story of Kothamangalam branch of Illipparambil Family

Illipparampil, Illipparambil, Illiparampil, Illiparambil

    In 1902, the first rubber plantation in India was initiated at Thattekkad on the banks of Periar River, near Kothamangalam. Shri. I.C.Chacko, grand son of Idikkula Kochu Thommi, came to know about  the opportunities of rubber plantation and in 1908 he send his paternal nephew Mathaichan (I.K.Mathew Sr.) to Oonnukal, near Kothamangalam. At that time Kothamangalam was a very small town. Trikkarioor was an ancient town near by and once up on a time it was the capital of Perumakkal. This town was connected to Thirunalvely and Dindikkal in Tamil Nadu by a trade route crossing the Periar river at Thattekkad. But other routs to Kothamangalam wae not well developed. Mathaichan traveled from Pulinkunnu to Alapuzha and then to Kochi by Boat. From Kochi to Aluva by train and from there to Muvattupuzha and then to Oonnukal through the jungles bullock cart

     When I.C was scientific advisor to Travancore Raj, his good relation with Shevaliar Thariathu Kunju Thomman, helped Mathaichan in his struggle in developing  the Punjaikkal Rubber Estate at Oonnukal. Later he brought other cousins to this area and introduced them to the field of Rubber plantation. Kurulachan (I.C.Kuruvila, Thrikkarioor Rubber estate), Korachan (I.C.Kora, Puliambara estate), Chackochan(I.J.Chacko, Chathamattam estate) developed rubber plantations around Kothamangalam. All these cousins helped each other in their struggle to establish themselves in this area. Their family members had a cordial relation with each other, which strengthened their presence in this area.

  Periar river a view from Neriamangalam bridge  & Poothakkuzhi, Puliambara

New generation in rubber plantation