1. Ancient History and Culture

History records that the soldiers of the Kottayam Raja and others intercepted the military advance of Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore, at Parakkal, and that the Kottayam Raja's forces were defeated in the ensuing clash. It is said that, following this event, non-tribal inhabitants vacated the area.

The carved granite stones found on many hills in this region indicate that human habitation existed here centuries ago, with people living on small hilltops. The antiquity of the Muttil Temple, along with Kolpara and Kariyathanpara on Muttil Hill, Svargamkunnu in Vazhavatta, Cheepramkunnu, Karinkannikunnu, Vilakkuthookikunnu and Pathramangakunnu in Pariyaram, remains evidence of an ancient culture that has largely disappeared.

During the British colonial period, this area once again became a thriving human settlement after earlier communities had disappeared due to natural disasters or other causes.

2. History of Migration and Social Advancement

Following the 1921 Malabar Rebellion, people from various communities migrated here from Ernad, Valluvanad and Palakkad taluks in search of a peaceful livelihood. Later, around 1942, farmers arrived from the Travancore-Cochin region seeking a secure life, transforming this fertile land into productive agricultural fields. The unity and hard work of people with diverse beliefs helped create a harmonious culture.

The mass eviction of settlers in the Vazhavatta region by the Madras government in 1953 and the landslide on Muttil Hill in 1962, which destroyed the homes and crops of numerous families, were tragedies that deeply affected the panchayat.

With the implementation of the Kerala Land Reforms Act, ownership rights were granted to farmers and tenancy rights to hut-dwellers. These reforms, along with provisions ensuring minimum wages for workers, contributed to the overall progress of the region.

Prominent Personalities

K. P. Muhammad Haji (K. P. Haji), a renowned citizen and one of the founders of the Wayanad Muslim Orphanage, played a leading role in addressing the concerns of ordinary people. Mr. Madhura Vazhavatta, a former Member of the Legislative Assembly and a tribal welfare worker, is another distinguished personality associated with this land.

3. Panchayat Formation and Administrative System

During the early period, when there were only five panchayats in the Wayanad region, areas including Muttil were under the direct administration of the Malabar District Board. Muttil Panchayat came into existence in 1956.

In the early days, the President and members were elected at a general meeting of voters aged 21 and above. Since the Panchayat President then held the status of a "Village Magistrate", many disputes were resolved through the village court. Initially, the panchayat had only two employees, including a bill collector-cum-clerk and a peon. The first board meeting was held at the President's residence in Kakkavayal.

The total annual revenue at that time was only 13,000 rupees. Building tax, trade licence fees and vehicle taxes for bullock carts and bicycles were the main sources of income.

The panchayat's early responsibilities included repairing the Parakkal-Pariyaram, Parakkal-Muttil-Kakkavayal, Trikkaipatta and Kakkavayal-Vazhavatta roads, constructing wooden bridges over rivers and maintaining kerosene street lamps.

4. The Agricultural Sector and the Economy

According to the 1921 British Settlement Register, ragi (finger millet), paddy, little millet, black pepper, native coffee, tobacco and plantains were among the primary crops cultivated in the region. During the 1940s, much of the agricultural land was owned by Thekke Kovilakam (South Palace) and other prominent landlords.

After 1945, settlers arriving from Central Travancore and Malabar cleared forests and cultivated Karthan paddy, tapioca and lemongrass. Later, coffee, black pepper, areca nut and rubber became widespread.

Topographically, approximately 70% of the panchayat consists of dry land and 30% of paddy fields. Clay, red soil, laterite soil, sandy soil and hilly black soil are among the major soil types found here. The collection of nearly 422 tonnes of paddy as levy from the panchayat around 1965 reflects its agricultural prosperity at that time.

5. History of Education

In the early days, Welfare L.P. School, the predecessor of Kakkavayal Government High School, and Mandad Government L.P. School were functioning under the District Board. The region had to wait until the formation of Kerala for an Upper Primary school to become a reality in Muttil.

After 1957, the schools at Vazhavatta, Muttil and Panangkandi were upgraded to Upper Primary schools. A major advancement in secondary education came with the establishment of Wayanad Muslim Orphanage High School in 1968. Later, during the 1980s, the Kakkavayal and Panangkandi schools were upgraded to High Schools.