Arakkal Museum - Most Popular In Kannur

Kannur’s vibrant landscape is an inviter to the great Arakkal Kettu museum, the prior residence of the only Muslim royal family in Kerala, the Arakkal Ali Rajas. It is an architectural wonder, and you can get transported to a different era, with heirlooms and artifacts of their reign adorning the entire building. The Arakkal Museum is a museum dedicated to the Arakkal family, the only Muslim royal family in Kerala. The museum is a section of the Arakkal Kettu (Arakkal Royal Palace). The Durbar Hall section of the palace has been converted into a museum by the Government of Kerala. It was opened in July 2005 after a Rs. 9,000,000 renovation. Although renovated by the government, the Arakkal Kettu is still possessed by the Arakkal Royal Trust and does not fall under the control of the country’s archaeology department, the Archaeological Survey of India. The government had taken an enthusiastic interest in preserving the heritage of the Arakkal Family, which had played a prominent role in the history of Malabar. A nominal entry fee is charged by the Arakkal Royal Trust to visitors to the museum. Now under the purview of the Archaeological and Tourism Department, it is a must-visit site in the district, and it helps one gain an understanding of the cultural diversity that helped form its current form.

Attraction

The Arakkal Dynasty had mainly gained the limelight because of its supremacy and monopoly in the spice trade. They had cultivated excellent relations with Hyder Ali, the Dutch, and even the great owner, Tipu Sultan. The Arakkal Museum does a great job of throwing light on these outstanding achievements of the Arakkal Dynasty. There are exhibits on display that evidence the glory of the Arakkals in the maritime trade, including many of their paraphernalia. A lot of the artifacts on display here also show evidence of the trade relations of the Arakkals with European colonial powers. Apart from the family heirlooms and heritage items, other interesting items on display are the royal copies of the Holy Quran, an old-fashioned telephone, swords, daggers, and other artillery used by the royals, and even a telescope is the center of attraction. Personal items like the Pathayam, which is a chamber used to store precious items and valuables, an Adhara Petti- the royals’ document holder, and even the family’s royal seal are also on display here. The complex of the Arakkal Museum is formed like a long cuboid that lies amidst a wide and open ground. This vast ground was used to offer Namaz five times a day by the Arakkal royalty and their nobles. This tradition continues to this day, and many people offer their daily Namaz here, especially on Fridays. The main palace block is laid over a huge ground with the Arakkal Museum in the center and four mosques around the ambit. The museum is shaped like a long cuboid that is interconnected by passages and hallways. The entire structure is created mainly out of laterite and wood, a style of architecture typical to the Muslim Kings. This two-storied building is immaculately managed and maintained by the authorities. The upper floor of the museum has double-height ceilings and extremely wide hallways. The windows here are unique as they are tainted in shades of blue and red, providing a playful and profound show of lights inside. This is the attraction of this museum.

History

The Arakkal Museum is a museum dedicated to the Arakkal family, the only Muslim royal family in Kerala, India. The museum is a section of the Arakkal Kettu. The Durbar Hall section of the palace has been transferred into a museum by the Government of Kerala. It is said that the Arakkal family originated from a female of the Chirakkal dynasty of Malabar who was saved by a Muslim commander of the Chirakkal forces who later married her. The Chirakkal Raja gave her properties and Palaces around Kannur. That’s how the Arakkal family originated, and later, it turned into a Museum.

Inside/Outside Views

The Arakkal Museum is not so big. Outside the Museum, there is a road and some small shops. Entering the Museum first you can discover the history of the Arakkal family. And then, inside the Museum, you can see many artifacts related to the Arakkal family. Entering the Museum, you can feel that you have reached the sixteenth century.

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