Arakkal Palace – House of Ali Rajas of Cannanore

Arakkal Palace – House of Ali Rajas of Cannanore

Arakkal Palace is a historical palace located in Kannur district in the Indian state of Kerala. It was the residence of the Arakkal royal family, who were the only Muslim royal family in Kerala. The palace was built in the 18th century by the ruling Arakkal Ali Rajas, and it served as the seat of the dynasty until the abolition of the monarchy in 1971.

The Arakkal Palace is now a museum that showcases the history and cultural heritage of the Arakkal family. It houses a wide range of artifacts and exhibits, including royal furniture, weapons, and photographs. The museum also features a section dedicated to the maritime history of the region, which includes models of ancient ships, maps, and other naval artifacts.

The palace complex called Kettu is an interconnected long block around a large open ground used for offering prayers or namaz. Built predominantly of laterite and wood exhibiting traits of local architecture the Palace has four mosques around the main palace block.

Structurally, the upper floor of the palace has large halls with wooden floors. Windows of the palace are mostly double shuttered and have coloured glass panes of red or blue, providing a colourful display of light inside.  At the Museum one can find exhibits that throw light on the maritime activities of the Arakkal Kingdom and its monopoly on spice trade. The museum also has items that indicate the Arakkal rulers’ relationship with European colonial powers. Some of the interesting items displayed in the museum include; Pathayam – chamber for storing valuables; Adhara petti (document box); old-style telephone; swords and daggers; telescope and copies of the Quran.

The Arakkal family, which in its heyday controlled the Maldives and Lakshadweep, had cultivated good relations with Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, and the Dutch, among others. The Arakkal family followed a matrilineal system of descent. The eldest female member of the family was made the head and ruler. The male rulers were known as Ali Raja, while the female rulers were called Arakkal Beevis.

The palace is a popular tourist destination and attracts visitors from all over the world. It is situated in the heart of Kannur town, and is easily accessible by road. The museum is open to the public on all days except Mondays, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. If you’re interested in history and culture, the Arakkal Palace is definitely worth a visit.