Munnar's early history is not properly known. According to many historians, people who lived in this place were the Muthvan tribal community. Till the later part of the 19th century, Munnar remained the unexplored and wild landscape. Then plantations were started by the European planters here.
The plantation area: In the 1870s, Munnar became familiar to the outside of the world because John Daniel Munro visited there. He actually went there to settle the problem related to the border between Travancore and Madras. He then fell in love with the beauty of this place. Munnar is located under the Travancore state but it was actually the land of the royal family of Poonjar who enjoyed the power of the land as the sole landlord.
Munro was very ambitious about this place and he had a huge interest in the plantation. He found that the Kenan Devan hills among several other hills had the potential for the plantation of crops. Munro did not waste much time and managed to get a lease out of the Poonjar family for the Kenan Devan hills. The royal family was given a handsome amount for leasing.
In 1879, Munro formed the North Travancore Land Planting and Agricultural Society. Crops cultivation was started by this society's members. Plantation of coffee, cinchona, cardamom and sisal etc were done first. When tea was found, the perfect crop to be cultivated in the region, cultivation of these crops was abandoned. A.W. Turner was the first person who started cultivation.
As far as cultivation tea is concerned, A. H. Sharp was the first person who in 1880 first cultivated tea in Munnar. Within 50 acres of land across Parvathy he planted tea. In 1895, Finlay Muir & Company entered in Munnar and 33 independent estates were bought by them.
Entry of Tata: After many years of the beginning of tea plantation in Munnar, Tata an Indian industry entered into the picture. They collaborated with Finlay and formed Tata-Finlay Group. In 1983, Tata Tea Ltd. was formed. In 2005, the Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company Pvt. Ltd. was formed. The ownership of its plantation was transferred to a new company by Tata Tea. The stakeholders of the company are the employees.
Tourism and Munnar: No one can ignore the scenic beauty of Munnar. Though the plantation industry was started in the 19th century, in the later part of the 20th century, tourism industry was discovered in Munnar. This hill station is about 1600 meters high from the sea level. It is now a place which is being visited by travelers from all the parts of the globe. There are huge numbers of hotels to welcome the travelers. The town has its own colonial charm. Virgin forests, rolling hills, numerous streams, scenic valleys, waterfalls, tea gardens and winding paths are the specialties of Munnar.
During the Monsoon, Munnar becomes more beautiful. The greenery around the hills will definitely soothe your eyes. This place is probably one of the most romantic hill stations of India.
The plantation area: In the 1870s, Munnar became familiar to the outside of the world because John Daniel Munro visited there. He actually went there to settle the problem related to the border between Travancore and Madras. He then fell in love with the beauty of this place. Munnar is located under the Travancore state but it was actually the land of the royal family of Poonjar who enjoyed the power of the land as the sole landlord.
Munro was very ambitious about this place and he had a huge interest in the plantation. He found that the Kenan Devan hills among several other hills had the potential for the plantation of crops. Munro did not waste much time and managed to get a lease out of the Poonjar family for the Kenan Devan hills. The royal family was given a handsome amount for leasing.
In 1879, Munro formed the North Travancore Land Planting and Agricultural Society. Crops cultivation was started by this society's members. Plantation of coffee, cinchona, cardamom and sisal etc were done first. When tea was found, the perfect crop to be cultivated in the region, cultivation of these crops was abandoned. A.W. Turner was the first person who started cultivation.
As far as cultivation tea is concerned, A. H. Sharp was the first person who in 1880 first cultivated tea in Munnar. Within 50 acres of land across Parvathy he planted tea. In 1895, Finlay Muir & Company entered in Munnar and 33 independent estates were bought by them.
Entry of Tata: After many years of the beginning of tea plantation in Munnar, Tata an Indian industry entered into the picture. They collaborated with Finlay and formed Tata-Finlay Group. In 1983, Tata Tea Ltd. was formed. In 2005, the Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company Pvt. Ltd. was formed. The ownership of its plantation was transferred to a new company by Tata Tea. The stakeholders of the company are the employees.
Tourism and Munnar: No one can ignore the scenic beauty of Munnar. Though the plantation industry was started in the 19th century, in the later part of the 20th century, tourism industry was discovered in Munnar. This hill station is about 1600 meters high from the sea level. It is now a place which is being visited by travelers from all the parts of the globe. There are huge numbers of hotels to welcome the travelers. The town has its own colonial charm. Virgin forests, rolling hills, numerous streams, scenic valleys, waterfalls, tea gardens and winding paths are the specialties of Munnar.
During the Monsoon, Munnar becomes more beautiful. The greenery around the hills will definitely soothe your eyes. This place is probably one of the most romantic hill stations of India.