Kottayam, literally meaning “the interior of a fort” (Kotta + Akam), has a rich historical legacy. It was once the headquarters of the rulers of Munjanad and Thekkumkur at Thazhathangadi. After Marthanda Varma of Travancore destroyed the Thekkumkur palace and Thaliyil fort, their remnants remained as symbols of the region’s past. Kottayam later became part of the Travancore state and officially emerged as a district in July 1949 following the integration of Travancore and Cochin.

The district played a pioneering role in Kerala’s modern political awakening. The historic Malayali Memorial movement, which demanded fair representation for educated Travancoreans in civil services, originated in Kottayam. Drafted at the Kottayam Public Library and submitted to Maharaja Sri Moolam Thirunal in 1891, it marked the beginning of organized political activity in the state.

Kottayam was also at the heart of major social reform movements. The Vaikom Satyagraha (1924–25), a landmark struggle against untouchability, took place here with the involvement of national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and E.V. Ramaswami Naicker. The district further supported the Nivarthana agitation and the movement for responsible government, ultimately contributing to democratic reforms in Travancore.