[citation needed] The royal palace of the Thekkumkur ruler was protected by a fort called Thaliyilkotta.

[1][2][3] From the beginning of the ninth century AD, the history of Thekkumkur and of Kottayam are virtually indistinguishable.

Afterward, Thekkumkur kings shifted their capital to Nattassery near Kumaranallore at the outskirts of Kottayam town.

The Portuguese and the Dutch established trade relations with both of these kingdoms, dealing in black pepper and other spices.

Though Thekkumkur allied with Chempakassery and Vadakkumkoor to protect the kingdom, all of them were finally annexed to Travancore.

[6] Another source states that the ruler of Thekkumkur had sided first with the Kingdom of Kayamkulam and then with the principality of Ambalapuzha against Travancore.

The Malayali Memorial sought to secure better representation for educated Travancoreans in the Travancore civil service against persons from outside.

[8] Due to these protests, the Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma issued the Temple Entry Proclamation in 1936.

The town is situated near the inland estuary of Meenachil river where it empties into the Vembanad lake in Kumarakom.

According to the division of places in Kerala based on altitudes, Kottayam is classified as a midland area.

Kottayam's proximity to the equator results in little seasonal temperature variation, with moderate to high levels of humidity.

In the census survey, the worker is defined as a person who does business, job, service, cultivator or labour activity.

Novelist Muttathu Varkey and poet Pala Narayanan Nair both have roots in Kottayam.

[19] Kottayam Public Library was founded in 1882 by T Rama RaoDewanPeshkar (Collector) of Northern Division of Travancore State.

On seeing a need for instituition for higher education in Kottayam - Malabar region, under the leadership of Venerable Mar Thomas Kurialacherry, Bishop of Archeparchy of Changanassery with help of Syro Malabar Catholic Church, established the famous SB College in Changanasserry in 1922.

Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) also has one of its regional centres based at Kottayam.

Newspaper Malayala Manorama, published from Kottayam, is one of the largest circulating dailies in India.

Other major Malayalam newspapers—Mathrubhoomi, Deshabhimani, Deepika, Madhyamam, and around thirty periodicals are published from Kottayam.

[23] In 1945, a group of writers set up Sahithya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham (English: Literary Workers' Co-operative Society) in Malayalam.

Five courts were established during the tenure of Colonel John Munro, as the Diwan of various states in India.

The district court at Kottayam was established in 1910 during the period of Sree Moolam Thirunal Maharaja of Tranvancore.

United Democratic Front (Kerala) (UDF[K]) is the ruling coalition of parties, holding a majority in the municipal council.