Palakkad (Malayalam: [pɐːlɐkːɐːɖɨ̆] ⓘ), also known as Palghat, historically known as Palakkattussery[citation needed], is a city and a municipality in the Indian state of Kerala.

The 18th-century Palakkad Fort has sturdy battlements, a moat, and a Hanuman temple on its grounds.

North on the Kalpathy River, the 15th-century Viswanatha Swamy Temple is the main venue of the Ratholsavam chariot festival.

[7] Multi-Disciplinary Divisional Training Institute (MDDTI) for Group C and D employees of the division is also inside the colony.

[9] The region around Coimbatore was ruled by the Cheras during Sangam period between the first and fourth centuries CE and served as the eastern entrance to the Palakkad Gap, the principal trade route between the Malabar Coast and Tamil Nadu.

[11] The original headquarters of Palakkad Rajas were at Athavanad, Tirur Taluk, in present-day Malappuram district.

[11] In 1757, to resist the invasion of the Zamorin of Kozhikode, the Palakkad Raja sought the help of the Hyder Ali of Mysore.

[13] The smaller princely states in northern and north-central parts of Kerala (Malabar District) including Kolathunadu, Kottayam, Kadathanadu, Kozhikode, Tanur, Valluvanad, and Palakkad were unified under Mysore and were made a part of the larger Kingdom of Mysore.

[14] His son and successor, Tipu Sultan, launched campaigns against the expanding British East India Company, resulting in two of the four Anglo-Mysore Wars.

[15][16] Tipu ultimately ceded the Malabar District and South Kanara to the company in the 1790s as a result of the Third Anglo-Mysore War and the subsequent Treaty of Seringapatam; both were annexed to the Bombay Presidency (which had also included other regions in the western coast of India) of British India in the years 1792 and 1799, respectively.

At the time of 1951 Census of India, Palakkad was the second-largest city in the erstwhile Malabar District after Kozhikode.

Temperatures remain moderate throughout the year, with the exception being March and April, the hottest months.

A very high amount of precipitation is received in Palakkad, mainly due to the South-West monsoon.

It manages 588 route kilometers of track in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Mahé (in the Union Territory of Puducherry).

Recently, pitline installation has been started at Town Railway Station and is expected to be completed by March 2025.

The literacy rate of the Palakkad Metropolitan Area is 92.14%, much higher than the national average of 59.5%.

[36][37][38] Hemambika Nagar, Palakkad Kasaba, Malampuzha and Walayar Police Stations also serve the city.

Kanjikode area of Palakkad city is second largest industrial hub in Kerala after Kochi.

There are also many other steel manufacturing units and other production centres making it second largest industrial area in Kerala.

The commercialization of Palakkad city is Picking up and growing at a steady pace in recent years, Nowadays Palakkad city and the suburbs are witnessing a rapid amount of commercial and public development activities.

There are many housing colonies consisting of Villas and apartments also present in Palakkad City and its suburbs.

[63] The current Chairperson of Palakkad Municipality is K.Priya Ajayan and E. Krishnadas is the deputy chairman.

The city of Palakkad has number of Prominent Educational Institutions which provide a great platform for higher education.Government Victoria College, Palakkad was established in the year 1866, making it one of the oldest institution of higher learning in Kerala.

It was given the name of the legendary Carnatic musician Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar from Palakkad.

[75] Sree Emoor Bhagavathy temple located at Kallekulangara, another suburb of the city is believed to be consecrated by Parasurama for the safety of Kerala.

[76] Holy Trinity English Church located near Palakkad Fort was established in the year 1855.

At present total number of 8 cinema halls are operational in Palakkad which screens Malayalam, English, Tamil, and Hindi movies, there are few other multiplex screens are under construction and expect to open near future in and around the city.

Palakkad has a rich history of producing some world class athletes in the state, Palakkad, Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium in the center of city was once used for Major sports meets and football matches in state, now the stadium is not in condition for conducting games due to the lack of maintenance, There is a proposal for the renovation of the stadium with international facilities by the Municipality,[79] The city has Fort Maidan[80] also known as Kota Maidanam, is a multi-use stadium in the center of the Palakkad, India.

The city has an indoor stadium[82] located near Government Victoria College, Palakkad with a total area of 100,000 square feet (9,300 m2) with commercial establishments is still unfinished & incomplete.

There is a Synthetic Track with Eight lines operational in the ground of the Government Medical College, Palakkad.