Land Legislation in Kerala State (1800-1960)

Kerala, situated at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula, had been isolated from the vicissitudes of cultural and political changes that transformed the social values elsewhere in India. On this account it retains in its pure form the original institutions and laws, not excepting those concerning land. This note aims at tracing the evolution of the legal framework intended to define and regulate the interests of various landed classes. In this context it should be mentioned that the terms 'tenure' and 'tenancy' are almost synonymous.