Arakkal Museum

The Arakkal Museum is located in Ayikkara, 2 kilometers from Kannur city. The museum is dedicated to the Arakkal dynasty, Kerala’s only Muslim royal family. The Kerala government has turned the durbar hall part of the palace into a museum.

The Arakkalkettu is still owned by the Arakkal Royal Trust and is not under the jurisdiction of the country’s archaeology department, the Archaeological Survey of India, despite the government’s renovations. The government had taken a keen interest in preserving the Arakkal family’s heritage, which had played a significant role in Malabar’s history.

The Arakkal Rajas were powerful rulers in Kannur and its environs. They used to rule Malabar as well as the Lakshadweep Islands. One thing that stood out about them was that they had no gender bias when it came to ruling and administration. They adopted a matriarchal pattern of descent, allowing both male and female members to succeed as family and state leaders.

Many separate units make up the Arakkal Kettu palace complex, which is set in a wide-open courtyard. It contains mosques as well as a structure that was once used as an administrative office. The palace complex of Arakkal Kettu is constructed of laterite blocks and wood, with striking and intricate woodwork on most of the rooms. The front of the palace, which has long verandas, has a distinct appearance.