Malappuram was the military head quarters from ancient times. During the Sangam period Eranadan Malappuram was under the Chera Empire. The King of Mysore, Hydarali, conquered the places and her son, TipuSultan, handed over the area to the British as part of Srirangapattanam treaty. The British established the Haigh Barracks on top of the hill, at the bank of the Kadalundi river, to station their forces, where once Tipu had a fort. Main Barracks has now been turned into the seat of district administration. 

This district was the venue for many of the Mappila revolts (uprisings against the British East India Company in Kerala) between 1792 and 1921. It was a famous centre for Hindu -Vedic learning and Islamic philosophy and a place of cultural heritage. Malappuram has a rich and eventful history. It was the military headquarters of the Zamorins of Kozhikode since ancient times.

Malappuram is the headquarters of Malappuram district in the state of Kerala. It is a city and a muncipality. Malappuram is the third largest district on the basis of area and most populated district in the state of Kerala. It was formed on 16 th June 1969.

LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHICAL AREA

Malappuram (literally, a land of tops hills) is situated 50 kms south-east of Kozhikode, bounded by the Nilgiri Hills in the east, the Arabian sea in the west and Thrissur and Palakkad districts in the south. Malappuram is enriched by three great rivers flowing through it - the Chaliyar, the Kadalundi and the Bharathappuzha. Malappuram District came in to existence on 16th June 1969 by merging the contiguous area of erstwhile Palakkad and Kozhikode districts. 

The district has a geographical area of 3554 Sq. Kms, which is 9.13 % of the total area of the state. The Nilgiris and the Arabian Sea acts as the natural boundaries of the district in the east and the west respectively. The south and north of the district are bounded by Palakkad/Thrissur and Kozhikode/Waynad districts respectively. Malappuram district has got remarkable achievement in agricultural sector but these advantages are yet to be reflected in industrial sector.