Kaniyapuram

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
type = Town
native_name = Kaniyapuram
state_name = Kerala
district = Thiruvananthapuram
latd = 8 |latm = 35 |lats = 15
longd= 76 |longm= 51 |longs= 24
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leader_title_1 =
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postal_code = 695301 [ [http://www.indiapost.gov.in/test/Pinsearch.aspx Pincode Search] . India Post. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.]
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Kaniyapuram, (കണിയാപുരം), Population 40,000 is a small town 14 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala in India. It belongs to the Andoorkonum Panchayat, although Andoorkonum still remains an obscure village 3 kilometres to the east. Kaniyapuram became prominent in the early 1940s after the construction of a train station.

The National Highway (NH47) passes through Kaniyapuram junction dividing the town in two. There is a KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) bus depot with about 40 buses originating and terminating in Kaniyapuram. The addition of the major State building has also put Kaniyapuram on the State maps.

The main street connecting the National High and the train station is lined with busy shops owned and operated almost entirely by Muslim merchants of the Lebba clan.Most prominent of them were Ismailpillai Lebba,Kamal Lebba,Mohammedsali Lebba,Mohammed kassim Lebba,Alikunju Lebba etc..

History

The Lebbas migrated from the east coast of India from Tamil Nadu in the early 1650s and established themselves as traders in Kaniyapuram. They were successful merchants and operated almost all the business in Kaniyapuram. The Muslim High School was established in Kaniyapuram by prominent Lebbas in the early 1930s.Ali Kunju Shastry's family was one of the well-known families in Kaniyapuram; in fact, he was an Ex-MLA during the 1960s and was one among the youngest MLA's.

The Parvathiputhanaar canal served as the Main trade route between Vallakkadavu in Thiruvananthapuram and Quilon. Rice, coconuts and spices were transported via large covered wooden boats to Thiruvananthapuram.The Parvathiputhanar which played a crucial role in the lives of so many traders in Kaniyapuram came into disuse after the advent of railways and the National Highways.

In 2002 the state Government undertook a dredging and widening project to revitalise the canal to attract tourists.

Many of the men in Kaniyapuram work in the Middle East. The construction boom of the last two decades in the Middle East has brought prosperity to many homes in Kaniyapuram.

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