Manjeri, the heart of Malappuram district, is a city that has witnessed many epic historical events in Malabar. Manjeri was a strategic center in the eastern part of the Zamorin's during the reign of the king. Manjeri was also commissioned to be the military base of the Mysore kings Hyder Ali and Tipu during the war in the 18th century. With the defeat of King Tipu of Mysore by the British in 1792, Malabar, including Manjeri, came under British rule. In addition to the British, the Dutch - Portuguese - French imperial forces also invaded here. Tipu Sultan, who conquered Malabar, had implemented land reform laws here. But when British rule came into force, feudalism was restored. Manjeri was also the epicenter of the historic 1921 revolution in which the people of Malabar, who had suffered under the dark hands of British rule and feudalism, retaliated. It was led by Ali Muslyar and Wariamkunnath Kunjumuhammed Haji.

High cultural awareness and tainted religious harmony are the hallmarks of the place. The rich memories of the many brave souls who fought valiantly against injustice and violence enrich this place. Archaeological excavations at the site indicate that humans have been living here since time immemorial. A capstone, believed to have been used by Stone Age man for burial, has been found in the Pattarkulam area. The brick chambers and caves in Manjeri and Narukara villages are also believed to date back to prehistoric times. Payyanatte Church, built over seven centuries ago, Manjeri Kovilakam Vaka Kunnath Temple, built by the Zamorin King in 1652 AD, and Melakam Masjid, built in 1847 are some of the important places of worship in the area. CSI churches are the oldest Christian churches. The Manjeri weekly market is centuries old. Pettah Lower Primary School, established in 1895, is the first formal school in the area. Some of the major landmarks in manjeri includes Manjeri Govt Medical College, Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri FM station, etc