The Arakkal Kettu Museum is located at Ayikkara, a small coastal village in Kannur district. It offers a glimpse into the rich history of the Arakkal Ali Rajas, Kerala’s only Muslim royal family. The museum is actually a section of the Arakkal Kettu (Arakkal Royal Palace). The durbar hall (king’s court) of the Arakkal Kettu has been converted into a museum by the Government of Kerala and was opened to the public in 2005. Visitors can explore the palace, administrative block, and mosques within the complex. Surviving members of the royal family still live at the Arakkal Kettu.

Historical Significance
The Arakkal Kettu was the residence of the Arakkal rulers, who ruled over the region for centuries, till it was seized by the British in 1870. They had control over the northern coastal region of Kerala and Lakshadweep. 

It is believed that a Muslim commander married a girl from the Chirakkal ‘kovilakam’ (palace) whom he had saved while serving in the Chirakkal forces. The descendants were the Arakkal rulers who enjoyed the properties and palaces around Kannur given by the Chirakkal Raja. Though initially subordinated to the Chirakkal Rajas, they became an independent and powerful from the fifteenth century onwards.

The Arakkal family followed a matrilineal system of descent with the eldest member of the family becoming its head and ruler. The male rulers were known as Ali Rajahs and their female counterparts were called Arakkal Beevis.

The museum displays exhibits of the Arakkal rulers’ maritime connections - particularly their monopoly of the spice trade. The museum also showcases items that indicate the relationship of the Arakkal rulers with the European colonial powers and provides insights into Kerala’s cultural diversity, reflecting the fusion of Arab, Indian, and European influences. The museum showcases artifacts and heirlooms from the royal family that include the family seal, wooden grain storage boxes (pathaayam), old-fashioned telephones, swords, daggers, and a telescope. Royal copies of the Holy Quran are also on display.

A unique dynasty
Visitors to the museum get a chance to appreciate the architectural nuances and artifacts that tell the story of this unique dynasty.  The architecture of Arakkal Kettu bears resemblance to the monuments in Kerala, reflecting the traditional Keralite style. 

The palace complex called ‘Kettu’, is an interconnected long block around a large open ground and was used to offer the Muslim prayers or namaz. The floors of the palace are made of wood and windows are double-shuttered with red and blue glass panes. There are four mosques around the main palace block.