Travancore History
The Ay dynasty was the first dynasty in Kerala. During the Sangam period, it included the Sahyaparvata areas from Nagercoil to Thiruvalla. The capital was Ayakudi in Podiyil Hills. The major deity of the Ay kings was Sree Padmanabhan. The elephant was the symbol of the Ay kings. Ptolemy described the Ay kingdom from the Baris River (Pamba) to Kanyakumari as 'Aioi'. Vizhinjam was the later capital of the Ay kings. Vikramaditya Varaguna was the Ay king who issued the Paliyam edict. Karunanthadakkan, also known as Srivallabhan and Parthiva Shekhar, was the Ay king. He built the Parthivapuram Vishnu temple. Karunanthadakkan also established the famous Kanthalloor Sala. Kanthalloor Sala is described as the southern Nalanda. Vizhinjam and Kanthalloor were the military centers of the Ay kings. During the Sangam period, Venad was under the Ay kings. The Ay rule lasted until the beginning of the ninth century and they lost their territories to Cheras.
Kerala had grown into a single kingdom during the reign of the later Cheras or Kulasekhara Empire, which ruled from the 9th century to the early 12th century AD. The four important states of the Kulasekhara Empire were Kolathunad, Ernad, Perumpadappu and Venad. The Kulasekhara Empire disintegrated in the first half of the 12th century due to the constant attacks of the Cholas. Subsequently, these regions were divided into several princely states. At the end of their rule, the capital was shifted to Kollam from Mahodhayapuram. During the time of the Kulasekhara Perumal, Venad was a vassal state in the southernmost part of that kingdom. It was granted independent status in the twelfth century. Thus independent Venad came into being. Also Innumerable princely states became independent in the Venad region. They are Desinganad, Trippappur, Ilayidathu Swaroopam, Kilimanoor, Panthalam, Poonjar, Vadakkumkur, Thekkumkur, Kayamkulam, Chembakassery etc. Modern Travancore was known as 'Venad' in the Middle Ages. Ravi Varma Kulasekharan, who ruled here from 1299 to 1314, was a great ruler. At that time, Kollam, the capital of Venad, was an important commercial center and a civilized city. In the early fifteenth century, Venad was divided into two branches, Trippappur and Desinganad. The king of Trippappur built the palace of Travancore and moved there.
The Ettara Yogam was the administrative committee of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. In deciding the affairs of the Devaswom, each of the eight potties had one vote and the Venad (Trippappur) Maharaja had half a vote. The Ettara Yogam was the eight lords who were entrusted with the collection of taxes on the immense property of the temple. The temple property was divided into eight parts and each part was entrusted to a Nair Madambi for the purpose of collecting taxes and other matters. These Nair Madambis were known as Ettara Yogam. The Ettara Yogam belonged to families from eight different villages, namely Kulathur, Kazhakoottam, Chempazhanthi, Kudamon, Pallichal, Venganoor, Ramana Matham, and Marthanda Matham. Being a half-vote, the Maharaja did not have much role in the administration of the temple. Moreover, since the Maharaja's headquarters was in Thiruvankodu, it was not easy for him to admin the administration of Thiruvananthapuram. Therefore, he gave permission to his own nephew, Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, to deal with this chaotic situation. At that time, there was a son-in-law dynasty throughout Malayalam Region, Marthanda Varma became the younger king. When Marthanda Varma came to power, the Pillas, Yogas and Madambis of Ettuveetil became bitter enemies. Pappu Thampi and Raman Thampi, the sons of the previous rulers, came forward to claim the throne. The nobles called Ettuveetil Pillamar also supported the Thampis. They helped the Thambis (Padmanabhan Thambi and Raman Thambi) who rebelled against Marthanda Varma. In addition, the Pottis, the Yogas of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, also joined them. Marthanda Varma suppressed the Thambis, Pillas and Yogas.
History of Travancore
The history of Travancore starts with Marthanda Varma, who inherited the Venad Kingdom (Thrippappur), and expanded it into Travancore. Later during his reign, Travancore is expanded from Padmanabhapuram in the south to the borders of Kochi in the north. Travancore was divided into five divisions as Padmanabhapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Quilon, Kottayam, and Devikulam. Padmanabhapuram and Devikulam divisions were predominantly Tamil-speaking regions with small Malayalam-speaking minorities. While the Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Kottayam divisions were predominantly Malayalam-speaking regions with small Tamil-speaking minorities. The history of Travancore during the reign of Marthanda Varma to Chithira Thirunal (1729 - 1956) is as follows
Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma (1729-1758)
Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma is the architect of modern Travancore. He was born in 1706 to Karthika Thirunal, the daughter of Ilayarani Karthika Thirunal Thampuratti of Attingal and Koyithampuran of Kilimanoor. When Veera Rama Varma passed away in 1729, the 23-year-old Marthanda Varma became king. Marthanda Varma ascended the throne in 1729. He faced many challenges after taking over the rule of Travancore. The reign of Marthanda Varma marks the end of feudal hegemony in Kerala history and the birth of the modern era of Travancore. Marthanda Varma waged constant wars to expand the kingdom by annexing neighboring states to Venad. He established a centralized monarchy based on military power through political unification of the southern and central parts of Kerala. The most important is the battle of Colachel. The Dutch were defeated in the battle of Colachel. During his reign, there was progress in the fields of religion, literature and art. Ramapurathu Warrier and Kunchan Nambiar had spent a long time in Marthanda Varma's palace. He renovated the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple. It was also during his time that rituals like Bhadradeepam and Murajapam were started in the temple. This was a time when temple arts like Koothu, Koodiyattam, Pathakam, Kathakali and Thullal got a good revival. On 1 January 1750, Marthanda Varma dedicated his kingdom to Sree Padmanabhan. This is known as Thrippadidanam. After this, he received the title of Sree Padmanabhadasa.
Marthanda Varma and the wars
Marthanda Varma fought many wars to annex neighboring states to Travancore and expand the kingdom's territory. He conquered the kingdoms of Kayamkulam, Kollam, Ambalapuzha, Thekkumkur, and Vadakkumkur and annexed them to Travancore.
The war with Kollam
During the time of Marthanda Varma, Desinganad (Kollam) was ruled by Marthanda Varma's uncle, Unni Kerala Varma. Unni Kerala Varma allied with Kayamkulam and captured a part of Kallada, which was claimed by Trippappur Swaroopam. Realizing that Unni Kerala Varma was a challenge to him, Marthanda Varma decided to attack Kollam. The Travancore army, led by the then Dalawa Arumukham Pillai, moved towards Kollam and defeated Unni Kerala Varma in the battle that took place there.
The war with Kottarakkara
In 1734, Marthanda Varma conquered Kottarakkara and imprisoned the king, Veera Kerala Varma, in Thiruvananthapuram. When Veera Kerala Varma, who was in solitary confinement in Thiruvananthapuram, died in prison in 1736, Marthanda Varma did not allow the Queen of Kottarakkara to take power. The Dutch came to the rescue of the Queen and installed her as the ruler of Kottarakkara in 1741. The Travancore army then fought Kottarakkara and captured Kottarakkara.
The Battle of Colachel
Marthanda Varma launched a series of attacks against the Dutch. The Dutch prepared to confront him. A Dutch army with artillery set out from Ceylon to attack Travancore. The Dutch army, which had set foot in Colachel, attacked the Travancore areas up to Kottar and brought them under their control. The Dutch army then moved on to Kalkulam, the headquarters of Marthanda Varma. On 10 August 1741, the Dutch army and Marthanda Varma's army clashed at Colachel. The Dutch army was completely defeated. Many Dutchmen, including Captain Delanoy, were taken prisoner. He later became the 'Big Captain' in Marthanda Varma's army. The Battle of Colachel dealt a fatal blow to the Dutch power. It stopped their advance. This was the first battle in Asia in which a foreign power had to retreat after being defeated by a local ruler.
Battle of Kayamkulam (Battle of Purakadu)
With the defeat of the Battle of Colachel in 1741, the Dutch captured Vamanapuram with the help of the King of Kollam. Following this, the Travancore army under the leadership of Ramayyan Dalawa surrounded the Dutch Kollam fort. However, the Kayamkulam army helped the Dutch army in the defense of this fort. The Kayamkulam army was led by Achutha variyar, who was the minister of the Kayamkulam king. Following this, the Travancore army retreated. In 1742, the combined forces of the Dutch and Kayamkulam captured Kilimanoor. For this reason, Marthandavarma brought a cavalry from Tirunelveli and led the army to Kilimanoor. The Travancore army captured Kilimanoor. Then Marthandavarma's army moved towards Kayamkulam. The King of Kayamkulam initially resisted, but finally sued for peace. Following this, Marthandavarma and the King of Kayamkulam signed the Treaty of Mannar. But the King of Kayamkulam violated these terms of the treaty. Then the Travancore army again moved towards Kayamkulam and conquered Kayamkulam in 1746. This war was known as the Purakad War. The kingdom of Chembakassery was known as Purakad. In recognition of its assistance to Kayamkulam in the war with Travancore, Marthanda Varma captured this kingdom and annexed it to Travancore. The present-day Ambalapuzha and Kuttanad taluks were included in this.
Thrippadidanam
After expanding Travancore by conquering the kingdoms of Kollam, Kayamkulam, Chembakassery, Thekkumkur and Vadakkumkur, the Maharaja engaged in activities necessary for the welfare and survival of the kingdom. He made special demands for the proper management of internal affairs. For the first time, the king renovated and rebuilt the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple. The Ottakkalmandapam, Sivelipura and Gopuram that are seen today were all built by Maharaja Marthanda Varma. He brought fifteen thousand Shaligram and cast the idol of Sree Padmanabhaswamy. He renewed the customs in the temple. He started Bhadradeepam and Murajapam as a remedy for the sins he had committed knowingly or unknowingly in wars. Murajapam is a festival that was held in the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple once every six years for the prosperity of the kingdom. Bhadradeepam was a small ceremony of this. Bhadradeepam was held twice a year. Both of these are still practiced today as a tradition. In addition, he sacrificed the sword, which was the help in all his victories, at the feet of Sree Padmanabhan and donated the kingdom to Trippadi. After that, he took back the sword under the name of Sree Padmanabhadasa. This very important act is called Trippadidaanam. The Maharajas of Travancore ruled the country as the representatives of Sree Padmanabhan. This is how the Maharajas came to have the title of Sree Padmanabhadasa.
Travancore-Cochin War (Battle of Anandeshwara)
In 1754, Travancore and Cochin clashed at Anandeshwaram. Ramavarma, Ramayyan and Delanoy led the Travancore army. After a battle in which no one was victorious, the Cochin army retreated to Ambalapuzha and Travancore defeated the Cochin army in a decisive battle that followed.
Travancore-Cochin alliance
Travancore and Cochin formed an alliance in 1757 against the Zamorin, who was preparing to attack Travancore. Paliath Komi Achan initiated this alliance.
Mavelikkara Treaty
The Treaty of Mavelikkara was an agreement between King Marthandavarma and the Dutch. The agreement was signed on 15 August 1753 at Mavelikkara. Following the Treaty of Mavelikkara, it was agreed that the Dutch would provide war materials to Travancore in exchange for pepper and that the Dutch would not interfere in the internal affairs of Travancore and other small states. With this treaty, Dutch rule in Kerala came to an end. This treaty did not allow the English or any other European powers to give further encouragement to Travancore. The Treaty of Mavelikkara helped Marthandavarma expand his kingdom without the interference of any foreign power.
Administration of Travancore
Marthanda Varma was the ruler who laid the foundation for the development of Travancore. He built dams, reservoirs, and new roads. He renovated the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Padmanabhapuram Palace, and the Krishnapuram Palace. The land revenue and governance structure was hierarchically organized during the reign of Marthanda Varma as State (Rajyam/Kingdom), Divisions (Padivukal), Taluks (mandapathu vathukkal), Pakuthigal (Revenue Villages) and Karas/Muris. The entire Princely State of Travancore is State. Large administrative territories ruled by Diwan Peishkar (equivalent to a modern District Collector) are Padivukal. Historically, Travancore was split into Padivukal like South Travancore (Trivandrum), Central Travancore (Quilon), and North Travancore (Kottayam). Marthanda Varma's notable administrative reforms were the mandapathu vathukkal. The mandapathu vathukkal later became taluk offices during the reign of Diwan Ramayangar. The mandapathu vathukkal were again divided into Pakuthigal (Revenue Villages). Pakuthigal is the central artificial unit used specifically for compiling censuses and collecting land taxes. Each was managed by Parvathyakar or Provedika (Village Accountant). The Pakuthigal later became villages. Karas (Muris) is the smallest local residential neighborhood or cluster of houses within a Pakuthy. A capable Dalawa named Ramayyan was Marthanda Varma's dalawa during this period. After Ramayyan's death in 1756, Ayyappan Marthanda Pillai became the Dalawa. On 7 July 1758, Marthanda Varma died.
Suchindram Treaty
The Suchindram Treaty was a treaty signed at the Suchindram temple by the King of Cochin, Kerala Varma during his visit to Thiruvananthapuram in 1762. The treaty was ratified in the presence of Ayyappan Marthanda Pillai, the Minister of Travancore, and Paliath Komi, the Minister of Cochin. Following this treaty, the Travancore army led by Ayyappan Marthanda Pillai and Delanoy fought against the Zamorin.
Avittam Thirunal Balarama Varma (1798-1810)
Balarama Varma was the youngest ruler to come to power in Travancore. It was during his reign that the British were granted Resident status in the Cochin and Travancore princely states. Colonel Macaulay was the first person to be granted Resident status in Travancore. A Resident is a British official assigned to oversee the affairs of the princely states that accepted the rule. Balarama Varma, the successor of Dharmaraja, was a weak ruler. At that time, the reins of government were controlled by Jayanthan Shankaran Namboothiri, Shankaranarayanan Chetty and Mathutharakan. Veluthampi became the Dalawa of Travancore by leading a popular uprising against their corruption. It was during Balarama Varma's reign that Veluthampi Dalawa established the Hajur Kacheri in Kollam and a traveling court in Travancore. Veluthampi issued the Kundara Proclamation on 11 January 1809 against foreign rule. In the Battle of Kollam that followed the Kundara Proclamation, the Company army defeated Veluthampi's army. The king made peace with the English. Balarama Varma turned against Thampi because he had angered the British. Veluthampi was removed from the post of Dalawa and declared a traitor. Ummini Thampi took over as the new Dalawa. He issued orders to imprison Veluthampi. Veluthampi committed suicide in a temple in Mannadi, Pathanamthitta in April 1809. Travancore came under complete British control during the reign of Balarama Varma. Balarama Varma died in 1810.
Ayilyam Thirunal Rani Gowri Lakshmi Bai (1810-1815)
Rani Gowri Lakshmi Bai, who came to power in 1810, appointed Colonel Munro as Diwan. Munro introduced reforms in the administration of Travancore, following the model of British India, in accordance with the treaties signed between Travancore and the Company in 1795 and 1805. It was Rani Gowri Lakshmi Bai who issued a proclamation on 5 December 1812 to stop the slave trade in Travancore. Rani Gowri Lakshmi Bai was the ruler of Travancore from 1810 to 1813. After the birth of her son Swathi Thirunal in 1813, she continued to rule as regent until her death in 1815.
Uthrattathi Thirunal Rani Gauri Parvati Bhai (1815-1829)
He ruled Travancore as regent from 1815 to 1829 until Swathi Thirunal came of age. Gowri Parvathi Bai's regency was a time of progress in Travancore. Many reforms were implemented during this period with the aim of social freedom and civil equality. Agriculture, commerce and transport were greatly encouraged. In 1816, the London Mission Society (LMS) began its work in Nagercoil during the reign of Gowri Parvathi Bai. Through a royal proclamation in 1817, the government took over the schools and made primary education compulsory in Travancore. Girls' colleges were established in Alappuzha and Kottayam. The CMS Press was also established in Kottayam in 1821 during the reign of Gowri Parvathi Bai.
Swathi Thirunal Ramavarma (1829-1846)
Swathi Thirunal was born to Changanassery Rajaraja Varma Koyithampuran and Rani Gauri Lakshmi Bai. Due to the untimely death of Rani Gauri Lakshmi Bai, he did not have the fortune to experience maternal affection. At an early age, the Maharaja became well-versed in Malayalam, Sanskrit, English, Persian, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu languages, as well as grammar, mathematics, music, painting, philosophy and history. He was known as the artist Maharaja. Swathi Thirunal, who ascended the throne in 1829, implemented many administrative and educational reforms. All the major musicians of South India were regular visitors to Swathi Thirunal's court. Apart from being a musician, his more than four hundred works composed in various languages make him a poet and writer. This includes kirtanas and the poems Sreepadmanabha Shatakam, Bhaktimanjari, and Syanandura pura varnana Prabandham.
The contributions of Swathi Thirunal Maharaja to Carnatic music are invaluable. Swathi Thirunal's works make him immortal in the world of music. He accommodated many artists, including Shadkala Govinda Marar, in his palace. Swathi Thirunal was also a good administrator. Swathi Thirunal shaped the legal system on the model of the British. English education was introduced in Travancore. The Irrigation Department and the Works Department were also established during his reign. The first census was conducted and land and farm land were measured and listed during Swathi Thirunal's reign. Swathi Thirunal established the Dharma Hospital and the Nakshatra Bungalow in Travancore. He was deeply saddened by the anti-people actions of the British Resident. Therefore, in his last years, he stayed away from state affairs and immersed himself in artistic activities.
Uthram Thirunal Marthanda Varma (1846-1860)
It was during Uthram Thirunal's reign that the children of slaves under the government were emancipated, a school for girls was established in Thiruvananthapuram, and the first post office was opened in Alappuzha. The Thiruvananthapuram Zoo and Gardens were established in 1859. This zoo, which is more than a century and a half old, is one of the oldest zoos in the world. The animal cages were built by experts from London. The first coir factory in Kerala (Dara Smale) was established in Alappuzha in 1859 by Irishmen James Dara and Henry Smale during Utram Thirunal's reign.
Ayilyam Thirunal Ramavarma (1860-1880)
Ayilyam Thirunal Ramavarma was the successor of Utram Thirunal. He introduced vaccination for immunity. The Punalur suspension bridge and the Varkala tunnel were built during his reign. Malayalam drama was started with the translation of Ayilyam Thirunal's Shakunthalam. He made great contributions to modern Malayalam literature. He established the Puthen Kacheri in Thiruvananthapuram city, the lighthouse in Alappuzha, etc. Ayilyam Thirunal completed the construction of temple towers in Suchindram and Thiruvananthapuram. He established the Public Works Department. He established the Thiruvananthapuram Government Arts College, Science College, Vernacular School, Law College, Survey School, Training School, Girls' School, Book Selection Committee, hospitals, and a psychiatric hospital. The construction of the M.C. Road, the longest road in Kerala, was completed during Ayilyam Thirunal's reign. A.R. Rajaraja Varma, Raja Ravi Varma, and Kerala Varma Valiyakoyithampuran were prominent figures in the court of Ayilyam Thirunal. Ayilyam Thirunal died on 30 May 1880.
Visakham Thirunal Ramavarma (1880-1885)
Visakham Thirunal is known as the learned King of Travancore. He reorganized the police force in Travancore. He promoted agriculture, industry and education. He developed the irrigation scheme in Nanchinad. He encouraged and propagated tapioca cultivation. He built the city of Kottayam in 1881. In 1884, the first cotton mill in Travancore was started in Kollam.
Sri Moolam Thirunal Ramavarma (1885-1924)
He came to power after the Maharaja of Visakham Thirunal. Sree Moolam Thirunal promoted agriculture by creating a special department and improving irrigation facilities. There was steady progress in the field of education in Travancore during that time. Children from backward communities were allowed to enter government schools. There was also tremendous progress in the field of medicine during that period. In 1888, Sree Moolam Thirunal established the Travancore Legislative Council. This was a progressive step. It was the first of the Indian princely states after Mysore. In 1891, a huge petition signed by more than ten thousand people, known as the Malayali Memorial or Travancore Memorial, was submitted to Sree Moolam Thirunal. The filling of high offices with foreign Brahmins had caused dissatisfaction among the people. In 1896, two memorials were submitted under the leadership of Dr. Palpu. This is known as the Ezhava Memorial. In 1904, the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha was established. Two people were elected from each taluk as members of the Sree Moolam Prabha Sabha. Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai was exiled to Kannur in 1911 for criticizing the then Diwan Rajagopalachari and it was during this period that the Swadeshabhimani newspaper was banned. As a result of the memorandum given by the Civil Rights League led by T.K. Madhavan, A.J. John and others, the Devaswom was separated from the Revenue Department in 1922. Sree Moolam Thirunal died in 1924.
Pooradam Thirunal Sethu Lakshmi Bhai (1924-1931)
When Sreemulam Thirunal died, Sreechithira Thirunal was a minor, so Sethu Lakshmi Bai ruled Travancore as regent from 1924 to 1931. During that time, many socio-economic reforms were implemented in Travancore. The Nair Regulation, which came into effect in 1925, replacing the Marumakkam system with a Makkathayam system, was an important reform. The city of Thiruvananthapuram was electrified in 1929 during the reign of Rani Sethu Lakshmi Bai.
Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma (1931-1949)
Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma was the last Maharaja of Travancore. Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma was born in Thiruvananthapuram in 1912 to Kilimanoor Ravi Varma Kochu Koyithampuran and Maharani Sethu Parvathibhai. He became the Maharaja of Travancore on 6 November 1931. He reformed the Travancore Legislative Assembly and formed the Sree Moolam Assembly (Lower House) and the Sree Chithira State Council (Upper House). Sree Chithira Thirunal is known as the father of industrialization in Travancore. Several industries were started in Thiruvananthapuram during his time. Some examples are Titanium, Travancore Ceramics, Travancore Cochin Chemicals, Aluminium Factories, Travancore Rayons, Public Travancore Rubber Works, Punalur Plywood Factory, and Elur Fertilizers and Chemicals. He founded the University of Travancore (now the University of Kerala), Thiruvananthapuram Airport, the first flight service to Mumbai, Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, Travancore Titanium Products, Thiruvananthapuram Radio Station, Public Service Commission, Sree Chitra Art Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram Ayurveda College, and Thiruvananthapuram Homeopathy College. The State Transport Services were also launched during his time.
The first hydroelectric project at Pallivasal was commissioned in 1940 during the reign of Balarama Varma. He was also the one who issued the Temple Entry Proclamation, which is an important chapter in the history of Kerala. Through this proclamation issued on November 12, 1936, people belonging to the untouchable caste were able to visit the temple. It was Balarama Varma who established the University of Travancore, Chitralayam Art Gallery, and Swathi Thirunal Music College in 1937 and appointed the Public Service Commissioner in 1935. In 1943, the Radio Nilayam was established in Thiruvananthapuram during the reign of Chithira Thirunal. In 1949, when the Thiru-Cochin state was formed, Chithira Thirunal became the Rajapramukh. He continued in that position until the formation of independent Kerala on November 1, 1956. In 1991, Sree Chithira Thirunal Maharaja passed away at Kowdiar Palace. Balarama Varma was a king who lived as an ordinary citizen, without any luxuries. Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma was featured on a postage stamp of India on 7 November 1991.
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