Part- 4 : 12th century and onwards

Marthanda Varma , the legendary king was born in 1706.He was born at a time of declining royal power and assertive temple brahmins.(pillamar). Marthanda Varma was a strong ruler who recovered lost land and enlarged his kingdom. He also reasserted royal power. He died in 1761.

He ruled from 1729 to 1758. He was the son of one of the two princesses adopted by Umayamma Rani from Kolathu Nadu. He worked side by side with his ruling uncle and Umayamma Rani's son Ravi Varma and gained experience. Even at that time with the help of the British he established a mint in Kulachal to issue coins. When the ruling raja passed away Marthanda Varma was proclaimed the successor according to 'Marumakkathayam'. However the two sons of the late king-Pappu Thampi and Raman Thampi with the help of Azkappa Muthaliar tried to usurp power.

Marthanda Varma soundly defeated these efforts. The Thampis were killed. Subsequently Marthanda Varma absorbed several smaller principalities like Deshinganad, Attingal, and Kottarakkara. Ramayyan Dalava was an able lieutenant who helped the ruler in all areas of his rule. The biggest achievement of Marthanda Varma was his decisive victory over a Dutch expeditionary force in Kulachal. Some twenty four Dutch soldiers were taken prisoners. Out of these two -Eustchices Dilanoy and Donadi -later helped to train the Travancore armies. In subsequent confrontations Marthanda Varma's forces soundly defeated the Dutch and the forces of the raja of Kayamkulam. In one of the final battles the raja of Kayamkulam fled to Trichur after hiding his valued objects at the bottom of lake Ashtamudi. When it was discovered that the ruler of Kayamkulam was getting assistance from Chempakasseri raja of Ampalapuza he too was removed. Apparently the raja's lieutenants, Mathur Panikkar and Thekkedathu Bhattathiri defected to the Travancore side. The defeated king was first brought to Thiruvananthapuram and subsequently settled in a place called Kudamalur near Kottayam with a monthly pension.

Next, Marthanda Varma conquered two more principalities called Thekkumkore and Vadakkumkore.

Marthanda Varma was a humble man in spite of his successes. Around AD750 donated all the territory he conquered to Sri Padmanabhan and continued to reign as his servant. He also renovated the Sri Padmanabha temple and built a fort around it. He built a new palace at Kalkulam which came to be known as 'Padbanabhapuram' palace.

He also renovated many other temples and improved the canal system as well as road ways in Travancore. In southern Travancore Ponmana dam and puthan dam were built.

He strengthened the state's defenses. The army was strengthened with divisions of gunners, horse back soldiers and foot soldiers.

His successor was Rama Varma popularly known as Dharmaraja. He held on to the territorial gains accomplished by his predecessor. In Travancore's north end from sea to mountain he built a fort called 'Nedumkotta'.He also incorporated Paravur and Alangadu to Travancore. A road was constructed from Purakkattu to Quilion via Krishnapuram. He also improved agriculture and made administration more efficient by dividing the state in to three regions. Towards his end he entered in to agreements with the English which subsequently led to the erosion of the state's autonomy. Dharma Raja passed away on February 17, 1798 at the age of 75 years.

In 1798 Balaramavarma took over. He was only sixteen years old. The internal affairs of Travancore were in great disarray. He became a puppet in the hands of Jayanthan Sankaran Namputhiri and friends. He removed the capable Kesavadasan from the position of divan and confiscated his family assets. A rebellion under the leadership of Veluthampi and Chempaka Raman Pillai followed. Jayanthan Sankaran was removed from office and Veluthampi was appointed in his place. Sankara Narayana Chetty and Mathu Tharakan -two other advisers of the old regime were punished. Veluthampi was very strict in enforcing rules. Eventually Velu Thampi was appointed divan. He was an able administrator. However Colonel Macaulay , the British resident cleverly outmaneuvered Veluthampi. Treaties were signed which virtually ended the autonomy of the state. Veluthampi resisted this English treachery but eventually was defeated and committed suicide. The English ,not satisfied with his death hanged his body in Trivandrum. His house was levelled and relatives deported to Maldives. Velu Thampi was replaced by Dalava Ummini Thampi. But the raja did not trust him.

In 1810 the raja passed away and Rani Gowri Lakshmi Bhai took reigns. She faced some opposition from the younger raja. But the British supported her. She removed Ummini Thampi from the job as Dalawa. Colonel Munro became the new divan. He made many changes. Those included the beginning of the government secretariat, a modern judiciary and abolition of slavery. He also revitalized the Travancore army under European command.

In 1813 rani Lakshmi Bhai had a son born. He was declared as the raja but the rani continued rule as regent. She passed away in 1815. Her sister rani Parvathi Bhai took over as regent. Christian missionaries became active in the state during her reign. In 1829 Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma took over the administration from the rani.

Go to Part-5 : 19th Century & Onwards

© Kerala History Series : Dr P K John