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His alliance in 1757 with the ruler of Kochi (Cochin), against the northern Kingdom of Calicut, enabled the kingdom of Kochi to survive. [1] Travancore under Marthanda Varma made a deliberate attempt to consolidate its power by the use of Indian Ocean trade. [2]
- The Beginnings
- Consolidation of Power
- Foreign Powers
- Indian Neighbors
- Northward Expansion
- Further Reading & Viewing
Marthanda Varma was just 23 years old when he succeeded his uncle Rama Varma in the year 1729. It was a difficult time for the dynasty as the kingdom was close to a civil war and financially bankrupt. The prominent families in the state refused to accept him as the king and threatened to eliminate him. As the first step in strengthening his positio...
But trouble was brewing within the feudal chieftains called the ‘Ettu veetil pillamar’ who decided that they wanted to replace the king.
Before we continue with our story, let us take stock of the foreign powers around Travancore. Three foreign powers were active in the region at that time – the French, the Dutch and the British.
With the foreign powers focused primarily on their spice trade, at least for now, it was the Indian powers nearby that caused more headache for Marthanda Varma.
With the nobles destroyed, Marthanda Varma knew that the time was ripe for pushing the boundary of the state northwards. Lying immediately north of Travancore were the princely states of Quilon and Kayamkulam and they faced the brunt of the Travancore army. Ramayyan was appointed military commander and with arms and armaments purchased from the Bri...
The best source to read and understand about Marthanda Varma and Travancore is Shungoonny Menon’s, ‘A History of Travancore From the Earliest Times’. Published in 1878, Rare Books Society of India has the free copy here. Marthanda Varma’s period is covered in Chapter II. Read an interesting blog on Ramayyan here, gives some aspects about the minist...
Marthanda Varma ascended the Venad throne in 1729 and crushed Dutch expansionist designs at the Battle of Kolachel 12 years later. Marthanda Varma then adopted a European mode of martial discipline and expanded the Venad domain to encompass what became the southern state of Travancore.… Read More
Feb 11, 2018 · As a result of this, Padmanabha became the real ruler of the kingdom, while Marthanda Varma ruled on his behalf and his representative by naming himself as “Padmanabha Dasa” meaning the slave of Sri Padmanabha.
Aug 10, 2024 · Realising that the Dutch power in Kerala stemmed from their monopoly over the spice trade, he turned his attention to Central Kerala, the hub of spice cultivation. Kollam was conquered in 1731, and annexed, as the strategically important port fell into his hands.
Jan 1, 2022 · The Dutch, who had conquered most of Indonesia and Far East Asia, were decisively defeated by Marthanda Varma of Travancore in the battle of Colachel, making it the first Asian victory against a...
Jan 31, 2024 · Marthanda Varma, also known as Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, was the founder and ruler of the Kingdom of Travancore from 1729 to 1758. He played a significant role in the history of Travancore and made efforts to fortify its heritage and influence.
