Rise of Travancore

The rise of Travancore eventually saw the waning of the Dutch ascendancy in Kerala as the chivalrous ruler of Travancore, Marthanda Varma (1729-1758) defeated the Dutch powers in the conflict of Koiachel. Actually the modern history of Travancore starts with Marthanda Varma who after succeeding the throne, transformed and amplified the old kingdom of Venad into Travancore during his progressive tenure.

Marthanda Varma was acknowledged as the Maker of Modern Travancore and under his reign Travancore emerged as the independent realm of political, cultural and social activities. He signed an accord with the British and abolished the supremacy of the Feudal landlords (Ettuveetil Pillamar) and in consecutive battles seized the kingdoms of Kollam, Attingal, Ambalapuzha, Kayamkulam and Kottarkara . In 1753, he signed a treaty of peace with the Dutch .In spite of facing much internal and external opposition within the kingdom he maintained his sovereignty .In 1757 AD, another pact was signed between Travancore and Cochin, assuring stability and peace on the Northern boundary. He arranged proper tax system and provided many irrigationfacilities. He made the army of Travancore advanced by introducing guns and weaponry. Marthanda Varma is also renowned for his erecting the majestic Sri Padmanabha Temple of Trivandrum.

Rama Varma, renowned as Dharma Raja (1758-98) inherited the throne after Marthanda Varma was also a remarkable ruler and his reign was termed as the the Golden Age in the medieval history of Kerala. He was a very able administrator and was helped by two illustrious Ministers Raja Kesava Das, the Diwan of Travancore and Ayyappan Marthanda Pillai. His strong defence system even defied the potent Mysore rulers- Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Dharma Raja is credited with building the great Mall - Nedumcotta of Central Kerala to defend his kingdom from the attack of Mysore and this construction was administered by the Dutch-General D'Lannoy. Dharma Raja was a great musician and scholar and the Sanskrit drama Pradyumnabhyudayam is attributed to him. He patronized eminent poets like Unnai Harrier and Kunjan Nambiar and other men of great wisdom. During his reign trade prospered considerably and Quilon became a major centre of business and enterprise.

After his demise in 1768, Balarama Varma came to the throne and Velu Thampi was the notable Diwan or minister during his rule.

Balaram Varma was followed by by Rani Gowri Lakshmi Bai in AD (1810–1815) and after her death Rani Gouri Parvati Bai (1815-29) and Swati Tirunal (1829-47) proceeded the imperial tradition. Maharajah Utharadam Tirunal Marthanda Varma AD (1847–1860) eradicated slavery in 1853 and introduced the postal system in 1857 and also started girls’ schools in 1859. Aayilyam Tirunal AD (1860–1880) another great ruler developed roads, irrigation and agriculture and also initiated an asylum for the mentally- misbalanced people and also many charitable hospitals.

Sethu Lakshmi Bai stopped the slaughter and sacrifices of animals and started the matrilinear system of heritage.

Finally, the last monarch of Travancore was Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma AD (1931–1949). After him slowly the dynasty of Venad or Travancore ebbed away.