Travancore

Quick Facts: Who was Travancore?

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Travancore

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A princely state in southern India, ruling from c. 1729 until its merger with independent India in 1949.

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Origins & Early Life

The Kingdom of Travancore (), also known as the Thiruvithamkoor Kingdom (Malayalam: [t̪iɾuʋid̪aːŋɡuːr]) and Travancore State, was a princely state in the Indian subcontinent that lasted from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore royal family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. At its zenith, the kingdom covered most of the south of modern-day Kerala (Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram districts, major portions of Ernakulam district, Puthenchira village of Thrissur district) and the southernmost part of modern-day Tamil Nadu (Kanyakumari district and some parts of Tenkasi district) with the Thachudaya Kaimal's enclave of Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam temple in the neighbouring kingdom of Cochin. However, the Tangasseri area of Kollam City and Anchuthengu near Attingal in Thiruvananthapuram were parts of British India. Geographically, Malabar District of Madras Presidency was to the north, the Madurai and Tirunelveli districts of Pandya Nadu region in Madras Presidency to the east, and the Indian Ocean to the south, and the Arabian Sea to the west.

Career & Major Achievements

Travancore was divided into five divisions: Padmanabhapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Quilon, Kottayam, and Devikulam. Padmanabhapuram and Devikulam divisions were predominantly Tamil-speaking regions with small Malayalam-speaking minorities. Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Kottayam divisions were predominantly Malayalam-speaking regions with small Tamil-speaking minorities. King Marthanda Varma inherited the small feudal state of Venad in 1723, and built it into Travancore. Marthanda Varma led the Travancorean forces during the Travancore–Dutch War of 1739–46, which culminated in the Battle of Colachel.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The defeat of the Dutch by Travancore is considered the earliest example of an organised power from Asia overcoming European military technology and tactics. Marthanda Varma went on to conquer most of the smaller principalities of the native rulers. The Travancore royal family signed a treaty with the British in 1788, thereby accepting British dominance. Later, in 1805, they revised the treaty, leading to a diminution of royal authority and the loss of political independence for Travancore. They had to give up their ruling rights over the common people in 1949 when Travancore was forced to merge with independent India.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1723: 1723 Milestone — King Marthanda Varma inherited the small feudal state of Venad in 1723, and built it into Travancore.
2. 1739: 1739 Milestone — Marthanda Varma led the Travancorean forces during the Travancore–Dutch War of 1739–46, which culminated in the Battle of Colachel.
3. 1788: 1788 Milestone — The Travancore royal family signed a treaty with the British in 1788, thereby accepting British dominance.
4. 1805: 1805 Milestone — Later, in 1805, they revised the treaty, leading to a diminution of royal authority and the loss of political independence for Travancore.
5. 1949: 1949 Milestone — They had to give up their ruling rights over the common people in 1949 when Travancore was forced to merge with independent India.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Travancore

True or False: “The Kingdom of Travancore was established by King Marthanda Varma after inheriting the small feudal state of Venad in 1723.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Marthanda Varma inherited the small feudal state of Venad in 1723 and subsequently built it into the larger entity known as Travancore.

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