Marthanda Varma

Marthanda Varma Biography

Anizham Thirunal Veerabaala Marthanda Varma, shortly called and popularly known as Marthanda Varma was the first ruler of famous Travancore Kingdom. He is also known for the historic win of battle of Kolachel on 1741 A.D, thus becoming the only Indian King to beat a superior European armed force. He is also the first Asian ruler to receive this honour. He annexed several neighbouring states of Venad and made it the vast spread Kingdom of Travancore. He is also known for the fight with Ettuveettu Pillamar and bringing their power to an end. After forming the kingdom of Travancore in 1729 he ruled the princely state till his death in 1758. Travancore is called Thiruvithankur in the regional language – Malayalam. He was succeeded by Dharma Raja. Ramayyan Dalawa was his minister and close friend.

He was born in 1706 in Anizham star to the Junior Queen of Travancore who was adopted from Kolathiri Swaroopam from Attingal. Then Travancore was a small princely state extended from Attingal to Kanya Kumari. In those days, Kings were just rubber stamps and the whole power was in the hands of Ettuveettu Pillamar (Lords of the Eight Houses). The Ettuveetil Pillamar and Ettara Yogam play an important role in the history of Travancore who killed Maharajah Aditya Varma and the murder of five sons of Maharani Umayamma. Then an intelligence prince, Anizham Thirunal was born in 1706 who was bestowed the title of "Prince of Neyattinkara" by Maharajah Veer Rama Varma when prince was only 16. Ettuveetil Pillamar killed the young prince and Marthanda Varma has to flee from the stae to save his life. He wandered in many places of Kerala.

When he reached Neyyattinkara, he was helped by a young boy who asked him to hide inside the hollow trunk of a jackfruit tree. This incident helped him to save his life and years later when he came to power, he made the famous Neyyattinkara Krishna Temple, which is known as Guruvayur of South Kerala. He ascended the throne of Venad in 1729 at the age of 23. He defeated Dutch in Battle of Kolachel in 1741. Later he expanded kingdom till Kochi. Marthanda Varma is known for many administrative reforms as well as many constructions including many dams, buildings and re-construction of Padmanabha Swamy temple. He devoted himself and his kingdom to Lord Padmanabha and called himself ‘Padmanabha Dasa’. He started many celebrations in the temple that’s followed till now.

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Updated: September 24, 2017