TRAVANCORE
It is on record that on 24.1.311 AD, Veera Kerala Varma was crowned in accordance with Vaidic rituals by Tharanalloor Namboodiripad.
Even as late as 1748 AD, Travancore state was confined to the southern end of Keralam, around Thiruvananthapuram.
During the days of village republics, the people enjoyed considerable degree of freedom, which they were reluctant to relinquish, even after the rule of kings, however weak this may be, was established.
Raja of Ambalapuzha (a namboodiri) ,who was the local ruler, refused to surrender to Travancore, and a fierce battle ensued.He had trained his skillful archers to smear the tip of their arrows with deadly poison. Even a small injury would result in death, within days. After the initial assault, the army of Travancore was forced to withdraw, with heavy casualties, though they were supported by British artillery and Muslim forces.
The wily minister Ramayyar secured the loyalty of two men within the fort, a namboodiri and a panickar, who were promised land and such rewards. These men acquainted the enemy with the secret chinks in the seemingly impregnable fort and the raja of Ambalapuzha was defeated and imprisoned.
He some how escaped to Cochin state and persuaded the local King and some powerful chieftains like Paliyath achan and Kodasseri karthavu to counter attack the forces of Travancore, who were feared by the central kingdom of neutral Cochin.The attack was secretly planned and it was decided to transport the armed forces by sea.
In 1753, these forces, under Captain D’Lanoy, landed at Poracaud. The forces of Travancore, who had secret information of the offensive, waited for the enemy to advance sufficiently and then pounced upon them, causing utter confusion and hasty withdrawal to the beach. There they were annihilated. Many jumped into the sea and perished.
The very next year , there was a revolt by the people of Changanasseri, Kottayam, Ettumanur, Ambalapuzha etc.This time the Raja of Travancore sought the assistance of Hyder Ali and the British forces to suppress the revolt.
It is on record that on 24.1.311 AD, Veera Kerala Varma was crowned in accordance with Vaidic rituals by Tharanalloor Namboodiripad.
Even as late as 1748 AD, Travancore state was confined to the southern end of Keralam, around Thiruvananthapuram.
During the days of village republics, the people enjoyed considerable degree of freedom, which they were reluctant to relinquish, even after the rule of kings, however weak this may be, was established.
Raja of Ambalapuzha (a namboodiri) ,who was the local ruler, refused to surrender to Travancore, and a fierce battle ensued.He had trained his skillful archers to smear the tip of their arrows with deadly poison. Even a small injury would result in death, within days. After the initial assault, the army of Travancore was forced to withdraw, with heavy casualties, though they were supported by British artillery and Muslim forces.
The wily minister Ramayyar secured the loyalty of two men within the fort, a namboodiri and a panickar, who were promised land and such rewards. These men acquainted the enemy with the secret chinks in the seemingly impregnable fort and the raja of Ambalapuzha was defeated and imprisoned.
He some how escaped to Cochin state and persuaded the local King and some powerful chieftains like Paliyath achan and Kodasseri karthavu to counter attack the forces of Travancore, who were feared by the central kingdom of neutral Cochin.The attack was secretly planned and it was decided to transport the armed forces by sea.
In 1753, these forces, under Captain D’Lanoy, landed at Poracaud. The forces of Travancore, who had secret information of the offensive, waited for the enemy to advance sufficiently and then pounced upon them, causing utter confusion and hasty withdrawal to the beach. There they were annihilated. Many jumped into the sea and perished.
The very next year , there was a revolt by the people of Changanasseri, Kottayam, Ettumanur, Ambalapuzha etc.This time the Raja of Travancore sought the assistance of Hyder Ali and the British forces to suppress the revolt.
Punnapra Vayalar revolt in 1946 was the last tragic revolt against the King of Travancore, mercilessly suppressed with machine gun fire killing young men, armed with bamboo splinters and enthused by dreams of revolution!
Thiruvananthapuram to Kanyakumari, the influence of Tamil people is visible. Padmanabhaswami temple has the typical gopuram of Tamilnadu temples. People speak a dialect, slowly and with a certain drag, and are very polite and always smiling.The northern Keralites, who are very rough but honest, often allege that Travancoreans are cunning at heart and the appearances are very deceptive.
The early entry of Christians, who initiated modern type western education, has transformed Travancore beyond recognition.Modern novels appeared for the first time, followed by a long line of famous writers.
Freedom movement began very early. People like legendary Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna pillay, who was exiled from the state, are unknown in the north, at that time. The publication of Malayala Manorama daily was a landmark in the development of Congress party in the state. Malabar went communist and Travancore became congress in 1957!
The development of plantation industry in the Western Ghats and several hydel projects,some older than a century, ensured economic development.Several industries like coir making are age old.
Geographically, the plains near the sea are below sea level, with several gaps, allowing free flow of sea water. In some places, huge bunds have been constructed to stop sea water and allow rice cultivation. The long line of lakes from Kollam to Alapuzha was a busy boat transport line even in my childhood. God was partial to Travancore.
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