The Kingdom of Thekkumkur ( ml, തെക്കുംകൂർ രാജ്യം) (also transliterated as ''Thekkumkoor'' or ''Thekkumcore'') was an independent kingdom in the southern part of
Kerala
Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...
in
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
from 1103 CE until 1750 CE.
[P. Shungoonny Menon - A HISTORY OF TRAVANCORE - First edition: 1878, New edition: 1983, Page 130, 131 - ] It was ruled by the Thekkumkur Royal Family (Edathil Family). Thekkumkur lies between the
Meenachil River
The Meenachil River or Meenachilaar (Malayalam: ), also known as Kavanar, Valanjar, is a river in Kerala. It is one of the most treacherous rivers in Kerala due to its flash floods, heavy undercurrents and woods and debris it carries from the m ...
and the
Pamba River
The Pamba River (also called Pampa River) is the longest river in the Indian state of Kerala after Periyar and Bharathappuzha, and the longest river in the erstwhile former princely state of Travancore. Sabarimala temple dedicated to Lord Ayy ...
, from the
Western Ghats to the
Vembanad Kayal. Thekkumkur emerges as a result of administrative changes in the princely states at the end of the
Chera Kulasekhara dynasty of Mahodayapuram. The literal meaning of the title is ''the southern regent'' and the attribute ''southern'' distinguished them from another kingdom known as ''Vadakkumkur (northern regent)'' which bordered it in the northern side.
The royal household, ''Thekkumkur Kovilakam'', were at
Vennimala
Vennimala is a small village located in Puthuppally Grama Panchayath of the Kottayam district in Kerala. Vennimala is east of Kottayam. It lies between the towns of Western Kerala and the mountains of the Western Ghats. Vennimala was once a d ...
and
Manikandapuram
Manikandapuram ( ml, മണികണ്ഠപുരം) was the capital of the Kingdom of Thekkumkur (now part of India). Manikandapuram is a part of Vakathanam Gramam in the Changanassery Taluk of Kottayam District. At the beginning of the T ...
near
Puthuppally, later it shifted to
Neerazhi Palace
Neerazhi Palace ( ml, നീരാഴി കൊട്ടാരം) was the royal palace of the Thekkumkur kingdom. Palace is located at Puzhavathu in Changanassery. The palace was used by the Thekkumkur dynasty until 1750 and later by the Parap ...
at
Puzhavathu
Puzhavathu is a place in Changanasserry town, in Kerala state. It is 1 km from Changanasserry bus stand and 2.5 km from railway station.
Religion
The place is known for the number of places of worship: Kavil Bhagavathi Temple, The Ch ...
of
Changanassery
Changanassery or Changanacherry is a municipal town in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India.
History
The first recorded history on the origin of Changanacherry is obtained from Sangam period literature. According to Sangam era d ...
and
Thalilkotta at
Thaliyanthanapuram (
Kottayam
Kottayam () is a municipal town in the Indian state of Kerala. Flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west. It is the district headquarters of Kottayam district, located in south-we ...
).
History
End of Kulasekhara Empire
Thekkumkur emerges as a result of administrative changes in the princely states at the end of the
Kulasekhara Empire at the end of the 11th century. The feudal forms emerged as a result of the Brahmin's authority to acquire the physical rights of the land through the expansion of tiles and the influence of the slums which were the agricultural land. Smaller feudal lords subordinated themselves to the dynasties like
Vempolinad. Due to the increase in the geographical area, Vempolinad was partitioned into two princely states called Thekkumkur and
Vadakkumkur Vadakkumkur was a late medieval/early modern feudal principality located in the Indian state of Kerala. Along with Thekkumkur, it succeeded from the early medieval political region of Vempolinad by around 1200 AD. After their separation, Thekkumkur ...
. The northern parts of Vembalanad were transformed into Vadakkumkur, and the southern parts of Vembalanad were merged with Munjunad and Nantuzhainad and formed Thekkumkur. There is no disagreement among historians as to what might have happened in the first decade of the twelfth century. However, there are some indications that the ritual had begun before that and the century before. Only that it was not transformed into an absolute monarchy of ''Thekkumkur kingdom''.
Origin
![Symbol of Thekkumkur Dynasty](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Symbol_of_Thekkumkur_Dynasty.png)
Ilaya Raja (Prince) of
Vempolinad who lived in Vemballi palace ( ml, വെമ്പള്ളി കൊട്ടാരം) founded Thekkumkur kingdom at the beginning of the 12th century. After their separation, Thekkumkur became an independent kingdom, while Vadakkumkur became a vassal of
Cochin
Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of K ...
. The northern parts of Vempolinad were transformed into Vadakkumkur, and the southern parts of Vempolinad were merged with ''Nantuzhunad'' and ''Munjunad'' and formed Thekkumkur in AD 1103.
Vennimala
Vennimala is a small village located in Puthuppally Grama Panchayath of the Kottayam district in Kerala. Vennimala is east of Kottayam. It lies between the towns of Western Kerala and the mountains of the Western Ghats. Vennimala was once a d ...
was chosen as the headquarters of the Thekkumkur monarchy because the Thekkumkur king was the koyil authority of the ''Venimala Sree Rama Lakshmana Perumal Temple'' which was supposed to have been founded by
Bhaskara Ravi Varma-II (1019–1021).
Initial Capital - Vennimala and Manikandapuram
Vennimala
Vennimala is a small village located in Puthuppally Grama Panchayath of the Kottayam district in Kerala. Vennimala is east of Kottayam. It lies between the towns of Western Kerala and the mountains of the Western Ghats. Vennimala was once a d ...
was established as the headquarters of Thekkumkur kingdom. Vennimala was the most secure place for the enemy. The forests were cut down and developed into habitable areas and the administration is strengthened by the capital city of
Manikandapuram
Manikandapuram ( ml, മണികണ്ഠപുരം) was the capital of the Kingdom of Thekkumkur (now part of India). Manikandapuram is a part of Vakathanam Gramam in the Changanassery Taluk of Kottayam District. At the beginning of the T ...
. The Manikandapuram Krishna temple is believed to have been built by King
Iravi Manikandan in 1152 AD. Manikandapuram and adjoining areas flourished with the administrative and populace necessary for capital. During the rule of the Thekkumkur kings, Manikandapuram was a very flourishing town. There is evidence that the fort and the tunnels were at Manikandapuram, as were the later headquarters of the Thekkumkur monarchy at
Changanassery
Changanassery or Changanacherry is a municipal town in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India.
History
The first recorded history on the origin of Changanacherry is obtained from Sangam period literature. According to Sangam era d ...
and
Thaliyanthanapuram (Kottayam).
Changanassery and Thaliyanthanapuram
![Kavil Temple Changanassery](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Kavil_Temple_Changanassery.jpg)
As part of the growth of the market hubs in ''idanadu'' (medieval places), it was an intellectual move to have good interventions in the kingdom, the capital shifted to
Puzhavathu
Puzhavathu is a place in Changanasserry town, in Kerala state. It is 1 km from Changanasserry bus stand and 2.5 km from railway station.
Religion
The place is known for the number of places of worship: Kavil Bhagavathi Temple, The Ch ...
in
Changanassery
Changanassery or Changanacherry is a municipal town in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India.
History
The first recorded history on the origin of Changanacherry is obtained from Sangam period literature. According to Sangam era d ...
at the beginning of 15th century. Apart from trade, Thekkumkur has promoted Changanassery as the best town for transportation in the southern neighboring princely states of Kerala. The administrative center remained in the
Neerazhi Palace
Neerazhi Palace ( ml, നീരാഴി കൊട്ടാരം) was the royal palace of the Thekkumkur kingdom. Palace is located at Puzhavathu in Changanassery. The palace was used by the Thekkumkur dynasty until 1750 and later by the Parap ...
of Changanassery for the next three and a half centuries. The relocation of the headquarters to
Neerazhikettu Kottaram at Changanassery made it easier for them to ease the commodities that frequent the Vembanadu lagoon and to combat the encroachments of the backwaters of
Chempakassery.
![Thalikotta Temple Main Srikovil](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Thalikotta_Temple_Main_Srikovil.JPG)
By the end of the 15th century, the Thekkumur kings had built a palace and fort near the
Thaliyil temple and established another capital on the banks of the river Meenachil at
Thalianthanapuram (Kottayam). Thali Temple was one of the eighteen and a half Thali shrines ( ml, പതിനെട്ടര തളികൾ) of Kerala. An additional capital city establishment was by the trade developments in the Thazhathangadi river (
Meenachil River
The Meenachil River or Meenachilaar (Malayalam: ), also known as Kavanar, Valanjar, is a river in Kerala. It is one of the most treacherous rivers in Kerala due to its flash floods, heavy undercurrents and woods and debris it carries from the m ...
) and the collapse of the ancient thali ( ml, തളി) as a center of
Brahmanism
The historical Vedic religion (also known as Vedicism, Vedism or ancient Hinduism and subsequently Brahmanism (also spelled as Brahminism)), constituted the religious ideas and practices among some Indo-Aryan peoples of northwest Indian Subco ...
. The fort, which was about a kilometer in circumference and was about 12 feet high, was made of heavy red sandstone and had six bastions (the tower of view) and five-meters (seven Kol) wide trenches.
Geography
![Map of South Kerala 1498 AD by Dutch](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/Map_of_South_Kerala_1498_AD_by_Dutch.png)
An earthen fort along the border of Vadakkumkoor and Thekkumkoor, it beginning from
Athirampuzha
Athirampuzha is a town in Kottayam district of Kerala state, South India. It is famous as the Mahatma Gandhi University is situated here. Athirampuzha is situated 10 km north of Kottayam town, 3 km from Ettumanoor and from Main Centr ...
, it extended to Kondur (east of
Palai
Pallai ( ta, பளை, si, පල්ලෙයි), also spelt Palai, is a small town in the Kilinochchi District, Northern Province, Sri Lanka.
It is located near the coast on the northern peninsula, approximately south-east of Jaffna.
...
). Initially, the Thekkumkur boundary was the
Western Ghats (Sahyadri Mountains) to the
Vembanadu Lake (Vembanadu Kayal) and the
Kanakkary to
Kaipattoor (Kadavu) in
Achankovil River
Achankovil is a 128 km long west flowing river in Kerala, India, which flows through Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha districts. The river drains vast tract of fertile plains of Upper Kuttanad in the Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta district ...
. In the late 18th century, however, the area of the kingdom declined. As a Dutch map of AD1743 indicates, the boundaries are;
*West: Vembanadu Lake; Place includes: Kumarakom, Eara, Neelamperoor, Kidangara, Muttar, Neerettupuram, Niranam
*South: Place includes: Budhanur, Puliyur, Parumala, Chengannur, Aranmula, Kozhanchery, Ayirur, Ranni
*East: Place includes: Mukkoottuthara, Erumeli, Kannimala, Chotty, Thidanad, Meenachil
*North: Place includes: Palai, Lalam, Koodallur, Kanakkary, Athiranpuzha
Historian K.N Gopala Pillai, Kuruppum Veettil is written of the country's borders in his historical novel "Thekkumkur Rani". He said that
Purakkad
Purakkad is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the beach which is described in Thakazhi's novel "Chemeen".
History
There was an ancient port at Purakkad. Purakkad was known as ''Burkkare'' in ancient time. ...
belonged to Thekkumur and was an important trading center of the country.
Separation of Poonjar Provinance
It is believed that a branch of the
Pandyan dynasty who had to flee in the 12th century after a dispute over
Madurai
Madurai ( , also , ) is a major city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Madurai District. As of the 2011 census, it was the third largest Urban agglomeration in ...
; later sold their possessions and established a kingdom. Pandya king, Manavikrama Kulasekhara Perumal who came from Madurai and later settled in Ettumanur. Udaya Kulasekara of the Pandya dynasty was revealed the locals the intent of the robbers who came to loot Ettumanur Siva temple in the early 15th century. In the congregation that followed Udaya Kulasekara Perumal of Pandya king made the covenant with
Kotha Varman Manikandan of Thekkumkur in AD 1419 at Thaliyanthanapuram. Thekkumkur king summoned the local governing councils and locals at Thaliyil Temple to understand their minds about the covenant. According to the covenant with Kotha Varman and Manavikraman of Pandya dynasty; the Poonjar kingdom was acquired by giving a certain amount of gold and undefined emeralds to the Thekkumkur This is a treaty document on the rise of the Poonjar kingdom. KP Padmanabha Menon writes in the Malabar histories about the authentic account of the country exchange treaties held at the Mukha mandapam of Thaliyil Siva temple.
Rulers of Thekkumkur
![Thazhathangadi Jama Masjid](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Thazhathangadi_Jama_Masjid.jpg)
* Ilayaraja Vimbileeswaran of Vempally Palace: 1103 - 1150 C.E.; Founder of Thekkumkur Dynasty.
* Eravi Manikandan Varman: 1150 - 1180 C.E.; Mentioned in
Aithihyamala of Kottarathil Sankunni;
Rajarshi
Rajarishi () is a title in Hinduism and Hindu mythology, referring to a sage who hails from a royal background.
Description
A rajarishi may be described to be a king (raja) who adopted a path of devotion, thereby becoming a royal sage (rishi). A ...
; Built Manikandapuram temple at
Vakathanam.
* Kumaran Iyakan Manikandan: 1300 C.E.; Mentioned in
Tiruvalla copper plates
Thiruvalla copper plates, also known as the Huzur Treasury Plates, are a collection of medieval temple committee resolutions found at the Sreevallabha Temple, Thiruvalla, Kerala.Narayanan, M. G. S. ''Perumāḷs of Kerala.'' Thrissur (Kerala): ...
(Thiruvalla Grandhavari).
* Rama Varman Manikandan: 1350 - 1378 C.E.; Mentioned in the oldest literary in Malayalam language
Unnuneeli Sandesam
''Uli Sandam'' is among the oldest works in Malayalam language. It is a '' sandesa kavyam'' (message poem), a message written in poetry, on the lines of the famous ''Meghadūta'' of Kalidasa. In the case of this work, it is a message written by a ...
(
sandesa kavyam).
* Kotha Varman Manikandan: 1408 - 1440 C.E.; Made a covenant to sold the possessions to Udaya Kulasekara Perumal of
Pandya king to establish the
Poonjar dynasty
Poonjar dynasty (Malayalam:പൂഞ്ഞാർ രാജവംശം) was one of the royal dynasties in medieval Kerala descended from the Pandya kings of Madurai. History has it that Manavikrama Kulasekara Perumal, a Pandya king as the sole ...
.
* Adithya Varman Manikandan: 1520 - 1555 C.E.; Built
Thazhathangady Pally on the bank of
Meenachil River
The Meenachil River or Meenachilaar (Malayalam: ), also known as Kavanar, Valanjar, is a river in Kerala. It is one of the most treacherous rivers in Kerala due to its flash floods, heavy undercurrents and woods and debris it carries from the m ...
.
* Eravi Varman Manikandan: 1555 - 1579 C.E.; Younger brother of Adithya Varman.
* Goda Varman Manikandan: 1579 - 1606 C.E.; Built
Kottayam Cheriya Pally.
* Kerala Aditya Varman Manikandan: 1626 - 1629 C.E.; Mentioned in Vanchipuzha Madam Script.
* Kerararu Goda Varman Manikandan: 1650 - 1674 C.E.; Started a
Deutsche school; A
Mizhavu
A mizhav or mizhavu (Malayalam: മിഴാവ്) is a big copper drum played as an accompanying percussion instrument in the Koodiyattam and Koothu, performing arts of Kerala. It is played by the Ambalavasi Nambiar community. After 1965, wh ...
dedicated to Thaliyil temple in 1661.
* Unni Kerala Varman Manikandan: 1674 - 1691 C.E.; Built Keralapuram Palace in Kottayam.
*
Udaya Marthanda Varman Manikandan: 1691 - 1717 C.E.; Built Chitrakulam Mahadevar Temple and Chitrakulam pond at
Puzhavathu
Puzhavathu is a place in Changanasserry town, in Kerala state. It is 1 km from Changanasserry bus stand and 2.5 km from railway station.
Religion
The place is known for the number of places of worship: Kavil Bhagavathi Temple, The Ch ...
.
*
Adithya Varman Manikandan: 1717 - 1750 C.E.; Last King of Thekkumkur Dynasty; Fought in
Battle of Changanassery
The Battle of Changanacherry was a battle between the kingdoms of Thekkumkur and Travancore in September 1749.Shungoonny Menon - A HISTORY OF TRAVANCORE - First edition: 1878 , New edition: 1983, Page 130, 131 - Defeat in this decisive battle ...
with Marthanda Varma of
Travancore
The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. At ...
.
Royal Palaces
The
Neerazhi Palace
Neerazhi Palace ( ml, നീരാഴി കൊട്ടാരം) was the royal palace of the Thekkumkur kingdom. Palace is located at Puzhavathu in Changanassery. The palace was used by the Thekkumkur dynasty until 1750 and later by the Parap ...
(Changanassery) at
Puzhavathu
Puzhavathu is a place in Changanasserry town, in Kerala state. It is 1 km from Changanasserry bus stand and 2.5 km from railway station.
Religion
The place is known for the number of places of worship: Kavil Bhagavathi Temple, The Ch ...
and Talikota Kovilakam (Thaliyanthanapuram) in
Kottayam
Kottayam () is a municipal town in the Indian state of Kerala. Flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west. It is the district headquarters of Kottayam district, located in south-we ...
are the main residences of the Thekkumkur kings. Initially, the Maharaja lived in Venimala and Manikandapuram, which continued until the royal residence was moved to Neerazhi Palace. The Thekkumkur royal family had several palaces including
Aranmula Palace
Aranmula is a temple town in the state of Kerala, India. It is known as the cultural capital of Pathanamthitta district, located at a distance of around 116 km from Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala, it is situated on the banks of the ...
, Keralapuram Palace, Edathil Palace Pallom etc.
The Battle of Changanassery
![Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Anizham_Thirunal_Marthanda_Varma.jpg)
The last king of Thekkumkur was
Aditya Varma Manikandan
Aditya Varma Manikandan ( ml, ആദിത്യ വർമ്മ മണികണ്ഠൻ) popularly known as Aditya Varman, was the last ruling Maharaja of the Princely State of Thekkumkur. He was the ruler until September 1749 when the king of T ...
and he resided in the
Neerazhi Palace
Neerazhi Palace ( ml, നീരാഴി കൊട്ടാരം) was the royal palace of the Thekkumkur kingdom. Palace is located at Puzhavathu in Changanassery. The palace was used by the Thekkumkur dynasty until 1750 and later by the Parap ...
at Changanassery.
[Book Title: Mahakshetrangalude Munnil;
Author: Nalamkel Krishna Pillai;
Total: 816 pages;
Published year: 1997;
Published by: D.C. Books Printers Publishers Booksellers;
;
Edition Language: Malayalam
Literary Awards: Vyasa Award of Travancore Devaswam Board] It was a time when an alliance between Adityavarma and his younger brother Goda Varman broke out. The king was willing to the alliance with Kochi, however, the crown prince was sympathetic to Travancore and Marthanda Varma. Goda Varman (crown prince of Thekkumkur) and
Marthanda Varma
Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma (Malayalam: ) was the founding monarch of the southern Indian Kingdom of Travancore (previously Venadu) from 1729 until his death in 1758. He was succeeded by Rama Varma ("Dharma Raja") (1758–98).Subrahmany ...
of Travancore were classmates at Madurai when they were studying of Rajyadharma. After hearing of the military advance of the
Travancore
The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. At ...
under the leadership of
Ramayyan Dalawa
Ramayyan (died January 1756) was the Dewan of Travancore state, India, during 1737 and 1756 and was responsible for the consolidation and expansion of that kingdom after the defeat of the Dutch at the 1741 Battle of Colachel during the reign of ...
and
Caption De Lannoy; the crown prince of Thekkumkur (Goda Varman) then advised king ''Aditya Varma Manikandan'' to make a friendship with Travancore kingdom by understanding the downfall of princely state
Ampalapuzha (Chempakassery) and the fall of princely state
Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam is a town and municipality in the ''Onattukara'' region of Alappuzha district in Kerala. It is the second biggest town in Alappuzha district. It is located on the western coast of India, and was an ancient maritime trading center. O ...
. Meanwhile, when Marthanda Varma seized
Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam is a town and municipality in the ''Onattukara'' region of Alappuzha district in Kerala. It is the second biggest town in Alappuzha district. It is located on the western coast of India, and was an ancient maritime trading center. O ...
and
Chempakassery, Aditya Varma realized that they were the next victims and sent his brother to
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram (; ), also known by its former name Trivandrum (), is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. It is the most populous city in Kerala with a population of 957,730 as of 2011. The encompassing urban agglomeration populati ...
for an unconditional peace mission and met
Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma
Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma (Malayalam: ) was the founding monarch of the southern Indian Kingdom of Travancore (previously Venadu) from 1729 until his death in 1758. He was succeeded by Rama Varma ("Dharma Raja") (1758–98).Subrahmany ...
of Travancore and requested help.
Unfortunately, Marthanda Varma asked Goda Varman, to promise that he would be in power if he helped to oust king Adithya Varman. Marthanda Varma had already heard the rift between the brothers. The younger king was well-received in the southern part of Thekkumkur kingdom. The self-righteous crown prince decided to return to Thekkumkur soon after the disagreement. The evil intelligence of Marthanda Varma and
Ramayyan Dalawa
Ramayyan (died January 1756) was the Dewan of Travancore state, India, during 1737 and 1756 and was responsible for the consolidation and expansion of that kingdom after the defeat of the Dutch at the 1741 Battle of Colachel during the reign of ...
aroused together. He sent a messenger to the younger king and told him the fake news, saying, "Departure to Kottayam immediately; the mother's health is bad".
The crown prince Goda Varman decided to leave, boarded the boat and headed north; Marthanda Varma gave him some gifts for Thekkumkur king Aditya Varma Manikandan On the way, he descended on
Anchuthengu Fort and received eleven ritual fire by the
British authorities. From there he reached via
Paravur Lake
Paravur Kayal is a lake in Paravur, Kollam district, Kerala, India. Although it is small, with an area of only 6.62 km², it is the end point of the Ithikkara River and part of the system of lakes and canals that make up the Kerala Backw ...
,
Ashtamudi Lake
Ashtamudi Lake (''Ashtamudi Kayal''), in the Kollam District of the Indian state of Kerala, is the most visited backwater and lake in the state. It possesses a unique wetland ecosystem and a large palm-shaped (also described as octopus-shaped) ...
,
Kayamkulam Lake and
Vembanadu Lake
Vembanad is the longest lake in India, as well as the largest lake in the state of Kerala. The lake has an area of 230 square kilometers and a maximum length of 96.5 km. Spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known as Ve ...
. The next day the boat of the crown prince reached Illyakkadavu at Thazhathangadi. Ramayyan's servants were followed by another boat and they slaughtered the crown prince Goda Varman and his servants. The next day was the declaration of war of Travancore. ''Crown prince's "classmate" challenges to Aditya Varman Manikandan for cheating and killing of his younger brother''
Ramayyan Dalawa
Ramayyan (died January 1756) was the Dewan of Travancore state, India, during 1737 and 1756 and was responsible for the consolidation and expansion of that kingdom after the defeat of the Dutch at the 1741 Battle of Colachel during the reign of ...
spread the news that the Thekkumkur king Adithya Varman killed crown prince Goda Varman. But historian P. Shankuni Menon is justifying Travancore in his book ''Travancore History of Shankuni Menon''.
The Thekkumkur fort and the
Neerazhi Palace
Neerazhi Palace ( ml, നീരാഴി കൊട്ടാരം) was the royal palace of the Thekkumkur kingdom. Palace is located at Puzhavathu in Changanassery. The palace was used by the Thekkumkur dynasty until 1750 and later by the Parap ...
at Changanassery were attacked in September 1749. The
Vazhappally Pathillathil Potimar
Vazhappally is a suburb of Changanasserry Municipality, Kottayam District, in central Kerala. The famous Vazhappally Shiva Temple is situated in Vazhappally. Vazhappally is a part of Changanacherry Taluk in Kottayam District. It is located in ...
(administrator of
Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple
Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple ( ml, വാഴപ്പള്ളി മഹാശിവക്ഷേത്രം) is a Hindu temple located in Vazhappally near Changanassery in Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala. The temple is admin ...
) assisted the king Aditya Varman in the Neerazhi Palace and transferred him to Nattassery at
Kottayam
Kottayam () is a municipal town in the Indian state of Kerala. Flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west. It is the district headquarters of Kottayam district, located in south-we ...
. The Kannamperoor wooden bridge at
Vazhappally
Vazhappally is a suburb of Changanasserry Municipality, Kottayam District, in central Kerala. The famous Vazhappally Shiva Temple is situated in Vazhappally. Vazhappally is a part of Changanacherry Taluk in Kottayam District. It is located in ...
was destroyed to prevent the Travancore troops from following them in the event of adverse weather.
[A Sreedhara Menon (1 January 2007). A Survey Of Kerala History. DC Books. pp. 166–. . Retrieved 9 August 2012.] The Thekkumkur king Aditya Verman fled to
Calicut
Kozhikode (), also known in English as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. It has a corporation limit population of 609,224 and a metropolitan population of more than 2 million, making it the second la ...
and gave refuge to the
Zamorin (Zamuthiri). Proceedings of September 11, 1749; On the 28th of the year Malayalam era 925 Chingam (September 11, 1749 AD), the capital of the Thekkumkur conquered by Ramayyan Dalawa and merged to Travancore kingdom.
At present
The Thekkumkur Royal family members are now staying at Nattassery; now this Palace is visible with several ancient Nalukett & new houses constructed by current family members in close compounds of Edathil Bhagavathy Temple. Descendents of Thekkumkur Royal families stay in Nedikunnathu "Vazhuvelil" family and one branch moved to Kayamkulam and joined with their relative family which is also related to Odanadu (Kayamkulam) royal family and finally settled near Nurunadu and family are known as "Muthanttedam" or elder branch of Edathil (Thekkumkoor) Swarupam. Nediyanikkal Panayil Devi temple deity is worshipped by them as Edathil Bhagavathy. They lost their glorious past and live like any other Nair family and part of the Nalukett is renovated and some family members are living there .,.
After the subjugation of the
Dutch
Dutch commonly refers to:
* Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands
* Dutch people ()
* Dutch language ()
Dutch may also refer to:
Places
* Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States
* Pennsylvania Dutch Country
People E ...
by
Travancore
The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. At ...
in 1742, military operations of
Marthanda Varma
Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma (Malayalam: ) was the founding monarch of the southern Indian Kingdom of Travancore (previously Venadu) from 1729 until his death in 1758. He was succeeded by Rama Varma ("Dharma Raja") (1758–98).Subrahmany ...
progressed against the northern neighboring kingdoms including Thekkumkoor. Though Thekkumkoor allied with Chempakassery and Vadakkumkoor to protect the kingdom, all of them were finally annexed to Travancore.
The ruler of Thekkumkur had sided first with the
Kingdom of Kayamkulam and then with the principality of
Ambalapuzha
Ambalappuzha is a small town in the Alappuzha district of Kerala state, India. It is located south of Alappuzha which is the district headquarters.
Ambalappuzha is divided into the two panchayats of Ambalapuzha North and Ambalapuzha South.
...
against Travancore under
Marthanda Varma
Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma (Malayalam: ) was the founding monarch of the southern Indian Kingdom of Travancore (previously Venadu) from 1729 until his death in 1758. He was succeeded by Rama Varma ("Dharma Raja") (1758–98).Subrahmany ...
. After the fall of Ambalapuzha, and as the ruler of Thekkumkoorr refused to come to terms with Travancore, his capital city was taken on 11 September 1750 by
Ramayyan Dalawa
Ramayyan (died January 1756) was the Dewan of Travancore state, India, during 1737 and 1756 and was responsible for the consolidation and expansion of that kingdom after the defeat of the Dutch at the 1741 Battle of Colachel during the reign of ...
, the general and prime minister of Marthanda Varma and the state was annexed to Travancore in 1753. The details of the battle are described in the '
History of Travancore From The Earliest Times' by P. Shankunni Menon, erstwhile Diwan Peshkar (a rank equivalent to Deputy Prime Minister) of the Travancore State and father of another noted historian K. P. Padmanabha Menon. Towards the end, the Thekkumkure Royal Family only controlled the small area of
Kovilakam
In India, Kovilakam () is the principal manor, estate or palace of a princely Kshatriya (Thampuran,Thampan,Thirumulpad Kshatriya) lineages of Kerala, India. This is the residence, where all who have not succeeded to get Rajaship remain under the m ...
of
Kolathu Kara Kozhanchery.
Paradevatha
''Edathil Bhagavathy'' is the
paradevatha of the Thekkumcore Royal Family. The main
pūjā is performed on ''
Medam 18'' (which usually it falls on 1 May) every year. The pūjās are performed by the
thandri from
surya
Surya (; sa, सूर्य, ) is the sun as well as the solar deity in Hinduism. He is traditionally one of the major five deities in the Smarta tradition, all of whom are considered as equivalent deities in the Panchayatana puja and a m ...
Kaladi Mana. There will be a
thrikala pūjā (meaning pūjās in the morning, noon & evening) on this day. It is a day for family get-togethers as well.
Daily pūjās are performed by the Vadakkummal family. Vadakkummal Vikraman Namboodiri is the current main priest. The last day ceremony of the Kumaranallor Temple Ulsavam, the
ārāttu (the day after the Thrikkarthika) is performed at the
Meenachil River
The Meenachil River or Meenachilaar (Malayalam: ), also known as Kavanar, Valanjar, is a river in Kerala. It is one of the most treacherous rivers in Kerala due to its flash floods, heavy undercurrents and woods and debris it carries from the m ...
which is close to the
Edathil Temple (2 km away from
Kumaranalloor Devi Temple). The ''ārāttu'' is performed near the
Edathil Bhagavathi Temple once every year since Kumaranalloor Bhagavathi comes to see her sister the Edathil Bhagavathi. During the month of January
Bhagavata Purana
The ''Bhagavata Purana'' ( sa, भागवतपुराण; ), also known as the ''Srimad Bhagavatam'', ''Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana'' or simply ''Bhagavata'', is one of Hinduism's eighteen great Puranas (''Mahapuranas''). Composed in Sa ...
Sapthaham with
Bhagavathom Moolam is conducted every year.
References
External links
Official website of Kottayam* Thekkumcoor Charitravu
Puravruthavum
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thekkumkoor
History of Kottayam district
Feudal states of Kerala
Kingdom of Thekkumkur