Marthanda Varma History

Marthanda Varma

In The Novel There Is A Historical Romance, But Its Subtext Is A Political One Of Contemporary Significance. In The Novel There Is A Subplot With Subhadra At The Centre. Through What She Does Or What Happens To Her, C.V. Is Projecting A Futuristic Vision Of The New Woman In The Indian Context. The Conventional Image Of The Woman Is Replaced By An Imagined Figure That Was To Emerge On The Indian Scene. Another Unique Feature Of This Novel Is The Introduction, For The First Time, Of Untouchables, The Channans Of South Travancore. Hence Is Fiction Asserting Humanistic Values Over And Above The Taboos And Superstitions Of Yester-Years.

God's Own Empire

Marthanda Varma, ruler of the princely state of Travancore (in southern Kerala) from 1729 to 1758 was an extraordinary warrior and statesman. Varma played a pivotal role in expanding the kingdom’s boundaries and fending off the Europeans who coveted his kingdom. His navy defeated the Dutch in the Battle of Colachel in 1750. It was the only instance of an Indian kingdom defeating a European power on the sea. At the height of his power, Varma handed over the kingdom to Lord Ananthapadmanabha, the reigning deity of the kingdom. In future, he and his heirs would rule over the kingdom as the ‘dasas’ of the deity.

History of Kerala