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TRAVANCORE

The Kulasekhara Dynasty

The Rajas of Venad

The predecessors of the Travancore Rajas reigned at Venad for more than 500 years. Although their names are known from inscriptions on monuments and temples, their precise relationships and reign dates are not accurately recorded. What follows is based on the best available sources and constitute a considerable revision of the succession lists published by Menon and the Travancore State Manuals. Both these sources seem to suffer from a certain eagerness to co-opt every distinguished personality from the family into the list, without much regard as to whether or not they were actually rulers of Venad. The rulers from the middle of the sixteenth century onwards, begining with Raja Sri Aditya Varman (d. January 1544) were carefully derived through extensive investigations using palace sources and published by the Royal historian, M. Rajaraja Varma Raja, in “Some Travancore Dynastic Records” 1928-1931. It is clear from the records he presents of accession, coronations and temple ceremonies, of land grants and adoptions, that the lists in Menon and the State Manual can be dismissed.

Fl 1102 Raja Sri Rama Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad. Mentioned in the Rameswarathukoil Inscription as the founder of Venad as an independent state. He d. 1102, having had issue, a son:

1) Raja Sri Kotha Varma Marthandam, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad – see below.

1102 – 1125 Raja Sri Kotha Varma Marthandam, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad, son of Raja Sri Rama Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad, educ. privately. Succeeded on the death of his father, 1102. He conquered Kottar and Nanjanad from the Pandyas. He d. 1125, having had issue, including four sons:

1) Raja Sri Vira Kerala Varma I, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad – see below.
2) Raja Sri Vira Ravi Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad – see below.
3) Raja Sri Vira Kerala Varma II, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad – see below.
4) Raja Sri Vira Aditya Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad – see below.
5) Raja Sri Vira Udaya Marthanda Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad – see below.

1125 – 1145 Raja Sri Vira Kerala Varma I, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad, eldest son of Raja Kotha Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad, educ. privately. Succeeded on the death of his father, 1125. A great religious benefactor, responsible for the rebuilding of Padmanabhaswamy and the endowment of Suchindram Temples. He d. 1145.

1145 – 1150 Raja Sri Kodai Kerala Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad.

1161 – 1164 Raja Sri Vira Ravi Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad, second son of Raja Kotha Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad, educ. privately. Succeeded ca 1161. He d. 1164.

1164 - 1167 Raja Vira Kerala Varma II, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad, third son of Raja Kotha Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad, educ. privately. Succeeded on the death of his elder brother, 1164. He d. 1167.

1167 – 1173 Raja Vira Aditya Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad, fourth son of Raja Kotha Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad, educ. privately. He d. 1173?

1173 – 1192 Raja Vira Udaya Martanda Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad, youngest son of Raja Kotha Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad, educ. privately. Succeeded on the death of his elder brother, 1167. He established his seat at Kulikkod and allied himself to the Pandya Kings. He d. at Kolidaikuru, 1192, having had issue, a daughter:

1) Princess Tribhuvana Devi. Granted the village of Virakeralamangalam in Villayur in dowry by her uncle. m. 1162, Mara Varman Sri Vallabha Tribhuvana Chakravarti, the Pandya King (r. 1157-1189). She d. in childbirth, before 1176, having had issue, two sons:
a) Jata Varman Kulasekhara Perumal, the Pandya King. b. 1174. Succeeded his father, 1189.
b) Elaya Perumal. b. 1176.

1192 – 1195 Raja Sri Devadaram Vira Kerala Varma III, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad. Fl 1192. He d. December 1195.

1) Raja Sri Vira Manikantha Rama Varma Tiruvadi, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad – see below.
1) Rani Madhavi. She had issue, a son:
- a) The Kilapperur Tiruvadi.
2) Rani Umaiyammai.

1195 - Raja Sri Vira Manikantha Rama Varma Tiruvadi, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad. From Kilapperur Illam. Mentioned in the Vellayani inscriptions. Succeeded December 1195.

1209 – 1214 Raja Sri Vira Rama Kerala Varma Tiruvadi, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad. He d. 1214, having had issue, a daughter:

1) Princess Sri Vira Umaiyummai. She constructed the temple of Mahadeva at Kadinangulam in 1222.

1214 – 1240 Raja Sri Vira Ravi Kerala Varma Tiruvadi, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad. Mentioned in the Kandiyoor inscription in 1218, and the Manalikara inscription of 1236. m. Rani Unniachi, responsible for the Subramanyaswamy shrine, near Suchindram Temple.

1240 – 1252 Raja Sri Vira Padmanabha Martanda Varma Tiruvadi, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad. The Pandya kings asserted their dominance over Venad during his reign.

Fl 1266-1267 Raja Sri Jayasimha Deva, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad, from the Yadu family of the Lunar race. He became a powerful ruler, who succeeded in bringing the whole of Kerala under his control. He esrablished his seat at Quilon, the surrounding areas becoming known as Jayasimhanad or Desinganad. m. Rani Umma Devi, Rani of Venad, of the Kupaka family, probably joint ruler with her husband. He d. at Quilon, leaving several sons who quarrelled with his nephews over the succession, causing a long and disruptive civil war. He had issue:

1) Raja Sri Ravi Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Sangramadhiran Trikshatra Chudamani, Raja of Venad – see below.

1299 – 1313 Raja Sri Ravi Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Sangramadhiran Trikshatra Chudamani, Raja of Venad. b. 1266, son of Raja Sri Jayasimha Deva, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad, by his wife, Rani Umma Devi, Rani of Venad, educ. privately. Adopted by the childless Rani Aavani Amma Thampuran of Attingal. Succeeded to the throne of Kerala, at Kolambapuram (Quilon) 1299 (in his 33^rd year). He asserted his independence in 1310 and claimed the Pandyan throne after marrying a Pandyan princess, ultimately defeating Jatavarman Vira Pandya, the illegitimate son of Maravarman Kulasekhara I, twice and assuming control of his realm. The garrisons established in the Tamil country by the Muslim invader, Malik Kafur, were expelled by him. He established his rule over most of the southern countries between Kanyakumari and Madras, and as far north as Nellore. Crowned at Madurai, 1312 (in his 46^th year). He then defeated the Cholas and was crowned as Chakravathi on the banks of the Vegavati River, at Coonjevaram (Kanchipuram), 1314. During his reign, Quilon rose to great prominance as a centre of trade and international commerce. Author of “Pradyumnabhudayam”. m. before 1310, a daughter of the Pandya ruler Maravarman Kulasekhara. He d. at Quilon, 1313.

1313 – 1333 Raja Sri Vira Udaya Martanda Varma, Vira Pandya Deva, Raja of Venad. Succeeded on the death of his cousin, 1313. Subjugated by King Ravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal in 1316. He d. 1333, having adopted two daughters of the Kolathunad family, whom he installed as Attingal Mootha Tampuran (Senior Princess of Attingal) and Attingal Elaya Tampuran (Junior Princess of Attingal) in 1305 AD. The Senior Princess of Attingal being the ancestress of the branches of the ruling house settled at Quilon and Trivandrum. The younger princess being the ancestress of the Elayadathu Swarupam of Kottarakara and the Peraka Thavazhi branch of Nedumangad.

1333 – 1335 Raja Sri Aditya Varma Tiruvadi, Raja of Venad.

1335 – 1342 Raja Sri Vira Rama Udaya Martanda Varma Tiruvadi, Raja of Venad. b. 1307, eldest son of the Senior Rani of Attingal, educ. privately. Senior Tiruvadi of Chiravay. Succeeded 1335. Crowned, January 1336. He d. July 1342.

1342 – 1363 Raja Sri Vira Kerala Varma Tiruvadi, Raja of Venad.

1363 – 1366 Raja Sri Vira Martanda Varma III, Raja of Venad. Ascended the gadi October 1363. He d. at Trivandrum Fort, September 1366 AD.

1366 – 1382 Raja Sri Vira Rama Martanda Varma, Raja of Venad. b. 1338, eldest son of the Senior Rani of Attingal, educ. privately. Installed with full ruling powers, 1366. He d. at Trivandrum, 1382.

1383 – 1416 Raja Sri Vira Ravi Varma, Raja of Venad. Trippappur Mutta Tiruvadi (Kilapperur).

1416 – 1417 Raja Sri Vira Ravi Ravi Varma, Raja of Venad. Trippappur Mutta Tiruvadi.

1383 Raja Sri Vira Kerala Martanda Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Vanad. b. 1366, elder twin son of the Junior Rani of Attingal, educ. privately. Trippappur Mutta Tiruvadi (Kilapperur). Succeeded on the death of his maternal uncle, 1382. Reigned for three months before his death.

1383 – 1444 Raja Sri Chera Udaya Martanda Varma, Vira Padya Deva, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad. b. 1366, younger twin son of the Junior Rani of Attingal, educ. privately. Trippappur Mutta Tiruvadi. He enjoyed the longest reign in Travancore history. He d. at the Chera Mahadevi Palace, 1444, aged 78 years.

1444 – 1458 Raja Sri Vira Ravi Varma, Raja of Venad [“Venad Mootha Raja”=“the First Prince of Venad”)]. He d. 1458.

1458 – 1468 Raja Sankhara Sri Vira Rama Martanda Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad. From the Trippappur princely house. Jayasimhanad Mutta Tiruvadi. Ruled until October 1468.

1468 – 1484 Raja Sri Vira Kodai Sri Aditya Varma, Raja of Venad. From Kilapperur. Jayasimhanad Mutta Tiruvadi and Chiravay Mutta Tiruvadi. He established his capital at Kallidaikurichi. A religious minded and learned ruler who devoted his time to artistic pursuits, charitable and public works. He d. at Kallidaikurichi, 1484.

1484 – 1503 Raja Sri Vira Ravi Ravi Varma, Raja of Venad. Trippappur Mutta Tiruvadi. Established his capital at Padmanabhapuram, ca. 1500. His rule witnessed a growing enmity with the rulers of Vijayanagar and the arrival of the Portuguese. He d. 1504.

1503 – 1504 Raja Sri Martanda Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad. He d. 1504.

1504 – 1528 Raja Sri Vira Ravi Kerala Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad. Succeeded as Trippappur Mutta Tiruvadi and as ruler of Venad 1504. He d. 1528.

1528 – 15xx Sri Vira Muttavar Sankaranarayana Venrumankonda Bhutalavira Udaya Martanda Varma Raja Jetunganadu Mutta Tiruvadi. Succeeded on the death of his maternal uncle as Trippappur Mutta Tiruvadi 1528. He conquered most of Tirunelvelly from the Pandyas and assumed the title of Venrumankonda Bhutalavira in commemoration of that victory. The Vijayanagar generalissimo, Salakaraja Chinna Tirumalayyadeva subsequently defeated him in battle near Tamraparni 1535. Forced to surrender all the Pandya territories that he had previously won, and reduced to the position of a vassal of the Vijayanagar Empire. Fl 685 ME, 688 ME, 707 ME and 722 ME. m. Cholakulavalli, a princess from the Chola dynasty. He d. 1560.

15xx – 1544 Raja Sri Aditya Varman, Raja of Venad. He d. January 1544.

1544 – 1554 Raja Sri Martanda Varma, Raja of Venad. From the Chiravay princely . Succeeded as ruler of Venad and installed on the same day at Vilavur Madom, Attur, Kulkulam, 6^th January 1544.

1554 – 1575 Raja Sri Aditya Varma, Raja of Venad. From Vanchi. Ascended the gadi, at the Tiruvitancode Temple, Kulkulam, 9^th March 1554. He d. at Keralapuram Palace, Attur, Kalkulam, 25^th March 1575.

1575 – 1577 Raja Sri Ravi Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad. Succeeded and installed on the same day at Attur, 25^th March 1575. Installed at the Tiruvattar Shrine, 3^rd June 1575. He d. at Keralapuram Palace, Attur, Kalkulam, 19^th January 1577, having adopted a princess and a prince from the Attingal Royal Family into the Chiravay Swarupam 1575, including:

1) Prince Cheriya Rama Varma, of Manalikkara, in Kalkulam, a nephew of the Trippappur Mutta Tiruvadi.
1) Princess ...

1577 – 1578 interregnum?

1578 – 1592 Raja Sri Martanda Varma, Raja of Venad. Assumed the headship of the Chiravay Swarupam as Chiravay Mutta Tiruvadi 18^th November 1578. Ascended the gadi as ruler of Venad, 19^th November 1578. Assumed the headship of the Trippappur Swarupam as Trippappur Mutta Tiruvadi 1587 and formally installed as such at the Trippappur Mahadevar Temple, 26^th October 1588. He d. June 1592, having adopted three princes into the Venad family.

1592 – 1609 Raja Sri Vira Ravi Ravi Varma [Kettai Tirunal], Kulasekhara Perumal, Raja of Venad, son of Rani Umayammai. A prince of from the Kilapperur Illam of the Trippappur Swarupam. Succeeded as ruler of Venad and ascended the gadi, 19^th June 1592. Assumed the headship of the Trippappur Swarupam as Trippappur Mutta Tiruvadi in 1605. He d. at Toniman Palace, Tiruvattar, 30^th March 1609.

1609 – 1610 Raja Sri Rama Varma, Raja of Venad. From Iraniel (the traditional appanage of the Heir Apparent). Adopted into the Chiravay Swaruppam by Raja Sri Martanda Varma, at the Kulittura Palace, April 1579. Succeeded on the death of his adoptive brother, as ruler of Venad, 30^th March 1609. He d. eleven months later, at the Karuppu Palace, Trivandrum, 28^th February 1610.

1610 Raja Sri Aditya Varma, Raja of Venad. Adopted into the Chiravay Swaruppam by Raja Sri Martanda Varma, at the Kulittura Palace, April 1579. Succeeded on the death of his adoptive brother as ruler of Venad, 28^th February 1610. He d. at the Pullikkottu Palace, Trivandrum, 13^th May 1610.

1610 Raja Sri Ilaya Rama Varma, Raja of Venad. From the Manalikkara branch of the family in Kalkulam. Succeeded 13^th May 1610. He d. at the Tikkurichi Palace, Kalkulam, 6^th September 1610.

continued on the next page.

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