Author's Biography

V.Nagam Aiya was born in December 1850 at Veeraraghavapuram- a small village on the banks of the river Thambrapurni, in the Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu. He was a Telugu Brahmin of the  "Aruveli Neogi " sub-caste. According to the traditional accounts, which cover seven generations before him, the family which had originally belonged to "Boppudi," a village in the Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh, had migrated to Nellore, Trichinopoly, Madura, Tirunelveli and Travancore. His ancestors migrated to Travncore in the second half of 18th and was in the service of the Maharajah in various capacities. One of his ancestors was a "Sthanapatter" or Ambassador of the Maharajah of Travancore, in Mysore at Tipu Sultan's court. By another account, one of his forefathers was said to have been murdered by Velu Thampi Dalawa.

Nagam Aiya was brought to Trivandrum while he was a child. He had his entire education in H.H. The Maharajah's High School and College at Trivamdrum. In these institutions, he was under the direct tutorship of European School masters like Mr. John Bensley, Mr. John Ross, and Dr. Robert Harvey. The last mentioned two teachers guided him in his studies for F.A and B.A examinations. He is said to have been a very brilliant student. He passed his Matriculation in 1865 and his F.A in 1866. He was the first graduate from the Maharajah's College (University College). Due to the poverty of his family he was forced to join the government service as a clerk on a meagre pay of Rs 7/- soon after his Matriculation examination. Later his success as the first student to do full B.A brought him to the notice of H.H Sri Ayilyam Tirunal and he was then appointed as the Asst. Prof. of History and Mathematics in his Alma Mater itself. Soon the then Dewan T. Madhava Rao, appointed him as a clerk on a pay of Rs. 50/- in Dewan's Huzur English Office, the much desired destination of a migrant Brahmin. The Dewan's Administrative Report for 1870 says "One candidate went up for the B.A degree in February 1870 and was successful, the first whom we can claim as a student entirely trained in the school. This young man (V.Nagam Aiya) has since been employed in the Dewan's Office where he affords satisfaction in the discharge of his duties"

His rise in the official career was rapid since then. In 1872 he was appointed as a Tahsildar. In 1880 he became Deputy Peishcar and in 1883 he was promoted as The Dewan Peishcar. He had been in that position for 11 years and was the Acting Dewan for Travancore on five occasions. Though he was selected as Dewan by H.H.. Sri Mulam Tirunal in 1904, The Madras Government rejected the proposal. He retired after a long career of 38 years of Government service, in February 1908.

Besides his routine official duties he was also given the additional charge of many other responsibilities. In 1878, 1881& 1891 he was in-charge of the Census operation in the State. By preparing the Census Report of 1875, he could become the writer of the First Census Report of Travancore. One report of his earlier career says "Kottayam marvel at its 'Boy Tahsildar' whose official duties no more oppressed him than games do a school boy". The then Dewan, A.Sashiah Shastri wrote "In the course of executing work entrusted to him, he has displayed superior intelligence, great tact for organizing, instructing and controlling a large and special agency which  the necessities of work called for". He was also in charge of the Revenue Survey and Settlement in 1892.

Another important responsibility entrusted to him was the preparation of the first Gazetteer of Travancore, namely, "The Travancore State Manual". He was appointed as a full time State Manual Officer on deputation in 1904. In the Govt. order served to him he was requested to prepare the State Manual after the model of the District Manuals in Madras Presidency. He could successfully complete his compilation work by 1906 in 3 volumes, which we are now reprinting.

He was a nominated member of the Travancore Legislative Council during 1892-99, and 1905-1908. In 1892 he was also selected as a Fellow of the Royal Historic College of London. In recognition of his meritorious service to the State and its people, he was awarded the title of Dewan Bahadur by the Government in January 1910. He died in 1917 at Trivandrum, at the age of 67.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 : PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

SEC. A. PHYSICAL FEATURES
NAME OF THE COUNTRY, page 1. GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION, 3. BOUNDARIES, 3. SHAPE AND AREA, 3. GENERAL FEATURES, 4. MOUNTAINS, 11 Chief Plateaux: Gudaramala, 13; Devicolam;, 13; Anaycudoo, 13; Eravimala, 13; Peruvalmala, 13; Anchanad, 13; Vattavada, 13; Kundala, 13. PASSES,-  Bodinaickanur, 14- Tevaram, 14- Kambam, 14- Gudalur, 15- Shivagiri Ghaut, 15- Avkankovil, 15- Aryankavu, 15- Shanar Ghaut, 15- Aryanad, 15- Mottacchimala, 15- Tirukkurangudy, 16- Aramboly, 16- Yedamal, 16. - RIVERS, 16- The Periyar, 17- The Minachil River18- The Muvattupuzha River, 18- The Ranni or Pamba River, 18-- Kallada River, 19- The Manimala River, 19- The Achankovil or Kulakkada River, 20- Attungal or Vamanapuram River, 20- The Itthikkara River, 20- The Killiyar, 20- The Karamana River, 20- The Neyyar, 21- The Praralayar or Kuzhittturayar, 21- The Kothatayar, 21- The Pazhayar or the Vatasseri River, 21. CANALS AND BACKWATERS, 22. COAST LINE, 26. PORTS AND SHIPPING FACILITIES, 27- Aleppey, 27- Poracad, 28- Quilon, 28- Tangasseri, 29- Anjengo, 29- Puntora, 30- Vizhinjam, 30- Colachel, 30- Cadiapatnam point, 30- Manakudi, 31- Cape Comorin.31
pp. 1-32

SECTION B - GEOLOGY

GEOLOGY PROPER. PAGE 32. THE GENISSIC SERIES. 33. THE VARKALA OR CUDDALORE  SANDSTONE  SERIES, 37.  MARINE BEDS, 42. BLOWN SANDS, 44. CORAL REEFS, 45. SOILS, 46. SMOOTH-WATER ANCHORAGES, 46. ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, 51- PLUMBfo, 51 - iron, 52 - limestone, 53- granite, 53 - mica, 53.
PP. 32-54

CHAPTER  - II

CLIMATE, RAINFALL AND METEOROLOGY

CLIMATE, PAGE 55. SEASONS, 56. TEMPERATURE, 59 - DIURNAL VARIATION, 59- Annual variation, 60. RAINFALL, 65 - Annual variation, 66 - Periods of defecient rainfall, 66 - WIND, 69- Variation of wind velocity, 69. STORMS, 71. EARTHQUAKES.73.
PP. 55-75

CHAPTER  - III

FLORA

INTRODUCTORY, PAGE 76.  VALUABLE TIMBER TREES, 80 - TEAK, 80-MALABAR BLACKWOOD, 81- SANDALWOOD, 82-ANJILI, 82-THAMBAGAM, 82- VENGA, 83-THEMBAVU, 83-WITE CEDAR, 84-RED CEDAR, 84-VENTEKKU, 84-JACK, 84-IRUL, 85-MAYILA, 85-MANJAKADAMBU, 86-CEYLON OAK, 86-MANIMARUTHU, 86-MANGO, 86-MALAMPUNNA, 86-CHEENI, 87-PATHIRI, 87-COTTON TREE, 87-KARUNTAGARA OR VAGA, 88-MALAKANJIRAM, 88-IRON WOOD, 88-NEDUNAR, 88-SHURALI, 88-INDIAN COPAL, 88-MALAVURAM, 89-KALASAN, 89-KOLLAMAVU, 89-ARAYANJILI, 89-AVAL, 89-VENKOTTA, 89-MUKKAMPALA, 89-PALAGAPAYANI, 89, MARUTHU OR PUMARUTHU, 89- KANAKAITHA, 89-KAR ANJILI, 89- MULLUVENGA, 89 PAMBARAKUMBIL, 90-KATTU ILUPA, 90-PUTHANKALLI, 90-KARUVA, 90 - KALPAYIN, 90-SNEHACHANDANAM, 90-KATTUPUVAN, 90-WYNAAD SHINGLE-TREE, 90-VELLAKASAVU, 90-TREES YIELDING GUMS, RESINS AND DYES, 91- AVENUE TREES, 92-CYCADS AND PALMS. 94- BAMBOOS AND REEDS, 95-FIBROUS PLANTS, 97-MEDICINAL TREES AND PLANTS, 99-VETTILA KASTURI, 100-PERUNTUTTI, 100-KUPPAMENI, 100-NAYURI, 100-VASAMBOO, 100-ADATODA, 101-BILVA, 101-CHITTARATTA, 101-LEMON GRASS, 101-VILAMICHAM, 101-KARUNTUMBA, 101-SAMUDRACHEDI, 101-PERUMARUNDOO,101-NIRMULLI, 101- KATTU ATTHI, 102-ALPAM, 102-ERUKKALAI, 102 - MODAKATTAN, 102-SEEMA AGATHI, 102-KARUVA, 102-ELUMICHAI, 102-SANKHAPUSHPAM, 103-NERVALAM, 103-MAVILANGAM, 103-KUVAMANJAL, 103-KASTURIMANJAL, 103-VELIPARUTHI, 103-KARUSALANKANNI, 103-MULLUMURUNGA, 104-DEVADARAM, 104-KAMMATTI,104-KARUNOCHI,104-CHORATTI, 104-KAZHANCHI, 104-NARUNINDI, 104 -KODAGAPALA, 105-MODIRAKANNI, 105-MARAVETTI, 105-VALLARAI, 105-ORELATAMARA, 105-INDIAN JALAP, SHEVATAI, 105-KATTUMALLIKA, 106-KATAMANAKKU, 106-VEMBU, 106-CHAMPAKA, 106-THOTTAVADI, 106-KARUVEPPILA, 106-WILD NUTMEG, JATIKKAI, 106-SWEET BASIL, 107-TULASI, 107-NELLI, 107-KILANELLI, 107-PEVETTI, 107-BLACKPEPPER, 107-KODIVELI, 108-POMEGRANATE, 108-NAGAMALLI, 108-KARINGOTA, 108-SANDALWOOD, 108-BELAMODAGAM, 108EALETTADI-MARAVARA, 109-SENKOTTAI, 109-AGATHI, 109-KANDANKATHRI, 109-TOODUVALA, 109-TANIKAI, 109-INDIUAN ALMOND, 109-KADUKAI, 109-SIRUKANJORI, 110-NERUNJI, 110-PEPPODAL, 110-NERUMPANEL, 110-CHEMBARAVALLI, 110-GINGER, 110-JUJUBE, 111-FLOWERING            AND ORNAMENTAL PLANTS, 111-ALLAMANDA CATHARTICA, 111-SAMSTRAVADI, 111-MANDARAI, 111-PORASU, 111-SARALKONNAI, 111-CHIRUTEKKU, 112-SANKHAPUSHPAM, 112-KASTURIMANJAL, 112-MURUNGA, 112-GLORIOSA SUPERBA, 112-CHEMPARUTHI, 112-Adakodien, 112-Thetti, 112-Kattumallika, 112-kattujirakamulla, 112-Manimaruthu, 113-Nedumchetti,113-Champaka, 113-Indian Corktree, 113-Vellila or Vellimadantai, 113-Lotus, 113-Sweet-scented Oleander, 113-Parijatakam or Pavizhamalli, 113-Alli, 113-Kaitha, 114-Venga, 114-Nandiyavatta, 114-CONCLUDING REMARKS, 114.
PP-76-117

CHAPTER - IV

FAUNA

PREFATORY NOTE, PAGE 118.  GENERAL 119, MAMMALS, 120.  BIRDS 125, REPTILES, 134. FISH, 136. HYMENOPTERA, 138. DIPTERA, 143. LEPTIDOPTYERA, 143-SERIES I. RHOPALOCERA, 143-SERIES II. HETEROCERA MOTHS, 147COLEOPTERA, 150.NEUROPTERA, 153, ORTHOPTERA, 154. RHYNCHOTA, 157.THYSANOPTERA AND THYSANURA, 158. MYRIAPODA, 159.ARACHNIDA, 159. CRUSTACEA, 161.
PP.118-163

CHAPTER - V

ARCHAEOLOGY

INTRODUCTORY, PAGE 164.  ARCHITECTURE, 165-Dravidian, 165-Jaina and Buddhistic, 165-Indigenous or Malabar, 165-Description  of Sri Padmanabhaswami's  temple at Trivandrum, 166. SCULPTURE, 169-Indigenous, 169-Buddhistic, 169-Jaina, 169-Brahminical, 170-COINS, 170-Aindigenous, 170-Gold coins, 170-Silver coins, 172; Copper coins, 173; Zinc coins, 173-B. Foreign Coins, 174-Early Buddhistic, 174-European, 174-South Indian, 174-Ceylon, 175-INSCRIPTIONS, 175-Tables showing the inscriptions arranged according to their age, 176-to the Taluqs  in which they occur, 176-to their character, 177- to their language, 177-to the materials on which they are inscribed, 178-to their subject matter, 178-to their donors, 179-to their donees, 179-Vattezhuttu, 180-Kjolezhuttu, 181-Old Tamil, 181-copies of inscriptions and translations:- PlateA, 182-Plate B, 183-Plate C, 185-Plate D, 185- Plate E., 187-The language of the inscriptions, 194-Their date, 194-Locality, 194-Value, 195-Subject matter, 195-FORTS AND MILITARY WROKS,  200-The Udayagiri Fort, 201-The Padmanabhapuram Fort, 202-Vattakotta Fort, 203-Lkists of forts in Travancore, 204. TOMBS AND MONUMENTS, 207
PP 164-208

CHAPTER VI

HISTORY

GENERAL REMARKS,209, MATERIALS FOR HISTORY, 209

SECTION A, ANCIENT HISTORY

TRADITIONAL, Page 210-PARASURAMA, 210- His vow of vengeance, 212- The destruction of the Kshatriyas, 212-His repentance and penance, 212-ERECTION of Keralam, 213-Scientific explanation of this tradition, 213-Designation and extent of this new land, 213-His Yagam, 213-The aryanb colonisation of Keralam, 214-His innovations in the customs of the colonists, 214-The Nagas and serpent, 215-His gift of land to the Brahmins, 215-The Brahmins inability to rule the land, 216-Parasurama crowns Bhanuvikrama as king of Kerala, 216-The land of Parasurama, 216-Aditya Varma crowned king of Kerala, 216-Inauguration of the military system 216-Founding of temples and shrines, 216-Laying down the Acharams to the new colonists, 216-Institution of schools of medicine, 216-Inauguration of the ceremoniesMahamagham, Hiranyagarbham and Tulapurusha danam,  216-Founding of more temples and places of pilgrimage, 217-Creation of a military order from among the Brahmins, 217- His quasi religious military organisations, 217-Temples  and worship, 218-His departure and curse, 219. THE PERUMALS, 219-Systems of Government followed after Parasurama’s departure, 219:- An oligarchy in ancient Kerala, 219-How it is described in Keralolpatti, 219-An elective protectorate, 220-Its failure, 220-Keya Perumal chosen king of Keralam for twelve years, 221- His limited posers, 221-The Chola and Pandya perumals, 221-Bhuta Raya Pandy Perumal, 221-Enmity between the Brahmins and the latter, 221-The story of his murder, 221- The rise of a new caste the Nambidis, 221-Other versions of his story, 221 – Mr. Logan’s explanation. 221-King’s powers limited in ancient Keralam, 222- The separation of the northern Gramams  from the southern, 222-Rearrangement of the southern Gramams, 222-Bana Perumal a new king, 222-The Mahomedan missionaries, 222-Conversion of Bana Perumal into the Islam, 222-The people perplexed at this, 222-Their absolving of this sin, 222-Bana Perumal’s conversion, 222-Kulasekhara Perumal, 223-Accredited to be the same as the King of Keralam of the same name who lived iin the Eraniel palace in South Travancore, 223-Reorganisation of the Brahmins into a military guild, 223-A Kshatriya from Vijayanagar appointed king again, 223-The nKolattiri families, 223-Invasion of Kerala by a foreign king, 224-The last of the Perumals, 224-General remarks on the Perumals and the Viceroys from the Chera, Pandya kingdoms, 224-Their identification and dates, 224-Mr.Logan dates the Perumal period down to 825-A.D., 225-His account  of Cheraman Perumal’s conversion, 225—Remarks on the distribution of Kerala buy the last of the Perumals among  his relatives and friends, 225-General inference from all the traditional and other accounts about the Perumals. 225. THE ANTIQUITY OF KERALAM,  229-Mention of the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas and Mahendragiri in the Ramayana, 230- of Cape Comorin, Janardanam and the Cholas and Keralas in the Mahabharata, 230- of the Keralas and the Pandyas in the Raghuvamsa of Kalidasa, 230-Keralam mentioned in the Puranas, 230-Mention of the produce of the Malabar Coast in the Old Testament (1000 B.C), 23- - Of Kerala in Katyayana’s and Patanjali’s works, 230-Of an embassy to Emperor Augustus from the Pandyam Ruler in Strabo’s works, 231-Account of Roman coins preserved in the palace of Travancore kings from of old, 231- Names such as Calabothros, Purali & c., standing  for the Ruler and Kerala and Kerala, as mentioned by the Greek writers, Pliny, Ptolemy and others.  231-A Gupta inscription, Varahamihira’s works, inscriptions, copper-plate documents and other Sanskrit works mentioning about Kerala 232-Early European and Mahomedan travellers, 232-Native chronology according to tradition, 233- Taylor’s date of the reclamation of Kerala, 233- The probable date, 234, CONCLUDING REMARKS, 234
PP.210-236

SECTION B. EARLY HISTORY
PART  I (UP TO 1100 A.D)

INTRODUCTORY, PAGE 237. EARLY DRAVIDIAN MERCHANTS, 237.  THE EARLIEST TRADERS (B.C 1000-300), 237 – The Phoenicians, 237.EARLY GREEK ACCOUNTS (300 B.C – 150 A.D) 238. SOUTH INDIA AND ROME (30B.C.-540.A.D), 241. THE EARLY MISSIONARIES, (345 A.D-825 A.D), 243, TRADE WITH CHINA, 244. THE EARLY MOHOMEDANS, 244. TERRITORIAL EXTENT, 246. NEIGHBOURING  KINGDOMS, 247. POLITICAL ORGANISATION IN MALABAR, 249. THE PEOPLE, 250. SANKARACHARYA, 250.
PP.237-250

PART II. (1100-1400 A.D)

RELATIONS BETWEEN TRAVANCORE AND MADURA IN THE 12TH CENTURY, AD, 251-Conquest of Vizhinjam by Rajendra  Chola Deva, 251. THE BELLZALAS DRIVEN OUT FROM KERALA, 251. TERRITORIAL EXTENT OF TRAVANCORE IN THE BEGINNING OF THE 12TH CENTURY AD, 251 SRI VIRA KERALA VARMA I OF VENAD (1125), 252. SRI KODAI KERALA VARMA (1145-1150), 252. SRI VIRA RAVI VARMA (1161-1164), 252.  SRI KERALA VARMA II (1164-67), 253-a Travancore Princes married to the Pandian  King Sri. Vallabha Pandya, 253.  SRI VIRA UDAYA MARTHANDA VARMA (1173), 254. SRI DEVADARAM KERALA VARMA (1192), 254. JATAVARMAN KULASEKHARA  KING OF NORTH TRAVANCORE, 254. SRI VIRA RAMA VARMA TIRUVADI OF VENAD (1196), 255 – The Six Hundred, 255. SRI  VIRA RAMAN KERALA VARMA (1209-1214), 255. SRI VIRA RAVI  KERALA VARMA (1235), 256- The Manalikara Proclamation, 256- SRI VIRA PADMANABHA MARTHANDA VARMA TIRUVADI (1252), 258. UMADEVI, 258. JAYASIMHADEVA OF KERALA (1266-67 A.D). 258 RAVI VARMA KULASEKHARA PERUMAL OF KERALA  (1299), 259. SRI VIRA UDAYA MARTHANDA VARMA TIRUVADIYAR (1316), 259. ADOPTION OF TWO FEMALES FROM THE KOLATHUNAD FAMILY (1305), by aditya varma, 260. THEIR INSTALLATION AS THE ATTUNGAL MUTHA TAMPURAN AND THE ATTUNGAL ELAYA THAMPURAN, 260. EXTENT OF TRAVANCORE (C.1300 AD). 260. NANJANAD, 260 – ITS ANCIENT HISTORY 260- The Korava chiefs, 261- The extermination of this family, 263-The Mudaliyar rulers, 263. ADITYA VARMA TIRUVADI (1333), 263. SRI VIRA RAMA UDAYA MARTHANDA VARMA OF VENAD (1336-1342), 263. SRI VIRA KERALA  VARMA TIRUVADI (1344), 264. SRI VIRA MARTHANDA VARMA III. (1362-65)., 264. THE RULE OF PARAKRAMA PANDYA IN NANJANAD (1373-1386), 265. SARVANGANATHA   ADITYA  VARMA II.  PERHAPS A SUB-KING OF MARTHANDA VARMA, 265. SIR VIRA RAVI VARMA THE SENIOR TIRUVADI OF TIRUPPAPUR (1383), 265 – The Subjugation of Nanjanad, 266., SRI VIRA KERALA MARTANDA VARMA OF KALAPPERUR AND MARTHANDA VARMA THE SENIOR TIRUVADI OF TIRUPPAPRUR (1412), 266. CHERA UDAYA MARTANDA VARMA (D. 1444), - Criticism upon Shungoony Menon account of this king, 267. ACCOUNTS OF TRAVELLERS, 267-Al Idrisi, 267-Al Kazwini (1263-1275), 268- Marco Polo (1293), 268: - His account of Quilon,  269; Of Comorin, 269; Of Melibar,  270-Friar Jordanus of Severac (1324),  270 – Friar Odoric, 270 – Ibn Batuta (1324-25), 271:- His description of Quilon 271; Relations between Quilon and China at the time, 271; His description of  Malabar, 272-Marignolli of Florence (1347), 273.
pp.251-273

PART III (1400-1600 A.D)

STATE OF SOUTH INDIA, page 273, INTERNAL HISTORY 275-Sri Vira Ravi Ravi Varma the Senior Tiruvadi of Tiruppappur (1416-1417), 276- Sri Vira Rama  Martanda Varma Kulasekhara (c.1450) 276-Chempaka Aditya Varma (c.1450) 276-Kulasekhara Nambirattiyar (c. 1468), 277-Sri Vira Rama Varma of Jayasimhanad (c.1468), 277-277-Sri Vira Kodai Aditya Varma of Kilapperur (c.1478), 277 – Sri. Vira Ravi Varma (1479-1512), 278-Aditya Varma and  Udaya nMarthanda Varma (c.1500), 278-Their  Co-regents Jayasimha Deva II. (1486) and Sakala Kala Marthanda Varma (1495), 278-Jayasimhadeva’s tour  to South Travancore and his giving concessions to the inhabitants of Parasurama Perunteru, 279, ACCOUNTS OF TRAVELLERS FOR THE PERIOD, 280-Mahuan’s  account  of the Port of Cochin,  280-Nicolo Conti, 280-Abd-er-Razzak (1442), 281.  THE PORTUGUESE IN MALABAR AND TRAVANCORE, 281-First Portuguese Expedition to India Under Vasco da Gama, 282- Second Expedition under Cabral, 282- Third Expedition under Vasco DA Gama, 283-  Gama’s departure to Portugal, 283-DA Gama succeeded by Albuquerque (1503), 284-Albuquerque lands at  Quilon, 284-Eupoli’s account of the Portuguese at Quilon, 284-Albuquerque establishes a commercial depot and factory at Quilon, 285- Jealousy of the Moors, 285-King of Quilon’s constancy against the machinations of the Zamorin, 286-Albuquerque recalled, 286-Almeyda and Quilon, 286-Factory and fort at Quilon, 288-Siege of the Quilon Fort, 289.  STATE OF THE COUNTRY AND THE CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE, 290-Lucovica di Varthema’s account of Malabar (1505), 290-Duarte Barbosa’s account of Malabar and Travancore (1514), 291. HISTORIC NARRATIVE RESUMED, 294-Aditya Varma succeeded by his brother Bhutala Vira Sri Vira Udaya Martanda Varma (1535), 295-Bhutala Vira Sri Vira Ravi Varma 296-Sri Vira Rama Martanda Varma of Tiruppapur and Siraivoy, a Co-regent of Bhutala Vira Uidaya Martanda Varma, 296-Bhutala Vira Kerala Varma, the Senior Tiruvadi of Jayasimhanad (c.1544) 297-Advent of Francis Xavier (1543), 297-The invasion of Travancore by the Badagas, 297-The Badagas identified with the officers and soldiers of Vittala, a Prince of Vijayanagar King of Madura (1547-1558), 297-Travancore saved from the invasion by Xavier’s intervention, 298-The Portuguese depredations in Travancore, 298-A compromise effected between Rama Varma the King of Travancore and Vittala, 299-Tala or Tovala,299-Internal dissenssions between the Senior Tiruvadis of Siraivoy and Jayasimhanad, 299-Sri Vira Unni Kerala Varma of Jayasimhanad King of Venad (1559-1561), 300-His CO-regent Sri Vira Aditya Varma (1559-1565), 300-Sri vira Udaya Martanda  Varma of Jayasimhanad King of Trabvancore (1567-1587), 300- A war between the Portuguese and the Queen of Malabar (1571), 300-King Ravi Varma (1578) a regent of Sri Vira Udaya Martanda Varma, 300-Sri Vira Ravim Ravi Varma of Jayasimhanad (1595-1607), 301
pp.278-301

PART  IV (1607-1729)

Sri  Vira Unni Kerala Varma, (1612-1623) page, 302.  Sri Vira Ravi Varma (1620-1623), Probably a CO-Regent of Unni KeralA Varma, 302. Gift of land made by Muthu Virappa Nayak to the Bhagavati Temple at Cape Comorin302, Sri Vira Ravi Varma of Tiruppapur King of Venad (1628-47), 302. Unni Kerala Varma (1632-50), 302, Vizhinjam given  away to the English East India Company (1644), 302. Advent of Tirumala Nayak, 302. The Yogakkars and Pillamars, 303.  The Dutch, 306. Divisions of Travancore (1644 AD.), 308. Umayamma Rani (1678-1684), 310- The Ettuvittil Poillamars, 311-A Mahomedan invasion, 312 – Kerala Varma of Kottayam, 313- The Dutch, 314-The English, 314. Ravi Varma (1684-1728), 314-Relations between Madura and Travancore-Nanjanad, 316-Raids in Nanjanad by the Nayak forces, 316-Extent of Nanjanad about 1694, 316-Document giving evidence to the political and social condition of Nanjanad at the time, 317-Travancore King pays tribute to the Madura Nayak, 318-Annihilation of a Madura army, 318-Another invasion of Travancore, 318-Nanjanad bearing the brunt of the attacks, 319-Revolt of the nanjanadians (1702), 319-Their meetings, 319- Resolutions passed at these meetings, 319-General remarks on the nanjanad raids, 323. Unni Kerala Varma (1718-1724), 324- Murder of the English factors, 324. Rama Varma (1724-28), 327. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, 329.  STATE OF THE COUNTRY AND CHIEF EVENTS, 330. THE NEIGHBOURING KINGDOMS, 331. THE FOREIGN POWERS, 331.
PP. 301-332 GENEALOGICAL TREE OF THE TRAVANCORE ROYAL HOUSE PAGE 332
 
SECTION C. MODERN HISTORY

MARTHANDA VARMA (1729)-1758), page 333-Accession to the throne, 333-Reorganisation of the Financial Department, 334- The Thampi Insurrection,  334-The Ettuvittil Pillamars, 336-Ministerial changes, 338-Amalgamation of Travancore with Attungal, 338-Extension of territory – First conquest of Quilon, 338-War with Kayangulam, 339-Elayadathu Swarupam, 340-Kayangulam war continued-Dutch interference, 340-Annexation of Elayadathu  Swarupam, 341-The Dutch War, 342-Battle of Quilon, 343-Treaty of Mannar, 344-Annexation of Quqilon, 344- Annexation of Kayangulam, 344-Conquest of Ampalapuzha, 345-The Dutch Peace Conferences, 347-Treaty of Mavelikkara, 348-The French, 350-Conquest of Minor States, 350-Final overthrow of the triumvirate and the Battle of Poracad, 351-Annexation of Karappuram, 352-The Northern insurrection, 352-The attack of the Zamorin, 353-Peace of Mavelikara, 353-Disturbances in the eastern parts of Travancore, 354-Battle of Calacaud, 354-The interference of the English, 355-Consolidation and Reform, 358- Military, 358; Revenue administration, 359-State expenditure, 360; Public works, 360-State Ceremonies. 361-A local knighthood, 361-Dedication of Travancore to Sri Padmanabhaswamy, 362-Adoption, 363-Death of Rama Iyen Dalawa. 363-Rama Iyer’s private life and anecdotes, 363- Demist of the Maharajah, 366-Foreign policy, 367
Pp333-368


Rama Varma (1758-1798), page 369- His personal character, 369-Martanda Pillai Dalawa, 370-Treaty with Cochin, 370-The Travancore Lines- The Zamorin repulsed, 371-Reforms, 373-Shencottah, 373-Relations with the Nawab of Arcot and the English, 373-The dispute about the Districts of Calacaud, 375-The English, 379-First invasion of Hyder Ali, 380-The new ministry, 382-Second Invasion of Hyder Ali, 382-Death of De Lannoy, 384-The Maharajah’s pilgrimage to Rameswaram, 384-Domestic Events, 385-Kesava Das, 385- The Pope’s message, 387-Tippu’s schemes against Travancore, 388-The new English alliance, 389-Purchase of Ayacotta and Cranganore from the Dutch, 390-Tippu’s demands, 393-Tippu’s attack on the lines-His defeat, 394-The attitude of the Madras Government, 396-Tippu enters Travancore, 397-The English declare war against Tippu, 398-Tippu retreats, 398-Treaty of Seringapatam, 399-Settlement of Malabar, 400-The expenses of the war, 400-The treaty of 1795, 401-Internal reforms, 404-Rajah Kesava DAs, 407-Demist of the Maharajah, 407-Character and anecdotes,408-Sir Madva Row’s  review of the reign, 410-Summary, 413.
pp. 369-416

BALA RAMA VARMA (1798-1810)-Accession, page 417-Maharajah’s favourites, 417-Kesava DAs’s retirement and death, 417-Sankaran Namburi appointed Dewan,  418-The end of the ministry, 419-Velu Thampi becomes Dalawa, 420-His methods of Government, 421-Intrigues against Velu Thampi, 422-Major Macaulay and the Maharajah, 423-The mutiny of the Nayar troops, 423-Modification of the subsidiary arrangements, 424-Treaty of 1805, 425-Financial Crisis, 428-Velu Thampi’s position, 429-Cochin affairs at the period, 432-Velu Thampi’s insurrection, 433-Velu Thampi’s  Proclamation, 434-Effects of the Proclamation, 436-Attack on the Subsidiary force at Quilon, 438-Attack on Cochin-Wholesale murder of Europeans, 438-The rebellion quelled,  440-Anecodote of Velu Tampi’s flight, 441-His personal character, 442-His tragical end, 445-Lord Minto’s minute, 446-A word of appreciation about Velu Tampi, 447-Wilson’s opinion, 447-Oommini Tampi Dewan, 448-Domestic events, 449-Colonel Munro Resident, 449-Demise of Maharajah, 450-Conclusion, 454.
Pp. 417-454

GOURI LAKSHMI BAYI (1811-1815), page 455- Colonel Munro Dewan, 458-Reforms, 460- Judicial, 461; Revenue and Finance, 462; Devaswams, 464; Public Works, 464; Military, 465; Trade and industries, 465; Social, 465-Birth of the Princes, 466-Colonel Munro resigns his Dewanship, 466-Demise of the Rani, 469.
Pp. 455-470

GOURI PARVATHI BAYI (1815-1829), PAGE 471-Accession, 471-Ministerial changes, 471-Reddy Row Dewan, 472-Colonel Munro’s retirement, 472-Reddy Row and Venmcata Row, 474-Marriage of Princess Rugmini Bayi, 474- Reddy Row resigns, 474-Vencata Row becomes Dewan, 474-Missionary enterprise, 475-Education of the Princes, 476-The Nayar Brigade, 477-Vencata Row’s administration 478-Other events of the reign, 479-Regency closed and Rama Varma crowned, 480.
Pp. 471-481

RAMA VARMA (Swathi Tirunal, 1829-1847); page 482- Accession, 482-Birth, character and education, 482-The new Dewan, 483-Subba Row’s Administration, 484-Reduction of the subsidiary force, 484-The first Gubernatorial visit to Travancore, 485-Reforms, 486-Military and Judicial, 486; The First Code of Regulations, 487; Abolition of minor Duties, 488; Census of 1836, 488, The opening of an English School, 488; The Trivandrum Observatory, 488; Charity Hospital, 489, The Engineering Department, 489; Other reforms, 489-Resignation of Dewan Subba Row, 490-Ex-Dewan Vencata Row, 490-Ex Dewan Subha Row again, 490-The Maharajah and General Cullen, 491-Reddy Row Dewan again, 493-The Maharajah leads a religious life, 497-Reddy Row resigns, 498-Krishna Row re-appointed, 499-Domestic events, 499-Europeans and Eurasians, 499-Demise of the Maharajah, 500-Character, 500.
Pp. 482-503

Madministration, 505-The new Dewan, 506-Madava Row appointed tutor, 508-Amelioration of slaves, 508-The London Exhibition of 1851, 509-Tinnevely-Travancore boundary, 510-Financial strain-Demise of Parvathi Bayi, 511-Administrative divisions, 511-Attacks on the Administration, 512-Miscellaneous items, 516-Tribute  to the Nawab, 517-The Pepper monopoly, 518-Adoption, 520-Death of Dewan Krishna Row, 521-Madava Row appointed Dewan, 523-Visit of Lord Harris, 524-Shanar converts and Hindus, -Disturbances in South Travancore 525-Retirement and death of General Cullen, 531- Mr. Maltby, Resident, 534- Other events, 535- Demise of the Maharajah, 535- Personal traits, 536.
Pp. 504-537. ARTANDA VARMA (Uttaram Tirunal, 1847-1860), page 504-Accession, 504-Early education and attainments, 504-Srinivasa Row’s

RAMA VARMA (Ayilliam Tirunmal, 1860-1880), page 538- Accession, 538-Education and character, 538- The famine of 1036 M.E- Financial state of the country, 539-Fiscal reforms- Abolition of the monopolies, 540-Freedom of interportal trade, 541-Judicial reforms, 543-Other  reforms, 544-Subsequent progress, 548-Important political events, 550:- Sunnud of Adoption, 550; Visit of the Governor of Madras, 550; The Maharajah’s first visit to Madras, 553; Visit of the Cochin Rajah, 553; Title of Maharajah, 553; The Seringapatam medal, 554; His Highness’ appointment as G.C.S.I and visit to Madras, 554;  Visit of Lord and Lady Napier, 555; Palliport, 556; His Highness third visit to Madras, 5567-Retirement of Sir Madava Row, 556- Career of Sir Madava Row, K.C.S.I., 559- Sashiah Sastri – Dewan, 568- Reforms, 569- Criminal jurisdiction over European British subjects, 572-Important political events, 576-The Imperial Durbar and the presentation of the Imperial Banner (1877), 577-Sashiah Sastri retires, 578- Career of Sir A. Sashiah Sastri., K.C.S.I 578-Nanoo Pillai, Dewan, 585-Domestic events, 585- Demise of the Maharajah, 585.
Pp. 538-586

RAMA VARMA (Visakham Tirunal, 1880-1885), page 587-Accession, 587, Attainments and early career, 588-Dewan Nanoo Pillai retired, 590-Career of N. Nanoo Pillai, 590- The new Dewan, 594-Reforms, 594-Travancore-Cochin boundary, 597-Chief political events, 598-The Maharajah’s personal traits, 599-The Maharajah’s demise, 600.
Pp. 587-603

SRI RAMA VARMA  (Mulam Tirunal), page 604- Accession, 604- Early studies, 604-Retirement of Dewan Ramiengar, 608-Career of  V. Ramiengar, C.S.I., 609-T. Rama Row, Dewan, 613- Chief events, 613 Cghief reforms, 616-Career of T. Rama Row, C.I.E., 623-S. Shungrasoobyer Dewan, 628-Chief events, 628-Chief  reforms, 631- Career of Shungrasoobyer, C.I.E., 633-Mr. K. Krishnaswamy Rao, Dewan, 636-Chief events, 636-Progress, 640-Retirement of Mr. Krishnaswamy Rao, 642-Career of Mr. K. Krishnaswamy Rao, C.I.E., 643-Mr. V.P. Madhava Rao, Dewan, 644-Summary of results, 644.
pp.604-648

LIST OF TABULAR STATEMENTS

CHAPTER - I

Table showing  the approximate distribution of surface drawn up by Lieuts.  Ward and Conner …. 4
CHAPTER-II
Table I, showing the mean data of the meteorological elements for the twelve months of the year… 57 Table II, giving means for the four seasons corresponding  to the data of Table I …. 58 Table III, giving the diurnal oscillation of temperature at Trivandrum during the four seasons and for the whole year..  .. 60 Table IV, giving date of chief maximum and minimum epochs of the variation of temperature during the year… …. 61 Table V, giving the mean diurnal range of temperature for the 12 months and for the year 61 Table VI, giving the mean actual daily and monthly temperatures at Trivandrum derived from the series of observations taken during the period 1856-1864 …. 62 Table VII, giving the mean hourly temperatures for each month and for the whole year …    … 63 Table VIII, giving the data for the diurnal variation of the amount of vapour present in the air and also for the diurnal variation of humidity for each of the four  seasons of the year and the average for the year in Trivandrum. 64 Table IX, giving the mean monthly and annual rainfall at 36 stations in Travandore… 68
CHAPTER – V 1.  Statement showing the Travancore inscriptions arranged according to their age .. 176 2. Statement showing the  inscriptions arranged according to the taluqs in which they occur… 176 3. Statement showing the  inscriptions arranged according to their  character 177 4. Statement showing the  inscriptions arranged according to their language 177 5. Statement showing the  inscriptions arranged according to the materials on which they are inscribed.. 178 6. Statement showing the  inscriptions arranged according to their subject-matter… 178 7. Statement showing the  inscriptions arranged according to their donors.. 179 8. Statement showing the  inscriptions arranged according to the donees… 179

LIST OF DIAGRAMS, PLATES AND ILLUSTRATIONS

Portrait of  H.H. Maharajah Sri Rama Varma xi
Portrait of Dewan Bahadur V. Nagam Aiya 7
Thavally Palace, Quilon 18
The Minachil River view 18
Tripparappu Falls 21
Entrance into the Kadinangulam Lake from the Canal 22
Sea and Temple view at Cape Comorin 31
Forest view at Pallode 76
Elephant at bath in the Karamana River 124
Place A. Text (in Vatteluttu) 182
Do (in current Tamil) 182
Do (in English translation) 182

Place B. Text (in Vatteluttu) 183
Do (in current Tamil) 183
Do (in English translation) 184

Place C. Text (in Koleluttu of Malaiyamai) 185

Do (in current Tamil) 185
Do (in English translation) 185
Place D. Text (in Koleluttu) 185

Do (in current Tamil) 185
Do (in English translation) 185
Place E. Text (in old Tamil) 187
Do (in current Tamil) 187
Do (in English translation) 191
Plan of the Udayagiri Fort 201
Do. Padmanabhapurama Fort 202
Do Vattakotta Fort 203
Sri. Padmanabhaswamy’s Temple Trivandrum 405
Five Maharajahs of Modern History-in one group 482
Golden Car Procession, Trivandrum 501
Lakshmsi Bayi, C.I., Late Senior Rani, and Parvathi Bayi, Late Junior Rani .. 520

Statue of Rajah Sir T. Madava Row, K.C.S.I 556
Naapier Museum, Trivandrum 571
Residency Garden-party Group, Trivandrum 640

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

Under command of His Highness the Maha Rajah, the preparation of the State Manual of Travancore was decided upon some time ago, and I was appointed to it with the simple instruction that the book was to be after the model of the District Manual of Madras. This instruction I have faithfully carried out and I am happy to report now that the book is completed and issued in three large volumes. Although I have allowed myself some latitude in forming my own conception of the design and the scope of the work and devoted my best attention and energies to their exposition and elucidation, I still feel I might have done better I had been justify to myself, to work at it leisurely, spending "a laborious day upon each page," undisturbed by limitations of time and space.

The difficulty of compiling a work of this nature will readily enlist the sympathies of those who have laboured in similar fields, for as Sir Frederick A. Nicholson points out in his Report on Agricultural Banks, at which he worked for about 3 years:-

The delay in submitting the report is due to many causes, principally to the immensity and complexity of the subject, to the difficulty of ascertaining and then of obtaining sources of information, to the discontinuity thereby imposed when a half finished study had to broken off till the receipt of further information, to the extreme difficulty arising from the incessant demands from the Collector's work not withstanding two periods of special duty… … … For The Madras Presidency statistics and information did not exist, and it is only through much enquiry and by the courtesy of numerous correspondents that information has been obtained.

Mr H.H Risley's portion of the Indian Census report of 1901 covers, according to Mr Gait, * 136 pages of that volume- a circumstance which can hardly represent the magnitude of his labours or research during the three years he was in charge of the last Imperial Census. The Report of Sir James Thomson's Excise Committee, which was ordered by the Government of India to be submitted in 8 months i.e. by the end of April 1906, evidently took more time than was anticipated. It is not yet available to the public. More instances could be cited to that neither the quantity of matter written nor the time taken can serve as correct gauge of the labour or research involved in an undertaking of this sort. This is the invariable experience of all past workers.

Now, that the work is finished, no word of explanation or justification is needed save to remove misapprehension in certain quarters. The idea of writing a State Manual was first broached to me by Dewan T Rama Row, C.I.E., one fine morning 14 years ago i.e. even before I had begun to compile the Census Report of 1891. He said I must do the Census Report first and then take up the Manual. All this was, of course, to be done along with my heavy legitimate duties as Dewan Peishcar and District Magistrate of Quilon, which I then was. I agreed without a moments hesitation though fully alive to the responsibility I thus took upon myself, for it was impossible for me to decline an offer so kindly made and with such flattering compliments by so estimable a chief as Dewan Rama Row. He immediately obtained His Highness' sanction and sent me official orders in the last quarter of 1891. He retired a few months later and with his retirement the matter was dropped, for nothing came of it during the six years of Mr Shungrasoobyer's Dewanship, as he did not seem to care for it at all. Dewan Bahadur Srinivasa Raghvaiyangar, C.I.E., complains of parallel circumstance in the writing of his book. .*  for he says in his preface:-

The departure of lord Connemara to England and pressure of other official work led to preparation of this Memorandum being laid aside for some time, and I was able to resume the work only in the latter half of 1891. Since then I have been more or less engaged on it, but as the work has had to be carried on in addition to my other official duties, it has not been possible to finish it earlier".

The matter was however revived by Dewan Mr K Krishnaswamy Row, C.I.E., in 1901, and during his time I devoted to it, off and on, such leisure as the pressing duties of the Settlement Department permitted. It was only in December 1904 that I took it up as a full-time officer and it may be safely said that the best part of these three closely printed volumes is the result of assiduous and sustained labours carried on since.

In reporting completion of the manuscript of the book, I wrote to the Dewan in my latter, No. 387 dated 1st October 1905, thus:-

In continuation of my letter No. 371 dated 26th August 1905, I have the honour to inform you that I have finished the Stare Manual of Travancore in which I have been engaged continuously for the past nine months and my services are available for any other work which His Highness' Government  pleased to entrust with me."

To this letter the Dewan made no reply. The additional time thereby gained has however proved of much advantage to the work; not only were the proofs read carefully and well, but the old data, already collected, were verified, new data added where possible, some chapters were either revised or wholly rewritten, additional matter put in, the manuscript throughout was touched up and the whole book itself satisfactorily finished and passed through the press, with a full table of contents, a glossary of vernacular terms and an exhaustive index. In the letter referred to above, viz., No. 371 dated 26th August 1905, I had observed:-

I estimated the work to be completed in six months at the most, but that was as I explained to you in my letter noted in the margin (No. 313. dated 23rd May 1905) under the belief that I was to be allowed a staff of 10 clerks applied for by me, the choice of clerks from the permanent Departments who would not rum away as 7 or 8 temporary clerks, did during the last 7 months, and that I was to be allowed also to expend the money saved every month by the shortage of hands. You disagreed to every one of these three proposals. So it became impossible for me to finish the work in 6 months as originally estimated in my latter of the 11th November 1904… … … I believe I had been very moderate in applying only for 3 months time from the 30th June last. Under the circumstances explained above, there was ample justification for my asking for 6 months more time. Bur as I have already reported, I am most anxious to be done with this work as early as possible."

Mr Srinivasa Raghavaiyangar, the talented compiler of the Forty Years' Progress of Madras, took 27 months to write his book- a volume of 340 pages, speaking of quantity alone, the subject-matter of which is admittedly one of a more homogenous and less complex nature than that of State Manual. And yet in his forwarding latter to Government, Sirnivasa Raghavaiyangar wrote of the delay in the issue of his book thus:-

" The collection and reduction of the necessary statistics and the preparation of the second part of the memorandum took up more time than I had anticipated and I was able to complete the work only last May notwithstanding that I took privilege leave for three months in the beginning of this year for this purpose."

His achievement is a safe criterion to judge of the work of other labourers in similar fields, for to my mind the late Srinivasa Rghavaiyangar was a perfect embodiment of indefatigable industry, deep thought, wide reading, unostentatious independence and high literary skill. In these circumstances, no special justification seems needed for the unavoidable delay in the issue of the Travancore Manual, a work of an encyclopaedic nature spread over a space of more than 1820 pages of latter press?to say nothing of the continued strain, the anxious and the unremitting attention or the huge preliminary studies it cost.


As for the plan of the book, it is enough to say that the mass of information collected has been thrown 21 chapters and placed in 3 volumes for convenience of handing. Under these 21 chapter-headings almost every subject of importance and interest concerning the State has been brought in. For these chapter-headings several District manuals of Madras have been consulted, particularly the revised ones of Bellary and Anantapur by Mr W.Francis, I.C.S., and it is enough to observe that the Travancore State Manual is fuller and more comprehensive than the Manuals of Madras. In order to do justice to the amplitude of information collected and the labour spent upon it, the size of the book has been enlarged to three volumes from what was originally intended to be one moderate-sized volume. It would be false economy, I thought, to throw away results of great labour and research in order to save some printing space. Tediousness were in my view, a much lighter fault under such circumstances, especially in a book of such nature; but terseness has been my ambition, though after the most conscientious endeavours to clip the prune. I could not do more, on the present occasion, without keeping out matter which I really wished to retain. Even as it is, I feel the chapters on 'History' and 'Castes' are capable of further amplification, particularly in the latter chapter, of which only the outer fringe, so to speak, has been touched in these pages. It is never ending theme of value and interest, and the stores of information still available on it remain
unutilised. A whole volume ought to be devoted to 'Castes' alone. The chapter on the "Gazetteer' may well be amplified in the future edition.

In the writing of this book, my aim has been to present to an utter stranger to Travancore such a picture of the land and its people, its natural peculiarities, its origin, history and administration, its forests and animals, its conveniences for residence or travel, its agricultural, commercial, industrial educational and economic activities, its ethnological, social and religious features as he may not himself be able to form by a 30 year's study or residence in it. If this is a correct view of the object of a Manual, I trust I may be permitted to entertain the hope that a fairly successful debut has been made, not with standing defects or shortcomings that may exist, especially as this is only a pioneer attempt in a novel direction. It is not necessary to prejudge here what a revision might give opportunities for, in the way of condensing in some directions or amplifying in others. If I get the chance myself at  a not distant date I should probably do both and thus try to reach the ideally perfect Manual, perhaps a vain Utopian desire, which standard of excellence, however, I know, is far from having been attained in the present performance.

In the 'History' chapter in which I have spent much thought and study, I have endeavoured to give faithful pictures of Parasurama's early colonists and their autonomous governments, their landed aristocracy, their peculiar tenures and permanent tenantry, of the later kings and ministers, of war and conquests, of the dissensions of the Ettuvittil Pillamars, the Thampis and the Yogakkars, their mutual jealousies and intrigues, of the fortunes of the minor principalities which make up the Travancore of today and the events which led to their final absorption, of the chief sources that were at work during successive epochs which enabled a petty village near Eraniel to reach its present dimensions of a compact block of territory 7,000 sq. miles in area, of the European powers that successively bid for supremacy of trade on this coast and the ultimate success of the English East India Company, our early friendships with them and the staunch support they in turn uniformly gave us through all vicissitudes of fortune, ultimately resulting in a strong bond of political alliance and reciprocal trust and confidence, which assured to us internal security and immunity from external aggression, thus enabling us to achieve the triumphs of peace and good government, until step b step we reached the enviable height of being known as the 'Model Native State' of India- a title which we have maintained by wise rule and sound financial policy during successive reigns up to this day. And this has been no easy task as the narrative had to woven out of a tangled web of falsehoods and mis-statements, of exaggerated versions and contradictory chronicles, inseparable from oral tradition, fragmentary record and disorganized debris of scattered and confused materials. The difficulty of writing a history of events which took place long ago is great indeed, For as pointed out by John Morley, in his 'Life of Gladstone',  "Interest grows less vivid; truth becomes harder to find out; memories pale and colour fades". It is much more so in the case of a nation- the events of whose life and progress cover a space of many centuries and multitudinous interests and concerns. The History chapter is dealt within three sections viz., Ancient history, Early history, and Modern history-the last comprising a period of 10 reigns or 175 years, bringing the narrative down to the end of the year 1079 M.E (15th August 1904), that being the last year for which full information was available on this and other headings when the book was written.

The labour involved in the task was truly gigantic, for it often entailed a wading through a mass of records of all sorts in order to get at a grain of information. The nature of the research may be judged from the following extract of my letter to the Dewan, dated 25th June 1903:-

"As suggested in your D.O of first Inst… I beg to submit herewith a revised list of records to be obtained from fort St. George, I have cut down 79 numbers from the list of 336 papers originally selected, which itself was a selection from a total about 600 papers relating to Travancore. In a matter like this the granting of the application for records is entirely a question pleasure with Government, there can be no argument: all I can say is that an indulgent view should be taken of the application and I should be given some latitude of choice for the choice of records. It is possible that a good many of the papers that one has read through in the in the preparation of a book or report may not be ultimately utilized. In the opinion of Milman, one of the biographers of Lord Macaulay. 'The historian, true historian must not confine himself to the chronicles and annals, the public records, the state papers, the political correspondence of statesmen and ambassadors: he must search info: he must make himself familiar with the lowest, the most ephemeral, the most contemptible of the writings of the day. There is no trash which he must not digest; nothing so dull and wearisome he must not wade through. In the instance which the Resident refers to viz., 'note of the firing of the usual salute of the departure of the king of Travancore to the north'. I should just like to know what the actual 'salute' fired was, if such information is available from that record. It is not of course absolutely essential for my book. It may even be put down as a mere antiquarian curiosity: but if so, it is a curiosity which is justifiable, * * * *  I shall content myself with the papers that are placed in my disposal."

'Archaeology', 'Fauna', 'Census and Population', Language and Literature', 'Economic condition', and Legislation and Statute-book', are new chapters in this Manual, not found in the revised Madras Gazetteers. Local Self-government' is heading which I have not utilised as we have nothing corresponding to it here just yet. The information under my other chapters viz., 'Religion', 'Castes', 'Trade and Commerce', 'Arts and Industries', 'Land Tenures and Land Taxes', and 'Administration' deals with the matter comprised in Mr. Francis' chapters on the People, Occupation and Trade, Land Revenue Administration, of Justice. The other chapters are the same in both the books.

I have been much exercised in the matter of arranging the order of the chapters in the Manual. What I have ultimately decided upon, though slightly different from the one adopted in the Madras Gazetteers, appears to me to be the most natural order. It is thus. The first 4 chapters deals with lie of the land, its climatic conditions and its exuberant vegetable and animal life. The next 2 chapters deal with History and its chief basis for facts, viz., Archaeology. The whole of the second volume (chapters VII to XII) deals with the people as a whole in all their many-sidedness, i.e. their growth of numbers, their faiths, ethnography, language, education and health. The first 5 chapters of the third volume deal with economic condition of the people such as agriculture and irrigation, trade and industries and the conveniences that exist for the same. Then come three chapters dealing with 'administration' more or less; and the book concludes with an alphabetical listing of places of interest, so necessary for a stranger to understand a country aright. This arrangement I believe is the most natural one to adopt and has been finally resolved upon.

One encouraging circumstance in the course of writing the book has been the fact that some of the chapters were perused in manuscript by Messrs. G.T Mackenzie and J Andrew, I.C.S., our former British Resident. Both of them expressed approbation of the work done. Mr Mackenzie who took a warm interest in the progress of the Manual from the very beginning wrote to me on 9th  October 1903;-

"I have perused the Mss. Of the first portion of the Manual and it seems to me to be excellent."

Again, he wrote on the 8th February 1904:-

"I return these draft chapters with many thanks: they are really very good"

Again on the 19th November 1904 (the day he resigned the Civil Service and justify Travancore), he was good enough to write of the 'History' chapter thus:-

"I have now perused it and find it deeply interesting. I have corrected one or two clerical errors but otherwise there is nothing to alter."

Since then, one whole chapter and a portion of another have been submitted for His Highness the Maharajah's perusal. Mr R.C.C. Carr, I.C.S., Bar-at-Law, the present British Resident, has now perused several chapters of the Manual. He wrote on the 8th April 1906:-

"I am much obliged to you for your kindness in sending me the advance copy of the second portion of the State Manual. It contains a great deal of interesting matter and I hope to study it shortly. I have already received the bound copy of Vol.1 and am glad to have it."

To my numerous helpers in this work I offer my grateful acknowledgements. No work of this magnitude can be satisfactorily performed except with the aid of a host of coadjutors; and I have had that aid from all sides- officers of Government, retitred public servants, vakils, journalists, private individuals, land-lords, planters, bankers, merchants, agriculturists, Vydians, Mantravadis, Christian metrans, bishops and missionaries and numerous other correspondents of diverse sorts. As was justly remarked by Sir J.A. Baines, K.C.S.I.I.C.S., In his preface to the Imperial Census Report of 1891.

"The Census deals with so many subjects of which, in the present day falls within the province of a specialist that no single individual can safely trust to his own unaided capacity in reviewing them, but is forced like Moliere, a prendre son bien on ill betrouve, and I have done my best to acknowledge such depredations at the time I have found it convenient to make them."

The same may be said of my State Manual, for which I have been compelled to make depredations, it will be noted that I have ungrudgingly acknowledged them in the body of the book itself, for such acknowledgement not only lessens the responsibility but also confirms my own opinions, thereby enhancing the value of the work achieved.

I must next express my obligation to Mr. Raman Pillai, B.A., the energetic Superintendent of the Government Press, for the help and co-operation he has willingly rendered in passing this huge work through the press, in spite of repeated calls on him for urgent works from other departments in the State. He has also prepared the index to the Manual which I entrusted him with, under orders of the Government, on account of his special experience in it as the late Indexer to the Travancore High Court. I have to commend his work to the notice of the Government.

A map of Travancore specially designed for this book by Mr. G.N Krishna Rao, Superintendent of Survey is placed in the pocket at the end of the third volume. A few photographs are also inserted to illustrate the book; more should have been put in but for the cost. If time had permitted, I should have added a volume of appendix of papers made in this connection, containing monographs on several subjects, Sthalapuranoms of temples and places of pilgrimage, accounts of noble families and the chiefs of petty principalities, extracts made from books, newspapers and magazines and documents examined in the course of these studies and other evidence relied on in writing of the Manual, al of which will form a mass of valuable data, upon which to base more extended researches in the same direction in future.

In conclusion, I beg to tender my respectful thanks to His Highness the Maharajah's Government for having vouchsafed to me the opportunity of performing so Herculean a task. notwithstanding the many difficulties and obstacles I had at the outset. At one time it appeared to me, judging from the correspondence that took place, that I was engaged I in a thankless work amidst inhospitable surroundings, and that though I had undertaken it years ago under favourable auspices, a change had come and I was evidently exhausting myself in an uphill work, which would give no satisfaction. The following extract of my latter to the Dewan, dated 20th June 1905, will explain the circumstance. I wrote:

"I do not wish to refer to the observation which you have more than once made in your letters about 'entrusting the work to other agency'. This is a matter entirely justify to the pleasure of the Government. I was appointed to the writing of the State Manual by His Highness' Government without any solicitation on my part; and three of your immediate predecessors who knew me and the public service thoroughly well for long years, concurred in thinking that the work should be done by me, as if they could not think of any other officer equally competent to do it, though for my part I showed the least unwillingness to give it up, especially as I was so fully occupied otherwise. They evidently meant it to be done me during intervals of business, as they all knew the quality of similar work I had done before, which repeatedly received the approbation of His Highness Government."

Thus however was only a passing cloud and the situation soon improved. Now that the difficulties have all been surmounted and the work itself done and done to my own satisfaction more or less, there is but one feeling uppermost in my mind, and that is one of deep thankfulness and gratitude to Government in due time, for when carried out they will, I am satisfied, not only add to the credit of His Highness' enlightened rule but, in the wise words of Bacon, "make the estate of his people still more and more happy, after the manner of the legislators in ancient and heroical times."


Trivandrum
16th August 1906 T FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF  V. NAGAM AIYA

Marco Polo's descriptions of Quilon, Comorin...

(Travancore State Manual vol.1,pp -  269-70 )

“When you quit Maabar and go 500 miles towards the south-west you come to the kingdom of Coilum. The people are Idolaters, but there are also some Christians and some Jews. The natives have a language of their of their own, and a king of their own and are tributary to non one. A great deal of Brazil is got here, which is called brazil Coilunin from the country which produces it; it is of very fine quality. Good ginger also grows here, and it is known by the same name Coilumin after the country. Pepper too grows in great abundance in this country, and I will tell you how. You must know that the pepper-trees are (not wild but) cultivated, being regularly planted and watered; and the pepper is gathered in months of May, June and July. They have also abundance of very fine indigo. † This made of a certain herb which is gathered , and (after the roots have been removed) is put into great vessels upon which they pour water and then leave till the whole of the plant is decomposed. They then put this liquid in the sun, which is tremendously hot here, so that it boils and coagulates, and becomes such as we see it. The merchants from Manzi (China), and from Arabia, and from the Levant come thither with their ships and their merchandise and make great profits both by what they import and by what they export. There are in this country many and diverse beasts quite different from those of other parts of the world. Thus there are lions black all over, with no mixture of any other colour; and there are parrot of many sorts, for some are white as snow with red beak and feet, and some are red, and some are blue, forming the most charming sight in the world; there are green ones too. There are also some parrots of exceeding small size, beautiful creatures. They have also very beautiful peacocks larger than ours, and different; and they have cocks and hens quite different from ours; and what more shall I say? In short, everything they have is different from ours, and finer and better. . . . . . . Corn they have none but rice. So also their wine they make from (palm) sugar; capital drink it is and very speedily it makes a man drunk. All other necessaries of man’s life they have in great plenty and cheapness. They have very good astrologers and physicians. Man and woman- they are all black and go naked, all save a fine cloth worn about the middle. They look not on any sin of the flesh as sin. They marry their cousins german, and a man takes his brother’s wife after the brother’s death; and all the people of India have this custom.”

This is his account of Comari or Comorin:–

“Comari is a country belonging to India, and there you can see something of the North Star which we had not been able to see from the Lesser Java thus far. Inorder to see it you must go some 30 miles out to sea, and then you see it about a cubit above the water. This a very wild country, and there are beasts of all kinds there, especially monkeys of such peculiar fashion, that you would them for men! There are also gatpauls (a kind of ape?) in wonderful diversity, with bears, lions and leopards in abundance."

[*"Maabar was given the name by the Mahomedans in the 13th and 14th centuries to a tract corresponding in a general way to what we call the Coromandel Coast. The word in Arabic signifies the passage or ferry, and may have referred either to the communication with Ceylon, or, as is more probable, to its being in that age, the coast most frequented by travellers from Arabia and  Gulf". Yule's Marco Polo, Vol. II page 332. According to Abulfeda whose geography was completed about 1321 A.D Cape Comorin was the point where Malabar ended and Maabar began. But Wassaf, an earlier writer, says that Maabar extended in length from Kaulam (Quilon) to Nilawar (Nellore).
† No Indigo is made or exported at Quilon now, but still there is the export of sappan-wood, ginger and pepper.]