History of Thiruvananthapuram

Home > Travel > Cities of India > History of Thiruvananthapuram

History of Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, is unique for its scenic appeal, enthralling beaches, overwhelming greenery and wesome backwaters.

Share this Article:

Thiru-v-anantha-puram is a three-syllable name, which means the residence of the sacred snake god `Anantha`. Lord Vishnu of the ancient Indian mythology rests on this huge serpent. This city and district are also popularly known by its anglicized name Trivandrum.

Thiruvananthapuram is an ancient city with trading traditions from 1000BC. It is believed that the ships of king Solomon landed in a port called Ophir, which is now known as Poovar in Thiruvananthapuram. The city was the trading post of the spies, sandalwood and ivory.

The rise of the modern Thiruvananthapuram began with accession of Marthanda Verma in 1729 as the founding ruler of the princely state of Travancore. Thiruvananthapuram was made the capital of Travancore in 1745. The golden age of this city was during the mid of 19th century under the reign on Maharaja Swathi Thirunal and Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal. This year saw the first establishment of English School (1834), an Observatory (1837), the General Hospital (1839), the Oriental Research Institute and Manuscript Library and the University College (1873). The first Lunatic Asylum in the state was also started during the same period. Sanskrit College, Ayurveda College, Law College and a second grade women college started by Moolam Thirunal. The early 19th century was an age of tremendous political and social changes in the city. The Sree Moolam Assembly established in 1904 was the first democratically elected legislative council in any Indian state.

At the end of British rule in 1947, Travancore chose to join the Indian Union. The first popular ministry headed by Pattom Thanu Pillai was installed in office on 24th March 1948. In 1949 Thiruvananthapuram became the capital of Thiru-Kochi, the state formed by the integration of Travancore with its northern neighbour Kochi. The king of Travancore Chitra Thirunal Bala Rama Verma became the Rajpramukh of the Travancore-Cochin Union from July 1st, 1949 until October 31st, 1956. When the state of Kerala was formed on November 1, 1956, Thiruvananthapuram became the capital of the new state.

Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter

Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in Cities of India

Cities of North East India
Cities of North East India defines the unity in their culture and tradition. The tourism sector in North East cities in India are mainly based on nature and adventure tourism.

Cities of Central India
Cities of Central India are located on the Central Highlands in the midst of the dense jungles and the rich history of Chandella Dynasty.

Cities of South India
Cities of South India express the cleanliness, technically upgraded traffic system and easy communication in inter cities and abroad with railways, roadways and airways.

Cities of North India
Capital Cities of North India have a rich history from the time of Mahabharata. These cities have good communication system, proper business centers and cultural home towns.

Capital Cities in East India
Capital cities in East India define the Bengali and Odiya culture with the close similarities. The tribal culture is also dominant in the 21st century capitals along with the heavy industrialization.

Capital Cities of South India
Capital cities of South India are the smarter cities, with well equipped communication system and rapid transit system. In these capital cities of India, ayurveda, historical tourism and the medical tourism are dominant.

Capital cities of West India
Capital cities of West India define the business centers and this region has the highest GDP rate.

Capital Cities of Central India
Capital Cities of Central India are located in the midst of forests and the tribal belts of Central India.

Capital Cities in North East India
North East India forms a unity in the tribal language, settlements and the culture. The capital cities of North East India run their administration in a unified form.

Ancient North Indian Cities
Ancient North Indian Cities were developed in the early era that is from the time of Mahabharata, and after the decline of Hindu kings in Northern parts. Some have become desolated and some became the archaeological ruins.

Ancient South Indian Cities
Ancient South Indian Cities witness the rise and fall of many empires from the early era.

Ancient Cities of North West India
Ancient Cities of North West India show the Rajput culture from the early phase, but in medieval era it showed the prominence after having a good relation with Mughals.

Ancient West Indian Cities
Ancient West Indian Cities are now completely in ruins, because of the heavy earthquake in some of the regions.

Holy Cities of North West India
Holy Cities of North West India are grown up in the midst of dry and thorny desert lands with Rajputana art and architecture.

Tourism in Metropolitan Cities in India
Tourism in Metropolitan Cities in India represent the culture, history, monuments and eco tourism with easy connectivity in roadways, railways and airways.

Holy Cities of North India
Holy Cities of North India are having the rich history of Hinduism and the entire civilization was grown up with the hands of beliefs, rituals and the evolution of religion.

Holy Cities of South India
Holy Cities of South India gives the detailed cultural formation of Dravidians from the early era, which later developed to the world by the Pallavas and the Cholas.

Holy Cities of Central India
Holy Cities of Central India have the excellence of art and architecture in temples in the early era.

Holy Cities of East India
Holy Cities of East India refer the places of religious importance. Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism are widely spread.

Holy Cities of West India
Holy Cities in West India were established by the rulers of Rajputs and the Satvahana Dynasty and the medieval rulers of Junagadh.