THE Travancore State Manual BY V. NAGAM AIYA, B. A., F. R. Hist. S.. Dewan Peishcar, Travancore. A little later in 1739 a. d., M. Van Imhoff, the Dutch Governor of Ceylon, came to Cochin to examine into and report on the Cochin ac- counts. In his report to the Supreme Government at Batavia, dated 6th July 1739, he says ** that the king of Travancore having been successful jn the wars which he had undertaken, had rendered himself so much res- pected among the chief kings of the Malabar coast, that he was looked upon by every one with eyes of jealousy and apprehension . He was therefore of opinion, that if it were requisite for the Company to maintain a balance of power amongst the chiefs of the Malabar coast, it could never be made to preponderate more to the prejudice or danger of the Company than in favour of that prince, who was almost wholly attached to their competitors, and whose increase of power could not but be pregnant with the most alarming consequences to their interests, whilst he at the same time merited some chastisement for his insolence towards them, inde- pendent of the primary consideration of maintaining a due balance among the native powers of Malabar/* So having the curtailment of the rising power of Travancore as his chief object, he took up the cause of the Prin- cess of the Elayadathu Swarupam and sent a protest to the King of Travancore in 1740 espousing her cause. But seeing that his messages did not take effect, he sought a personal interview during which he tried persuasion, but finding it of no avail threatened an immediate invasion of his territories. The Maharajah jestingly said that, if the * superior power * should go that length, ** there are forests in Travancore into which I and my people can retire in safety . Imhoff retorted, ** where the Travancoreans could go the Dutch could follow . And the interview is said to have abruptly closed with a scornful remark from His Highness that he had himself been thinking of some day invading Europe with his viu?i^hies (canoes) and fishermen*. Unfortunately for the Dutch Governor Imhoff, his threat could not be immediately put into action as the strength of the military forces under his command was not adequate to cope with the well- disciplined forces of Travancore. He wrote to Ceylon for a detachment of infantry and artillery, while he collected a force at Quilon and trained the men in warfare for sudden emergencies. Annexation of Elayadathu Swarupam. In 1741 a. d. , Van Imhoff installed the Princess of Elayadathu Swarupam on her throne in de- fiance of the Maharajah. In retm^n he got some lands and some privileges from her viz., a large farm at Airoor, about three Dutch miles from Quilon, and also Bichoor in the Berkencoor country, where they erected a strong redoubt, * which were all abandoned at the peace of 1742. When these proceedings came to the kno\vletlge of the Maharajali, he collected his forces and attacked the Dutch and the Elayadathu Princess. The Dutch were completel}^ defeated and not one soldier of the Dutch regiments remained to tell the tale of the triumphal annexation of Elayadathu Swarupam to Travancore. The Princess fled to Cochin and placed herself under the protection of Van Imhofif and, it is said, the Dutch pensioned her at two rupees five annas (dail} it is to be hoped) . The Maharajahs army tlien attacked the Dutch forts in Travancore and captured all of them. The Dutch retired to Cochin. At the same time the Danes weie deprived of their factory at Colachel. The Dutch war. Battlj: of Colachkl. After thus defeating the Dutch, the ^Maharajah turned his attention to Kayangulam. When the greater portion of the Travancore forces was concentrated on Kayangulam, fresh reinforcements arrived from Ceylon with which the Dutch invaded the Travancore territory. They landed at Tengapatnam, Cadiapatnam, Midalam and other places in South Travancore and began harassing the inhabitants. As the whole Travancore force was concentrated in the north and as the attack of the Dntcli in the south was unexpected, several villages fell into their hands and they mai-ched to Eraniel unimi)eded committing atrocities all along the way. When the ^raharajah heard of this, he marched to the south abandoning the northern expedition and ordered Kama lyen Dalawa to join him at J^admanabhapuram. But before the arrival of the Travancore forces the whole country between Colachel and Kottar surrendered to the Dutch, who meeting w-ith no opposition made preparations to take Padmanabhapuram. The Maharajah, however, arrived at Padmanabhapuram just in time to avert the impending capture of his capital. Ho raised a fresh regiment of Nayars and in- corporated them with the regular infantry stationed there. Soon after, Rama Tyen arrived witli his wliole force from the north. The Dutch lost heart on seeing the Travancore army so soon before them. The famous battle of Colachel was fought on the irjth Karkadagam 916 M. E. (31st July 1741 A. I).), and the Dutch were completely defeated. They retreated to their ships deserting their fortifications at Colachel and leaving their dead comrades on the battle-field. The Travancore army took 24 pri- soners, besides 389 mu?kets, a few pieces of cannon and a large number of swords. In the meantime the Dutch fleet hastened back to Cochin. It was just before this battle that the Maharajah had sent ambas- sadors to the French at l^ondicherry to conclude a treaty of friendship and mutual help. He promised the French the grant of lands at Colachel and other places for constructing factories. But as the Dutch were completely defeated and that without much effort, the negotiations were dropped. Though the battle of Colachel was fought in 1741, peace with the Dutch was finally concluded and ratified by tlie Batavian Govern- ment only on the 18th October 1748. The Dutch prisoners were very kindly treated and they decided to stay and take service under the Maharajah. It is said that some of the descendants of these Dutch soldiers are still found in Travancore. Among the prisoners were two men of note, Eusiachius De Lannoy and Donadi who specially attracted the Maharajahs notice and whom he appointed to high military offices in the State. These two Dutchmen played a very conspi- cuous part in the subsequent history of Travancore and their military genius and fidelity to the Maharajah were of the utmost value to him in his subsequent expeditions and expansion of territory. The first, De Ijannoy, commonly known in Travancore as the Vulia Kappithan (Great Captain) was iji tlio manner of an experiment entrusted with the organi- sation and drilling of a special regiment of sepoys ; this he did very success- fully and to the satisfaction of the Maharajali. Several heroic stories are extant of the achievements of this particular regiment. De Lannoy was next made a Captain and entrusted with tlie construction of forts and the organisation of magazines and arsenals. He reorganised the whole army and disciplined it on European models, gave it a smart appearance and raised its efficiency to a very high order. About this time Nagercoil, Suchindram and Kottar were invaded by Chanda Sahib and Baba Sahib, two relatives of the Nawab of Arcot, Dost Ali Khan. Their object was the acquisition of some territory for the Nawabs son. The Dalawa tried to fight them out; but faihngin this, he gave them large presents and bought them oflf. The two chiefs im- mediately retraced their steps and Nanjanad was free again. * Btavorinofi* Voyages to the EaHt Indies, Vol. III. Page 240. VI.] Modern History — Martanda Vaniia. 848 842 TiuvANCoHK MoTAL. [Chap.
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