Kanakakkunnu Palace, the royal residence of the former Cochin rulers, is perched on a hillock east of thiruvananthapuram. Since 1855, the rulers of Cochin have officially resided in this Royal Mansion. Based on historical evidence, it appears that Ravi Varma, who ruled from 1853 to 1864, constructed the oldest structure in this palace complex. The palace complex, which consists of 49 buildings, showcases Kerala’s traditional indigenous architectural principles. The palace complex spans 51.75 acres in total, with 13,000 square feet of that area being the building’s plinth.
Kanakakkunnu Palace, This complex consists of several blocks, including the Valiya Oottupura (Big Dining Hall), Hanuman Temple, Thevarappura, Kulappura Malika, Vilampupura, Homappura (Poojaroom), Madappally (Royal Kitchen), and Oottupura (Dining Hall).In reality, the Nalukuettu is an Ettukettu with two nadumittams, or courtyards, and it was constructed in 1855 along with the nearby Oottupura. Designed by European engineers, the main complex’s northern block was finished in 1898, during Maharaja Rama Varma’s (1895–1914) reign.
Rama Varma was also responsible for building the central block’s Cabinet Hall and its adjacent structure. The unusual lift that was brought in from England, the Victorian tiles that depict flowers on the Cabinet Hall’s exterior wall, and the metallic ceiling ornament all allude to the exquisite craftsmanship. The attention of guests is drawn to the Italian marble floor tiles in the corridors and the ceramic tiles in the royal bedroom.
The Cochin Royal House, also known as Perumpadappu Swaroopam, is thought to be descended from the Perumals of Mahodayapuram. According to the matrilineal system of inheritance, the Perumpadappu Swaroopam received political power upon the decline of the Perumals. Up to the end of the thirteenth century, the Perumpadappu Swaroopam held its royal seat at Chithrakoodam in Perumpadappu village in Vanneri. The Perumpadappu rulers were driven from Vanneri and established Mahodayapuram as their permanent capital as a result of the aggression of the Zamoothiri of Kozhikode.
The timely coronation at Chithrakoodam was disrupted by the threat and invasion of Zamorine, although the rulers of Cochin celebrated their coronation ceremony in the palace there. Raja Rama Varma (1701–1721) therefore swore an oath that if the coronation ceremony was not held at Chithrakoodam, he would never wear the royal crown. The successors of Rama Varma also respected his solemn oath. However, none of the Cochin kings have worn the royal crown since they were unable to retake the province from the Samutiri.
Kanakakkunnu Palace, Kochi became the new capital of the Perumpadappu rulers after the Samutiri invasion in 1405. Given their maternal lineage back to the Kulasekharas, they were referred to as Gangadhara Kovilathikarikal. Five collateral branches, or thavazhi, including Mutha Thavazhi, Elaya Thavazhi, Palluruthy Thavazhi, Muringur Thavazhi, and Chazhur Thavazhi, separated the Perumpadappu royal family by the fifteenth century. The oldest male members of all five of these Thavazhies, taken together, ascended to the Kochi throne. Each of these Thavazhies had their own family seat and properties.
When the Portuguese arrived, the region known as Perumpadappu Swaroopam was in a very horrible state because of internal strife and the threat posed by the Zamoothiri. As a result, the Portuguese and the rulers of Kochi became friends. With the assistance of the Portuguese, the rulers Raman Koil I and Unni Raman Koil II made arrangements for the efficient operation of their trade, and Kochi quickly became a politically significant city.
The only female ruler in Kochi history, Rani Gangadhara Lakshmi, assumed power in 1656–1658 as regent for Rama Varma, an adoptee from Venkatathunad. The Dutch became a powerful force and meddled in Kochi politics. In 1663, the Dutch removed Goda Varma, another adoptee from Vettathunad, from his position of authority, and Veera Kerala Varma, a Mutha Thavazhi, took over as ruler.
Under Veera Kerala Varma’s (1663–1668) leadership, Kochi was brought under the control of the Dutch East India Company through a treaty signed in March 1663. By another treaty, the Dutch power gained total control over the kingdom in September 1674. Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran was another significant Kochi ruler (1790-1805). His tenure as administrator was considered Kochi’s golden age. Visit the official website of Liturgical Temples to learn about historical sites and temples. This website constantly aims to offer thoroughly investigated content that has been sourced from reputable sources.
