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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox former country
|native_name = തെക്കുംകൂർ
|conventional_long_name = Kingdom of Thekkumkur
|era = [[Age of Imperialism]]
|status = Protectorate
|status_text = [[Princely State]] of [[Kerala]]
|empire = Manikandanmar
|government_type = [[Monarchy]]
|year_start = 1103
|year_end = 1750
|event1 = [[Battle of Changanassery|The Battle of Changanassery]]
|date_event1 = 1749
|p1 = Vempolinad
|flag_p1 = Flag of Thekkumkur.png
|s1 = Travancore
|flag_s1 = Flag_of_Kingdom_of_Travancore.svg
|image_flag = File:Flag_of_Thekkumkur.png
|flag_alt = Thekkumkur
|coat_alt = Lion
|image_map =
|image_map_alt = Thekkumkur
|image_map_caption = Kingdom of Thekkumkur in India
|capital = '''[[Vennimala]]''' & [[Manikandapuram]] (1100~1445) '''[[Changanassery]]''' & [[Thaliyanthanapuram]] (1445-1750)
|national_anthem =
|common_languages = [[Malayalam]] & [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
|religion = [[Hinduism]]
|currency =
|title_leader = [[Maharaja|Manikandanmar]]
|leader1 = [[Aditya Varma Manikandan|Aditya Varma]]
|year_leader1 = 1710–1750
|today = [[India]]
|demonym=|area_km2=|area_rank=|GDP_PPP=|GDP_PPP_year=|HDI=|HDI_year=}}

'''The Kingdom of Thekkumkur''' ({{lang-ml|തെക്കുംകൂർ രാജ്യം}}) (also transliterated as ''Thekkumkoor'' or ''Thekkumcore'') was an independent kingdom in the southern part of [[Kerala]] in [[India]] from 1103 CE until 1750 CE.<ref name="ReferenceA">P. Shungoonny Menon - A HISTORY OF TRAVANCORE - First edition: 1878, New edition: 1983, Page 130, 131 - {{ISBN|978-8170200406}}</ref> It was ruled by the Thekkumkur Royal Family (Edathil Family). Thekkumkur lies between the [[Meenachil River]] and the [[Pamba River]], from the [[Western Ghats]] to the [[Vembanad Kayal]]. Thekkumkur emerges as a result of administrative changes in the princely states at the end of the [[Chera dynasty|Chera Kulasekhara dynasty of Mahodayapuram]]. The literal meaning of the title is ''the southern regent'' and the attribute ''southern'' distinguished them from another kingdom known as ''Vadakkumkur (northern regent)'' which bordered it in the northern side.<ref name="Menon2007">{{cite book|author=A Sreedhara Menon|title=A Survey Of Kerala History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FVsw35oEBv4C&pg=PA166|access-date=9 August 2012|date=1 January 2007|publisher=DC Books|isbn=978-81-264-1578-6|pages=166–}}</ref> The royal household, ''Thekkumkur Kovilakam'', were at [[Vennimala]] and [[Manikandapuram]] near [[Puthuppally, Kottayam|Puthuppally]], later it shifted to [[Neerazhi Palace]] at [[Puzhavathu]] of [[Changanassery]] and [[Talikkottai|Thalilkotta]] at [[Thaliyanthanapuram]] ([[Kottayam]]).

== History ==
=== End of Kulasekhara Empire ===
Thekkumkur emerges as a result of administrative changes in the princely states at the end of the [[Chera dynasty|Kulasekhara Empire]] at the end of the 11th century.<ref>Menon, A Sreedhara (1 January 2007). A Survey Of Kerala History. DC Books. {{ISBN|9788126415786}}. Retrieved 7 January 2019</ref> The feudal forms emerged as a result of the Brahmin's authority to acquire the physical rights of the land through the expansion of tiles and the influence of the slums which were the agricultural land. Smaller feudal lords subordinated themselves to the dynasties like [[Vempolinad]]. Due to the increase in the geographical area, Vempolinad was partitioned into two princely states called Thekkumkur and [[Vadakkumkur]]. The northern parts of Vembalanad were transformed into Vadakkumkur, and the southern parts of Vembalanad were merged with '''Munjunad''' and '''Nantuzhainad''' and formed Thekkumkur.<ref>Book Title: Suryakalati (Historic Novel), Volume 2
Author: Pi. Vi Tampi
Publisher: Kar̲ant̲ Buks, 1987
Original: University of California
Digitized: 31 Jan 2007
Total pages: 435</ref> There is no disagreement among historians as to what might have happened in the first decade of the twelfth century. However, there are some indications that the ritual had begun before that and the century before. Only that it was not transformed into an absolute monarchy of ''Thekkumkur kingdom''.<ref>Narayanan, M.G.S. (2013). Perumāḷs of Kerala: Brahmin oligarchy and ritual monarchy: political and social conditions of Kerala under the Cēra Perumāḷs of Makōtai (c. AD 800-AD 1124). Thrissur: CosmoBooks. {{ISBN|9788188765072}}.</ref>

=== Origin ===
[[File: Symbol of Thekkumkur Dynasty.png|175px|thumb|right|Royal seal of Thekkumkur Dynasty engraved in stone (Punchaman Illom, Vennimala)]]
Ilaya Raja (Prince) of [[Vempolinad]] who lived in '''Vemballi palace''' ({{lang-ml|വെമ്പള്ളി കൊട്ടാരം}}) founded Thekkumkur kingdom at the beginning of the 12th century.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/print-edition/vijayapadham/vijayapadham-15-02-2017-1.1730670|title = LDC Quick Book}}</ref> After their separation, Thekkumkur became an independent kingdom, while Vadakkumkur became a vassal of [[Kingdom of Cochin|Cochin]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zUkULqT28UoC&q=Vadakkumkur|title=Census of India, 2001: Wayanad|date=2004|publisher=Controller of Publications}}</ref> The northern parts of Vempolinad were transformed into Vadakkumkur, and the southern parts of Vempolinad were merged with ''Nantuzhunad'' and ''Munjunad'' and formed Thekkumkur in AD 1103.<ref>http://assemblyelection2011.com/</ref> [[Vennimala]] was chosen as the headquarters of the Thekkumkur monarchy because the Thekkumkur king was the koyil authority of the ''Venimala Sree Rama Lakshmana Perumal Temple'' which was supposed to have been founded by [[Bhaskaravarman|Bhaskara Ravi Varma-II]] (1019–1021).<ref>Narayanan, M. G. S. 2002. ‘The State in the Era of the Ceraman Perumals of Kerala’, in State and Society in Premodern South India, eds R. Champakalakshmi, Kesavan Veluthat, and T. R. Venugopalan, pp.111–19. Thrissur, CosmoBooks</ref>

=== Initial Capital - Vennimala and Manikandapuram ===
[[File:Vennimala.jpg|175px|thumb|left|Sree Rama Lakshmana Perumal Temple, Vennimala]]
[[Vennimala]] was established as the headquarters of Thekkumkur kingdom.<ref>Book Title: Sthalapurāṇaṅṅaḷ
Author: Iṭamaruk
Publisher: Royal Book Depot, 1972
Original from The University of California
Digitized: 2 Jun 2009
Length: 210 pages</ref> Vennimala was the most secure place for the enemy. The forests were cut down and developed into habitable areas and the administration is strengthened by the capital city of [[Manikandapuram]]. The Manikandapuram Krishna temple is believed to have been built by King [[Iravi Manikandan]] in 1152 AD.<ref>Kottarathil, Sankunni (2018). AITHIHYAMALA (Malayalam). 1 (Issue No. 1 ed.). Kottayam, Kerala, India: DC Books. p. 20. {{ISBN|9780195698893}}</ref> Manikandapuram and adjoining areas flourished with the administrative and populace necessary for capital. During the rule of the Thekkumkur kings, Manikandapuram was a very flourishing town. There is evidence that the fort and the tunnels were at Manikandapuram, as were the later headquarters of the Thekkumkur monarchy at [[Changanassery]] and [[Kottayam|Thaliyanthanapuram (Kottayam)]].

=== Changanassery and Thaliyanthanapuram ===
[[File:Kavil Temple Changanassery.jpg|175px|thumb|right|Thekkumkur [[Goddess|Paradevatha]] (Edathil Bhagavathy) Temple at Puzhavathu]]
As part of the growth of the market hubs in ''idanadu'' (medieval places), it was an intellectual move to have good interventions in the kingdom, the capital shifted to [[Puzhavathu]] in [[Changanassery]] at the beginning of 15th century. Apart from trade, Thekkumkur has promoted Changanassery as the best town for transportation in the southern neighboring princely states of Kerala. The administrative center remained in the [[Neerazhi Palace]] of Changanassery for the next three and a half centuries.<ref>Encyclopedia of Tourism Resources in India; Author: Dr. Manohar Sajnani, Published in 2001, Published by: Kalpaz Publications; Address: C-30, Satyawati Nagar, Phase-III, Ashok Vihar, Delhi-110052, {{ISBN|81-7835-014-9}} (set), {{ISBN|81-7835-018-1}} (Vol II)</ref> The relocation of the headquarters to [[Neerazhi Palace|Neerazhikettu Kottaram]] at Changanassery made it easier for them to ease the commodities that frequent the Vembanadu lagoon and to combat the encroachments of the backwaters of [[Ambalappuzha|Chempakassery]].

[[File:Thalikotta Temple Main Srikovil.JPG|175px|thumb|left|Thali Temple, Thalikotta (Thaliyanthanapuram)]]
By the end of the 15th century, the Thekkumur kings had built a palace and fort near the [[Talikotta Mahadeva Temple|Thaliyil temple]] and established another capital on the banks of the river Meenachil at [[Thalianthanapuram]] (Kottayam). Thali Temple was one of the eighteen and a half Thali shrines ({{lang-ml|പതിനെട്ടര തളികൾ}}) of Kerala. An additional capital city establishment was by the trade developments in the Thazhathangadi river ([[Meenachil River]]) and the collapse of the ancient thali ({{lang-ml|തളി}}) as a center of [[Brahmanism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/getting-about-kerala/kottayam/2019/09/07/kottayam-history-historic-sites-churches-temples-fort.html|title=Remains of Kottayam's glorious past|website=www.manoramaonline.com}}</ref> The fort, which was about a kilometer in circumference and was about 12 feet high, was made of heavy red sandstone and had six bastions (the tower of view) and five-meters (seven Kol) wide trenches.

== Geography ==
[[File:Map of South Kerala 1498 AD by Dutch.png|175px|thumb|right|Map of Thekkumkur (1498) By Dutch Rev.Samuel Mateer]]
An earthen fort along the border of Vadakkumkoor and Thekkumkoor, it beginning from [[Athirampuzha]], it extended to Kondur (east of [[Palai]]). Initially, the Thekkumkur boundary was the [[Western Ghats|Western Ghats (Sahyadri Mountains)]] to the [[Vembanadu Lake|Vembanadu Lake (Vembanadu Kayal)]] and the [[Kanakkary]] to [[Kaipattoor|Kaipattoor (Kadavu)]] in [[Achankovil River]]. In the late 18th century, however, the area of the kingdom declined. As a Dutch map of AD1743 indicates, the boundaries are;<ref>N.E Kesavan Namboothiri, Thekkumkoor Charithravum Puravrithavum (Kottayam: National Book Stall, 2014), 8-9</ref>

*'''West:''' Vembanadu Lake; Place includes: Kumarakom, Eara, Neelamperoor, Kidangara, Muttar, Neerettupuram, Niranam
*'''South:''' Place includes: Budhanur, Puliyur, Parumala, Chengannur, Aranmula, Kozhanchery, Ayirur, Ranni
*'''East:''' Place includes: Mukkoottuthara, Erumeli, Kannimala, Chotty, Thidanad, Meenachil
*'''North:''' Place includes: Palai, Lalam, Koodallur, Kanakkary, Athiranpuzha

Historian K.N Gopala Pillai, Kuruppum Veettil is written of the country's borders in his historical novel "Thekkumkur Rani". He said that [[Purakkad]] belonged to Thekkumur and was an important trading center of the country.<ref>{{cite book|author=K.N Gopala Pillai Kuruppum Veettil|title=Thekkumkur Rani (Queen of Thekkumkur)|url=https://archive.org/details/ThekkumkoorRani/page/n7|access-date=2 December 2019|year=1948|publisher=The Hindustan Publishing House, Trivandrum, Publisher: Thomas George BA|pages=224–}}</ref>

== Separation of [[Poonjar dynasty|Poonjar Provinance]] ==
It is believed that a branch of the [[Pandya dynasty|Pandyan dynasty]] who had to flee in the 12th century after a dispute over [[Madurai]]; later sold their possessions and established a kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kerala-tourism.org/kerala-monuments/poonjar-palace.html|title=Poonjar Palace Kottayam - Poonjar Palace Kerala India}}</ref> Pandya king, '''Manavikrama Kulasekhara Perumal''' who came from Madurai and later settled in Ettumanur. Udaya Kulasekara of the Pandya dynasty was revealed the locals the intent of the robbers who came to loot Ettumanur Siva temple in the early 15th century. In the congregation that followed '''Udaya Kulasekara Perumal''' of Pandya king made the covenant with [[Kotha Varman Manikandan]] of Thekkumkur in AD 1419 at Thaliyanthanapuram. Thekkumkur king summoned the local governing councils and locals at Thaliyil Temple to understand their minds about the covenant. According to the covenant with Kotha Varman and Manavikraman of Pandya dynasty; the Poonjar kingdom was acquired by giving a certain amount of gold and undefined emeralds to the Thekkumkur<ref>{{cite book |last=V|first=Ramakumar |date=September 2002 |chapter=പൂഞ്ഞാർ രാജവംശം |edition=1st |editor=Paramasivan Nair |title=Sree Ayyappan |url=http://www.sisobooks.net |location=[[Thiruvananthapuram]] |publisher=Siso books |pages=55–56 |isbn=81-7797-033-X}}</ref> This is a treaty document on the rise of the Poonjar kingdom. KP Padmanabha Menon writes in the Malabar histories about the authentic account of the country exchange treaties held at the Mukha mandapam of Thaliyil Siva temple.<ref>Title History of Kerala: A History of Kerala Written in the Form of Notes on Visscher's Letters from Malabar, Volume 1
History of Kerala: a history of Kerala written in the form of notes on Visscher's letters from Malabar
Author K.P. Padmanabha Menon
Editor T. K. Krishna Menon
Publisher Asian Educational Services, 1982
{{ISBN|8120601645}}, 9788120601642</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''The Poonjar Covenant'''
! '''പൂഞ്ഞാർ ഉടമ്പടി'''
|-
| Tekkuṅkūr svarūpattiṅkaninnuṁ pūññāṟṟil perumāḷkk maññamala periyār uḷppeṭa malampiṟaṁ eḻuti keāṭuttatāvit. keāllaṁ 594 (AD1419) makaraṁ ñāyaṟil pūññār udayakulaśēkharapperumāḷ paṇṭārattilēykk veṇpala nāṭṭuṭaya kēātavarm'man kēāviladhikārikaḷ maññamala periyār malampiṟattinatir. 
kiḻakk kaṇṇam'mēṭṭinuṁ talakkuḷatt mēṭṭinuṁ nētākara mēṭṭinuṁ vaḻukkappāṟa mēṭṭinuṁ talamala kiḻakkēāṭṭ cāññatinuṁ mēkkuttekk vaḻukkappāṟaykkuṁ mullaykkuṁ pēraṭa pāṟattēāṭṭinuṁ tēvarakkuḷatt mēṭṭinuṁ cēāṟṟippāṟaykkuṁ kūṭṭikkalkkuṁ mēkkuvaṭakk mannammuṭṭikkuṁ kunnēāmmuṟikkuṁ kuṭamuruṭṭimalaykkuṁ mār malaykkuṁ periyal malaykkuṁ pēāḻākkallinuṁ oru tarattilāṇ cāññanēāṭaykkuṁ murikkal taṟamēṭṭinuṁ tekkuḷḷa nālatirttikkakatt maññamala cāttāvineyuṁ malayaṭimāreyuṁ kūṭe aṭṭippēr eḻuti tannirikkunnu. kuṟimānaṁ keāllavarṣaṁ 614 (AD 1439)
| ''തെക്കുംകൂർ സ്വരൂപത്തിങ്കനിന്നും പൂഞ്ഞാറ്റിൽ പെരുമാൾക്ക് മഞ്ഞമല പെരിയാർ ഉൾപ്പെട മലമ്പിറം എഴുതി കൊടുത്തതാവിത്. കൊല്ലം 594 (എ.ഡി.1419) മകരം ഞായറിൽ പൂഞ്ഞാർ ഉദയകുലശേഖരപ്പെരുമാൾ പണ്ടാരത്തിലേയ്ക്ക് വെൺപല നാട്ടുടയ കോതവർമ്മൻ കോവിലധികാരികൾ മഞ്ഞമല പെരിയാർ മലമ്പിറത്തിനതിര്. കിഴക്ക് കണ്ണമ്മേട്ടിനും തലക്കുളത്ത് മേട്ടിനും നേതാകര മേട്ടിനും വഴുക്കപ്പാറ മേട്ടിനും തലമല കിഴക്കോട്ട് ചാഞ്ഞതിനും മേക്കുത്തെക്ക് വഴുക്കപ്പാറയ്ക്കും മുല്ലയ്ക്കും പേരട പാറത്തോട്ടിനും തേവരക്കുളത്ത് മേട്ടിനും ചോറ്റിപ്പാറയ്ക്കും കൂട്ടിക്കൽക്കും മേക്കുവടക്ക് മന്നംമുട്ടിക്കും കുന്നോംമുറിക്കും കുടമുരുട്ടിമലയ്ക്കും മാർ മലയ്ക്കും പെരിയൽ മലയ്ക്കും പോഴാക്കല്ലിനും കിടങ്ങൽമുറിക്കും കിഴക്കുവടക്ക് നല്ല തണ്ണീരാറ്റിനും ചെങ്കരത്തോടിനും ചാഞ്ഞനോടയ്ക്കും മുരിക്കൽ തറമേട്ടിനും തെക്കുള്ള നാലതിർത്തിക്കകത്ത് മഞ്ഞമല ചാത്താവിനെയും മലയടിമാരെയും കൂടെ അട്ടിപ്പേർ എഴുതി തന്നിരിക്കുന്നു. കുറിമാനം കൊല്ലവർഷം 614 (എ.ഡി.1439)''
|-
|}

== Rulers of Thekkumkur ==
[[File:Thazhathangadi Jama Masjid.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid built by Thekkumkur king]]
* '''Ilayaraja Vimbileeswaran''' of Vempally Palace: 1103 - 1150 C.E.; Founder of Thekkumkur Dynasty.
* '''Eravi Manikandan Varman''': 1150 - 1180 C.E.; Mentioned in [[Aithihyamala|Aithihyamala of Kottarathil Sankunni]]; [[Rajarshi]]; Built Manikandapuram temple at [[Vakathanam]].
* '''Kumaran Iyakan Manikandan''': 1300 C.E.; Mentioned in [[Tiruvalla copper plates]] (Thiruvalla Grandhavari).
* '''Rama Varman Manikandan''': 1350 - 1378 C.E.; Mentioned in the oldest literary in Malayalam language [[Unnuneeli Sandesam]] ([[Sandesa Kavya|sandesa kavyam]]).
* '''Kotha Varman Manikandan''': 1408 - 1440 C.E.; Made a covenant to sold the possessions to Udaya Kulasekara Perumal of [[Pandya Dynasty|Pandya king]] to establish the [[Poonjar dynasty]].
* '''Adithya Varman Manikandan''': 1520 - 1555 C.E.; Built [[Thazhathangady Pally]] on the bank of [[Meenachil River]].
* '''Eravi Varman Manikandan''': 1555 - 1579 C.E.; Younger brother of Adithya Varman.
* '''Goda Varman Manikandan''': 1579 - 1606 C.E.; Built [[Thazhathangady Pally|Kottayam Cheriya Pally]].
* '''Kerala Aditya Varman Manikandan''': 1626 - 1629 C.E.; Mentioned in Vanchipuzha Madam Script.
* '''Kerararu Goda Varman Manikandan''': 1650 - 1674 C.E.; Started a [[German language|Deutsche]] school; A [[Mizhavu]] [[Talikotta Mahadeva Temple|dedicated to Thaliyil temple in 1661]].
* '''Unni Kerala Varman Manikandan''': 1674 - 1691 C.E.; Built Keralapuram Palace in Kottayam.
* '''[[Udaya Marthanda Varma|Udaya Marthanda Varman Manikandan]]''': 1691 - 1717 C.E.; Built Chitrakulam Mahadevar Temple and Chitrakulam pond at [[Puzhavathu]].
* '''[[Aditya Varma Manikandan|Adithya Varman Manikandan]]''': 1717 - 1750 C.E.; Last King of Thekkumkur Dynasty; Fought in [[Battle of Changanassery]] with Marthanda Varma of [[Travancore]].

== Royal Palaces ==
The [[Neerazhi Palace]] (Changanassery) at [[Puzhavathu]]<ref name="ReferenceA"/> and Talikota Kovilakam (Thaliyanthanapuram) in [[Kottayam]]<ref>Title: Census of India, 2001; Part 12 of Census of India, 2001: Kerala, India. Director of Census Operations, Kerala; Contributors: Sheela Thomas, India. Director of Census Operations, Kerala; Publisher: Controller of Publications, Year of publishing: 2004; Original: University of Minnesota</ref> are the main residences of the Thekkumkur kings. Initially, the Maharaja lived in Venimala<ref>Book Title: Sthalapurāṇaṅṅaḷ; Author: Idamaruk; Publisher: Royal Book Depot; Published year: 1972; Original: The University of California; Digitized: 2 Jun 2009; Length: 210 pages</ref> and Manikandapuram,<ref>Kottarathil Sankunni (2018); AITHIHYAMALA (Malayalam), 1 (Issue No. 1 ed.), Kottayam, Kerala, India: DC Books. p. 20. {{ISBN|9780195698893}}</ref> which continued until the royal residence was moved to Neerazhi Palace. The Thekkumkur royal family had several palaces including [[Aranmula Kottaram|Aranmula Palace]], Keralapuram Palace, Edathil Palace Pallom etc.<ref>{{cite book|author=K.N Gopala Pillai Kuruppum Veettil|title=Thekkumkur Rani (Queen of Thekkumkur)|url=https://archive.org/details/ThekkumkoorRani/page/n7|access-date=2 December 2019|year=1948|publisher=The Hindustan Publishing House, Trivandrum, Publisher: Thomas George BA|pages=224}}</ref>

== The Battle of Changanassery ==
[[File:Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma.jpg|200px|thumb|left|[[Marthanda Varma]] of Travancore who defeated Thekkumkur in the [[Battle of Changanassery]]]]
The last king of Thekkumkur was [[Aditya Varma Manikandan]] and he resided in the [[Neerazhi Palace]] at Changanassery.<ref name="ReferenceB">Book Title: Mahakshetrangalude Munnil;
Author: Nalamkel Krishna Pillai;
Total: 816 pages;
Published year: 1997;
Published by: D.C. Books Printers Publishers Booksellers;
{{ISBN|9788171307074}};
Edition Language: Malayalam
Literary Awards: Vyasa Award of Travancore Devaswam Board</ref> It was a time when an alliance between Adityavarma and his younger brother Goda Varman broke out. The king was willing to the alliance with Kochi, however, the crown prince was sympathetic to Travancore and Marthanda Varma. Goda Varman (crown prince of Thekkumkur) and [[Marthanda Varma]] of Travancore were classmates at Madurai when they were studying of Rajyadharma. After hearing of the military advance of the [[Travancore]] under the leadership of [[Ramayyan Dalawa]] and [[Eustachius De Lannoy|Caption De Lannoy]]; the crown prince of Thekkumkur (Goda Varman) then advised king ''Aditya Varma Manikandan'' to make a friendship with Travancore kingdom by understanding the downfall of princely state [[Purakkad|Ampalapuzha]] (Chempakassery) and the fall of princely state [[Odanad|Kayamkulam]].<ref>https://www.namboothiri.com/ articles/naaduvaazhikal.htm</ref> Meanwhile, when Marthanda Varma seized [[Odanad|Kayamkulam]] and [[Purakkad|Chempakassery]], Aditya Varma realized that they were the next victims and sent his brother to [[Thiruvananthapuram]] for an unconditional peace mission and met [[Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma]] of Travancore and requested help.

Unfortunately, Marthanda Varma asked Goda Varman, to promise that he would be in power if he helped to oust king Adithya Varman. Marthanda Varma had already heard the rift between the brothers. The younger king was well-received in the southern part of Thekkumkur kingdom. The self-righteous crown prince decided to return to Thekkumkur soon after the disagreement. The evil intelligence of Marthanda Varma and [[Ramayyan Dalawa]] aroused together. He sent a messenger to the younger king and told him the fake news, saying, "Departure to Kottayam immediately; the mother's health is bad".<ref name="ReferenceB"/> The crown prince Goda Varman decided to leave, boarded the boat and headed north; Marthanda Varma gave him some gifts for Thekkumkur king Aditya Varma Manikandan<ref>The Travancore State Manual Vol 1 to 4; Publisher: Kerala Council for Historical Research; {{ISBN|8185499268}}; Edition: 1996; Pages: 2500; Author: T.K. Velu Pillai; Editor:S. Raimon; Category: Manuals; Year of Publishing:1940</ref> On the way, he descended on [[Anchuthengu Fort]] and received eleven ritual fire by the [[British East India|British authorities]]. From there he reached via [[Paravur Lake]], [[Ashtamudi Lake]], [[Kayamkulam Kayal|Kayamkulam Lake]] and [[Vembanadu Lake]]. The next day the boat of the crown prince reached Illyakkadavu at Thazhathangadi. Ramayyan's servants were followed by another boat and they slaughtered the crown prince Goda Varman and his servants. The next day was the declaration of war of Travancore. ''Crown prince's "classmate" challenges to Aditya Varman Manikandan for cheating and killing of his younger brother''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/unravelling-a-17th-century-multilingual-school/article25753903.ece|title=Unravelling a 17th-century multilingual school|first=U.|last=Hiran|newspaper=The Hindu|date=December 15, 2018|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref>

[[File:Vazhappally Temple.jpg|200px|thumb|left|[[Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple]]]]
[[Ramayyan Dalawa]] spread the news that the Thekkumkur king Adithya Varman killed crown prince Goda Varman. But historian P. Shankuni Menon is justifying Travancore in his book ''Travancore History of Shankuni Menon''.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/ahistorytravanc00menogoog|title=A History of Travancore from the Earliest Times|date=November 30, 1878|publisher=Higginbotham|via=Internet Archive}}</ref> The Thekkumkur fort and the [[Neerazhi Palace]] at Changanassery were attacked in September 1749.<ref>Thekkumkoor Charithravum Puravrithavum, Author: Prof N E Kesavan Nampoothiri, Publisher: NBS (National Book Stall, Kottayam: 2014), {{ISBN|9789385725647}}</ref> The [[Vazhappally Pathillathil Potimar]] (administrator of [[Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple]]) assisted the king Aditya Varman in the Neerazhi Palace and transferred him to Nattassery at [[Kottayam]]. The Kannamperoor wooden bridge at [[Vazhappally]] was destroyed to prevent the Travancore troops from following them in the event of adverse weather.<ref name="A Sreedhara Menon 2007 pp. 166">A Sreedhara Menon (1 January 2007). A Survey Of Kerala History. DC Books. pp. 166–. {{ISBN|978-81-264-1578-6}}. Retrieved 9 August 2012.</ref> The Thekkumkur king Aditya Verman fled to [[Calicut]] and gave refuge to the [[Zamorin of Calicut|Zamorin (Zamuthiri)]]. Proceedings of September 11, 1749; On the 28th of the year Malayalam era 925 Chingam (September 11, 1749 AD), the capital of the Thekkumkur conquered by Ramayyan Dalawa and merged to Travancore kingdom.<ref>{{cite book|last=Menon|first=P Shungoonny|title=History of Travancore from the Earliest Times by P Shungoonny Menon (Dewan Peishcar of Travancore)|year=1878|publisher=Higginbotham and Company|location=105, Mount road, Madras|pages=152, 153}}</ref><ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/getting-about-kerala/kottayam/2019/09/07/kottayam-history-historic-sites-churches-temples-fort.html|title=Remains of Kottayam's glorious past|website=OnManorama}}</ref><ref name="A Sreedhara Menon 2007 pp. 166"/>

== At present ==
The Thekkumkur Royal family members are now staying at Nattassery; now this Palace is visible with several ancient Nalukett & new houses constructed by current family members in close compounds of Edathil Bhagavathy Temple. Descendents of Thekkumkur Royal families stay in Nedikunnathu "Vazhuvelil" family and one branch moved to Kayamkulam and joined with their relative family which is also related to Odanadu (Kayamkulam) royal family and finally settled near Nurunadu and family are known as "Muthanttedam" or elder branch of Edathil (Thekkumkoor) Swarupam. Nediyanikkal Panayil Devi temple deity is worshipped by them as Edathil Bhagavathy. They lost their glorious past and live like any other Nair family and part of the Nalukett is renovated and some family members are living there .,.<ref>pages 198-214, A history of Travancore from earliest times, P. Shungoony Menon, 1878, published by Higginbothams and Co, Madras</ref><ref>Granthavari Edathil Swarupam</ref>

After the subjugation of the [[Dutch India|Dutch]] by [[Travancore]] in 1742, military operations of [[Marthanda Varma]] progressed against the northern neighboring kingdoms including Thekkumkoor. Though Thekkumkoor allied with Chempakassery and Vadakkumkoor to protect the kingdom, all of them were finally annexed to Travancore.<ref>{{cite book|author=A. Sreedhara Menon|title=Political History of Modern Kerala|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wnAjqjhc1VcC&pg=PA140|access-date=10 August 2012|year=1987|publisher=D C Books|isbn=978-81-264-2156-5|pages=140–}}</ref>

The ruler of Thekkumkur had sided first with the [[Odanad|Kingdom of Kayamkulam]] and then with the principality of [[Ambalapuzha]] against Travancore under [[Marthanda Varma]]. After the fall of Ambalapuzha, and as the ruler of Thekkumkoorr refused to come to terms with Travancore, his capital city was taken on 11 September 1750 by [[Ramayyan Dalawa]], the general and prime minister of Marthanda Varma and the state was annexed to Travancore in 1753. The details of the battle are described in the '[[iarchive:ahistorytravanc00menogoog|History of Travancore From The Earliest Times]]' by P. Shankunni Menon, erstwhile Diwan Peshkar (a rank equivalent to Deputy Prime Minister) of the Travancore State and father of another noted historian K. P. Padmanabha Menon. Towards the end, the Thekkumkure Royal Family only controlled the small area of [[Kovilakam]] of [[Kolathu Kara Kozhanchery]].

== Paradevatha ==
''Edathil Bhagavathy'' is the [[goddess|paradevatha]] of the Thekkumcore Royal Family. The main [[Puja (Hinduism)|pūjā]] is performed on ''[[Hindu calendar|Medam 18]]'' (which usually it falls on 1 May) every year. The pūjās are performed by the [[thandri]] from [[surya]] Kaladi Mana. There will be a [[Puja (Hinduism)|thrikala pūjā]] (meaning pūjās in the morning, noon & evening) on this day. It is a day for family get-togethers as well.

Daily pūjās are performed by the Vadakkummal family. Vadakkummal Vikraman Namboodiri is the current main priest. The last day ceremony of the Kumaranallor Temple Ulsavam, the [[Aaraattu|ārāttu]] (the day after the Thrikkarthika) is performed at the [[Meenachil River]] which is close to the [[Edathil Temple]] (2 km away from [[Kumaranalloor|Kumaranalloor Devi Temple]]). The ''ārāttu'' is performed near the [[Edathil]] [[Bhagavathi Temple]] once every year since Kumaranalloor Bhagavathi comes to see her sister the Edathil Bhagavathi. During the month of January [[Bhagavata Purana]] [[Sapthaham]] with [[Bhagavathom Moolam]] is conducted every year.

== References ==
{{Reflist|3}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.ktm.kerala.gov.in/history.htm Official website of Kottayam]
* Thekkumcoor Charitravum [http://www.indulekha.com/thekkumkoor-charitravum-puravruthavum-history-n-e-kesavan-namboothiri Puravruthavum]

{{Feudal states of Kerala}}
{{coord missing|Kerala}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thekkumkoor}}
[[Category:History of Kottayam district]]
[[Category:Feudal states of Kerala]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Thekkumkur]]

Thekkumkur - Revision history

Lmao: quick cleaned up details after review and improved wording

->Rlink2: /* The Battle of Changanassery /archive link repair, may include: archive. -> archive.today, and http->https for ghostarchive.org and archive.org (wp:el#Specifying_protocols)

Thekkumkur - Revision history

Lmao: quick cleaned up details after review and improved wording

->Rlink2: /* The Battle of Changanassery */archive link repair, may include: archive.* -> archive.today, and http->https for ghostarchive.org and archive.org (wp:el#Specifying_protocols)

->Rlink2: /* The Battle of Changanassery /archive link repair, may include: archive. -> archive.today, and http->https for ghostarchive.org and archive.org (wp:el#Specifying_protocols)