Predecessors and Short History:
The Kingdom of Cochin was a late medieval Hindu kingdom
and later a Princely State on the Malabar Coast, South
India, it controlled much of the territory between Ponnani
and Kochi in Malabar, however it shrank to its minimal
extent as a result of invasions by the Zamorin of Calicut.
It was founded at an unknown date by Veerakerala Varma, a
nephew of Cheraman Perumal, who is is supposed to be the
first king of Cochin, he divided his kingdom between his
sons and nephews and then went on a pilgrimage. Various
dates for this division are given by scholars, ranging
from 345AD by Keralolpathi, to 385AD by Perumpadapu
Grandavari, 825AD by the historian, Loghan and the 12th
century by Elamkulam Kunjan Pilla, another historian. The
Princely States of Travancore and Cochin merged together
and Travancore-Cochin State came into existence on 1st
July 1949. The heads of the Royal Family do not use the
title of Maharaja since 1964. The family motto is Honour
is our Family Treasure. Rulers were...
- Raja UNNI RAMA
KOYIKAL I, Raja of Cochin before 1500/1503,
he was the Raja when the Portuguese arrived on 24th
December 1500, and he received the commander with
great honour. He was killed along with a nephew and
two other princes in a battle when the Zamorin
attacked Cochin in 1503.
- Raja UNNI RAMA
KOYIKAL II, Raja of Cochin 1503/1537, during
his reign on 26th September 1503, the Portuguese laid
the foundation stone for their fort at Cochin, and two
years later the first Viceroy to India from Portugal
arrived in Cochin and presented the Raja with a golden
crown on behalf of the King of Portugal. He died in
1537.
- Raja VIRA KERALA
VARMA I [Gangadharaveerakeralan], Raja of
Cochin 1537/1565, during his reign St. Xavier arrived
in Cochin in 1542; the Portuguese governor despoiled
Palluruthi temple in 1549, but in 1555 they built the
Mattancheri Palace and presented it to the king, the
Dutch later renovated this palace and since then it
has been known as the Dutch Palace. He was murdered in
1565 on the orders of the Vadakankoor Raja.
- Raja KESHAVA RAMA VARMA II,
Raja of Cochin 1565/1601 (abdicated), he was the most
popular king during the Portuguese era and in 1599,
the Archbishop of Goa paid him a visit; he abdicated
and made a pilgrimage to Kashi where he died 3rd May
1601.
- Raja VIRA KERALA
VARMA II, Raja of Cochin 1601/1615, it was
during his reign in 1609 that the first British ship
arrived in India. He died 15th April 1615.
- Raja RAVI VARMA I,
Raja of Cochin 1615/1624, nothing of note occurred
during his reign. He died 30th September 1624.
- Raja VIRA KERALA
VARMA III, Raja of Cochin 1624/1637, during
his reign Mathilakam Angadi was captured. He died 11th
July 1637.
- Raja GODA VARMA I,
Raja of Cochin 1637/1645, he succeeded his brother in
1637, during his reign Muringoor Thavazhi was merged
with Elaya Thavazhi. He died 2nd February 1645 in
Trichur.
- Raja VIRA RAYIRA
VARMA, Raja of Cochin 1645/1646, he succeeded
his brother in 1645. He died 4th July 1646 in
Irinjalakuda.
- Raja VIRA KERALA
VARMA IV, Raja of Cochin 1646/1650, he was
adopted from Palluruthi Thavazhi. He died 1650.
- Raja RAMA VARMA I,
Raja of Cochin 1650/1656, he was adopted from
Chaziyur. He died 1656.
Rani Gangadhara Lakshmi [Velliama Thampuran], Regent of Cochin
1656/1658 (abdicated), she became Regent as there were no
eligible successors, the Portuguese ordered her to make five adoptions
from Aroor and Vettath. She died in prison after 1662.
- Raja RAMA VARMA II,
Raja of Cochin 1658/1662, he was the eldest of the
adoptions from Vettath, he was killed in 1662 when the
Dutch attacked Cochin.
- Raja GODA VARMA II,
Raja of Cochin 1662/1663, during his reign the Dutch
attacked Cochin Port and he was forced to surrender on
7th January 1663.
- Raja VEERA KERALA
VARMA V, Raja of Cochin 1663/1687, he was
adopted from Chayziyur Thavazhi to Mootha Thavazhi;
during his reign the Portuguese left Cochin and the
Dutch became a strong presence in Cochin and presented
him with a golden Crown. He died in February 1687.
- Raja RAMA VARMA III,
Raja of Cochin 1687/1693, he was the last to be
adopted from Mootha Thavazhi; in 1689 he adopted six
boys and four girls from Chaziyur Thavazhi. He died
19th August 1693.
- Raja RAVI VARMA II,
Raja of Cochin 1693/1697, he was the eldest of the
adoptions made in 1689. He in November 1697 in
Thiruvalla.
- Raja RAMA VARMA IV,
Raja of Cochin 1697/1701, he was the second eldest of
the adoptions made from Chaziyur in 1689; he signed a
pact with the Dutch in 1698 to collect taxes of goods
arriving by the sea. He died 1701 in Irinjalakuda.
- Raja RAMA
VARMA V, Raja of Cochin 1701/1721, he was the
third eldest of the adoptions made from Chaziyur in
1689; he was the most popular king with the Dutch era,
who appreciated his political skills though they never
trusted him; in 1715, he adopted two boys and one
girl, supposedly his nephews and a niece. He died in
October 1721 in Trichur.
- Raja RAVI VARMA III,
Raja of Cochin 1721/1731, there is uncertainty as to
whether he was one of the six adoptions made from
Chaziyur in 1689, or one of the two adoptions made in
1715. He 1731 in Irinjalakuda.
- Raja RAMA VARMA VI,
Raja of Cochin 1731/1746, he was the last surviving
member of the adoptions made from Chaziyur in 1689; he
allied himself with the Dutch to fight against
Travancore kingdom but later withdrew. He in January
1746 in Kureekad.
- Raja VIRA KERALA
VARMA I, Raja of Cochin 1746/1749, he was the
elder of the two males adopted from Chazhiyoor
thavazhi in 1715, as conjectured by 'Granthavari',
educated at home, during his reign he witnessed the
total defeat of the Dutch at the hands of Travancore
in the Battle of Kulachil. He died 14th January 1749
in Thripunithura.
- Raja RAMA VARMA VII,
Raja of Cochin 1749/1760, he was a grandson of one of
the females that were adopted in 1689, during his
reign Cochin was attacked by Travancore and by the
Zamorin from the South; a pact signed in 1753 between
the Dutch and Travancore was a big blow for Cochin as
the help that Cochin received from the Dutch ceased.
He died in August 1760 in Cochin and was later
cremated at Thripunithura.
- Raja VIRA KERALA
VARMA II, Raja of Cochin 1760/1775, during
his reign Cochin was attacked by Hyder Ali of Mysore
in 1766. He died in September 1775.
- Raja RAMA VARMA
VIII, Raja of Cochin 1775/1790. He died 16th
August 1790 in Thripunithura.
- Raja RAMA VARMA IX
[Kunhjipilla Thampuran or Shakthan Thampuran], Raja of
Cochin 1790/1805, born 26th August 1751 at
Vellarapally Palace, Puthiyedam, Kaladi, as his mother
died young, he was brought up by his maternal aunt, he
was educated privately under the tutelage of various
scholars, he succeeded his uncle in August 1790, and
shortly afterwards he signed a mutual pact with the
British, he brought the feudal chieftains to account
and was able to consolidate the royal power in his
hands; he enjoyed good relations with the British
authorities, and was able to devote his attention to
the building of a new Palace and to making Thrissur
the cultural capital of Kerala, after moving his court
from Thrippunithura; this palace in Thrissur City is
now preserved as a monument, and is named Shakthan
Thampuran Palace, after himself, it is spread over six
acres and has now been converted into a heritage
museum now, it was built in Kerala-Dutch style in
1795; married 1stly, 1781, (name unknown) Nethyar Amma, a Nair
lady from the reputed Vadakke Kuruppath family of
Thrissur, married 2ndly, 1802, Srimati Rani
Chummukutty Nethyar Amma of the Karimpatta family,
born 1785, she was a talented musician and dancer of
Kaikottikalli, and possibly had issue, one daughter by
the first Rani. He died spm in 26th September 1805 in
Thrichur, and was buried in Shakthan Thampuran Palace,
Thrissur.
- Raja RAMA VARMA X
[Vellarapaliyil Thepetta Thampuran], Raja of Cochin
1805/1809, he was the eldest son of the aunt of
Shakthan Thampuran; he was a Sanskrit scholar,
pleasant natured and righteous, though not efficient
in the administration of the state which was left to
his minister, Palliathachan, he underwent conversion
into a Tulu Brahmin and worked for the spread of Tulu
Brahminism. He died in January 1809 in Vellarapalli.
- Raja VIRA KERALA
VARMA III [Karkidaka Masathil Theepeta
Thampuran], Raja of Cochin 1809/1828, he was brother
of Raja Rama Varma X (Vellarapaliyail Theepeta
Thampuran); he was noted for his interest in
philosophy; Col. Monro became the first Dewan of
Cochin in 1812. He in August 1828 in Thripunithura.
- Raja RAMA VARMA XI
[Thulamasathil Theepeta Thampuran], Raja of Cochin
1828/1837, he was the nephew of Raja Vira Kerala Varma
III (Karkidaka Masathil Theepeta Thampuran). He died
in November 1837.
- Raja RAMA VARMA XII
[Edava Masathil Theepetta Thampuran], Raja of Cochin
1837/1844, he was the cousin of Raja Rama Varma XI
(Thulamasathil Theepeta Thampuran). He died in June
1844 in Irinjalakuda.
- Raja RAMA VARMA
XIII [Trissuril Theeppetta Valiya Thampuran],
Raja of Cochin 1844/1851, he was the nephew of Raja
Rama Varma XII (Edava Masathil Theepeta Thampuran) and
also the eldest son of Ekkavu Thampuran. He in July
1851.
- Raja VIRA KERALA
VARMA IV [Kasiyil Theeppetta Valiya
Thampuran], Raja of Cochin 1851/1853, he toured India
at the start of his reign in order to gain experience
in dealing with his subjects, he visited Coimbatore,
Banglore, Pune, Indore in 1853 and reached Kashi where
he had a severe attack of chickenpox of which he died,
he was intelligent, scholarly and well versed in the
English language, his untimely death was greeted with
much sorrow by his subjects. He died in February 1853
in Kashi.
- Raja RAVI VARMA IV
[Makara
Maasathil Theeppetta Valiya Thampuran], Raja of Cochin
1853/1864, died 11th February 1864 in
Thripunithura and was cremated the next day ibid.
- Raja RAMA VARMA XIV
[Midhuna
Maasathil Theeppetta Valiya Thampuran]
K.C.S.I., Raja of Cochin 1864/1888, born 1835, an
indolent ruler with health problems, he left the
administration of the state to his Dewan, Shankunni
Menon; he travelled to Madras in 1876 to pay his
respects to the Prince of Wales, who bestowed him with
the K.C.S.I., during his reign the Putthen Bungalow
Palace and the Manimalika (Clock tower) at
Thripunithura were built. He died 2nd August 1888 in
Thripunithura.
- HH Raja Sir VIRA
KERALA VARMA V K.C.I.E. [Chinga Maasathil
Theeppetta Valiya Thampuran], Raja of Cochin
1888/1895, born 1845, fluent in English, he went on a
pilgrimage to Kashi, Gaya in Calcutta in 1893, died
12th September 1895 in Thripunithura.
- HH Maharaja Sri Sir
RAMA VARMA XV [Ozinja Vallia Thampuran],
Maharaja of Cochin 1895/1914 (abdicated), Maharaja
[cr.1921], G.C.I.E. [cr.1911], G.C.S.I. [cr.1903],
K.C.S.I. [cr.1897] (#1),
born 27th December 1852, he succeeded his first cousin
in 1895, during his reign the railway line from
Shornur was extended up to Cochin; he was an energetic
ruler, but he had differences with the British
Government and when they became too great to bear, he
abdicated. He died 31st January 1932.
- HH Maharaja
Gangadahra Koviladhi Karikal Sri Sir RAMA VARMA XVI
G.C.I.E. [Kunjikkidavu Thampuran Madrassil Theeppetta
Thampuran], Maharaja of Cochin [7.12.1914] - [27.3.1932],
G.C.I.E. [cr.1918], born 6th October 1858 in
Tripunithura, Kerala, he succeeded 7th December 1914,
married 1888 in Tripunithura, HH
Maharani Parukutty Nethyar Amma Vadakke
Kuruppath, born 1874, daughter of Kurur
Namboodiripad, and had issue, one son and two
daughters. He died 27th March 1932 in Madras.
- Maharajkumar Raman Menon Vadakke Kuruppath
- Maharajkumari Ratnamma Vadakke Kuruppath, married
Ramunni
Menon Palat, born 1885, died 1963, Barrister, and had
issue.
- Sankaran Palat Vadakke Kuruppath, born
1921, died 197.
- Dr. Raman Palat Vadakke Kuruppath
- Maharajkumari Vilasini Nethyaramma Vadakke
Kuruppath, married Shri Rama Varma Thampuran, and
had issue, one son and two daughters.
 HH Maharaja Gangadahra
Koviladhi Karikal Sri Sir RAMA VARMA XVII
[Chowarayil Theeppetta Thampuran], Maharaja of Cochin
1932/1941, born 30th December 1861 (#2),
he succeeded his uncle in 1932; during his reign, he
took a great interest in the cultural activities of
the Kingdom, also Cochin Harbor was completed and
Ernakulam High Court was built. He died 23rd May 1941
at Chowara.
- HH Maharaja
Gangadahra Koviladhi Karikal Sri Sir VIRA KERALA
VARMA VI G.C.I.E. [Midukka/Medukan
Thampuran], Maharaja of Cochin 1941/1943, G.C.I.E.
[cr. 2.6.1943], born 13th December 1863 in Tripunithura of the
Padinjaare Kovilakam Thavazhi of Cochin Royal Family,
he succeeded his brother in 1941; he was an
accomplished Ayurvedic practitioner with an in depth
knowledge of sanskrit; married HH Srimati Maharani
Lakshmi Kutty Amma [Vadakke
Karimpet Lakshmi Kutty (Ammini) Neithyaramma] of the
Trichur Karumpat Taravad, born 1879 in Trissur,
Kerala, India, died in November 1943 in Tripunithura,
Kerala, and had issue, four sons and one daughter. He
died 13th October 1943 in Tripunithura and was cremated
with full state honours in the Royal Cemetery.
- Maharajkumar Vadakke Karimpet Krishnan Menon
- Maharajkumar Vadakke Karimpet Raghunandanan Menon
- Maharajkumar Vadakke Karimpet Girijavallabhan
Menon
- Capt. Maharajkumar Vadakke Karimpet Sukumara
Menon, married Kuttikat Bharathy Kutty (younger
sister of Kuttikat Ammu Kutty, whose son is
journalist K.N.K. Menon), daughter of Marayil Nanu
Menon, and had issue, four children.
- Rajendran Menon
- Krishnakumar Menon
- Kunjilakshmi Menon
- Parvathi Menon
- Maharajkumari Vadakke Karimpet Radha Menon
- HH Maharaja
Gangadahra Koviladhi Karikal Sri RAVI VARMA V
[Kunjappan Thampuran], Maharaja of Cochin [13.10.1943]
- [1.2.1946], born 29th November 1865 in Tripunithura,
British India, he was the Elaya Raja till he succeeded
his brother on 13th October 1943, he was well educated
being fluent in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Sanskrit
and to a leeser extant in Urdu as well as bring an
accomplished painter; married HH Maharani Kamakshi
Neithiyar Parakkat (sister of Damodara Menon Parakkat), and had issue. He
died 1st February 1946 in Thripunithura, Kerala.
- Maharajkumar Devakinandanan Thampuran
- Maharajkumar Balagopalan Thampuran
- Maharajkumar Chandrasekharan Thampuran
- Maharajkumari Umalakshmi Amma, married Rama Varma
Thampuran, and had issue.
- Saradamani Thampuratti, born 1921,
married Shri Rama Varma Kochaniyan Thampuran, he
is the 9th and present Valiya Thampuran of the
Cochin Royal Family (qv).
- HH Maharaja
Gangadahra Koviladhi Karikal Sri VIRA KERALA VARMA
VII [Ikyakeralam Thampuran], Maharaja of
Cochin 1946/1948 , born 13th July 1870, he succeeded
his cousin in 1946. He died in July 1948.
- HH Maharaja
Gangadahra Koviladhi Karikal Sri RAMA VARMA XVIII
[Parikshith Thampuran], Maharaja of Cochin 1948/1949
and 1st Valiya Thampuran of Cochin 1949/1964, born
1876, during his reign, the Travancore and Cochin
Princely States merged together and Travancore-Cochin
State came into existence on 11st July 1949, married
HH Srimati Maharani Ittiyanath Ammukutty. He died 1964
in Thripunithura, Kerala.
- HH Maharaja
Gangadahra Koviladhi Karikal Sri Rama Varma XIX
[Lalan Thampuran of Padinjare Kovilakath Thavazhi],
2nd and last official Valiya Thampuran of Cochin
1964/1975, born 15th October 1887 in Thrippunithura,
Ernakulam, Kerala, married Srimati Narayani Amma
Vengalil, born about 1903, daughter of Adv. Krishna
Kurup Komath, and his wife, Lakshmi Kutty Amma
Vengalil, and had issue, one son and one daughter. He
died 9th August 1975 in Ernakulam, Kerala and was
cremated 10th August 1975.
- Rama Menon (Kuttan) Vengalil, born 1920 in Kochi,
Ernakulam, Kerala; Former Superintendent, Madras
Secretariat 1945/1964
- Ammalukutty Amma Vengalil, born 1922 in Ernakulam,
Kerala,
- Shri Rama Varma
Kochaniyan Thampuran, 9th Valiya Thampuran of
Cochin (Head of the Royal Family of Cochin) (see
above)
OTHER MEMBERS:
- Ekkavu Thampuran, she married and had issue.
- Raja Rama Varma VII, Raja of Cochin
1749/1760 (qv)
- Raja Vira Kerala Varma II, Raja of Cochin
1760/1775 (qv)
- Raja Rama Varma VIII, Raja of Cochin
1775/1790 (qv)
- Ambika Thampuran, married Chennose
Namboodiripad (or Anujan Namboodiripad of the
Chennamangalam Mana), and had issue. She died
1754.
- Raja Rama Varma IX [Shakthan Thampuran],
Raja of Cochin 1790/1805 (qv)
- Chittamma Thampura, she married and had
issue.
- Raja Rama Varma X [Vellarapaliyil
Thepetta Thampuran], Raja of Cochin 1805/1809
(qv)
- Raja Vira Kerala Varma III [Karkidaka
Masathil Theepeta Thampuran], Raja of Cochin
1809/1828 (qv)
- (name
unknown) Thampuran, she married and had
issue.
- Raja Rama Varma XI [Thulamasathil
Theepeta Thampuran], Raja of Cochin 1828/1837
(qv)
- Ekkavu Thampuran, she married and had
issue. She died 1861.
- Manku Thampuran, born 1814, married
and had issue. She died 1890.
- Raja Rama Varma XIV
[Midhunamaasathil Theeppetta Valiya
Thampuran], Raja of Cochin 1864/1888 (qv)
- Kavu Thampuran, born 1842, married
Pana Namboothiripad, and had issue. She
died 1918 in Tripunithura, Kerala, India.
- HH Maharaja Gangadahra Koviladhi
Karikal Sri Sir Rama Varma XVI
[Kunjikkidavu Thampuran Madrassil
Theeppetta Thampuran], Maharaja of
Cochin 1914/1932 (qv)
- HH Maharaja Gangadahra Koviladhi
Karikal Sri Sir Kerala Varma VI
[Kochunni Thampuran Medukan/Midukkan
Thampuran], Maharaja of Cochin 1941/1943
(qv)
- HH Maharaja Gangadahra Koviladhi
Karikal Sri Ravi Varma V [Kunjappan
Thampuran], Maharaja of Cochin 1943/1946
(qv)
- Kerala Varma Kelappan Thampuran
- Kunjikkavu Thampuran
- Raja Rama Varma
- Kunjippilla Thampuran
- HH Raja Sir Vira Kerala Varma V
[Chinga Maasathil Theeppetta Valiya
Thampuran], Raja of Cochin 1888/1895 (qv)
- Kunjippilla Thampuran
- Raja Rama Varma
- Kunjikkavu Thampuran
- Kunjippilla Thampuran, married and
had issue.
- HH Maharaja Sri Sir Rama Varma XV
[Ozinja Vallia Thampuran], Maharaja of
Cochin 1895/1914 (abdicated) (qv)
- Raja Rama Varma XIII [Trissuril
Theeppetta Valiya Thampuran], Raja of Cochin
1844/1851 (qv)
- Raja Kerala Varma [Kasiyil Theeppetta
Valiya Thampuran], Raja of Cochin 1851/1853
(qv)
- Raja Ravi Varma IV [Makaramaasathil
Theeppetta Valiya Thampuran], Raja of Cochin
1853/1864 (qv)
- HH Maharaja Sir Sri Rama Varma, married HH Maharani
Vaddake Kurupath Parukutty Neithyarammahr, and had
issue.
- Maharajkumar Aravindaksha Menon Vadakke Kuruppath,
born in October 1897 in Tripunithura, Kerala;
(Ret'd.) Chief Engineer, Cochin State; married
Chirukandath Malathy Amma, and had issue. He died in
June 1978 in Thrissur, Kerala.
- Indira Menon Chirukandath
- Varada Menon Chirukandath
- Malyani Menon Chirukandath, she married Sankaran
Palat Vadakke Kuruppath, and had issue.
- Captain Rama Varma Kochaniyan Thampuran, Valiya
Thampuran (Head of the Royal Family of Cochin) -/2011,
born 1920, he unsuccessfully contested election to
Kerala Assembly in 1960 from Palluruthy constituency,
backed by the Communist Party; married Ambika
Thampuratti of the Royal family in Poonjar, and had
issue. He died 17th June 2011 at a private hospital in
Bharananganam, aged 91 years, he was cremated the next
day at the Tripunithura Palace burial grounds.
- Prathap Varma
- Usha Varma
- Padmaja Varma
- Radhika Varma
- Jayashree Varma
- Princess Seema is the daughter of Vijaya Varma and
Sreemathi Thamburatti, while her grandfather,
Narayanan Namboodiri, was a "vaidikan'' from
Kalingatt, the clan of social Manus who were vested
with the power to impose "bhrashtu'' or ostracise
people. Seema's three uncles were erstwhile kings of
Cochin - Ramavarma (Madrasil Theepetta Maharaja),
Kerala Varma Midukkan Thampuran and Kunhappan
Thampuran.
- Princess Lalitha, converted to Christianity and
accompanied her husband to the Gulf.
- Princess Krishna Kumari.
- Capt Kerala Varma Thampuran
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