other · Indian princely states

Travancore-Cochin

1949 CE – 1956 CE · capital Thiruvananthapuram

The union of the princely states of Travancore and Cochin, an Indian state from 1949 to 1956 that became the core of Kerala.

Origins

On 1 July 1949 the kingdoms of Travancore and Cochin were merged into the United State of Travancore and Cochin, with its capital at Thiruvananthapuram. The Maharaja of Travancore, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, became Rajpramukh.

Rule and society

Travancore-Cochin became a Part B state in 1950. Its politics were lively and unstable, with Congress ministries, coalitions and a strong Communist movement. The state had India's highest literacy rate and a large Christian population, and its economy rested on coconut, rubber, spices and coir.

Decline and legacy

Under the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 the Tamil-speaking southern taluks went to Madras State, and Malabar was added from Madras, forming the new state of Kerala on 1 November 1956.

Lineage

Kingdom of Cochin 1102 CE – 1949 CE Travancore 1729 CE – 1949 CETravancore-Cochin

Connections (1)

Travancore-Cochin was part of Dominion of India1949 CE – 1950 CE

More states of Indian princely states →

Cite this page

APA: The Epoch Institute. (2026). Travancore-Cochin. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/travancore-cochin
MLA: “Travancore-Cochin.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/travancore-cochin. Accessed .
Chicago: The Epoch Institute. “Travancore-Cochin.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/travancore-cochin.
Harvard: The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Travancore-Cochin’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/travancore-cochin (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻