2026-06-16 Tue

Varma Kings of Kerala primarily refer to the royal families of Travancore and to some extent Cochin, who used "Varma" as their title. This is a Kshatriya surname common among Keralam’s royal lineages, especially in the southern kingdoms.

Travancore Royal Family is the most prominent Varma kings belonged to the Kulasekhara dynasty of Travancore. They ruled from the early 18th century onward and transformed a small principality into a powerful, modern princely state.

The Varma kings rose after the decline of the earlier Chera rulers. They were devotees of Lord Vishnu as Padmanabha swami. They were patrons of arts, Carnatic music, temples, and education. Under their rule, Travancore became one of the most progressive and literate kingdom.

Bala Rama Varma II was the last ruling Maharaja of Travancore reigned from 1924 to 1949. He ascended the throne at the young age of 12 in 1924. He took full ruling powers in 1931. He remained a lifelong bachelor. A devout devotee of Lord Padmanabha, following the tradition that the king is only the “servant” Padmanabhadasa of the deity. He was a patron of arts, music, and culture, continuing the rich traditions of Travancore.

His coins feature the conch or shankha which was the royal symbol of Travancore ruler. The above coin depicts Conch Shell within floral wreath and Malayalam legends around on obverse, the reverse has Value and date in ME (Malabar Era) 1112 within floral wreath, name of king and state in roman around.