Maharaja Marthanda Varma, Maharaja Swathi Thirunal and Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal
Coat of Arms of the Indian princely state of Travancore
Flag of the Kingdom of Travancore
Rise of modern Thiruvananthapuram began with accession of Marthanda Varma, who is regarded as the Father of modern Travancore, modernised Thiruvananthapuram, in 1729 as the founding ruler of the princely state of Travancore (Thiruvithamkoor in the local vernacular). Thiruvananthapuram was made the capital of Travancore in 1745 after shifting the capital from Padmanabhapuram. The city developed into a major intellectual and artistic centre during this period.
The locals of Thiruvananthapuram had supported Marthanda Varma against the Pillamar when he was the heir-apparent, and when he was attacked by the agents of the trustees, he had fled to the safety of Trivandrum, from where he counter attacked them. During his reign, he renovated the Padmanabha Swamy temple and the walls of the fortress. He also shifted the capital legally from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram, which he made a great centre of intellectual and artistic activity in those days. In 1791 AD, the English East India Company signed a treaty to protect Travancore from Mysore and in accordance to that treaty, was allowed to install a Resident and troops in Thiruvananthapuram. In 1799 AD, Velu Thampi, then a Karyakar of Talakkulam, led a march of the local people to Thiruvananthapuram to protest against the corruption of the Kings's ministers. The accession of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal who reigned from 1829 to 1847 AD, ushered in an epoch of cultural progress and economic prosperity. The beginning of English education was marked in 1834 by the opening of an English school at Thiruvananthapuram. An observatory and a charity hospital were also established here in 1836. During the reign of Maharaja Uthram Thirunall, Rev. Mead, an Anglican priest of the London Missionary Society (L.M.S.), was employed by the Maharajah to improve the quality of education. Schools, including one for girls, were started in Thiruvananthapuram.
The golden age in the city's history was during the mid 19th century under the reign of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal and Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal. This era saw the establishment of the first English school (1834), the Observatory (1837), the General Hospital (1839), the Oriental Research Institute & Manuscripts Library and the University College (1873). The first mental hospital in the state was also started during the same period.
During the reign of Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal (1860–1880), a full-fledged Arts College was started here besides the several English, Malayalam and Tamil schools, all over the State. A large hospital with lying-in-facility and a lunatic asylum were also established in Thiruvananthapuram. The Trivandrum University College was started in 1873, with Dr. Read as its principal. A Law class was opened in Thiruvananthapuram in 1874 AD, and the main building of the old Kerala Government Secretariat was designed and constructed by the Maharajah's chief engineer, Mr. Barton. Mr. Barton also improved the sanitation of the city. It was during the reign of Sri Moolam Thirunal (1885–1924), that the Sanskrit College, Ayurveda College, Law College and a second grade College for Women were started here. A department for the preservation and publication of oriental manuscripts was also established.