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Now the capital of Kerala, the city of Trivandrum is probably one of the India's most ancient cities. Steeped in legends, myth and a royal past, the history of Trivandrum goes back to more than a thousand years before the birth of Christ. The city of Trivandrum is one of the cities in the country that still carries an unmistakable flavor of its regal and heritage drenched past. Also known as “Thiruvananthapuram”, the establishment of the city dates back to around the 1000 BC. The city was then named after the dwelling place of the mythical serpent ‘Ananta‘– ‘Tiru Ananta Puram' – who serves as the Lord Vishnu's familiar. Literally translated it means, ‘the town of Lord Anantha'. A city constructed around seven hills; Trivandrum reached fame in sometime around the year 1750, when it became the famed capital city of the Raja of Travancore. However, even long before that, the city of Trivandrum was a popular trading post; mainly doing business in spices, ivory and sandalwood. Most of these business and trading transactions took place mostly with the traders from the Far East. However, the city of Trivandrum began to reach for new heights with the ascension of the Marthanda Varma. He came into power in 1729 and founded the royal state that was named as “Trivancore” or “Thiruvithamkoor”. By the year 1745, Trivandrum had flourished and become a name and set as a benchmark in art, culture and intellectual capacity. Today Trivandrum stands as the capital of the state of Kerala. However, much of the city remained unchanged politically and socially until early in the 19 th century. What can be seen of Trivandrum today is the result of the joint efforts of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal and Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal. Together they changed the face of Trivandrum and made as it stands today. Also, the freedom movement had its own impact; finally resulting in the city as it stands today.
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