Battle of Purakkad facts for kids

The first Battle of Purakkad was a fight that happened in 1746. It was fought between the Indian Kingdom of Travancore and the combined forces of a smaller state called Odanad. This battle took place in Purakkad, which is in Kerala, India.

Why the Battle Happened

The story of the Battle of Purakkad starts a few years earlier. In 1741, there was another important battle called the Battle of Colachel. After losing that battle, the Dutch (from the Netherlands) took control of Vamanapuram. They got help from the King of Kollam.

Because of this, the Nair Brigade, which was the army of Travancore, surrounded the Dutch fort in Kollam. But the army from Odanad (also known as Kayamkulam) came to help the Dutch defend their fort. The Kayamkulam army was led by Achyutawaryar, who was the minister for their king. Because of this help, the Travancore army had to pull back.

More Conflicts and a Treaty

In 1742, the Dutch and Kayamkulam forces worked together again. They captured a place called Kilimanoor. To get it back, Marthanda Varma, the ruler of Travancore, brought in soldiers who rode horses (called cavalry) from Tirunelveli. He led his army to Kilimanoor and took it back.

After that, Marthanda Varma's army marched towards Kayamkulam itself. The King of Kayamkulam tried to fight back at first. But in the end, he asked for peace. So, Marthanda Varma and the King of Kayamkulam signed an agreement called the Treaty of Mannar. This treaty was like a promise to stop fighting.

The Treaty is Broken

However, the King of Kayamkulam later broke the promises he made in the truce. This made Travancore very angry. Because the treaty was broken, the Travancore army decided to conquer Kayamkulam in 1746. This fight became known as the Battle of Purakkad.

Marthanda Varma won the battle. He captured the small state of Odanad and added it to Travancore. This was because Odanad had helped Kayamkulam in the war against Travancore. Today, the areas known as Ambalapuzha and Kuttanad were part of this captured territory.

See also

• Battle of Colachel
• Odanad