King Marthanda Varma inherited the small feudal state of Venad in 1723, and built it into Travancore. Marthanda Varma led the Travancorean forces during the Travancore-Dutch War of 1739–46, which culminated in the Battle of Colachel. The defeat of the Dutch by Travancore is considered the earliest example of an organised power from Asia overcoming European military technology and tactics. Marthanda Varma went on to conquer most of the smaller principalities of the native rulers.
King Marthanda Varma inherited the small feud.al state of Venad in 1723, and built it into Travancore. Marthanda Varma .led the Travancorean forces during the Travancore-Dutch War of 1739–46 which culminated in the Battle of Colachel The defeat of the Dutch by Travancore is considered the earliest example of an organised power from Asia overcoming European military tech,nology and tactics Marthanda Varma went on to conquer most of the smaller principalities of the native rulers.