TRAVANCORE STATE MANUAL was written in the closing years of the 1800s. It is a fascinating book in that the perspective of historical events that took place in the region known as the Indian Peninsula is markedly different from what is being taught in current day schools and colleges. There is need to bring this book out in a very readable form. That is what has been attempted here. VED from VICTORIA INSTITUTIONS has written a commentary , which aims to elucidate the various differences in perspective, and also tries to focus on varying issues which are nowadays, hidden away from public knowledge. What ultimately comes out as background of unvarying strength is the fact that the English rule, especially that by the English EAST INDIA COMPANY was really of benign qualities, towards the common man of this area. This book contains the story of an independent kingdom at the southern most end of the South Asian Peninsula, which lost its independence in 1947, in the wake of a fool coming to power in England.

The notes that the author has penned are on social organization, the five classes, kings, marriage, war, musical instruments, town and village houses, dress, decoration, amusements, means of transport, food, agriculture, love in marudam, pasturage, tame animals, birds, trees and plants, ideal of feminine beauty and industries. Translated from French by Prabodh Chandra Bagchi