Born in 1705 into a family that ruled the minor chiefdom of Thiruvithaamkoor (later to be anglicized to Travancore), Marthanda Varma took charge of the kingdom at the young age of 24.

After breaking the hold of the Nair aristoracy, he set out to build a powerful kingdom, conquering and annexing all the petty principalities that dotted the region. Kingdoms such as Venad and Attignal and the strategically important port of Kollam were all taken one after the other.