Palanquins The palanquins are displayed in the dining hall of the palace. They are made of wood as well as ivory. Some of the palanquins are beautifully decorated with intricate ivory inlay works. The gracefully curved iron rods projecting on either side are encased in cane work and decorated with brass lion-heads al their ends. These palanquins were Ivory Pelanguin common mode of transport of nobly x Costumes (oth Canopy ‘The ceremonial dress of the kings with intricate lace work in golden thread is on display. The cloth canopy that formed part of the ivory palanquin is also on view. L This has inticate designs woven aoe all over it in silver thread. Coins and stamps Maharajas of Koch, though vassals, were yet permitted fo mint their own coinage. A representation ofthese coins and the postal stamps are also exhibited. Arms t ‘Amang the weapons on display are sheathed} | iota, ages awe bei Soci nial spears decorated with feathers. Attendants of the Raja of Kochi used these weapons, Decorated Sword Mattancherry Palace, Kochi Plan of First Floor Map of Kochi General Information Archeological Museum, Mattancherry Palace Kochi - 670 002, Kerala, Phone : 2226085, Entrance fee to the museum Rs. 2 for Aduts and tee to children below 15 years ‘The museum is open on all days except Friday Museum Hours 1.am tn 5 pm Free distribution Archaeological Museum Mattancherry AA view of Mattancherry Palace — Setar ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA ‘Thrissur Cirele, ThrissurHistory The rise of Kochi in the fifteenth century was due to the combination of geographical and poltcal factors. After the flood in the Periyar river in 1341 AD importance of Kodungallur port declined and Kochi became one of the prominent ports in Kerala. |i about 1405 A.D, the royal seat of Perumpadappu Mooppil was shifted from Mahodayapuram to Kochi. The ruler of Kochi facilitated construction of factories for the trade activities of the Portuguese and in return sought military assistance against Zamorin of Kozhikode. The repeated attacks of the Zamorin were repulsed, as the rulers of Kochi practically became the vassals of the Portuguese. Subsequent, the Dutch esteblshed ‘heirsupremacy over the Portuguese and took over Mattancherry in 1662 A.D. Later in 1752 A, the rulers of Travancore overran Kochi, In 1776 A.D, Mysore forces under the commandership of Sirdarkhan invaded Malabar and reduced Kochi Raja as his tributary. The English took over control of Kochi in 1795 A.D and held i til Kochi State merged with the Union of India on July 1, 1949 The Palace The Mattancherry Palace is situated at about 12 km northeast of Kochi. The palace was built and presented by the Portuguese to the Raja of Kochi Vira Kerala Varma (1537-1585A.D) around 1855 A.D. Subsequontly the Dutch renovated the palace hence itis popularly known as the Dutch Palace, The palace has both European and Indigenous architectural features. itis a double storied quadrangular structure builtin Nalukettu style with a courtyard in the middle The Mattancherry Palace Museum was established in 1985, consist of six galleries viz Coronation hall, Ramayana hall or Paliyara (Bed-chamber), Dutch gallery, Kovanitalam (Staircase room), Dining hall and Ladies chamber. ‘Mural: Sa Parvathy The Exhibits The exhibits consist of portrait paintings, umbrellas, palanquins, ‘costumes, coins, stamps, aims of Raja of Cochin and some rare drawings of Dutch of the 17” and 18” centuries, ‘The Murals The glory of the palace lies in its murals done in the best traditions of indigenous art. The themes of murals on the wall are mainly representations of scenes from Ramayana, Purana and Kumarasambhava of Kalidasa. The Ramayana scenes are painted in rich warm colours in tempera technique. The murals painted on the walls ofthe royal Pallyara (Bed-chamber) generally attributed to the period of Vira Kerala Varma are divided into three phases. The first phase of murals (1600-1700 ‘AD)inthe palace represents the story of Rama, from Dasaratha’s sacrifice to Rama's return from Lanka. Subsequent to the renovation of the palace by the Dutch, second phase of wall paintings were executed in the staircase room, Kovanitalam include paintings of Mahalakshmi, Bhumata, Kiratamurti, coronation of Rama, Vishnu in Yogasana, Uma- Maheswaramurty and Sangameswaramurty. The last phase of ‘mural paintings was drawn in the last decade of 18° century. The paintings ofthis period depict Vishnu as Vaiuntanatha as enshrined in the temple at Tripunithura. The underground ‘chambers intended for rayal ladies mainly depict marriage of Siva with Parvathy as described in Kumarasambhava of Kalidasa, Krishnaleela and Sivaleela Portraits The portraits of Raja of Kochi are displayed in the coronation hall, of which Rama Varma (1864-1888A.D), Kerala ‘Varma (1888-1895 A.D), Raja Rama Varma (1895-1914 A.D), Rama Varma (1914-1982 A.D), Rama Varma (1992- 1941 A.D), Kerala Varma (1941-1943 A.D), Ravi Varma (1943-1946 A.D), Kerala Varma (1946-1948 A.D) and Rama Varma (1948-1964 A.D) are notable. These portraits are life sized and some of them depict the kings in the coronation robes. The hheadgears of the Raja are also displayed. Umbrellas Cf the royal umbrellas that are displayed, two are made of silk with brass and lace decorations while the third one is of Palm leaf and was used by the King while going to the temple for worship. ‘Ramavarma (1985-1914), ‘Umbrella >