The Story of an Early Brigade
The Travancore army was established during the reign of Marthanda Varma, the founder and the first ruler of Travancore. The army was regarded to be the most powerful army owned by a princely state at that time. The army was well organized and maintained by the rulers of Travancore. The army consisted of the Nair brigade also referred as Thiruvithankoor Nair Pattalam. The Travancore army was reorganised as the Travancore Nair Brigade in 1818. The army was well equipped and well trained. The soldiers were skilled Kalaripayattu warriors. And they used weapons such as the sword and shield, bow and arrow and spears. They were brave and courageous. They were considered as the protectors of the kingdom. The infantry of the military forces were supported with trained horses and elephants. The army was well prepared to fight the invaders. The Travancore army gave protection and supported the king to defend and fight battles against the invaders. The Travancore army was a large group of well tra...