Today, July 1, marks 75th anniversary of Travancore-Cochin merger

THIRUVANANTHPAURAM: Today marks the 75th anniversary of the momentous moment of the Travancore-Cochin merger,

which preceded the formation of the state.

Travancore and Cochin merged to form the state of Travancore-Cochin or Thiru-Kochi, one of the most important moments in the history, on July 1 in 1949. Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Travancore, also became the capital of the united state.

Thiruvananthapuram became the centre of the Legislative Assembly and the Secretariat and Ernakulam housed the High Court. Travancore Maharaja Chithira Thirunal became 'Rajapramukh', which similar to the governor. The Cabinet took office under the leadership of Paravoor TK Narayana Pillai. 178 members of the legislatures of both the states became members of the Travancore-Kochi Legislative Assembly.

Thiru-Kochi was a Part B state of the Republic of India. The representation was six in the Rajya Sabha and twelve in the Lok Sabha. The state of Kerala was formed by combining most of Thiru-Kochi with Malabar district and Kasaragod taluk of the Madras state.