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Madras Regiment Commemorates 284th Anniversary of Battle of Colachel Victory Over Dutch.

Defence | Dated: 01 Aug 2025

On 31 July 2025, the Madras Regiment of the Indian Army commemorated the 284th anniversary of the Battle of Colachel (1741) at the Colachel War Memorial in Kanyakumari district. The event honoured King Marthanda Varma’s landmark victory over the Dutch East India Company, marking one of the earliest recorded Indian victories over a European naval power.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - Fought on 31 July 1741 (Gregorian calendar), the Battle of Colachel saw the Travancore forces led by King Marthanda Varma defeat the Dutch East India Company under Admiral Eustachius De Lannoy in a unique amphibious engagement involving both land and sea operations.
  • - This victory is hailed as the first instance of an Asian power defeating a fortified European naval force on both land and sea. It effectively ended Dutch colonial ambitions in South India and elevated Travancore as the sole Asian military power to achieve such success.
  • - The 9th Battalion of the Madras Regiment, tracing its roots to the Travancore Nair Brigade that fought in 1741, played a symbolic role in the commemoration. The regiment is today recognized as the oldest existing infantry unit of the Indian Army.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) The ceremony at Colachel War Memorial included a wreath-laying by Colonel Avinash Kumar Singh, commanding officer of the Madras Regiment, alongside senior officers, veterans, NCC cadets, and civilians. A public weapons display and military band performance also featured prominently.
  • (ii) The commemorative event included ceremonial parades, tribute rituals, and war memorial visits to honour the legacy of Marthanda Varma and the soldiers who resisted European expansion in southern India.
  • (iii) The victory pillar erected near Colachel beach by King Marthanda Varma stands as a symbol of courage and sovereignty. The annual commemoration—known locally as Colachel Day—reflects India’s enduring spirit of resistance and marks a significant chapter in pre-colonial military history.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

The Indian Army's Madras Regiment recently commemorated the 284th anniversary of which historic battle?

Correct Answer: Battle of Colachel

🚀 Quick Recap: