Indian King's French Commander

In 1740, a 38-year-old Indian King named Marthanda Varma ruled a small kingdom called Venad in southern India. Facing the growing threat of Dutch forces aiming to trade and conquer his land, Marthanda Varma joined hands with his ally, Ramayan, to resist them.

Among the Dutch forces defeated in battle was a 24-year-old man named Eustachius Benedictus De Lannoy, who surrendered to the king after their loss. Born on December 29, 1715, in Arras, France, De Lannoy possessed remarkable abilities that caught the attention of Marthanda Varma. Impressed by his skills, the king forged a friendship with him and appointed him as the commander-in-chief of his forces.

Together with the King and Ramayan, De Lannoy led campaigns that brought more than ten territories along the Arabian Sea under their control, forming a unified kingdom called Travancore. De Lannoy became a central figure in its rise, ensuring its strength and stability.

During his tenure, De Lannoy fortified Travancore with European-style defensive structures, such as Nedumkotta, Vattakottai, Marunthukottai, and Maiyakottai. These fortifications safeguarded the kingdom against external threats and earned him a reputation as a strategic genius. Under his leadership, Travancore remained impenetrable to colonial powers like the British, Dutch, and French during his time.

It was only after De Lannoy's era that Travancore eventually fell under British influence.

This book stems from a long-held desire to tell the fascinating story of this extraordinary French commander 'Eustachius Benedictus De Lannoy' who served an Indian king-a figure so remarkable that his life almost seems like a legend.