Govt. Sanskrit College, Thiruvananthapuram

       H.H.Maharajas Govt.Sanskrit college was founded in 1889 by Sri Mulam Thirunal Rama Varma, one of the most renowned rulers of the States of Travancore. The Maharaja went on a pilgrimage to Banarse and he had occasion to visit the Sanskrit College, there imparting in various Sastras, Being impressed by the College, he on his return invited celebrated scholars in Sanskrit from different parts of India to start a new institution on the model of the Sanskrit College at Banaras. Thus in 1889 the Sanskrit College, took shape in a temple at Mitranandapuram, housed within the Fort area and was run under royal patronage. The institution enjoyed the protection of the ‘Rajashri’ for a long period of 35 years. Sri Chitira Thirunal Balaramavarma who succeeded him took great interest in the promotion and propagation of Sanskrit Studies a new building with adequate facilities was built for the College by the Government during his regime. He used to invite scholars of repute from different parts of India for the Navaratry Vidvat Sadas and awarded medals and prized to the deserving pundits. The institution flourished under his patronage with the attainment of freedom of India in 1947 the Government introduced necessary reforms in the College and raised it to the status of a full fledged First Grade Degree College. This institution with a glorious Past of nine decades can be said the first of its kind in South India.
Sri A. R Raja Raja Varma was appointed the First Principal of the institution by Sri Mulam Tirunal Rama Varma, Mahamahopadyaya Dr. T. Ganapathi Sastri succeeded him as Principal in 1899. On Sri Sastri’s retirement, Sri Thuravoor Narayana Sasthrigal, the celebrated scholar in Sanskrit grammar, became the Principal of the institution. When Sri Narayan Sastri left service Sri Krishna Sastrigal became the Principal. He continued as the Head of the institution till 1917. On his retirement, Sri V, Krishnan Thampi was appointed Principal. In 1919 the college which was housed within Fort was shifted to a building at Palkulangara, Thiruvananthapuram.