The University of Kerala, founded as the University of Travancore and among the first 16 universities in India
Background
One of the first 16 Universities in India, the University of Kerala was founded in 1937, and was formerly called the University of Travancore in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore.
The University came into being by a promulgation of the Maharajah of Travancore, Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, who was also the first Chancellor of the University.
Sir C. P. Ramaswamy Ayyar, the then Diwan of the State, was the first Vice-Chancellor.
The Kerala University Act (Act 14 of 1957) was brought into force and the University of Travancore was renamed University of Kerala.
Its earliest origins are traced to two institutions of modern learning: the University College, Thiruvananthapuram, initially founded as the Maharaja's Free School by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal in 1834, and the Trivandrum Observatory, founded in 1838, which is now the oldest institution under the Kerala University.
Ten colleges within the State of Travancore, then affiliated to the Madras University, became the affiliated colleges of the University of Travancore.
In 1968 the University Centre at Kozhikode became a full-fledged university, the University of Calicut; CUSAT in 1971, Kerala Agricultural University in 1971 and Mahatma Gandhi University in 1983 were established later.
These developments have shrunk the jurisdiction of the University of Kerala to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha districts and some parts of Pathanamthitta District.
In plain words
Chancellor Titular head of a university — The ceremonial head of the University; the Maharajah of Travancore held the office first.
Diwan Prime Minister of a princely state — The head of the administration in Travancore; the Diwan Sir C. P. Ramaswamy Ayyar became the first Vice-Chancellor.
Affiliating university A university that affiliates colleges — A university that grants degrees to students of colleges affiliated to it rather than teaching them all itself.