This collection brings together information gathered from two archives in Thiruvananthapuram, namely the Central Archives, Fort, and the Directorate of State Archives. The documents identified and listed here primarily concern measurements, methods of measurement, calculations, and accounting practices. Those interested in consulting these documents may approach the respective archives directly or write to us. Images of the documents listed here are also available in our private collection.

The following is the list of types of records collected.

1. Matilakam Records (1249-1916)
2. Neettu (1756-1873)
3. Alappuzha port records (1812-1873)
4. Jamabandhi Rayasam (1819-1870)
5. Ozhuku (1802-1837)
6. Dewaswom Records
7. Showcase records
8. Cover Files
9. Revenue Records
10. Judicial Records

Matilakam records predominantly contain information about Travancore (Thiruvithamkoor) and the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The term Matilakam refers to the fortified region that was under the administration of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The Matilakam records derive their name from being the documents kept within this fortified compound. Among the Matilakam records, documents dating from about 1304 to 1916 are found. They are stored as 3,000 bundles (curuṇa-s), with each bundle containing about 1,000 palm leaves. It is estimated that the Matilakam collection comprises around 30 lakh palm leaves. The leaves are written in Vattezhutu, Kolezhutu, Malayanma, Tamil, and Malayalam scripts.

During 1937–1940, the palm‑leaf manuscripts were transcribed into printed volumes under the supervision of Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer and Sooranadu Kunjan Pillai. These copies run into 202 volumes, each containing approximately 300 to 500 or more pages. Of these, 101 are Matilakam records and the remaining 101 are Neettus. Neettus are royal proclamations and orders issued by the kings to various departmental heads.

Our collections contains information from 25 volumes of Matilakam records and 27 volumes of Neettus. Most of these volumes have been photographed. However, all of them are not examined in detail. There are more than 1,000 photographs in total.

Ozhuk records are land-related documents. The 10 Ozhuk records examined here were copied from the archives for private individuals. The Alappuzha port records consist of three volumes, and complete copies of some of these documents are available. These records primarily contain information related to trade in Travancore during the 19th century.

The showcase records consist of a selection of palm-leaf manuscripts, paper documents, regulations, and proclamations. The collection comprises approximately 600 documents, of which around 50 are photographed and closely examined. Jamabandi rayasams are taluk revenue records. Two volumes of Jamabandi rayasams were examined.

Dewaswom records relate to temples in Thiruvithamkoor during the 19th century. Of the 20 volumes in this collection, we have examined two. The cover file contains documents from the 18th and 19th centuries relating to various aspects of Thiruvithamkoor. 30 documents from this collection are included here.

The judicial and revenue records comprise legal and revenue documents produced after the formal establishment of the legal and revenue departments in Thiruvithamkoor. About 20 documents from this collection is curated here.

In these records, we can see grain measures such as uzhakku, uriya, muzhakku, idangazhi, para, marakkal, and kotta. These units are mostly mentioned in the context of wages, borrowing to meet daily expenses, borrowing paddy to start cultivation, and estimating farmland revenues.

In documents relating to the purchase of ornaments and vessels for the palace and temples, we can see measures such as pati, kazhancu, thulaam, and palam used in the context of gold, silver, copper, and bronze. From these records we can also obtain information about measures such as thudam, quandy, muzham, nata, mukkani, araikkani, munthirippanam, kamb, kol, thadi, and dand.