The Northern Division or Northern Travancore or Kottayam Division was one of the three (or four) administrative subdivisions of the princely state of Travancore in British India.[1] It was established in 1856 and covered parts of Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki in the present-day Kerala. The division was administered by a Diwan Peishkar, a civil servant of rank equivalent to a District Collector. The division was sub-divided into the taluks of Alangadu, Kunnatunadu, Meenachil, Muvattupuzha , Kothamangalam , Paravur, Thodupuzha and Vaikom.[2] The headquarters of the division was first located at Cherthala, and later got shifted to Kottayam.
| Northern Division | |
|---|---|
| Division of Travancore | |
| 1856–1949 | |
 Location of Travancore | |
| Capital | Kottayam |
| • Type | Monarchy |
| Historical era | British Raj |
• Established | 1856 |
• Disestablished | 1949 |
| Today part of | Kerala, India |
Before the formation of the Travancore Kingdom, Northern Travancore were part of Thekkumkur and Vadakkumkur Kingdoms. Thekkumkur was an independent kingdom, while Vadakkumkur was a vassal to the Kingdom of Cochin.[3][4]