The novel has been translated into English, Tamil, and Hindi, and has also been abridged and adapted in a number of formats, including theater, radio, television, and comic book. The "Marthandavarma" has been included in the curriculum for courses offered by universities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, as well as the curriculum of the Kerala State Education Board. The Venad kingdom under Ravi Varma (Kollavarsham 859893, Gregorian Calendar: 16841718) had to resist foreign attacks and make the eventual payments of arrears to Madurai Nayaks; which resulted in the imposition of fresh taxes to meet the expenses. This made the feudal chieftains, the feudal lords (Ettuveettil Pillamar) and their confederates (Madampimar), who were once suppressed by Kerala Varma of Kottayam (Wayanad) during the period of Umayamma Rani, become recalcitrant. Ravi Varma was succeeded by Aditya Varma (Kollavarsham 893894, Gregorian Calendar:1718), and during his reign, resolutions were made by the local bodies in villages not to pay the taxes. Unni Kerala Varma succeeded to the throne, and during his reign, the feudal chieftains became more powerful as the King was weak in disposition. The forces once organized by Kerala Varma were disbanded and some of them took services under the feudal lords. Unni Kerala Varma was succeeded by Rama Varma in Kollavarsham 899 (Gregorian Calendar: 1724); during his reign the feudal lords grew stronger. Rama Varma, pleased with the energy and intelligence of the then prince Marthanda Varma, allowed him to take necessary actions in the affairs of government; which the prince utilized to adopt measures against the rebellious feudal lords, who in-turn became his inveterate enemies and planned lethal actions against the prince. Marthanda Varma suggested to the King to obtain aid from foreign forces against the power of the feudal lords, and Rama Varma made a treaty with Madurai Nayaks at Tiruchirappalli in Kollavarsham 901 (Gregorian Calendar 1726) to have additional forces be supplied to Venad for an annual payment. The Travancore royal family follows Marumakkathayam as the rule of succession, which is collateral descent through maternal nephews. The feudatory chiefs persuaded the sons of King Rama Varma, Pappu Thambi and Raman Thambi to claim their father's throne through Makkathayam, which is lineal descent through sons, while Marthanda Varma was the legal heir.