Marthanda Varma II

{{Short description|Maharaja of Travancore from 1846–1860}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}

{{No footnotes|date=May 2013}}

{{Infobox monarch

| name = Uthram Thirunal Marthanda Varma

| title = Maharaja of Travancore

| image = Maharajah of Travancore 1847.jpg

|image_size = 300px

| caption =

| reign = 27 December 1846 – 18 August 1860

| coronation = 28 December 1846

| full name =

| birth_date = 26 September 1814

| birth_place =

| death_date = 18 August 1860 (aged 46)

| death_place =

| burial_date =

| burial_place =

| predecessor = Swathi Thirunal

| successor = Ayilyam Thirunal

| spouse = Nagercoil Ammachi Panapillai Amma Srimathi Madhavi Pillai Kochamma

| spouse-type = Consort

| issue = Ammachi panipillai sreemathi madhavi pillai lakshmi pillai kochamma(wife of ayilyam thirunal)

| royal house = Venad Swaroopam

| dynasty =Kulasekhara

| father =Changanassery Lakshmipuram Palace's Raja Raja Varma Valiya Koyil Thampuran

| mother = Gowri Lakshmi Bayi

| religion = Hinduism

| signature =

}}

File:Travancore Rajah Outram.jpg carrying a letter from Queen Victoria to the Maharaja of Travancore thanking the latter for his contributions to the Great Exhibition of 1851 which included the gift of a carved ivory throne]]

Uthram Thirunal Marthanda Varma (26 September 1814 – 18 August 1860) was the Maharajah of Travancore state in southern India, succeeding his elder brother Maharajah Swathi Thirunal in 1846 till his demise in 1860. Known for his progressive rule, he abolished slavery in the kingdom. He was succeeded by his nephew Maharajah Ayilyam Thirunal in 1860. His mother was Her Highness Maharani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi. He had three wives. The Maharajah's daughter was married by his nephew and heir Maharajah Ayilyam Thirunal.

The Maharajah also adopted Bharani Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi and Bharani Thirunal Parvathi Bayi from the related Kolathiri royal house in 1857 after the death of his niece to perpetuate the royal line.

The Maharajah was a pioneer in the introduction of modern medicine in Kerala.He himself was trained in medicine and other sciences by tutors he appointed.As it was considered taboo at that time for the members of the royal family to touch human remains, king was barred from studying osteology with real bones and for bypassing this, he had ivory bone sets carved.He also ran a laboratory and a modern medicine dispensary inside the palace, where he would diagnose and treat palace staff.

The king was also a renowned Kadhakali scholar and afficiando,with numerous Kadhakali poems (Aatta Kadhas) to his credit as author.