The Madras Regiment will celebrate the 277th anniversary of Colachel Battle, which saw Marthanda Varma defeating the Dutch forces, at Colachel. The event will be attended by Indian Army officers from the Pangode Military Station, civil authorities, police officials, retired armed forces officers and local dignitaries. The victory of King Marthanda Varma’s Tranvancore Army against the Dutch Naval Forces in 1741 is celebrated every year on July 31 as Colachel Day. Colachel is situated 68 km from Thiruvananthapuram in Kanyakumari district. July 31 marks the day of the victory of Travancore forces over a vastly superior European naval force, a landmark event in Indian history. ‘’On July 31, 1741, in a most unique amphibious battle the forces of King Marthanda Varma defeated the Dutch, both at sea and land.