The merger of two princely states of India, Cochin and Travancore, into the state of Thiru-Kochi (later re-organized as Kerala) in the Indian Union ends more than 1,000 years of princely rule by the Cochin Royal Family.

The Indian states Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Mysore state are formally created under the States Reorganisation Act.

In India, Communists win the first elections in united Kerala and E.M.S. Namboodiripad is sworn in as the first chief minister.

Marad massacre of eight Hindus near Palakkad in Kerala.