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The starting point of the formation of a legislative body in Travancore, can be traced to January 1888 when the Dewan T. Rama Rao proposed to the Maharaja, the organisation of a Legislative Council so that "the Dewan would gain the benefit of discussing with and taking the opinion of responsible officers associated with him in matters of legislation, one of the most important functions of Government". This proposal was readily approved by Sri Mulam Thirunal Maharaja and a regulation was passed on 30th March, 1888, creating a Legislative Council, of three year tenure, and composed of 8 members of whom 6 were to be officials and 2 non-officials nominated by the Maharaja. The Dewan was to preside over the meetings.         

The inaugural meeting of the Legislative Council was held at 12.00 noon, on the 23rd of August, 1888 (Thursday), in the Dewan's room. In the First Council (1888-1891), there were 32 sittings. Although the bills passed were recommendatory in nature, the number came to 9. The Select Committee constituted to study and report on the bills introduced, marked the origin of the Committee System. Being the primogenitor, this Legislative Council, though not truly democratic was a bold step.

Political awareness and movements for social equality unleashed a popular agitation, which lead to the signing of the 'Malayali Memorial' in 1891, for increased representation. The Second Council (1891-1894) had 27 sittings, whereas the Third Council (1894-1897) in which 11 bills were passed, had 22 sittings.

By a Resolution passed in 1898, the strength of the Council was raised to 15, 9 officials and 6 non-officials. There were clear provisions regarding the nature of business of the Council. The Fourth Council (1897-1901), held 18 sittings and passed 15 bills. In the Fifth Council (1901-1904), the number of sittings was 16.

In order to widen the opportunities for increased association of the people with administration, on the 1st of October 1904, one more representative body, namely the Sri Mulam Popular Assembly of Travancore was formed. This Assembly "of the representatives of the landholders and merchants", aimed at giving "the people an opportunity of bringing to the notice of Government their requirements, wishes or grievances on the one hand, and on the other, to make the policy and measures of Government better known to the people so that all possible grounds of misconception may be removed". The Members were to be selected by the Division Peishcars (the District Heads). Two representatives were to be chosen for each taluk, from among the landholders who pay on their own account an annual land revenue of not less than Rs. 100, and landholders or traders whose net annual income was Rs. 6000 or above. On October 22, 1904, the Victoria Jubilee Town Hall of Trivandrum became the venue of the first Meeting of the Sri Mulam Popular Assembly.

A novel mark appeared on May 1, 1905, when a regulation was issued to grant to the people the privilege of electing members to the Assembly. Of the 100 members, 77 were to be elected and 23 nominated, for a tenure of 1 year. The right to vote was given to persons who paid on their account an annual land revenue of not less than Rs. 50 or whose net income was not less than Rs. 2000 and to Graduates of a recognized University, with not less than 10 years standing and having their residence in the taluk. There were General as well as Special Constituencies.

The Sri Mulam Popular Assembly turned out to be a platform to give vent to popular feelings on matters of administration. Each member could bring forward 2 subjects for representation. The representations centered around enhancement of the strength, powers and functions of the Legislative Council and bestowal of the right to members of the Assembly to elect a fair proportion of non-officials to the Council.  

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