Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, is located in which Indian state?

Introduction / Context:
Mattancherry Palace, popularly called the Dutch Palace, is an important historical and architectural monument that appears in questions on Indian culture and tourism. It reflects a blend of local Kerala architecture and European influences. This question checks whether you know the state in which Mattancherry Palace is located.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The monument is Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace. • It is situated in the historic area of Mattancherry near Kochi. • We are asked to identify the Indian state where this palace lies.

Concept / Approach:
Mattancherry is a part of Kochi (Cochin), which is a major port city on the Arabian Sea. Kochi is located in the state of Kerala in south western India. The palace was originally built by the Portuguese and later renovated by the Dutch, hence the name Dutch Palace. By remembering that Kochi is in Kerala and that Mattancherry is a neighbourhood of Kochi, we can directly connect Mattancherry Palace with Kerala.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Mattancherry is associated with Kochi, a city known for its port, backwaters and colonial history. Step 2: Remember that Kochi lies in Kerala, a coastal state on the Arabian Sea. Step 3: Identify Mattancherry Palace as a heritage site within Kochi, often mentioned in Kerala tourism materials. Step 4: Examine the options: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and West Bengal. Step 5: Since Mattancherry and Kochi are clearly located in Kerala, select Kerala as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Tourism brochures and guidebooks for Kerala list Mattancherry Palace among key attractions in Kochi, alongside Fort Kochi, Jew Town and the Chinese fishing nets. The palace murals depicting scenes from Hindu epics are also highlighted as examples of Kerala mural art. No authoritative source places Mattancherry Palace in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan or West Bengal, which verifies that Kerala is the correct state.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Karnataka: Contains coastal cities like Mangaluru and heritage sites such as Hampi, but Mattancherry Palace is not in this state. Tamil Nadu: Has many temples and palaces, but Kochi and Mattancherry are not part of its territory. Rajasthan: Known for forts and palaces in desert regions, not for the backwater city of Kochi. West Bengal: A state on the Bay of Bengal with Kolkata as its capital, not the location of Mattancherry Palace.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse coastal heritage sites of Kerala with those of neighbouring Karnataka or Tamil Nadu, especially if they only remember vague details about spice trade and European traders. Another pitfall is to associate the word Dutch automatically with any coastal state. To avoid such mistakes, anchor Mattancherry Palace specifically to Kochi and then link Kochi firmly to the state of Kerala.

Final Answer:
Mattancherry Palace is located in the state of Kerala.