Government Sanskrit College, the oldest of its kind in Kerala, was founded in 1889 by H.H. The Maharaja Sri Mulam Tirunal of Travancore, on the model of the Benares Sanskrit College with title courses in Sanskrit. In 1936 the college was affiliated to the University of Madras and subsequently to the Tranvancore University.

In 1948 the courses of study were reorganised and the college was raised to a first Grade Degree college. B.A. courses in Nyaya and Vedantha were introduced in 1956 and those in Sahitya and Vyakarana in 1962.The college now imparts instruction mainly in Sanskrit Sastras. B.A. courses in Nyaya Vayakarana, Sahitya, Vedanta and Jyothisha and M.A. courses in the above disciplines and Ph.D programmes are conducted in this college.