Citizendia

Flag for former princely state of Travancore
Flag for former princely state of Travancore
For the suburb of Travancore in Melbourne, Australia, see Travancore, Victoria. Travancore is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moonee Valley.

Travancore or Thiruvithaamkoor (Malayalam: തിരുവിതാങ്കൂര്‍ ("Thiru (respectful prefix which suggests either royal or divine) + idham (wish) koor (loyalty) in malayalam. Not to be confused with the Malay language. Malayalam (മലയാളം malayāḷaṁ) is a Dravidian language used )[Tiruvitāńkūr], തിരുവിതാംകൂര്‍ [Tiruvitāṃkūr], തിരുവിതാങ്കോട് [Tiruvitāńkoṭ]) was a princely state in India with its capital at Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). For other uses see Principality, Other princely states A Princely State (also called Native State or Indian State) was a India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Thiruvananthapuram ( Malayalam: തിരുവനന്തപുരം Tiruvanantapuraṁ) also known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the The state comprised most of south Kerala and the modern Nagercoil and Kanyakumari districts of Tamil Nadu and it had a 19-gun salute in the British Empire. Kerala ( Malayalam: {{Kerala in Malayalam}}; WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Nagercoil (Tamil நாகர்கோவில் is a city and it is the Http//en Tamil Nadu ( Tamil:, Country of the Tamils, t̪ɐmɨɻ n̪aːɽɯ is one of the 28 states of India. Its flag was red with a silver dextrally coiled sacred conch shell (Turbinella pyrum Linnaeus). A conch (pronounced in the USA as "konk" or "konch" ˈkɒŋk or /ˈkɒntʃ/ is one of a number of different Species Travancore was merged with the other Malayalam-speaking state of Cochin on 1 July 1949 to form Travancore-Cochin, and later with the Malabar district of Madras State on 1 November 1956 to form the south Indian state of Kerala. The Kingdom of Cochin or Kochi (also known as Perumpadappu Swaroopam, Madarajyam, Gosree Rajyam, or Kuru Swaroopam; "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 1949 ( MCMXLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Travancore-Cochin or Thiru-Kochi is a former state of India. It was created on July 1 1949 by the merger of two former Princely Malabar District was an administrative district of British India and independent India's Madras State. Madras Presidency, also known as Madras Province and known officially as Presidency of Fort St Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. South India is the area encompassing India 's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union Kerala ( Malayalam: {{Kerala in Malayalam}}; The Last Maharajah was Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma and the last Dewan was PGN Unnithan. Sree Chithira Thirunal (born as Balarama Varma November 7, 1912 &ndash July 19, 1991) was the last ruling Maharaja of the Princely The originally Persian title of diwan (also quite commonly known as Dewan; also spelled -van) has at various points in the Islamic history, designated Sri PGN Unnithan was the last Diwan (Prime Minister of independent Travancore (Thiruvithamkoor

Contents

Geography

Travancore in India during the times of Robert Clive
Travancore in India during the times of Robert Clive

Travancore was located in Southern Kerala. Kerala ( Malayalam: {{Kerala in Malayalam}}; The rulers of this state were named Sree Padmanabhadasan- servant of the deity Padmanabha Swamy an aspect of Vishnu. For other meanings see Vishnu (disambiguation. Vishnu ( IAST viṣṇu Devanagari विष्णु (honorific The former kingdom's geography is defined by three natural terrains - a coastal area to the west, a midland in the centre and mountain peaks as high as 9,000 feet on the east

History

Early history of the region

Kingdom of Travancore
Part of History of Kerala
Travancore Kings
Rajah Rama Varma1721-1729
Marthanda Varma1729-1758
Dharma Raja1758-1798
Balarama Varma1798-1810
Gowri Lakshmi Bayi‡1810-1815
Gowri Parvati Bayi ‡1815-1829
Swathi Thirunal1829-1846
Uthram Thirunal1846-1860
Ayilyam Thirunal1860-1880
Visakham Thirunal1880-1885
Moolam Thirunal1885-1924
Sethu Lakshmi Bayi‡1924-1931
Chithira Thirunal1931-1949

‡ Regent Queens

Capitals
Padmanabhapuram1721-1795
Thiruvananthapuram1795-1949
Palaces
Padmanabhapuram Palace
Kilimanoor palace
Kuthira Malika
Kowdiar Palaceedit

The region was ruled by the Ay Dynasty during the Sangham age (circa 300 BC – 600 AD) and was the scene of many battles between the Kulashekaras and the Cholas during the second Sangham age (circa 850–1400 AD), when Vizhinjam, the capital, was sacked by the Cholas. This article concerns itself with the history of Kerala, a state in South India. Rajah Rama Varma was the ruler of the Indian kingdom of Venad, later known as Travancore, in the modern day state of Kerala, India Marthanda Varma (Anizham Thirunal Malayalam, (1706-1758 was the Maharajah of the Indian Princely state of Travancore from 1729 till Dharma Raja Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma was the Maharajah of Travancore from 1758 -1798 Balarama Varma (c 1782&ndash1810 was a ruler of the Indian Princely state of Travancore from 1798 to 1810 succeeding Maharajah Dharma Raja Padmanabha Sevini Vanchi Dharma Vardhini Raja Rajeshwari Maharani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi (1791 -1814 was the Maharani of the Indian state of Travancore from 1811 till Padmanabha Sevini Vanchi Dharma Vardhini Raja Rajeshwari Maharani Gowri Parvati Bayi was the Regent Maharani of the Indian state of Travancore who succeeded Sri Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma (April 16 1813 - December 25 1846 was the Maharaja of the state of Travancore, in India. Sri Padmanabha Dasa Vanchi Pala Uthram Thirunal Marthanda Varma Kulasekhara Kiritapati Manney Sultan Maharaja Raja Rama Raja Bahadur Shamsher Jung ( 26 September 1814 Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Patmanabha Dasa Vanchipala Sri Sir Ayilyam Thirunal Bala Rama Varma II, GCSI, CIE, Kaiser-i-Hind Visakham Thirunal Rama Varma V ( 19 May 1837 - 4 August 1885) was the Maharaja of the erstwhile Indian Kingdom of Travancore Moolam Thirunal was the ruling Maharajah of the Indian state of Travancore between 1885 and 1924 succeeding his uncle Maharajah Visakham Thirunal Sethu Lakshmi Bayi CI (1895 &ndash 1985 was the ruler of Travancore as regent for her nephew Chithira Tirunal from 1924 until 1931 Sree Chithira Thirunal (born as Balarama Varma November 7, 1912 &ndash July 19, 1991) was the last ruling Maharaja of the Princely WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Padmanabhapuram (Tamil பத்மனாபபுரம் a city and a Municipality near Thuckalay Thiruvananthapuram ( Malayalam: തിരുവനന്തപുരം Tiruvanantapuraṁ) also known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Padamanabhapuram Palace complex is located in at Padmanabhapuram Fort close to the town of Thuckalay in Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu. Kilimanoor palace is famous as the birth place of Raja Ravi Varma, the celebrated painter from India. Kuthira Malika or the "Mansion of Horses" is a palace built by Sri Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, on the south-eastern side of Padmanabhaswamy Kowdiar Palace in Trivandrum, Kerala, India built in 1914 by Maharajah Moolam Thirunal is the official residence of the present titular Later the area was termed Venad, and the rulers were weak, facing external threats from Nayaks of Madurai, Nayak dynasty or facing internal rebellions from the powerful feudal land lords (Ettuveetil Pillamar and the Yogakaar). For general context see History of Travancore. Venad (véNAd (േവണാട് was one of the eighteen kingdoms of the ancient Cheran Prelude Decline of Pandya Rule Muslim Invasion and Vijayanagar Domination Early in the fourteenth century a dispute arose over the succession to the Pandya throne The Ettuveetil Pillamar (translated as Lords of the Eight Houses were a group of nobles from Eight Nair Houses in erstwhile Venad in Kerala.

Eighteenth century

Marthanda Varma

Maharajah Marthanda Varma
Maharajah Marthanda Varma

The history of modern Travancore begins with Marthanda Varma who inherited the kingdom of Venad, and expanded it into Travancore during his reign 1729–1758. Marthanda Varma (Anizham Thirunal Malayalam, (1706-1758 was the Maharajah of the Indian Princely state of Travancore from 1729 till Marthanda Varma (Anizham Thirunal Malayalam, (1706-1758 was the Maharajah of the Indian Princely state of Travancore from 1729 till Year 1729 ( MDCCXXIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1758 ( MDCCLVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common He signed a treaty with the British East India company and with their help destroyed the power of the eight feudal land lords (Ettuveetil Pillamar) and the Ettara Yogam who supported the Thampi sons of the previous king Rajah Rama Varma, Travancore Royal family follows the Nair "Marumakkathayam" system,so inheritance are going through the sister's children. The Ettuveetil Pillamar (translated as Lords of the Eight Houses were a group of nobles from Eight Nair Houses in erstwhile Venad in Kerala. The Ettara Yogam or the Council of Eight and a Half was a body of Trustees of the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple which was once the richest and most well endowed temples The Thampis are the sons of the Maharajahs (Kings born of Nair women Rajah Rama Varma was the ruler of the Indian kingdom of Venad, later known as Travancore, in the modern day state of Kerala, India In successive battles, he defeated and absorbed the kingdoms right up to Cochin including Attingal, Kollam, Kayamkulam, Kottarakara, Kottayam, Changanassery, Meenachil, Poonjar and Ambalapuzha. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Attingal is a town and a Municipality in the Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala Kollam ( Malayalam:കൊല്ലം) (known to the Portuguese as Quilon, pronounced koy-lon) is a city and a Municipal corporation WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Kayamkulam is a city and a Municipality in Alappuzha district of the Indian state Kottarakkara ( IAST: Koṭṭārakkara is a town located in the district of Kollam, formerly known as Quilon, in the Kerala state of India WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> This article is about the town of Kottayam See Kottayam district also WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Changanacherry is a town and a Municipality in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala Meenachil is the name of the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, South India. Poonjar is a small town in the Kottayam district of Kerala state India Ambalappuzha is a small town in Alappuzha district of Kerala state South India. He succeeded in defeating the Dutch East India Company during the Travancore–Dutch war, the most decisive engagement of which was the Battle of Colachel (10 August 1741) in which the Dutch Admiral Eustachius De Lannoy was captured. The Dutch East India Company ( Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie or VOC in old-spelling Dutch, literally "United East Indian The Battle of Colachel (or Battle of Kulachal was a battle that took place on 10 August 1741 ( 31 July OS during the Travancore-Dutch War Events 612 BC - Killing of Sinsharishkun, King of Assyrian Empire Year 1741 ( MDCCXLI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Eustachius Benedictus (Eustache Benoît de Lannoy (also spelt "Lennoy" and sometimes called 'Captain De Lannoy' ( 1715 - June 1, 1777, On January 3, 1750 AD, (Makaram 5, 725 M.E.), he dedicated his kingdom to his tutelary deity Sri. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1750 ( MDCCL) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Padmanabha (Lord Vishnu) of Trivandrum (the Trippadidaanam) and from then on the rulers of Travancore ruled the kingdom as the servants of Sri. Thiruvananthapuram ( Malayalam: തിരുവനന്തപുരം Tiruvanantapuraṁ) also known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Padmanabha (Padmnabhadasan). In 1753, the Dutch signed a peace treaty with the Maharajah. With the battle of Ambalapuzha (3 January 1754) in which he defeated the union of the deposed kings and the Raja of Cochin, Marthanda Varma crushed all opposition to his rule. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1754 ( MDCCLIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or In 1757 AD, a treaty was concluded between Travancore and Cochin, ensuring peace and stability on the Northern border. He organised the tax system and constructed many irrigation works. Admiral Eustachius De Lannoy, who was captured as a Prisoner of war in the famous Battle of Colachel was appointed as the Senior Admiral (Valiya kappithan)and he modernised the Travancore army by introducing firearms and artillery. Eustachius Benedictus (Eustache Benoît de Lannoy (also spelt "Lennoy" and sometimes called 'Captain De Lannoy' ( 1715 - June 1, 1777, The Battle of Colachel (or Battle of Kulachal was a battle that took place on 10 August 1741 ( 31 July OS during the Travancore-Dutch War Ayyappan Marthanda Pillai served as the "Sarvadi Karykar" ( Head of the Army( Nair pattalam). Marthanda Varma introduced titles such as Chempaka Raman and honours such as Ettarayum Koppum to honour the Lords and his relatives who had remained faithful to him during his problems with the Ettuveetil Pillamar. The Ettuveetil Pillamar (translated as Lords of the Eight Houses were a group of nobles from Eight Nair Houses in erstwhile Venad in Kerala. His able minister during his entire military career was Ramayyan Dalawa. Ramayyan (Tamil ராமய்யன் Malayalam രാമയ്യന്‍ was the Dewan of Travancore state India, during 1737 and 1756 and was

Dharma Raja

His successor Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma who was popularly known as Dharma Raja, shifted the capital in 1795 from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram. Dharma Raja Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma was the Maharajah of Travancore from 1758 -1798 Year 1795 ( MDCCXCV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Padamanabhapuram Palace complex is located in at Padmanabhapuram Fort close to the town of Thuckalay in Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu. Thiruvananthapuram ( Malayalam: തിരുവനന്തപുരം Tiruvanantapuraṁ) also known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Rama Varma's period is considered as a golden age in the history of Travancore. He not only retained the territorial gains of his predecessor Marthanda Varma, but also improved and encouraged social developments. He was greatly assisted by a very efficient administrator, Raja Kesavadas Pillai, who was the Diwan of Travancore. Rajah Kesavadas (1745-1799 was the Dewan of Travancore during the reign of Dharma Raja Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma

Maharajah Karthika Thirunal Dharma Raja
Maharajah Karthika Thirunal Dharma Raja

During his reign, Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore attacked Travancore in A. Dharma Raja Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma was the Maharajah of Travancore from 1758 -1798 Mysore (maɪˈsɔɚ in English; renamed to Mysuru|ಮೈಸೂರು) (ಮೈಸೂರು is the second largest city in the state of Karnataka, India D. 1791. The Travancore forces withstood the Sultan for 6 months, defeating him twice, and then the Maharajah appealed to the British East India Company for aid, starting a precedent which led to the installation of a British resident in the country. The Honourable East India Company ( HEIC) referred to most commonly as the East India Company, also historically and colloquially as John Company, or A Resident, or in full Resident Minister, is a state official of certain representative -diplomatic and/or colonial- types required to take up permanent residency abroad officially The British resident, Colonel Macaulay, managed to engage the ruler in treaties which effectively made the state a protectorate of the East India Company and ended its autonomy resulting finally in the revolt of Velu Thampi Dalawa. In International law, a protectorate is a autonomous territory that is "protected" by a stronger state or entity hense the protector which engages to protect Velayudhan Chempakaraman Thampi (1765 - 1809 was the Dalawa or Prime Minister of the Indian kingdom of Travancore between 1801 and 1809 during Tipu Sultan was defeated and he did not trouble Travancore anymore till his death in 1799 during the Fourth Mysore War. The Dharma Raja improved trade in the country. Dharma Raja Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma was the Maharajah of Travancore from 1758 -1798 During his reign however the districts of Kalakkad and parts of Shencottah were annexed to Arcot. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Kalakkad is a Panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state

Balarama Varma

On his death in 1798, Balarama Varma took over at the age of sixteen. Year 1798 ( MDCCXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Balarama Varma (c 1782&ndash1810 was a ruler of the Indian Princely state of Travancore from 1798 to 1810 succeeding Maharajah Dharma Raja During his reign Velu Thampi emerged as an able divan or minister. Velayudhan Chempakaraman Thampi (1765 - 1809 was the Dalawa or Prime Minister of the Indian kingdom of Travancore between 1801 and 1809 during The originally Persian title of diwan (also quite commonly known as Dewan; also spelled -van) has at various points in the Islamic history, designated Initially, the Dalawa and the English East India Company got along well. A mutiny of a section of the army in 1805 against Velu Thampi was put down by British troops, at his own request. Velayudhan Chempakaraman Thampi (1765 - 1809 was the Dalawa or Prime Minister of the Indian kingdom of Travancore between 1801 and 1809 during But the demands by the Company for the payment of compensation for their involvement in the 1791 Travancore-Mysore war led to enmity between the Diwan and the Resident. Velu Thampi and the diwan of Cochin, Paliath Achan, organised an ill-fated revolt against the British in A. The Thampis are the sons of the Maharajahs (Kings born of Nair women Paliath valiyamma ikkavukuttyjpg|thumb|200px|right|Paliath Ikkavukutty Valiyamma]] Paliath Achan or Paliyath Achan (പാലിയത്‌ അച്ചന്‍ is the name D. 1809. Initially, the rebellion was successful. However, the Company defeated Velu Thampi at battles near Nagercoil and Kollam in AD 1810, and the Maharajah, who till then had refused to take any active open part in the fight, turned against Velu Thampi. The Thampis are the sons of the Maharajahs (Kings born of Nair women Following these two defeats, Velu Thampi organised a guerilla struggle against the Company, but committed suicide to avoid capture by the Company's soldiers. The Thampis are the sons of the Maharajahs (Kings born of Nair women Paliath Achan surrendered to the British and was exiled to Madras and later to Benaras. Paliath valiyamma ikkavukuttyjpg|thumb|200px|right|Paliath Ikkavukutty Valiyamma]] Paliath Achan or Paliyath Achan (പാലിയത്‌ അച്ചന്‍ is the name Varanasi ( Sanskrit: वाराणसी Vārāṇasī, pronunciation) also commonly known as Benares ( or Banaras (बनारस After the mutiny of AD 1805 against Velu Thampi, most of the Nair battalions of Travancore had been disbanded, and after Velu Thampi's revolt, almost all of the remaining Travancore forces were also disbanded, with the Company undertaking to serve the Raja in cases of external and internal aggression. Nāyar (Malayalam നായര്‍ naːjar most commonly spelt Nair) is the name of a Hindu upper caste from the southern Indian state of Kerala Interestingly, the root cause of the revolt, namely the compensation demanded by the Company for their involvement in the 1791 Travancore-Mysore war, was finally never ever paid by Travancore.

19th and early 20th century

Her Highness Maharani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore
Her Highness Maharani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore

Balarama Varma was succeeded by Rani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi in AD 1810–1815 with the blessings of the British. Padmanabha Sevini Vanchi Dharma Vardhini Raja Rajeshwari Maharani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi (1791 -1814 was the Maharani of the Indian state of Travancore from 1811 till Balarama Varma (c 1782&ndash1810 was a ruler of the Indian Princely state of Travancore from 1798 to 1810 succeeding Maharajah Dharma Raja Padmanabha Sevini Vanchi Dharma Vardhini Raja Rajeshwari Maharani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi (1791 -1814 was the Maharani of the Indian state of Travancore from 1811 till When a boy was born to her in 1813, the infant was declared the King, but the Rani continued to rule as the regent. Year 1813 ( MDCCCXIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Col. Munro served as her Diwan. On her death in 1815, Maharani Gowri Parvati Bayi continued as regent. Year 1815 ( MDCCCXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Padmanabha Sevini Vanchi Dharma Vardhini Raja Rajeshwari Maharani Gowri Parvati Bayi was the Regent Maharani of the Indian state of Travancore who succeeded Both of the regencies saw great progresses in social issues and in education. Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma assumed the throne in 1829. Sri Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma (April 16 1813 - December 25 1846 was the Maharaja of the state of Travancore, in India. For the game see 1829 (board game. Year 1829 ( MDCCCXXIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display He was a famous exponent of Carnatic and Hindustani music. Carnatic music (also spelled Karnatak music or Karnatik music, and originally called Karṇāṭaka sangīta or Karṇāṭaka sangītam in India Hindustani Classical Music ( Hindi: हिन्दुस्तानी शास्त्रीय संगीत Urdu: ہندوستانی شاستریے سنگیت He abolished many unnecessary taxes, and started an English school and a charity hospital in Trivandrum in 1834. Year 1834 ( MDCCCXXXIV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common

Maharajah Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma
Maharajah Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma

During the Sangam age, the caste restrictions were not strict. Sri Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma (April 16 1813 - December 25 1846 was the Maharaja of the state of Travancore, in India. However, following the Chera-Chola wars of the 11th century, the social structure of the region changed and remained so up to the mid-nineteenth century. In Travancore, the caste system was more rigiourously enforced than in many other parts of India. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The rule of discriminative hierarchical caste order was deeply entrenched in the social system and was supported by the government which had transformed this caste-based social system into a religious institution. [1] In such a context, the belief of Ayyavazhi apart from just being a religion, served also as a reform movement in uplifting the downtrodden section of the society, both socially and as well as religiously. Ayyavazhi (aiavəɻɪ( Tamil:அய்யாவழி Ayyavali - "Path of the father") is a dharmic belief system that originated The ritual corpus of Ayyavazhi conducted a social discourse. Ayyavazhi rituals says about the religious practices prevalent among the followers of Ayyavazhi. Its beliefs, mode of worship and religious organisation seem to have enabled the group to negotiate, cope with and resist the relation of authority. [2] The hard tone of Vaikundar towards this was perceived as a revolution against the government. [3] So the king Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma imprisoned Vaikundar but later released him. Sri Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma (April 16 1813 - December 25 1846 was the Maharaja of the state of Travancore, in India. Ayya Vaikundar (அய்யா வைகுண்டர் according to Akilattirattu Ammanai, a scripture of the Ayyavazhi, was a Manu (father sovereign [4]In fact, it is notable that after the release of Vaikundar, the caste-based administration of the kingdom underwent a considerable change.

Maharajah Visakham Thirunal Rama Varma of Travancore
Maharajah Visakham Thirunal Rama Varma of Travancore

The next ruler Maharajah Utharadam Tirunal Marthanda Varma AD 1847–1860 , following the recommendations of the protestant clergy of C. Visakham Thirunal Rama Varma V ( 19 May 1837 - 4 August 1885) was the Maharaja of the erstwhile Indian Kingdom of Travancore M. S. and L. M. S. associations, abolished slavery in the kingdom in 1855, and restrictions on the dress codes of certain castes in 1859. Year 1855 ( MDCCCLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common year Year 1859 ( MDCCCLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common His acts on these social issues won him praise and was copied by the neighbouring State of Cochin. The maharajah started the postal system in 1857 and a school for girls in 1859. Click here for Indian Rebellion of 1857 Year 1857 ( MDCCCLVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the Year 1859 ( MDCCCLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common He was succeeded by Ayilyam Thirunal AD 1860–1880, during whose rule, agriculture, irrigation works and road ways were promoted. Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Patmanabha Dasa Vanchipala Sri Sir Ayilyam Thirunal Bala Rama Varma II, GCSI, CIE, Kaiser-i-Hind Humane codes of law were enforced in 1861 and a college was established in 1866. Year 1861 ( MDCCCLXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1866 ( MDCCCLXVI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common He also built many charity hospitals including a lunatic asylum. The first systematic Census of Travancore was taken on May 18, 1875. he also introduced vaccination in the country. Rama Varma Visakham Thirunal ruled from AD 1880–1885. Visakham Thirunal Rama Varma V ( 19 May 1837 - 4 August 1885) was the Maharaja of the erstwhile Indian Kingdom of Travancore He became the first Indian Prince to be offered a seat in the Viceroy's Executive Council and also authored a number of books and essays. The Governor-General of India (or from 1858 to 1947 the Viceroy and Governor-General of India) was the head of the British administration in India, and He reorganised the police force, and abolished many oppressive taxes.

The reign of Sri Moolam Thirunal Sir Rama Varma AD 1885–1924 saw the establishment of many colleges and schools. Moolam Thirunal was the ruling Maharajah of the Indian state of Travancore between 1885 and 1924 succeeding his uncle Maharajah Visakham Thirunal When Jawaharlal Nehru visited the area in the 1920s, he remarked that the education was superior to British India. Jawaharlal Nehru (जवाहरलाल नेहरू ʤəʋäɦəɾläl nɛɦɾu (14 November 1889 27 May 1964 was a major political leader of the Congress Party The medical system was reorganised and Legislative Council, the first of its kind in an Indian state, was established in 1888. Year 1888 ( MDCCCLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The principle of election was established and women too were allowed to vote.

Sethu Lakshmi Bayi ruled as the regent from AD 1924–1931. Sethu Lakshmi Bayi CI (1895 &ndash 1985 was the ruler of Travancore as regent for her nephew Chithira Tirunal from 1924 until 1931 She abolished animal sacrifice and replaced the matrilineal system of inheritance with the patrilineal one. She ended the Devdasi system in Temples and was commended by Mahatma Gandhi for spending almost 40% of state revenue on education. The term devadasi originally described a Hindu religious practice in which girls were "married" and dedicated to a deity ( deva or Devi) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi ( Gujarati: મોહનદાસ કરમચંદ ગાંધી moɦən̪d̪äs kəɾəmʧən̪d̪ gän̪d̪ʱi (2 October 1869 – 30 January

Kovalam Beach at the southern tip of Thiruvithaamcoore, in South India
Kovalam Beach at the southern tip of Thiruvithaamcoore, in South India

The last ruler of Travancore was Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma AD 1931–1949. Sree Chithira Thirunal (born as Balarama Varma November 7, 1912 &ndash July 19, 1991) was the last ruling Maharaja of the Princely He made the temple entry proclamation on 12 November 1936, which opened all the Kshetrams (Hindu temples in Kerala) in Travancore to all Hindus, a privilege reserved to only upper caste Hindus till then. Events 764 - Tibetan troops occupy Chang'an, the capital of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, for fifteen days Year 1936 ( MCMXXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A temple (from the Latin word Templum) is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities such as prayer and sacrifice or analogous rites A Hindu ( Devanagari: हिन्दू is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, a set of religious, Philosophical This act won him praise from across India, most notably from Mahatma Gandhi. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi ( Gujarati: મોહનદાસ કરમચંદ ગાંધી moɦən̪d̪äs kəɾəmʧən̪d̪ gän̪d̪ʱi (2 October 1869 – 30 January He also started the industrialisation of the state. However, his minister Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer was unpopular among the general public of Travancore. Sir Chetpat Pattabhirama Ramaswami Iyer ( Tamil:சேத்துப்பட்டு பட்டாபி ராமசுவாமி அய்யர், KCSI When the British decided to grant independence to India, the minister declared that Travancore would remain as an independent country, based on an "American model". The tension between the local people, led by the Indian National Congress and the Communists, and Sir. Indian National Congress-I (also known as the Congress Party and abbreviated INC) is a major Political party in India. C. P. Ramaswamy Iyer led to revolts in various places of the country. In one such revolt in Punnapara-Vayalar in AD 1946, the Communists established their own government in the area. Communism is a Socioeconomic structure that promotes the establishment of an egalitarian, classless, stateless Society based This was brutally crushed by the Travancore army and navy leading to hundreds of deaths. This led to further disturbances in the State, leading to more killings. The minister issued a statement in June 1947 that Travancore would never join India, and subsequently, an attempt was made on the life of Sir C. P. Ramaswamy Iyer following which he resigned and fled to Madras, to be succeeded by Sri PGN Unnithan. Sri PGN Unnithan was the last Diwan (Prime Minister of independent Travancore (Thiruvithamkoor After these events, the Maharajah agreed to join India and Travancore was absorbed into the Indian union.

Postcolonial Travancore

Travancore in the Madras Presidency in 1859
Travancore in the Madras Presidency in 1859
His Highness Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma as the first Vice Chancellor of University of Kerala.
His Highness Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma as the first Vice Chancellor of University of Kerala. Madras Presidency, also known as Madras Province and known officially as Presidency of Fort St Sree Chithira Thirunal (born as Balarama Varma November 7, 1912 &ndash July 19, 1991) was the last ruling Maharaja of the Princely

The movement for the unification of the lands where Malayalam was spoken as the mother tongue took concrete shape at the State People's Conference held in Ernakulam in April 1928, and a resolution was passed therein calling for Aikya Kerala ("United Kerala"). Not to be confused with the Malay language. Malayalam (മലയാളം malayāḷaṁ) is a Dravidian language used This article is about the town of Ernakulam See Ernakulam district. On July 1, 1949 A. "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 1949 ( MCMXLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. D. , the State of Travancore-Cochin was established, with the Maharajah of Travancore as the Rajapramukh of the new State. Travancore-Cochin or Thiru-Kochi is a former state of India. It was created on July 1 1949 by the merger of two former Princely A number of popular ministries were elected and fell and in A. D. 1954, the Travancore Tamilnadu Congress launched a campaign for the merger of the Tamil speaking regions of Southern Travancore with the neighbouring area of Madras. The agitation took a violent turn and some police and many local people were killed at Marthandam and Puthukkada, irrepairably alienating the entire Tamil speaking population from merger into Kerala. Martandam is the second biggest town next to Nagercoil and also a major trade centre across National Highway (NH 47 in the Kanyakumari district of Under the State Reorganisation Act of 1956, the four southern taluks of Travancore, namely Tovala, Agasteeswaram, Kalkulam and Vilavancode and a part of the Chencotta Taluk was merged with Madras state. The State of Kerala came into existence on November 1, 1956 A. Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. D. with a Governor, appointed by the President of India, as the head of the State instead of the Maharajah.

The Maharajah was stripped of all his ranks and privileges according to the twenty-sixth amendment of the Indian constitution act of July 31, 1971 A. Events 30 BC - Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian 's forces but most of his army subsequently Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. D. [1] He died on July 19, 1991 A. Events 711 - Muslim forces under Tariq ibn Ziyad defeat the Visigoths led by their king Roderic. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. D.

Unique features

Prince Rama Varma, heir apparent of the Travancore Royal Family
Prince Rama Varma, heir apparent of the Travancore Royal Family

When one looks at the history of Travancore since its formation, and that of the geographical territory that comprised it before that, one is struck by some of its unique features. The religious and social tolerance was one of the notable features. The first synagogue, the first church and the first mosque of the Indian sub-continent were set up here. A synagogue (from Greek: grc συναγωγή transliterated synagogē, "assembly" he בית כנסת beit knesset, "house of A "mosque" in English refers to all types of buildings dedicated for Islamic worship although there is a distinction in Arabic between the smaller privately owned mosque and the larger They are the Kodungallur Synagogue[2], the St. Kodungallur (anglicised name Cranganore) is a city and a Municipality in the Thrissur district in the Indian state of Kerala Thomas Church, Kodungallur [3] and the Cheraman Juma Masjid, Kodungallur [4] respectively. Kodungallur (anglicised name Cranganore) is a city and a Municipality in the Thrissur district in the Indian state of Kerala Kodungallur (anglicised name Cranganore) is a city and a Municipality in the Thrissur district in the Indian state of Kerala The Jewish community considers this to be the only place on earth where they were not persecuted in some way or other. PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ Christianity reached here before it reached many of the leading european 'Christian' territories, and that too brought here by one of the disciples of Jesus Christ - St. Thomas - who is believed to have reached here in 52 AD. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) Muslims consider this land to be one of the very few places where their messenger - Malik Dinar - met with no resistance. A Muslim (مسلم pronounced Muslim, not Muzlim) is an adherent of the Religion Malik bin Deenar or Malik Ibn Dinar was a Tabi‘in. He is famous for being the first to bring Islam to India. Not only that, the reigning king is said to have adopted the faith. This tolerance of different faiths was equally applicable when it came to social and ideological matters too. Every political ideology and social reform was welcomed here. The universality of education and the now historic temple entry permission for those considered as 'untouchable' throughout India, were unique to this part of the sub-continent.

Travancore was also characterized by the popularity of its rulers. When the kings of Travancore 'declared themselves as servants of Lord Vishnu and ruled His State according to His wishes' it was not a mere lip service. For other meanings see Vishnu (disambiguation. Vishnu ( IAST viṣṇu Devanagari विष्णु (honorific The kings of Travancore, unlike their counter-parts in the other Native States of India, utilized only a small portion of their State's resources for their personal use. This was in sharp contrast with some of the North Indian Rajas. When one hears of a Raja in the north-west who consumed more than half of his State's revenues, the simplicity and frugality of the Rajas of Travancore are highlighted. Since they spent most of the State's revenue for the benefit of the public, they were naturally much loved by their subjects. This was so even in the context of the high-handedness of some of their Dewans.

Kulasekhara Dynasty - rulers and reigns

Dewans (Prime Ministers) of Travancore

References

  1. ^ Cf. Sir Chetpat Pattabhirama Ramaswami Iyer ( Tamil:சேத்துப்பட்டு பட்டாபி ராமசுவாமி அய்யர், KCSI Sri PGN Unnithan was the last Diwan (Prime Minister of independent Travancore (Thiruvithamkoor Ward & Conner, Geographical and Statistical Memoir, page 133; V. Nagam Aiya, The Travancore State Manual, Volume-2, Madras:AES, 1989 (1906), page 72.
  2. ^ G. Patrick's, Religion and Subaltern Agency, University of Madras, 2003, The Subaltern Agency in Ayyavali, Page 174.
  3. ^ www.education.kerala.gov.inTowards Modern Kerala, 10th Standard Text Book, Chapter 9, Page 101. See this Pdf
  4. ^ C. f. Rev. Samuel Zechariah, The London Missionary Society in South Travancore, Page 201.

External links

Swathi Sangeethotsavam (Swathi Music Festival is a week long festival of music celeberating the compositions of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal.
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