ANTECEDENTS
Venad, a small nadu in the Southern Kerala, developed into a powerful native state in the eighteenth century. During the early nineties, the early tiny kingdom of Travancore occupied a prominent place among the native Indian States. The name Travancore is the anglicized form of ‘Thiruvthamkode’ or ‘Srivalumkode’ the abode of prosperity.1 According to the famous historian Anee Jange, the royal family of Travancore along with the royal family of Udayapur, the two most ancient royal families now existing in India, ruled without interruption till the integration of states in 1949.2Travancore is blessed with unparalleled natural beauty and unlimited resources. The writings of foreign travelers have well commended on the country and its people.
“Isolated by the towering mass of the Western Ghats, hidden away in a confusion of bays and creeks, hills, dense forests and groves of coconut plant and situated in the southern-most corner of India, Travancore… is being more and more focused on the state and increasing numbers of tourists testify to its appeal”.3The royal family of Travancore is a continuation of the ancient ‘Chera Dynasty’ which formed one among the famous ‘Tamil nattu Mooventhor’ namely the Chera, Chola and the Pandya.
Travancore has been ruled by a number of illustrious Maharajas. The most significant of them were Marthanda Varma, under whom the consolidation of Travancore had taken   place, Kartika Tirunal Rama Varma who is popularly known as Dharma Raja, Avittom Thirunal Balarama Varma, Ayilyam Thirunal Rani Gouri Lakshmi Bhayi, Gouri Parvathi Bhayi, Swathi Tirunal Rama Varma. Sree Mulam Tirunal Rama Varma etc.
The reign of Marthanda Varma (A.D 1729-58) of Travancore is one of the most significant epochs in the history of modern Kerala.4 It marked the virtual end of the feudal era and the beginning of the modern age in Kerala history. He ruled from A.D 1729 to 1758. The Grand Dedication or the Tripatidanam of January 1, 1750 was an important event in the history of the reign of Marthanda Varma. The expanded country of Travancore was dedicated to the God Sri. Padmanabha by Marthanda Varma in January 1750. The Grand dedication was done by offering the royal sword in front of the idol of Sri. Padmanabha in the presence of his family members and ministers. From the day of Grand Dedication Marthanda Varma and his successors became the trustees of the country of Sri. Padmanabha and they declared themselves as ‘Sri. Padmanabha Dasa’or the slaves of Sri. Padmanabha. The act of the Grand Dedication by Marthanda Varma may be assumed as a cleverly decision. He wanted that the enemies of the King would naturally become the enemies of the God and any of their action against the King and the country would be an action against the God. By the ‘Trippadidanam’, Marthanda Varma became able to suppress the negative voices against the King.5
The reign of Marthanda Varma was not only one of conquests and administrative achievements but also of progress in the fields of religion, literature and arts. The reign opened a new chapter in the history of the temples of Travancore. Under his personal direction and guidance, the repairs and the construction of additional structures in the Sri. Padmanabhaswami temple were begun in 1731 and completed in 1733. Trivandrum attained fame as a centre of intellectual and artistic activities. Fine arts like sculpture, music and painting made striking progress. Mural paintings depicting puranic themes were executed in the temple of Trivandrum. The histrionic art also received royal patronage. The renovation of temples all over the kingdom received an impetus. This led to a great religious revival which in its turn gave a fillip to temple arts like Kuthu, Patakam, Kathakali and Tullal. Thus the reign of Marthanda Varma witnessed a religious and cultural revival of impressive dimensions. He is rightly regarded as the ‘Marker of Modern Travancore’.6
Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma(1758-98) who is known to history as the  Dharmaraja, succeeded Mathanda Varma on the throne of Travancore. Dharma Raja was also an able administrator and patron of learning and arts. The capital of Travancore was shifted from Padmanabhapuram to Trivandrum during the reign of Rama Varma. The reign of Dharma Raja was an epoch of administrative and cultural progress. The Raja was served by two able Chief Ministers, viz., Ayyapan Marthanda Pillai and Raja Kesava Das. Raja Kesava Das was the first Chief Ministers of Travancore who assumed the title Diwan.
The period of Dharma Raja marked an important epoch in the cultural history of Kerala.He took special interest in the proper upkeep of the Sri. Pathmanabhaswami Temple. The Kulasekhara Mandapam, noted for its wonderful stone sculptures and musical pillars, was his contribution to the temple complex.7 The Rajawashimselfa great scholar and poet and he enriched Malayalam literature by his numerous literary works. The Travancore Court under the Dharamaraja was adorned by some of the greatest luminaries in Kerala’s literary firmament. The great poets Kunjan Nambiar and Unnayi Warrior enjoyed his benevolent patronage. The well-known treatise on the Natyasathra of Bharathamuni known as ‘Balarama Bharatham’ was composed by him, which deals with the science of Natya in relation to music. He accepts raga, thala and musical accompaniment as the means for expression of emotions. The Dharamaraja composed some exquisite Kathakali poems. He founded the ‘Kottaram Kathakali Yogam’ and introduced southern school of Kathakali. He himself was a good vocalist with a fine and rich voice. Karthika Thirunal is reputed to be the first violinist among the Royal household. He was a musician of high order, whose originality and creativity were unquestioned. He translated the ‘Geetha Govindha’ of Jayadeva into Malayalam called ‘Bhashashtapathi’ retaining the original ragas and thalas and at the same time introducing many new ideas and innovations. Karthika Thirunal was also contributed to the stock of ‘Carnatic Music’ numerous compositions.  His songs numbering to one hundred and fifty set to different ragas and thalas.8The Dharamaraja held a ‘Panditha Sadas’ or Council of learned men periodically for the purpose of encouraging and rewarding scholars and men of letters. Though an orthodox Hindu, the Raja patronized the followers of other religions too. Judged by whatever standards of merit, Rama Varma the Dharamaraja, has claims to be regarded as one of the greatest rulers of Travancore.
It was Aswathy Thirunal (A.D 1756-88), the nephew of Karthika Thirunal who is considered in many respects the most prolific composer of Travancore. His power of constructing perfect pieces of musical compositions was extra ordinary. He was skilful in organizing a long series of free modulations of a systematic progression of melodies in his songs having a proper richness of tone and thought. He was a first graduate among the princely order in India. He too has written many attakathas.9
             The death of the Dharma Raja and the accession of Bala Rama Varma witnessed a reversal of the liberal policies of the previous epoch. The new ruler Bala RamaVarma (A.D 1798-1810) was weak and incompetent and he practically abdicated his powers into the hands of an unpopular clique consisting of Jayandhan Sankaran Nampoothiri, Sankaranarayanan Chetty and Mathu Tharakan. Their policies brought the state to the brink of financial bankruptcy. Velu Tampi who was the Karyakar of Talakulam later he was appointed as Valiya Sarvadhikaryakar (Dalawa). Thousands of insurgents from Nanjanad marched to Trivandrum under his leadership and compelled the Raja to dismiss his unpopular Ministers. Velu Thampi introduced a series of beneficial reforms. Velu Thampi also gave attention to the promotion of education at the village level.10The Dalawa took personal interest in the welfare and prosperity of towns like Trivandrum, Quilon and Alleppey. The city of Trivandrum was improved and a number of buildings were constructed.
Ummin Tampi who replaced Velu Tampi as Dalawa also introduced some far-reaching reforms. He established four courts –Insuaff Cutcheries for the dispensation of justice. The Diwan cleared the forest between Trivandrum and Neyyatinkara and settled a large number of weavers in the area. The township which grew up was named Balaramapuram after the reigning Raja. A scheme for the development of Vizhinjam as the premier port of Travancore was drawn up.
With the death of Bala Rama Varma there was no male child to ascend the throne. So, Rani Gowri Lakshmi Bhai was declared as the heir and successor to Bala RamaVarma. Though young, she was so brave and with the assistance of Resident Colonel Munro, she ruled the country efficiently. It was in the year 1810 that Colonel Munro took up office as British Resident in the court of Raja of Travancore.11When Munro came to Travancore, he found that the country was in a state of anarchy and confusion. No progresses had been made or any disposition manifested to secure by a system of economy and retrenchment the means of retrieving the Raja’s affairs.12
Rani Gouri Lakshmi Bhai ruled Travancore from A.D 1811-1814. She had the unique distinction of being the one and only “True Queen of Travancore”.13She was a brilliant Queen, ruled for three years and six months only. But in that short period she was able to modernize the administration of Travancore heralding a new era for the state. The Diwan Ummini Thampi, failed to adopt measures for tiding over the crisis. After the accession to the throne of Gowri Lakshmi Bhai, she wanted to dispense with the service of Ummini Thampi, the Diwan. The Rani requested Munro to assume charge of the administration by taking over the duties of the Diwan along with those of the Resident. There was no alternative for Munro except to take the entire administration of Travancore.
Munro approached the problems of the state in a very liberal, enlightened and humanitarian manner as he himself had stated:-
“The principle of my proceedings was to conciliate both the Raja and to please the people. It was requisite that the oppression, the onerous imposts and ruinous monopolies under which they laboured should be abolished, measures which would of course decrease the revenues and paying the means of debt”.14
Munro,the Diwan introduced an efficient and well balanced administration. He was the head of the civil and military authorities. The state was divided into three principle divisions. Each division was sub-divided into three or four subordinate divisions. This division again divided into several small units called ‘Mandapathumvatukal’. Each contained from seven to ten smaller divisions called ‘Proverttis’. Each Proverttis’ was subdivided into Desams. A Desam contained from 57 to 400 inhabitants and was again formed into smaller divisions under the directions of minor officers. 15
The great ambition and aim of Munro when he assumed the charges of the administration was to establish the government on a solid basis of order, justice, moderation and good government. He wanted to correct abuses and weed out corrections from the service.Munro introduced in Travancore a system of administration modeled after the system prevailing in British India. The secretariatsystem, an efficient system of audit and accounts, was introduced by him.The scheme of judicial administration was reformed. He assisted Rani Gowri Lakshmi Bhai in the task of administration. Travancore lost a great Queen when Gowri Lakshmi Bhai passed away in 1814.
Rani Gowri Parvathy Bhai was recognised as the Regent after the death of Lakshmi Bhai, her sister. Although resident colonel Munro was relieved of his duties as Diwan, he continued to be her Chief advisor. The regency of Gowri Lakshmi Bhai (A.D 1814-1829) was an era of administrative and social progress in the history of Travancore.16Cultivation of waste lands and hill tops was given top priority. Communications were improved and coinage was reformed. Several unjust feudal levies were abolished. Agriculture and trade registered considerable progress during this period. The Rani introduced several reforms calculated to establish social freedom and civic equality. Christian Missions were given all facilities to carry on their evangelical activities. Rent–free land and free timber were supplied for the erection of churches. The London Missionary Society (L.M.S) at Nagarcoil established itself on a firm footing in 1816 under the Rani patronage. The Christian Missionary Society (C.M.S) was given all help to carry on its missionary activities at Alleppey and Kottayam. It was given a tract of land called Munro Island in Kallada in Quilon district for the specific purpose of promoting education among the Syrians.
Rani Parvathi Bhai took steps to stop slave trade in Travancore which was still in vogue in many European countries.17 The Rani permitted all persons to have tiled roofs for their houses. Dowry system was a great social evil which had kept the Brahmin community in great distress. In order to remove the rigorous of the system, the Rani issued a proclamation which deserves citation.
“Whereas large sums of money amounting to Rs.1,000/- or Rs.2,000/- are demanded as dowry and whereas the practice leads to the alienation…, we are pleasured to issue, this proclamation for the welfare of the people and the good of the state”.18
At the age of sixteen (A.D 1829) Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma assumed the reins of Travancore from the hands of Rani Gowri Parvathi Bhai. This young ruler’s progressive reforms, devoted commitments and enactments to culture and art must be recounted and assessed properly. Though there are many in the royal family of Travancore who have contributed to the cultural arena, Swathi Thirunal is accredited as the most prominent among them. He was one of the most accomplished and enlightened rulers of the illustrious Royal house of Travancore. The reign of Swathi Thirunal is often characterised as the golden age in the history of modern Travancore and also his reign witnessed a cultural revival of impressive dimensions.