ROLE OF SETHU LAKSHMI BAI IN KERALA RENAISSANCE

                          

The Last Queen of Travancore'

The social structure of Travancore was about similar in the administrative structure which was based on the caste. Travancore had a rich political tradition of dynastic rule. As the result of colonial penetration the power fell into the hands of British paramountacy. Even though in the initial period the appearance of women in politics was minimal in Travancore. The women maintained the spark of political interest that initiated the state widely from time to time One of the most important enlightened ruler of the Travancore was the women regent Rani Sethu Lakshmi Bai. The period of administration of the regent was a direct evidence of efficient rule and far-sightness. Her period of administration was action packed. Rani Sethu lakshmi bai adorned the throne from 1924 to 1931 during the minority of his highness Sri Chitra BalaramaVarma. The period between 1924 to 1931 witnessed virtual open mindedness and liberal attiude towards social freedom and equality. The liberal attitude showed by the regent enabled the natives of Travancore to erect the most modern state based on certain consideration of social equality without discrimination of sex, caste, creed or religion. The period of Regency of Sethu Lakshmi Bai brought about major changes in the social and political participation of women in the state. She appointed the British resident Col. Munro as Diwan. She ably assisted in the task of administrating Travancore in British. The period of Her Highness was era of Social development and progress through Travancore.

Rani Sethu Lakshmi Bai ascendance to the throne of Travancore when the social events like Vaikom Sathyagraha was in its mature stage. When she ascended into the throne from her uncle, she faced a period of political challenge. The first problem she faced immediately after her annexation was the flood, but she was able to face it with a sympathetic attitude and far sighted courage. Her Diwan also extended his support to deal the flood which was easy for her to foe the situation.

 The caste oriented society of Travancore and the problems related to the Vaikom Satyagraha was a major challenge which she faced during her Regency.(1)Deeply rooted caste consciousness among the natives and caste hierarchy had created a severe setback to the social structure of Travancore. Caste was the basic of the social information under which problems were created and solved. The discrimination between the upper caste and lower caste people was yet another feature of Travancore which was a direct symbol of caste rigidity. The upper caste enjoyed certain privilege where as the lower caste people faced all the evils of caste system. Eventhough Brahmins were a minority group in strength; they acquired power and privilege their majority group of lower caste. The lower caste people were derived from entry into the courts and public roads. The restriction for the entry to court was the sign of denial of justice to lower caste people. The lower caste people were not allowed to stand before the court or even report their sincerity on before the court. They have to depend a mediator for reporting any complaints to reach the courts. Thus it was sign for the open denial of justice for them.(2)

Even during the regency of Sethu lakshmi bai she was to face challenges from the upper caste when Rani tried to hear the complaints directly from the Lower caste people she faced challenged from the upper caste people. It was due to that the maintenance of purity among the upper caste people stood as a hindrance from the process where the Rani herself faced the challenge from the upper caste people in which she faced the challenge with her far-sightness and courage.

Swami Vivekanada quoted Kerala as Brandalayam, it was similar social situation in Travancore based on the Caste hierarchy, in which people was in mad of caste conciseness. Many of the historians had mentioned that swami Vivekanada’s opinion was very much especially to the social back ground of Travancore.

CONTRIBUTINS OF RANI SETHU LAKSHMI BAI THE ENGLIGED REGENT OF TRAVANCORE.

The caste oriented Travancore during the regency of Sethu Lakshmi Bai witnessed several struggle against the caste system including the Viakom Satyagraha.(3) During the regency of Sethu lakshmi Bai she made a strong step in the issue of Vaikom Satyagraha. A similar approach road was opened to Vaikom temple through which people irrespective of caste walked, Through her liberal policy about 1.7 lakhs of people belonging to lower caste wise able to walk through public roads leading to the roads of Vaikom temple . She opened public roads near her palace in Attingal irrespective to caste.(4)

The most important decision made by the Rani Sethu Lakhmi was that she appointed a Christian Diwan called barrister Perrie Amigans Watson which was an open challenge to the upper caste Hindus. Till the appointment of the Christian Diwan the similar position was held only by the upper caste Hindus. She was able to face this challenge with her courage and confidence.

Rani Sethu Lakhmi Bai was able to introduce a new model of administration in Travancore. Even though she had adopted some of the administrative development from the British model of administration. she had made her own contribution for the changes and progress in the administration of Travancore on August 13, 1925 Sethu Lakshmi Bai established a new model of Grama Panchayath in Travancore in which five to ten members were elected representative.(5) These elected representative were entrusted with the duties of Grama Panchayath including the basic administrative functions like the reconstruction and repair of public roads, maintenance of cleanliness along with the proper functioning of drainage system etc.(6)

Sethu Lakshmi Bai i yet another development change was that she made elections under the Grama panchayath based on the voting pattern which resembles the democratic born. The voting based on the property ownership was changed and the right to caste vote was opened to all irrespective of caste. Thus the federal mode of panchayath was introduced in Travancore.(7)

The abolition of Marumakathayam system in Travancore with the regulation act of 1925 was yet another important step put forward by Sethu Lakshmi Bai.(8) The concept of Marumakathayam was legally abolished by law. Later Malabar and Cohin abolished marumakathayam following the Travancore.

In 1927 Rani Sethu Lakshmi Bai made certain developments in the Travancore women’s college. The college was raised to a first class status. Several new disciplines like mathematics, science, and history were included in the college along with other technical courses, she also appointed foreign teachers in order to provide western education. Rani Sethu Lakshmi Bai herself had learnt English. The English education was an indirect result of colonial penetration. The missionaries had played a key role for the development of English education.(9) Rani herself who had learnt English had took all necessary steps for the progress of English education, due to her effort about 232 college students and 9500 school students got education. Rani Sethu Lakshmi bai was able make a large scale educational developments at Travancore. She appointed and enquiry committee to make reference on the rate of women unemployment. As per the report submitted by the commission the rate of educated women and employed women had been in a steedy increase when compared with the previous records. It was due to her able effort educational developments flourished at Travancore.(10) Rani Sethu Lakshmi Bai introduced typewriting and shorthand which opened a means of employment and way for income to women. Thus to a great extent women were able to become independent. By 1931 the number of women earning regular income increased. Women’s who were employed as teachers and nurses increased. These changes showed that Travancore was progressing as the effort made by Rani Sethu Lakshmi bai.(11) She had made her an contribution for the women empowerment . Her regency witnessed a large scale education developments especially among the education of women. She had nominated Elisabeth Kuruvilla to Travancore legislative Assembly. She also changed some basic administrative features by this nomination because the entry of women to Sree Moolam Assembly was minimal or even restricted. She extender entry to all into Sree Moolam Assembly irrespective of caste. She had also nominated five women’s to Sree Moolam Assembly.(12) Beside the administrative development the Rani had great concern for the living and non living beings. Her decision for the abolition of Animal sacrifice is a direct symbols which plays her great concern for living beings(13)

CONCLUSION

Sethu Lakshmi Bai as a ruler of Travancore as stood against all the social evils which were prevailed inthe social background of Travancore. As a person of who received English education she was able to follow a policy of progress and development throughout her regency. Father of our Nation MahatmaGandhi mention Rani Sethu Lakshmi Bai as a icon of Indian women. It was the effort made by the queen led to the developmental changes in Travancore. She was able to eradicate some concepts of caste and social evils to a great extend. Even though she made certain development, she had been exited from the chapters of history.

References.  

1. Manu S. Pilla, Ivory Thrones, Trivandrum ,2015,p.185

2. Robin Jeffery, The Decline of Nair Dominance, p.77

3. Manu S.Pillai,op.cit.p.191

4. Manu S,Pillaim, op.cit,p.191-192

5. Manu S.Pillai,op.cit.p.215

6. Manu S.Pillai, op.cit, p.232

7. Manu S. Pillai, op.cit.p.233

8. Manu S.Pillai,op.cit,p242

9. Robbin Jeffery, op.cit.p.77

10. Manu.S.Pillai,op.cit.p.363

11. J.Devika, Engendering Individuals, Orient Blackswan,2006,p.331

12. Manu S.Pillai,388

13. Article published on the Hindu Daily,2.1.2012

(The paper which i have presented in south indian history congress 2020 held at Chidambaram)