Princely India

[mohammedirshad06]

Maharaja Chithira Thirunal in Adayar Travancore Palace of Madras where he received Governor in the Council of Madras Presidency. On the left side, is Sir.C.P Ramaswamy Iyer, the Diwan of Travancore,

[mohammedirshad06]

The famed Procession of Sree Padmanabha (Lord Vishnu of Trivandrum, whom during Travancore's times were considered as the King, while the real king as mere Dasa or servant of Lord) in Trivandrum, with the King, Maharaja Chitira Thirunal leading the procession

[sanjupalayat]

Manavikraman Zamorin Raja of Calicut



H.H.Manavikraman Maharaja Bahadur K.C.S.I., F.M.U

[yaatri]

Originally Posted by flyinfishjoe

One of the few things for which I admire Indira Gandhi is how she abolished the privy purse and princely titles.

This is a difficult one. Abolition of privy purses was an abrogation of contractual obligations entered into by the Govt of India. The sums spent on privy purses would be miniscule compared to what politicians pocket every year. Can we spell hypocrisy?

[Cov Boy]

Great thread!

Very interesting, rich, enchanting & wonderful.

The rich history is truley mesmerising & left me in awe.

[pkalein]

Originally Posted by Effer

Somebody needs to caption this pic. He looks so pissed off.

looks like a horror films poster

[Yagya]

Indira Raje of Baroda and later the Maharani of Cooch Behar. The only daughter of Maharaja Sayaji Rao III and Maharani Chimnabai. Her daughter was Rajmata Gayatri Devi of Jaipur.

Sandal, leather with multicoloured beads. Made by Ferragamo for Maharani Indira Devi of Cooch Behar, 1938. In his memoirs, Salvatore Ferragamo recalled extraordinary commissions from the maharani, among them a pair of shoes in green velvet encrusted with pearls and a pair in black velvet set with diamonds

[Yagya]

Silver Carriage made for the Maharaja of Bhavnagar. Fort Coach Factory. 1915. Silver, enamel.

[mohammedirshad06]

National Anthem of Kingdom of Travancore.

The video has several rare photographs of Princely Travancore, particularly during the reign of H.H Chitra Thirunal Balarama Varma Maharaja, the last King and First Rajapramukh of Travancore and Kerala respectively.

[Yagya]

image hosted on flickr

Golden Throne of Ranjit Singh by Roy Prasad, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

Wedding dress for a queen by Roy Prasad, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

Work clothes... for a king! by Roy Prasad, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

Riding an elephant by Roy Prasad, on Flickr

[Yagya]

Throne made from wood, silver, silk brocade in apx. 1876.

[mohammedirshad06]

The royal Crown of Kochi.

One of the most famous and expensive crowns in the country, the Cochin Crown was presented by Emperor Immanuel of Portugal to H.H Veera Kerala Varma Maharaja of Kochi on his coronation day. Especially designed by leading Portuguese royal jewellers of Lisbon, this crown is made of pure gold, studded with 101 diamonds, 301 rubies and 1001 several precious stones, as per Hindu texts, based on a model design of Kulashekara Crowns (the Chera Imperial Crown)

The crown was presented by Portuguese Governor to the Maharaja on his coronation day. But Veera Kerala Varma, found the crown to be too extravagant to his simple tastes and hence didn't prefer to adorn it. He couldn't refuse it, being presented as royal gift, which was a symbol/token of friendship.

Hence he adorn the crown on his lap and ever since that, no Kochi Kings ever worn the crown, rather kept on their right laps, during royal functions.

The crown is well preserved along with other Crown jewels at Hill Palace Museum in Tripunithara.

[mohammedirshad06]

The Royal lineage of Travancore Maharajas

The Travancore Royal House was established in year 1729 by dissolving its preceding royal house- The Venad Kingdom, which traces his legacy back to direct lineage of Imperial Chera House of Vanchinadu

1.

H.H Sree Padmanabhadasa Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma (1729-1758 )

He was instrumental in building the modern Travancore Kingdom, by consolidating several small feudal and native kingdoms into single Travancore Kingdom and formation of the new state. Perhaps, the only King in India to defeat an European Power in a battle, when the Travancore Army under his command defeated Dutch Army at War of Colachel. His most famous act, was dedicating his Kingdom to Sree Padmanabha and declaring that the presiding deity as the Emperor of Kingdom, making the entire family as Servants of the Lord and ruling on his behalf, with title Sree Padmanabhadasa.

2.

H.H Sree Padmanabhadasa Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma Dharma Raja (1758-1798)

Known throughout the history of Kerala, as one of the most wisest and intelligent King, he was popularly referred as Dharma Raja, due to his highest principles of Justice and virtue. He was instrumental in defeat of Tipu Sultan in Kerala, which later marked the latter's downfall, with help of British. Played a key role in developing Alleppey and establishing Travancore's famed Chuckram-Ruva currency system.

3.

H.H Sreepadmanabhadasa Avittom Thirunal Balarama Varma (1798-1810 )

The only most weakest King in the lineage, his reign was considered as Black Period. His period saw the rise of the powerful Velu Thampi Dalawa as Prime Minister of Travancore, who challenged the mighty British and raked its foundations in South. The only noteworthy of this period was established of Balaramapuram, a textile city in Trivandrum, making a famed brand by now.

4.

H.H Sree Padmanabha Sevini Rajarajeswari Ayilam Thirunal Gouri Lakshmi Bai Varma Maharani (1810-1815 )

The first queen to the Travancore Throne, she ruled just 5 years. Yet, extremely popular for her far sighted vision and leadership abilities, helping the state to recoup from its black age of her uncle's reign. Abolishment of Slavery, starting of Travancore Judicial Services, Police Department, abolishment of feudal taxes, initiating of state education board and vaccination for epidemic diseases are some of her famous contributions, along with her able Diwan, Col Munro. She died due to Blood Cancer

5.

H.H Sree Padmanabha Sevini Rajarajeswari Uthrittathi Thirunal Gowri Parvati Bai Varma Maharani(1815-1829 )

Sister of Lakshmi Bai Varma, Maharani Parvathy Bai continued the reforms initated by her sister. She reared the new born child of her sister from age of 13. Popularly known as Chittamma Maharani, she was instrumental in developing universal literacy and education in Travancore, by establishing public schools, especially for girls and providing access to Sanskrit education to all. She was instrumental in abolishing unjust laws for lower castes and initiated changes for social equality for the first time in the state. Coffee plantations was first introduced to South India, during her reign.

6.

H.H Sree Padmanabhadasa sSwathi Thirunal Balarama Varma Maharaja (1829-1846 )

The most celebrated King of Travancore, his reign was known was Golden Period of Travancore. A scholar in Music and Dance, he has developed a new stream of Classical Music under his own name, composing several hundreds of new music and developing Mohiniyattom, the classical dance of Kerala.

Equally popular in state administration, he established Universal education in the state, first English school for general public sans any social barrier, free public English Hospital and universal free public Healthcare access. He also established Modern Judicial system of Kerala, abolishing of Feudal laws and powers of lords, establishment of independent judiciary, starting of Met and Astronomy dept as well as establishment of India's second zoo and Bio Park.

to be contd.........

[mohammedirshad06]

The Imperial Crown of Cheras

The Imperial crown of Chera Empire of Kerala, known as Cheramudi. This ancient crown was later surrendered to Sree Padmanabha, as token of crowning the Lord as the Emperor of Vanchinadu. Today its rests near to the Sanctum Santorium of Sree Padmanabha Temple.

[mohammedirshad06]

The Maharajas of Travancore- Contd



H.H Sree Padmanabhadasa Sree Uthram Thirunal Marthanda Varma (1814-1860)

Brother of Swati Thirunal, Uthram Thirunal continued the legacy of his able brother with reforms in administrative. The Travancore Administrative Services, similar to ICS. He was a qualified medical practitioner and learnt both English and Ayruveda medical practices. He established a series of Medical hospitals in the state and started the tradition of universal access of healthcare. His contributions to development of Kathakali was well appreciated

H.H Sree Padmanabhadasa Sree Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma (1832 – 1880)

The most able administrator, Travancore ever got, under his regin the state started achieving financial prosperity and later ranked third as prosperous state in India. The King was advocate of Free economy and abolished more than 2 dozen taxes and encouraged market economy. Vaccination was made complusory in the state and agricultural subsidies were introduced for first time. The state also established a public committee of people of repute, to advice the Durbar, which was precedent of establishing a formal legislature.

H.H Sree Padmanabhadasa Sree Vishakam Thirunal Rama Varma Maharaja (1880–1885)

Ruled just for 5 years, it regin marked a massive change in dietary habits of Keralite. A qualified botanist, The King took regin the state was passing thro' extensive famine. The King introduced Tapioca into Kerala's agricultural system and extensively cultivated in the state of Travancore, which sooner or later turned as one of Kerala's most popular staple diet.

H.H Sree Padmanabhadasa Sree Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma Maharaja (1885-1924)

Sree Moolam Thirunal was credited in establishing the first modern democracy system among Indian Princely states. By establishing Sree Moolam State Assembly, he started India's first legislature assembly among Native states. The legislature was the first step of Kerala entering into democracy. The powers of Durbar was considerable reduced and handed over to Legislature which soon had elected members based on universal franchise. He also introduced universal higher education, credited with introduction first public transportation system among South Indian states and also introduction of Life Insurance system in Kerala.

H.H Sree Padmanabha Sevini Rajarajeswari Maharani Pooradam Thirunal Sethulakshmi Bai Varma (1924-1931)

Rani Sethu Lakshmi Bai Varma became the Regent Queen in Council, as the successor of Sree Moolam Thirunal was minor. Under her regency reign, Travancore took a leap-forward in various field. She decided to make an universal education for females and banned marriage of girls below 15. This made all girls to get access to primary and secondary education. She also established several Women's colleges and worked for development of Kerala University. In addition on advice of Mahatma Gandhi who visited her as part of famous Vaikom Satyagraha, she abolished caste discrimination in Travancore and allowed universal access of all roads, wells and public infrastructures for all people irrespective of caste. She also credited with Travancore's funding for Cochin Port along with Cochin Kingdom and British Govt as well as for Kollam-Ernakulam Railway line.

H.H Sree Padmanabhadasa Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma Maharaja (1931-1957)

Last King of Travancore, yet most famous, Sree Chithira Thirunal is often referred as People's King. He shot into national fame, by Temple Entry Proclaimation, abolishing casteism and access of all temples to all Hindus. He was also known as father of Industrial Kerala, for starting more than dozen of Public sector large industries, which many still famous. The establishment of Royal Travancore Bank (State Bank of Travancore), development of Cochin Industrial Zone, establishment of Kerala University.

[mohammedirshad06]

H.H Koviladhikari Sree Raja Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran Maharaja, The King of Kochi Kingdom (1769-1805)

The most celebrated and powerful King of Kochi, Rama Varma was better known as Sakthan Thampuran (indicating powerfulness). Became King of Kochi at an age of 18 in year 1769 AD, he consolidated the kingdom and centralized the administration with firm. The most important achievement of King was to develop a new capital city- Thrissur which is around 80 Kms from Kochi. Within a very years, Thrissur grew as a strong business city, thanks to business acumen of the King, by inviting business shrewd Catholic Christians who started several business in the town. The effect still remain, with Thrissur as Gold and Silk capital of Kerala.

He also was instrumental in starting Thrissur Pooram, the most biggest temple festival in India, a cultural extravagance still popular. The abolishment of feudal rights of Nampoothiri (Brahmin) families was another key achievement of the king. A scholar in Mathematics, Vedas and Ayurveda, he also played a key role in establishing dedicated schools in the kingdom to promote Mathematics among locals.

[webdevelop]

[Yagya]

cc:http://cs.nga.gov.au/Detail.cfm?IRN=207227

[Yagya]

This extravagant costume would have been worn by a dancer or noblewoman at the flamboyant Lucknow Court, although the fashion for exaggeratedly wide trousers like these worn under a full, shorter overdress was popular in several centres of North India during the first half of the 19th century. Women wearing such costumes are shown in Lucknow paintings of the 19th century and in Company style paintings from other centres in North India.


Traditionally reputed to have belonged to the ‘Queen of Oudh’, this outfit is more likely to have been worn by a very young girl for a betrothal ceremony, or even created specifically for an exhibition such as the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1855, from which it was acquired by the India Museum in London.

A pair of women’s embroidered trousers with very wide legs. Each leg is made up of 17 triangular panels and one rectangular panel. The fabric is of thin silk with applied gold ribbon (gota) and gold pompoms.

Copyright: © V&A Images

[Yagya]

MUNICH IN INDIA tells about the life of Fritz-Munich, the only German court painter of the Indian Maharajas. It is the story of an unknown but nevertheless extraordinary artist and his adventures. It tells about German and Indian history in the first half of the 20th century and simultaneously gets an insight into contemporary India.