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Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma is one of the prominent rulers of the Princely state if Travancore. His reign is often referred to as the golden age in the history of state of Travancore. The history of Travancore Dynasty is a very important topic that comes under the Kerala PSC syllabus for 10th, 12th and degree level exams. Let us learn more about the reign of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma.
Reign of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma: Summary
The reign of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma was from 1829 to 1847. His subjects referred to the Raja as “Garbha Sriman,” meaning that he was the ruler from birth. The reigning period of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma is referred to as the golden period of the modern Travancore. He brought many changes in administrative set-up. There were many changes made in the field of judiciary, education, literature and art as well.
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Who was Swati Thirunal?
Swati Thirunal was the ruler of state of Travancore from 1829 to 1847. Let us learn a few significant details about him.
- He was a multi-linguist and great scholar.
- Swati Thirunal was also a prodigious musician and music composer.
- He encouraged fine arts.
- He was known as Dakshina Bhojan.
Judicial and Administrative Changes
He brought many reforms to the judicial system of Travancore.
- Munsiff Courts were opened for the disposal of police case as well as petty civil case.
- In 1835, a set of rules modeled after the British Indian model was released.
- Many public offices like Huzur Cutchery were shifted from the Kollam to Thiruvananthapuram so that king can pay more personal attention to administrative affairs. With this shift, the transfer of Capital to Thiruvananthapuram was completed I all senses.
- Under the Huzur Cutchery a public works department and engineering department was established.
- He published first law compilation in Thiruvathamcore.
- The King also named Travancore army Nair Brigade.
Social and Cultural Changes
His reign also saw many social changes. Some of them are listed below.
- He stopped Suchindram Kaimukku also known as the ordeal of boiling ghee.
- Vaikuntha Swami was a contemporary of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma. Swami was arrested in 1837 and was made to live in Singarathoppu jail in Trivandrum.
- He started Navarathri Sangeethothsavam associated with Navarathri celebrations.
- Every year, ten days of January is celebrated as Swathi Sangeethothsavam. It takes place in Kuthiramaalika.
Education, Infrastructure and Healthcare
- Swati Thirunal is associated with beginning of English education in Travancore.
- An English school was opened in 1834. Later it is converted to Rajas Free school is 1836.
- Many District schools were also opened as feeder for the main institution.
- The Trivandrum Observatory was opened in 1836.
- A charity hospital was built in the capital city.
- Department of Engineering was founded for working on things for public utility.
- Irrigation Maramath Department was founded to take care of irrigation, especially in Nanjinadu.
- He founded the Thiruvananthapuram public library.
- The first English Malayalam calendar was published during his reign in 1839
- He founded the government press in Thiruvananthapuram.
Trade and Economy
- The king abolished 165 minor duties.
- He aided in the impetus of internal trade.
- A population census that was carried out in 1836 was one of the biggest achievements of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma’s reign,
- With the aim of surveying every field and establishing the assessment rates for various types of coconut and other income-producing plants, the Raja also initiated a revenue survey in 1837 A.D.
Therefore, overall, Swati Tirunal’s rule was marked by economic advancement and enlightened governance.
Contributions to Malayalam Literature
The period from the death of Kunjan Nambiar and birth of Swati Thirunal is said to be a period of stagnation in the history of Malayalam literature. His contributions to music are also significant. In fact, his reigning period is known as the ‘Augustan Age of Kerala Music”. He was the best and greatest patron for music to be ever born in the royal family. Let us look at the contributions made by Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma in arts and literature.
- The king himself was a talented musician and poet.
- Irayimman Tampi, who adorned the court of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma wrote many Attakathas (Utharaaswyamwaram). He is also the composer of the famous lullaby Omanatingal Kitavo.
- Sankaranatha Joshier translated Devi Bhagavatam from Sanskrit to Malayalam. This work was completed by his son Attukal Sankara Pillai.
- Swathi Thirunal did many contributions in the development of Mohiniyattam as an artform. he introduced Varnam, Padam and Thillana in Mohiniyattam.
Musical Contributions by Swathi Thirunal
In terms of music, he aimed to create a synthesis of Hindustani and classical Karnataka styles. His musical compositions are available in over 150 languages, including Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Sanskrit, and Hindi.
Swathi Thirunal was well versed in a variety of artistic disciplines and musical technique. He touched on all genres of musical composition, including Swarjiths, Varnams, Kirtanams, Padams, Tillanas, Drupads, and others. Swathi Thirunal was a prince among composers of his generation. However, he is unmatched as a Varnam composer in terms of the depth and diversity of his works, which are likely unmatched throughout the entire spectrum of Hindu music.
The extensive use of Swaraksharas, or Swara symbols that correspond in significant locations with the initial or other significant letters of the words to which the music is set, is a noteworthy aspect of his compositions.
Important Works by Swathi Thirunal
Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma has written many works. Some of them are listed below.
- Bhakthimanajari
- Ulsavaprabandham
- Syanandurapuravarnana Prabandham
- Navarathnamaalika
- Sreepadmanabha shathakam
- Kuchelopaakhayanam
Courtiers and Artists
Some of the top singers and musicians of the day came to the Travancore court from all over the state and beyond because of the splendor of Swati Tirunal’s name. His court was decorated by musicians from far-flung locations like Benares, Poona, Lahore, Oudh Hyderabad, Tanjore, etc. Some of their names are listed below.
| Name | Place |
| Imam Fakir | Lahore |
| Pir Muhammed | Tiruchirapalli |
| Haridas Gosayin | Oudh |
| Vativelu
Sivanandan Chinnayya Ponnayya |
Tamil nadu |
| Parameswara Bhagavathar | Palghat |
| Shadkala Govinda Marar | – |
| Krishna Marar | – |
Indeed, under Swati Tirunal, Travancore was “a nest of singing birds,” much like Elizabethan England.
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Start Learning!Swathi Thirunal: Quiz
- Who reigning period was known as the Augustan Age of Kerala Music?
- Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma
- Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma
- Avittam Thirunal BalaRama Varma
- Uthram Thirunal Marthandavarma
- Which among the following is Swathi Thirunal known as?
- Dakshina Bhojan
- Garbha Sreeman
- Prince among musicians and musician among princes
- All of them
- during the reign of Swathi Thirunal, from where to where the Huzure Katchery was shifted?
- from Kochi to Thiruvananthapuram
- from Kollam to Thiruvananthapuram
- from Kayamkulam to Thiruvananthapuram
- from Alappuzha to Thiruvananthapuram
- Who named the army of Travancore Nair Brigade?
- Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma
- Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma
- Avittam Thirunal BalaRama Varma
- Uthram Thirunal Marthandavarma
- Which Travancore ruler abolished Suchindram Kaimukku?
- Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma
- Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma
- Avittam Thirunal BalaRama Varma
- Uthram Thirunal Marthandavarma
- Which social reformer was imprisoned by Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma?
- Ayyankaali
- Sreenarayana Guru
- Sahodaran Ayyappan
- Vaikuntha Swami
- Which Travancore ruler started Navarathri Sangeethothsavam?
- Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma
- Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma
- Avittam Thirunal BalaRama Varma
- Uthram Thirunal Marthandavarma
- When was the first population census carried out in Kerala
- 1834
- 1835
- 1833
- 1836
- Who is the author of Utharaaswyamwaram Aattakatha?
- Iriyimman Thampi
- Haridas Gosayin
- Shadkala Govinda Marar
- Krishna Marar
- Which among the following is not a book written by Swathi Thirunal?
- Navarathnamaalika
- Sreepadmanabha shathakam
- Kuchelopaakhayanam
- BalaramaBharatam
Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma: Quiz PDF
Click here to Download the Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma Quiz PDF and answers!
Quiz Answers
- Swathi Thirunal
- All of them
- from Kollam to Thiruvananthapuram
- Swathi Thirunal
- Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma
- Vaikuntha Swami
- Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma
- 1836
- Iriyimman Thampi
- BalaramaBharatam
