S. Lawrence Jayaraj*
* Ph.D. Research Scholar, Scott Christian College (Autonomous), Nagercoil – 4.
Abstract
Among the Dewans of Travancore, Raja Kesava Das was one of the best. The office of Dewan was created during the reign of Karthikai Thirunal Maharaja. Dalaw Kesava Das had assumed the new name of Dewan relinguishing the old designation of Dalawa. The Dalawas office was a combination of the position of a prime minister and a commander in chief. Kesava Das rose to the power of Dalawa and then Dewan at a critical juncture when Travancore was threatened by the Mysorean invasion. Thanks to his diplomatic moves he saved Travancore from Tipu sultan who had arrived at the very border of Travancore in the north. On seeing his attitudes and appttitudes Lord Wellesly, the then British Governor General of India conferred upon him the title of Raja. Henceforth he was called Raja Kesava Das.
Introduction
The Dewanship of Raja Kesava Das is a memorable era in the history of Travancore. He has been a faithful minister of Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma (1759-1798), the King of Travancore.1
Raja Kesava Das, the Dewan of Travancore (1789-99) in his official capacity and his family as a whole did fruitful service to Travancore in a period of great political turmoil and confusion.2 Raja Kesava Das Rose to power at a critical juncture when Travancore was threatened by the Mysorean invasion. It was his drive and initiative that enabled to check the Mysorean inroads under Tipu Sultan.3 In order to secure the friendship of Engish East India Company, the Dewan arranged a treaty of perpetual friendship, alliance and subsidy in 1975. He proved himself as a gifted organizer, able general, a prudent diplomat and a successful statesman.4
Like the Dewan his family was also dedicated to the service of the country.5 His brother Kumaran Tampi acted as the supreme commander of the Travancore troops. His nephew Irayimman Tampi, who was an able and intelligent young man was employed as the Peishkar (Collector). Parassala Padmanaban, who married the sister of Raja Kesava Das rose to the position of the Dewan of Travancore.6
Early life of Raja Kesava Das
Kesava Das was born in a poor family at Kunnathur. It is a hamlet in South Travancore situated 40 K.M away from Trivandrum.7 His father was a poor astrologer and his mother was a maid – servant. His real name was Raman Kesavan.8
At the age of five Raman Kesavan was sent to a Pial school. The teacher was so taken up with the superior intelligence of the boy that he offered to teach him free. He was particularly quick in arithmetic and gave promise of a bright future.9
Service in the Residency
When Kesavan was twelve years old, his parents died and the boy was thrown into penury. So he left home owing to poverty and went to Trivandrum.10 At Poovar a place South – East of Trivandrum, a merchant met him and appointed him as an accountant on a small salary. By his integrity and capacity for hard work he won the good will of his master to such an extent that he took him wherever he went.11
One day the merchant took young Kesavan with him to see the Maharasa for discussions with him on matters connected with trade.12 As the interview lasted till late in the night the young boy was fast asleep in the antechamber and was left there undisturbed by the merchant.13 When he came away an interesting anecdote exists about this unauthorised intrusion in the palace.14
Early next morning the first sight that greeted the Maharaha’s eyes, was this half – naked boy. The poor appearance of the boy disgusted the Maharasa. The fortunes of the day more or less depend on the first object one sees in the morning is the common belief. Manu says “the King ought to keep in his palace elephants, monkeys, cows etc. On which only he should cast his eyes, when he rises from bed in the early dawn”.15 A half naked beggarly looking boy is not, according to the shastras, and object worthy of being so seen by Kings. Hence, the King became furious.16 Generally objects of lucky omens like pots filled to the brim with water used to be kept for his gracious eyes. But now a street urchin has dared to bring him all sorts of misfortunes that day. In his wrath, the boy was at once ordered to be placed under restraint for having slept access.17 The Raja didn’t know that the boy was brought by his merchant guest. When he came to know the truth from the merchant the Maharaja learned how clever the boy was and he was therefore engaged as a servant of the palace.18 Thus at last, his misery came to an end. Before long he was made a clerk under the palace accountant.
Service in the State
Kesava Pillai gradullay rose in favour of the Maharaja who now began to evince a very keen interest in him.19 He had already formed a high opinion of his talents and aptitude for business. When Kesava Pillai was employed as a clerk in the palace he had been given the charge of supervising the commercial Department of the State.20
Kesava Pillai learned the art of war under the Dutch General De Lennoy.21 He was much attached to him and this military training enabled him to take active service in the field and to make himself an efficient General. Under Dlennoy Kesava Pillai learned Portuguese and Dutch also. He quickly picked up English, Persian and Hindi.22 Dlennoy had great admiration for the sharp intelligence and the clear memory of the boy. He taught him correspondence in English and Dutch. The military training and the knowledge in different languages he acquired helped Kesava Pillai very much in the later period.
Kesava Das as the Devan of Travancore
In 1788, ChempakaRaman Pillai was appointed as Dalawa.23 Kesava Pillai was a gifted official and greatly helped the Dalawa in matters of administration.24 Kesava Pillai improved his political knowledge of the State and the Dalawa had to consult him and clear his doubts. From the clerkship he was made Palace Samprati from which place he rose to the position of Sarvadhi Kariakar or Deputy Dalawa.25
Kesavapillai won the confidence of both the Maharaja and the English East India Company26 with the object of strengthening the alliance with the English East India Company, he entered into correspondence with many of the Company’s officers in Madras and Bombay.27 In the matters of expenditure he was always keeping utmost economy. Without prejudicing the interest of the State, he cut down expenditure.28 The Maharaja was immensely pleased with Kesava Pillai and as such he decided to appoint Kesava Pillai as Dalawa. The office of Devan was first created in 1789 A.D and conferred on Kesava Pillai.29 The title of Dalawa being too antiquated and old fashioned, Kesava Pillai, sought and obtained the sanction of the Maharaja to change it into that of Dewan30, by which his successor’s have since been known as Dewan.31
The office of the Dewan in the history of Travancore was started with the famous Raja Kesavadas. Since then a series of persons occupied that dignified office one by one. Among them some were efficient, some men were of mediocre ability and some were quite notorious.
References
1. V. Nagam Aiya, The Travancore State Manual, Vol.1. Trivandrum, 1906, p.386.
2. Ibid
3. Shungoony Menon, P. Hisoty of Travancore, Madras, 1878, p.290.
4. Ibid p.12.
5. Shungoony Menon P. Loc.cit., PP. 293 – 294.
6. V. Nagam Aiya, Loc.cit., p.389.
7. Ibid.
8. G. Ramakrishna Pillai, Raja Kesava Das (Malayalam) Trivandrum 1930, p.6.
9. Ibid, p.10.
10. V. Nagam Aiya, Loc.cit., p.390
11. R. Narayana Paniker, Tiruvatamkur Charitram (Malayalam), Trivandrum. 1933. p. 135
12. Ibid, p. 136.
13. V. Nagom Aiya. Loc.cit., p.395.
14. P.Shungoony Menon, Loc.cit., p.229 – 225
15. Ibid, p.330
16. G. Ramakrishna Pillai, Loc.cit., p.10.
17. Ibid p.15
18. V. Nagam Aiya, Op.cit., p.399
19. Ibid., Pp.300
20. Ibid p.400
21. T.K. Velu Pillai, A History of Travoncore, Trivandrum, 1935. P.38
22. Ibid, p.40.
23. K.M. Panikkar, History of Kerala 1498 – 1801, Annamalai nagar, 1960, p.225
24. N.K. Sinha Op.cit., p.441.
25. R. Narayana Panikar, Tiruvitamkur Charitram (Malayalam), Trivandeum, 1933, p.135.
26. P. Shungoonny Menon, Op.cit., 1875, pp.220-221.
27. V. Nagam Aiya. Op.Cit., p.442
28. T.K. Velu Pillai, A History of Travancore, Trivandrum, 1935, p.38
29. V.R. Parameswaram Pillai, Raja Kesava Das (Malayalam), Kottayam, 1973, p.6.
30. R. Narayana Panikkar Op.cit., p.212.
31. T.K. Velu Pillai. Loc.cit. p.42.