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REFORMS OF RAJA KESAVA DAS

Lawerence Jayaraj
Ph. D. Research Scholar, Department of History, Holy Cross College (Autonomous), Nagercoil- 629 004.

Abstract
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 – 1789), the King of Travancore. Raja Kesava Das, the Dewan of Travancore (1789 – 1799) in his official capacity rendered a fruitful service to Travancore in a period of great political turmoil and confusion. 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 Tippu Sultan. In order to secure the friendship of English East India Company, the Dewan arranged a treaty of perpetual friendship, alliance and subsidy in 1975. He proved himself as a gifted organizer, able administrator, gallant general, prudent diplomat and a successful statesman.

The Dewanship of Raja Kesava Das is a memorable era in the history of Travancore. He has been a faithful Minister of Karthikai Thirunal Rama Varma (1759 – 1789), the King of Travancore.1 Raja Kesava Das, the Dewan of Travancore (1789 – 1799) in his official capacity rendered a 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 Tippu Sultan.3 In order to secure the friendship of English East India Company, the Dewan arranged a treaty of perpetual friendship, alliance and subsidy in 1975. He proved himself as a gifted organizer, able administrator, gallant general, prudent diplomat and a successful statesman.4 He was a born genius and a talented administrator.5 He turned his attention even from his early days of his Dewanship to the internal reforms of his country.

Internal Reforms of Raja Kesava Das
Raja Kesava Das’s first and foremost objective was to develop the economy of the country.6 He improved the economic condition of the people by encouraging trade.7 As a firm believer in Colbertism he converted the State into a trading corporation.8 The profits of the trade enabled the State to maintain a standing army. It also helped to make other necessary preparations for the struggle with Tippu Sultan.9 Essentially what he developed was a system of war finance.10 To improve the commercial importance of the country he visited all the coastal towns from Kanyakumari in the south to Alleppey in the north. Finally, it was resolved to open two new ports, one at Alleppey and the other at Vizhinjam.11

Opening of New Ports
The greatest achievement of Raja Kesava Das was the opening of a new port at Alleppey. Alleppey was then a mere suburb, with little life and vigour.12 Because of the personal interest evinced by the Dewan, Alleppey developed into a port town with a ware-house and a number of shops.13 Merchants were brought from various places especially from the right provinces of Sindh and Cutch. They were given every facility for carrying on a successful trade.14 To make their stay permanent, a Hindu temple was built and a Court was established. In addition to these a palace for the Maharaja was also constructed for his comfortable stay whenever he visited the new town.15 Traders from such places as Bombay, Saurashtra and Surat subsequently were attracted to Alleppey.16 Besides, a serious effort was made to divert the trade of Cochin to the new port.17 To make the place a centre of commerce a timber depot was opened. Mathu Tharakan, a rich native Christian was given the contract to collect all the timber of North Travancore and store in the depot for sale.18 The Sarkar agents known as Vicharippukkars were stationed in different forests of the State. They were ordered to collect the hill produce such as cardamom, honey, wax and ivory forward them to the port.19 Three ships were built at State cost to carry on trade with other parts of India, especially with Bombay and Calcutta.20

The Kerala ports which had come under Mysore an occupation gradually languished. At the same time Alleppey under royal patronage became a leading emporium on the west-coast.21 To extend and facilitate communication from the back-waters to the new port, several canals and roads were constructed.22 The backwater as far as the Pallathuruthy river was deepened and coconut trees were planted on either side of it.23 For the purpose of increasing traffic the ports of Colachal and Puntora were improved.24 After making all these improvements which brought to the treasury a large income, Raja Kesava Das turned his attention to Trivandrum, the capital of the State. A good number of weavers, dyers and painters were brought from Tirunelveli and Madurai. They were made to settle at Kottar which thus developed into a centre of cloth trade.25

Agricultural and Industrial Reforms
Raja Kesava Das took special steps to develop Agriculture and Industries.26 Irrigation works were executed and fresh lands were brought under cultivation.27 Needy agriculturists were helped with loans and remission of taxes. In 1773, a comprehensive revenue survey was made and tenure were classified.28 The system of transport and communication was improved.29 The old fortifications were improved and some new ones were added.30 A fresh impetus was given to the production of ammunitions and weapons at the Udayagiri factory.31

The Trivandrum town was improved and beautified.32 The main road leading from the East Fort of Karamana was repaired.33 It was also widened and bazaars and shops were built on both sides of the road. The modern Chalai Bazaar, the main shopping center in the city, owes its origin to his vision and organizing ability.34 A bridge over the Killayar and another over Karamanyar were constructed.35 The Dewan also completed the construction of the tower (gopuram) of Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple which had made considerable progress during the previous reign.36 The flag-staff of the temple were repaired, big brass lamps called Dipastambham and small copper ones also were made for the temple.37 A new structure called Kulasekhara Mandapam was erected. The public road leading to the temple was widened.

Revenue Reforms
Raja Kesava Das issued a serious of new coins.38 The gold coins of Anantavarahan and silver Chuckarams remained chief among the coins. Issue of coins increased foreign trade the view of increasing trade.39 The five customs houses on the banks of the northern back waters were abolished.40 A new tax called Nilavari was imposed on all sirkar pattom lands.41 For the proper administration of the State, the Chattavariola or a collection of rules and laws were framed as per the guidance of the various Sarkar officials.42

References

  1. Nagam Aiya, V., The Travancore State Manual, Vol. I1, Trivandrum, 1906, p.386.
  2. Ibid.
  3. Shungoony Menon, P., History of Travancore, Madras, 1878, p.290.
  4. Ibid., p.12.
  5. Velu Pillai, T. K., The Travancore State Manual, Vol. II, Trivandrum, 1945, p.44.
  6. Ibid., p.41.
  7. Ibid.
  8. Parameshwaran Pillai, N., A Concise High School History of Travancore, Trivandrum, 1945, p.6.
  9. Ibid., p.13.
  10. Panikkar, K. M., History of Kerala (1498-1801), Annamalai Nagar, 1960, p. 223.
  11. Ibid., p.226.
  12. Nagam Aiya, V., Op.cit., p. 338.
  13. Shungoony Menon, P., Op.cit., p. 225.
  14. Ibid., p.226.
  15. Velu Pillai, T. K., Op.cit., p. 421.
  16. Thomas Pendant, A View of Hindustan, Vol. I, London, 1796, p.176.
  17. Ibid., p.177.
  18. Nagam Aiya, V., Op.cit., p. 390.
  19. Shungoony Menon, P., Op.cit., p. 422.
  20. Ibrahim Kunju, A. P., Mysore – Kerala Relations in the Eighteenth Century, Kerala Historical Society, Trivandrum, 1975, p.48.
  21. Ibid., p.226.
  22. Nagam Aiya, V., Op.cit., p. 391.
  23. Thomas Pendant, Op.cit., p. 176.
  24. Minutes of Evidence taken before the East India Company, Foreign, Political, Vol. VI, p.226.
  25. Foreign Secret Consultation, Proceedings, dated 17 May 1804, FF. 1531-6 vide Appendix – 1.
  26. Ibid., p.226.
  27. Nagam Aiya, V., Op.cit., p. 443.
  28. Thomas Pendant, Op.cit., p. 178.
  29. Shungoonry Menon, P., Op.cit., p. 221.
  30. Velu Pillai, T. K., Op.cit., p. 425.
  31. Ibid., p.426.
  32. Ibid.
  33. Ibrahim Kunju, A. P., Op.cit., p. 51.
  34. Ibid., p.53.
  35. Krishna Ayyar, K. V., A History of Kerala, Coimbatore, 1968, pp.15-16.
  36. Velu Pillai, T. K., Op.cit., p. 428.
  37. Ibid., p. 28.
  38. Krishna Ayyar, K. V., Op.cit., p. 17.
  39. Iswara Pillai, R., Raja Kesava Das Adhava Valia Dewanji, (Malayalam), Trivandrum, 1919, p.24.
  40. Velu Pillai, T. K., Op.cit., pp. 427- 429.
  41. Ibid., p.429.
  42. Sreedhara Menon, A., A Survey of Kerala History, Kottayam, 1967, p.279.