Sethu Lakshmi Bayi

Sethu Lakshmi Bayi (1895 – 1985) was the ruler of Travancore as regent for her nephew, Chithira Tirunal from 1924 until 1931. Born in Mavelikkara, she abolished animal sacrifice and replaced the matrilineal system of inheritance with a more balanced one. She was known for making Travancore a very progressive state.

Sethu Lakshmi Bayi was the granddaughter of famous painter Raja Ravi Varma and was adopted from the Mavelikkara Royal Family, which originated from the Kolathunadu Royal House from Malabar. Until she was five years old lived with her family in Mavelikkara. In 1900, following the failure of heirs in the Travancore royal family, she and her sister were adopted by her maternal grand-aunt, and she moved into the royal palace in Trivandrum. Five years later, when she was 10 years old, she was married to Rama Varma Valia Koil Thampuran of Ananthapuram Palace. In 1924, Moolam Thirunal, the Maharaja of Travancore, died, and Sethu Lakshmi Bayi became regent for her nephew, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma. Mr M.E. Watts the first full time non Hindu Dewan held the office of Prime Minister during this period.

Reforms

By a royal proclamation in 1925, Sethu Lakshmi Bayi introduced the Panchayat system in villages to encourage rural self government. Besides, a number of highways were opened along the state including in the high ranges. The College for Women was raised to first grade. Also the traditional Devadasi or Kudikkari system was abolished by the Maharani. The most important reform however was the Nair Regulation of 1925 which allowed the partition of property among the branches of a Nair Tharavadu or joint family which was followed by another reform in 1928 by which individual shares could be obtained in ancestral property. This marked the demise of the ancient Marumakkathayam or matriarchal system of the Nairs which had stifled progress towards modern society. Animal sacrifice in temples was also abolished.

References

• Raghunandan, Lakshmi (1995) At the turn of the tide : the life and times of Maharani Setu Lakshmi Bayi, the last queen of Travancore Maharani Setu Lakshmi Bayi Memorial Charitable Trust, Bangalore ;
• Gandhi, Mohandas Karamchand Young India
• A Survey of Kerala History, Sreedhara Menon, page 345 and 346

External links

• Varma, Shreekumar (5 February 2006) "Benign presence" The Hindu Chennai (Madras), India;
• Varma, Shreekumar (2 March 2006) "Women On Top" The Sunday Express India;