Gowri Lakshmi Bayi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ayilyom Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi |
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| Maharani of Travancore | |||||
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| Reign | 1810–1815 (Queen from 1810–1813 and Regent Queen from 1813–1815) | ||||
| Coronation | 1810 | ||||
| Predecessor | Balarama Varma | ||||
| Successor | Gowri Parvati Bayi | ||||
| Born | 1791 Travancore |
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| Died | 1815 (aged 24) Travancore |
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| Consort | Raja Raja Varma Koil Thampuran of Changanassery | ||||
| Issue | Maharani Gowri Rukmini Bayi, Maharajah Swathi Thirunal, Maharajah Uthram Thirunal | ||||
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| House | Venad Swaroopam | ||||
| Dynasty | Kulasekhara | ||||
| Father | Kilimanoor Koyi Thampuran | ||||
| Mother | Bharani Thirunal Parvathy Bayi | ||||
| Religion | Hinduism | ||||
Maharani Ayilyom Thirunal Gouri Lakshmi Bayi (1791–1815) was an important ruler of the Indian state of Travancore. She was the Maharani (Queen) from 1810 to 1813. After that, she became a Regent Queen from 1813 until her death in 1815. She ruled for her young son, Swathi Thirunal. She was the only Queen of Travancore to rule on her own before becoming a regent. She brought many positive changes to her state.
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Early Life and Family Background
Gowri Lakshmi Bayi was born in 1791. Her mother was Princess Bharani Thirunal Parvathy Bayi. She was the Senior Rani of Attingal and part of the Travancore Royal Family. Her mother had been adopted into the Travancore family in 1788 from Kolathunad. The Queens of Travancore were often called the "Ranis of Attingal." Gowri Lakshmi Bayi also had a sister, Uthrattathi Thirunal Gowri Parvati Bayi.
Becoming the Ruler of Travancore
The previous ruler, Maharajah Bala Rama Varma, passed away in 1809. His time as ruler had many challenges. When he died, Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, the Senior Rani of Attingal, was only about twenty years old. There were no other male family members ready to rule. This meant she needed to take charge of Travancore. She would rule as a regent until a male heir was born to her.
However, becoming ruler was not easy. A distant cousin, Prince Kerala Varma, tried to claim the throne. But his claim was not strong. The Princess gave a document to the British Resident, Colonel John Munro. He was a well-liked British official in Travancore. Her document showed why her claim was right and Kerala Varma's was not. Kerala Varma tried to persuade her to give up her claim. But Colonel Munro supported Gowri Lakshmi Bayi. She became the Regent Maharani of Travancore in 1811. Kerala Varma was allowed to stay in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital. But when he caused more problems, he was put in prison and sent away from Travancore.
Choosing a New Prime Minister
One of Maharani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi's first actions was to remove the current Dewan (Prime Minister), Ummini Thampi. He was accused of misusing money. He was dismissed. When he tried to cause more trouble, he was imprisoned after being found guilty of working against the Maharani.
The Maharani was then asked to choose a new Dewan. She said she couldn't find anyone suitable and wanted to appoint Colonel John Munro as her Dewan. So, Munro became the Dewan of Travancore in 1811.
Important Government Changes
Under Maharani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi's rule, with the help of Dewan Colonel Munro, many important changes were made:
- New Justice System: Colonel Munro told the Maharani that there was a lot of corruption in the government. This was because one officer had all the power, from village to district level. To fix this, village officers (Proverticars) and district officers lost their power to judge cases. Instead, a Court of Appeal and five District Courts were set up. These courts were in Padmanabhapuram, Mavelikara, Trivandrum, Vaikam, and Alwaye. This brought a modern justice system to Travancore. Each court had two judges and a Brahmin Sastri. There was also a special court called the Huzhur court for government workers.
- Police Reorganization: The police force in Travancore was also reorganized. This happened based on Colonel John Munro's ideas.
- Better Revenue Collection: Since district and village officers no longer had judicial power, they could focus on collecting taxes. This greatly reduced their power and made them answerable for their actions. The department that collected money was made free of corruption. Collecting taxes became smoother and more organized.
Key Social Improvements
Maharani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi also introduced many social reforms:
- Abolishing Taxes: Taxes on festivals and taxes on inheriting property were removed.
- Temple Management: Travancore had many Devaswoms (Temple Corporations). These managed large areas of land and important temples. They had problems with corruption. Over three hundred of the biggest temples were taken over by the government under a Devaswom Board. This helped clear up corruption and mismanagement.
- Ending Slavery: On December 5, 1812, the Maharani made a Royal Proclamation. She ended the buying and selling of all slaves. She gave them freedom, except for those who worked on the land for farming.
- Freedom for Castes: Certain castes, like the Ezhavas and Kaniyans, were given more independence from their traditional lords. A rule that stopped Sudras and others from wearing gold and silver ornaments was also removed.
- Vaccination Program: A vaccination department started in Travancore in 1813 during her rule. People were hesitant about vaccinations. So, the Queen first vaccinated herself and other members of the Royal family. This helped to reassure her people.
- Secretariat System: A new system for government offices, called the Secretariat system, was started. This was also based on Colonel Munro's guidance.
Changes in Prime Ministers
In 1814, Colonel John Munro left his position as Dewan. It was not meant for the British Resident to hold that post permanently. Devan Padmanabhan, a judge, was appointed as the new Dewan. However, he soon passed away from smallpox. After him, one of Colonel Munro's assistants, Bappu Rao, became the Dewan of Travancore in the same year.
Her Family Life
The Maharani was married to Prince Rajaraja Varma Avargal from the Changanassery Royal Family. They had three children: two sons and one daughter. Her daughter, Maharani Gowri Rukmini Bayi, was born in 1809. Her first son was born on April 16, 1813. He became the famous King Swathi Thirunal. He was a talented musician and artist. He ruled on his own from 1829 to 1846. The Maharani's second son was born in 1814. He became Maharajah Uthram Thirunal and ruled from 1846 to 1860.
Illness and Passing Away
Maharani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi's health began to decline after her second son, Uthram Thirunal, was born. She passed away in 1815 at the young age of 24. Her sister, Gowri Parvati Bayi, became the Regent Maharani after her.
Succession of the Royal Family
Her only daughter, Gowri Rukmini Bayi, was the only female in the Travancore Royal Family at that time. She married Rama Varma Koil Thampuran in 1819. They had seven children. One of her daughters later married and had two sons, including Moolam Thirunal Sri Rama Varma. In 1858, two princesses were adopted from the Mavelikara Royal family into Travancore to continue the royal line.
Full Title
Her Highness Sri Padmanabha Sevini Vanchi Dharma Vardhini Raja Rajeshwari Maharani Ayilyam Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, Attingal Mootha Thampuran, Maharani of Travancore.
