 During British rule in India (which covers both the British East India Company rule and later the British Raj), the princely state of Travancore was ruled by different princes. They served the state as ‘Maharaja’. Given below are the Maharajas of Travancore.
Dharma Raja Dharma Raja ruled Travancore from 1758 to 1798. He was successful in retaining all the territories his predecessor had occupied, strictly followed Dharma Sastra or the principles of justice as a way of administration and provided asylum to thousands of Hindus and Christians fleeing Malabar during the religious and military onslaught of Tipu Sultan. Avittom Thirunal Balarama Varma Balarama Varma ruled Travancore from 1798 to 1810, a time period which coincided with disturbances, and internal and external problems. Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma Rama Varma ruled Travancore from 1813 to 1846. He was a brilliant music composer and has over 400 classical compositions in both Carnatic and Hindustani style to his credit. To modernize his state, Varma had taken effort to formulate code of laws, introduced English education, constructed an observatory, installed the first government printing press, etc. 
Uthram Thirunal Marthanda Varma Marthanda Varma ruled Travancore from 1846 to 1860. Varma was a progressive ruler which can be comprehended from the fact that he had abolished slavery in his kingdom. Ayilyam Thirunal Ayilyam Thirunal ruled Travancore from 1860 to 1880. His reign coincided with development in Travancore like development in education, legislation, public health, etc. Travancore was announced to be a public debt free state, consequent to which the salaries of the public servants were also raised. Travancore attained the appellation of ‘Model State of India’. Visakham Thirunal Visakham Thirunal ruled Travancore from 1880 to 1885. He is credited with reforms like changes in the education system, police department, justice and judiciary, etc. He furthered the cultivation of Tapioca in the state. Moolam Thirunal Moolam Thirunal ruled Travancore from 1885 to 1924. During his tenure, the Travancore Legislative Council was established, which was the first Legislative Council for a native state in the history of India. It was followed by Sree Moolam Popular Assembly, which was the first legislature in Indian history to have elected members. Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma was the last Maharaja of Travancore from 1924 to 1949. During his tenure, Thirunal conducted a constitutional reform by forming the first Bicameral Legislature by reducing some of his political powers. He had passed regulations to define and amend laws. He is also credited with the establishment of University of Travancore, industrialization of the sate, etc. |
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