Koyi Thampuran
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Koyi Thampuran was the title of the Prince Consorts of the Queens and Princesses of
Travancore The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. At ...
. The Koyi Thampurans' gained prominence and prestige in
Kingdom of Travancore The asterisk ( ), from Late Latin , from Ancient Greek , ''asteriskos'', "little star", is a typographical symbol. It is so called because it resembles a conventional image of a heraldic star. Computer scientists and mathematicians often voc ...
as they were the fathers of the then reigning Kings. In Travancore, there were ten clans of Koyi Thampurans. The most ancient were the ones settled at Kilimanoor (in Attingal); others were Kirthipuram (in Mavelikkara), Pallam (in Kottayam), Paliyakkara (in Thiruvalla) and Nirazhi (in Changanasseri), Ananthapuram (in Karthikapalli), Chemprol (in Chengannur), Cherukol (in Pathanamthitta), Karazhma (in Mavelikara) and Vatakkemadham.


History

Adoption of Princess from Kolathiri Kingdom After the invasion of Malik Kafur in 1310, Veera Udaya Marthandavarma was forced to abdicate in favour of the Princesses sent from the
Kolathiri Kolathiri or Kolathiri Rājā (King of KolathunāduA. Shreedhara Menon (2007), ''A brief History of Kerala'', DC Books, Kottayam or King of Cannanore in foreign accounts) was the title by which the senior-most male along the matrilineal line of ...
Royal Family (also a family descending from the Cheras and Ay) called Attingal and Kunnumel Ranis. The line of kings after Ravi Varma continued through the Marumakkathayam law of matrilineal succession of Nairs. Thus, the Southern Chera-Ay dynasty adopted Matriarchy/Marumakkathayam after 1310. With the adoption of Attingal and Kunnumel Ranis to Venad in 1310, only the sons of the Attingal Rani had the right to become the King and the Kings own sons from non aristocratic Nair women did not have the right to become the next king. The Attingal Queen started adopting prince and princesses from the other Matriarchal dynasties of Kerala from the Koalthiri dynasty to the Venads Chera-Ay Royal houses. Soon after Ravi Varma's death two princesses were adopted from the Kolathiri Royal family and installed as Ranis or Queens at Attingal. The Venad Royal family continued thus in the female line. Whenever there were no females to take forth the line, princesses were adopted from the Kolathiri family, the latest adoption being in 1994. This tradition was reciprocal with several adoptions from the Venad Family also going into Kolathiri. The Koyi Thampurans were aristocratic men who were chosen to become the Prince Consorts or husbands to these Attingal Ranis.


Title and Status

The females of the royal family are styled as the "Queens of Attingal" with the titles of Attingal Mootha Thampuran (Senior Queen of Attingal) and "Attingal Elaya Thampuran" (Junior Queen of Attingal) and "Attingal Kochu Thampuran" (First Princess). According to historians, the Koyi Thampuran's or the Prince Consorts were selected from 10 major aristocratic houses or palaces which are closely related to the
Travancore The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. At ...
Dynasty. The Prince Consorts of the Senior and Junior Maharanis are known as the Valiya Koyi Thampuran and Kochu Koyi Thampuran respectively. Even though the Koyi Thampurans attained prestige through marriage to the Attingal Ranis, the historians state that they were considered inferior to their spouses and their royal children. They weren't allowed to travel by the same vehicles and were not allowed to be seated next to the Queens and Princesses who were their wives. They were also supposed to provide their royal spouses and children all marks of respect and could only address them with the proper royal titles in public. They had no part in the Kingdom's administration even though couple of them tried to exert their influence illegally on their spouses. Compared to the status of the Travancore King's non aristocratic
Nair The Nair , also known as Nayar, are a group of Indian Hindu castes, described by anthropologist Kathleen Gough as "not a unitary group but a named category of castes". The Nair include several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom histor ...
spouses
Ammachi Panapillai Amma Ammachi Panapillai Amma was the title held by the consort of the ruling Maharajah of Travancore as well as those of other title-holding male members of the Travancore Royal Family.Travancore State Manual Vol ii 1940 by TK Velu Pillai and TSM Vol I ...
s, the Koyi Thampuran's status were much better and had high degree of public respect. By the 20th Century, a lot of changes had taken place in the status of Koyi Thampurans. In 1924, Maharani Regent
Sethu Lakshmi Bayi Pooradam Thirunal Sethu Lakshmi Bayi CI (5 November 1895– 22 February 1985) was the monarch, though designated as the Regent due to British policy, of the Kingdom of Travancore in southern India between 1924 and 1931. She, along with her yo ...
chose to seat her consort next to her in the Court despite some oppositions. And with the wedding of Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi, the sister of
Maharajah Mahārāja (; also spelled Maharajah, Maharaj) is a Sanskrit title for a "great ruler", "great king" or " high king". A few ruled states informally called empires, including ruler raja Sri Gupta, founder of the ancient Indian Gupta Empire, an ...
Sree Chithira Thirunal Sree Padmanabhadasa Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma , popularly known as Sree Chithira Thirunal, was the last ruling Maharaja of the Princely State of Travancore, in southern India until 1949 and later the Titular Maharajah of Travancore ...
, with the then Capt.
G. V. Raja Lt. Col. P. R. Godavarma Raja (13 October 1908 – 30 April 1971), often referred to as G. V. Raja, was an Indian sports and tourism promoter and administrator, pilot, sportsman and Sanskrit scholar . He took special care in inspiring the youth ...
almost all of those restrictions were lifted. Even then, the Koyi Thampurans weren't allowed to meddle in the administration.
Maharajah Mahārāja (; also spelled Maharajah, Maharaj) is a Sanskrit title for a "great ruler", "great king" or " high king". A few ruled states informally called empires, including ruler raja Sri Gupta, founder of the ancient Indian Gupta Empire, an ...
Sree Chithira Thirunal Sree Padmanabhadasa Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma , popularly known as Sree Chithira Thirunal, was the last ruling Maharaja of the Princely State of Travancore, in southern India until 1949 and later the Titular Maharajah of Travancore ...
eventually did handed his brother-in-law, Capt.
G. V. Raja Lt. Col. P. R. Godavarma Raja (13 October 1908 – 30 April 1971), often referred to as G. V. Raja, was an Indian sports and tourism promoter and administrator, pilot, sportsman and Sanskrit scholar . He took special care in inspiring the youth ...
, duties & position in the then royal government.


Famous Koyi Thampurans

Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran ( ml, കേരളവർമ്മ വലിയ കോയിത്തമ്പുരാൻ; 19 February 1845 – 22 September 1914) also spelt Kerala Varma Valiya Koilthampuran and known as Kerala Varma, w ...
, Prince Consort of Maharani
Bharani Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi Maharani Bharani Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi CI (1848–1901) was the Senior Rani of Travancore from 1857 till her death in 1901. Her consort was the famous poet and writer, styled the father of Malayalam literature, Sri Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Tha ...
, and Col
G. V. Raja Lt. Col. P. R. Godavarma Raja (13 October 1908 – 30 April 1971), often referred to as G. V. Raja, was an Indian sports and tourism promoter and administrator, pilot, sportsman and Sanskrit scholar . He took special care in inspiring the youth ...
, consort of Maharani Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi, went on to become famous in their own terms. Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran (1845–1914) was renowned as
Kalidasa Kālidāsa (''fl.'' 4th–5th century CE) was a Classical Sanskrit author who is often considered ancient India's greatest poet and playwright. His plays and poetry are primarily based on the Vedas, the Rāmāyaṇa, the Mahābhārata and ...
of Kerala. He served as a member of the Assembly for three years. His interest in
Kathakali Kathakali ( ml, കഥകളി) is a major form of classical Indian dance. It is a "story play" genre of art, but one distinguished by the elaborately colourful make-up and costumes of the traditional male actor-dancers. It is native to the M ...
made him write Kathakali songs in Malayalam, Karnataka, Telugu and Tamil. His famous works are the translation of
Kalidasa Kālidāsa (''fl.'' 4th–5th century CE) was a Classical Sanskrit author who is often considered ancient India's greatest poet and playwright. His plays and poetry are primarily based on the Vedas, the Rāmāyaṇa, the Mahābhārata and ...
's 'Abhijnana Shakunthalam'. This was the first drama in Malayalam literature, which earned the title 'Kerala Kalidasan' to him. He has also written ''Mayura Sandesam'' on the line of Kalidasa's Megha Duth, while in house arrest. In the poem, he used the peacocks of
Haripad Haripad is a Municipality in ''Onattukara'' region of Alappuzha District, Kerala, India located between Alappuzha and Kollam on the National Highway 66. Haripad is bordered on the east by Pallippad, Veeyapuram and Karuvatta to the north ...
temple to send his messages to his wife,
Bharani Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi Maharani Bharani Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi CI (1848–1901) was the Senior Rani of Travancore from 1857 till her death in 1901. Her consort was the famous poet and writer, styled the father of Malayalam literature, Sri Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Tha ...
stationed in
Trivandrum Thiruvananthapuram (; ), also known by its former name Trivandrum (), is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. It is the most populous city in Kerala with a population of 957,730 as of 2011. The encompassing urban agglomeration populati ...
. He died of injuries as a result of a car accident that he suffered in 1914. Another royal consort who attained immortal fame was Karthika Nal Godavarma Raja (1908–1971) of
Poonjar dynasty Poonjar dynasty (Malayalam:പൂഞ്ഞാർ രാജവംശം) was one of the royal dynasties in medieval Kerala descended from the Pandya kings of Madurai. History has it that Manavikrama Kulasekara Perumal, a Pandya king as the sole ...
, famously known as Lt. Col.
G. V. Raja Lt. Col. P. R. Godavarma Raja (13 October 1908 – 30 April 1971), often referred to as G. V. Raja, was an Indian sports and tourism promoter and administrator, pilot, sportsman and Sanskrit scholar . He took special care in inspiring the youth ...
, the Koyi Thampuran of Maharani Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi. A major exception to the rule of selection and status of Prince Consort was made when
Maharajah Mahārāja (; also spelled Maharajah, Maharaj) is a Sanskrit title for a "great ruler", "great king" or " high king". A few ruled states informally called empires, including ruler raja Sri Gupta, founder of the ancient Indian Gupta Empire, an ...
Sree Chithira Thirunal Sree Padmanabhadasa Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma , popularly known as Sree Chithira Thirunal, was the last ruling Maharaja of the Princely State of Travancore, in southern India until 1949 and later the Titular Maharajah of Travancore ...
chose the then Captain. Godavarma Raja (later Lt. Col.), of the Poonjar Royal House as the Prince Consort for his only sister, Maharani Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi in 1934. The Maharajah felt that it was fine to make a different choice so as to find a suitable spouse for his sister and for the first time chose a bridegroom from the
Poonjar dynasty Poonjar dynasty (Malayalam:പൂഞ്ഞാർ രാജവംശം) was one of the royal dynasties in medieval Kerala descended from the Pandya kings of Madurai. History has it that Manavikrama Kulasekara Perumal, a Pandya king as the sole ...
. Usually, the Koyi Thampurans were chosen from Travancore's aristocratic houses such as Paliyakkara, Kilimanur, Chembrol etc. The Maharajah entrusted Capt. Raja with the responsibility of dealing with foreign dignitaries; he was also appointed as the head of the sports and tourism departments of the then royal government. Capt. Raja then developed
Kovalam Kovalam is a region in the city of Trivandrum, around 13 km southwest of the city center, whose beaches are a tourist destination. Etymology Kovalam means "coconut grove," after the coconut trees which are common there. History Kovala ...
as a major tourism destination by inviting many foreign dignitaries and by promoting the place by organising parties at the Kovalam Palace, according to Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. Capt. Raja was also appointed as one of the Commanding Officers of Nair Brigade of Travancore Military. He served in it till 1949 and retired as a Lt. Col. Col. Raja established Travancore Sports Council (later renamed Kerala Sports Council), Travancore-Cochin Cricket Association(later renamed Kerala Cricket Association), Travancore Royal Flying Club (later renamed
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Thiruvananthapuram International Airport , is an international airport which serves Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India. Established in 1932, it is the first airport in the state of Kerala and fifth international airport of In ...
), and other twenty or more institutions dedicated to sports and tourism promotion in
Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...
and was also the founder President of the aforementioned institutions. The CricInfo website reports that Col. Raja was the first
Malayali The Malayali people () (also spelt Malayalee and also known by the demonym Keralite) are a Dravidian peoples, Dravidian ethnolinguistic group originating from the present-day state of Kerala in India, occupying its southwestern Malabar coast. ...
to become the Vice-President of
Board of Control for Cricket in India The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the national governing body for cricket in India. Its headquarters are situated at Cricket centre, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The BCCI is the richest governing body of cricket in the world ...
, and had he lived, he would have become President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. He established the first travel agency of the state named Kerala Travels in 1959. He also took the initiative to develop the
Trivandrum Airport Thiruvananthapuram International Airport , is an international airport which serves Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India. Established in 1932, it is the first airport in the state of Kerala and fifth international airport of In ...
."Trivandrum International Airport/History, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia"
Trivandrum International Airport Thiruvananthapuram International Airport , is an international airport which serves Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India. Established in 1932, it is the first airport in the state of Kerala and fifth international airport of In ...
'The airport was established as part of the Royal Flying Club under the initiative of Colonel Goda Varma Raja, husband of H. H. Princess Karthika Thirunal of Travancore Kingdom. Col G.V Raja, being a trained pilot, felt the need an airport to accommodate Travancore in the aviation map of India. In 1935, on royal patronage of H.H Maharaja Chitra Thirunal, Tata Airlines made its maiden flight to the airport using DH.83 Fox Moth aircraft under command of India's first pilot Nevill Vintcent, carried two passengers Jamshed Navoroji, a Tata company official, and Kanchi Dwarakadas, commercial agent of Travancore to Bombay Presidency along with a special mail from Viceroy of British India, Lord Willingdon wishing birthday greetings to the Maharaja. The first flight from the airport took off on 1 November 1935, carrying mails of Royal Anchal (Travancore Post) to Bombay. Soon in 1938, the Royal Government of Travancore acquired a Dakota aircraft as Maharajah's private aircraft and placed 1st Squadron of Royal Indian Air Force (Travancore) for protection of State from aerial attacks.'
He was killed in a light air plane crash in 1971.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thampuran, Koyi Royal consorts Travancore royal family People from Thiruvananthapuram district Year of birth missing 1971 deaths Military personnel from Kerala Kingdom of Travancore