- P. Rajagopalachari
-
Sir Perungavur Rajagopalachari Dewan of Cochin In office
1897–1901Monarch Rama Varma XV Preceded by V. Subramanya Pillai Succeeded by L. Locke Dewan of Travancore In office
1907–1914Monarch Moolam Thirunal Preceded by S. Gopalachari Succeeded by M. Krishnan Nair Member of Madras Legislative Council In office
1917–1927Governor John Sinclair, 1st Baron Pentland, Lord Willingdon, George Goschen, 2nd Viscount Goschen President of the Madras Legislative Council In office
1921–1923Prime Minister A. Subbarayalu Reddiar, Raja of Panagal, P. Subbarayan Governor Lord Willingdon, George Goschen, 2nd Viscount Goschen Preceded by None Succeeded by L. D. Swamikannu Pillai Personal details Born 18 March 1862 Died 1 December 1927 Political party Indian National Congress Alma mater Presidency College, Madras Occupation lawyer, civil servant Profession Sub-Collector, Statesman Religion Hindu Diwan Bahadur Sir Perungavur Rajagopalachari, (Tamil: பெருங்காவூர் ராஜகோபாலாச்சாரி) KCSI, CIE (18 March 1862 – 1 December 1927), also spelt in contemporary records as Sir P. Rajagopala Achariyar, was an Indian administrator. He was the Diwan (chief minister) of Cochin State from December 1896 to August 1901 and of Travancore from 1906 to 1914.
Contents
Early life and career
Rajagopalachari was born in Madras and educated at Presidency College and Madras Law College. He joined the Judicial Department Indian Civil Service on 3 May 1886 and was appointed deputy collector in December 1887. From 2 May 1890 to December 1896, he served as assistant collector and magistrate in Madras Province.
Diwan of Cochin
In December 1896, Rajagopalachari was appointed Diwan by Maharaja Rama Varma of Cochin. He served in his capacity from 1896 to 1901. During his tenure as diwan, the Cochin Native Merchants Association was founded.[1] This later became the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Cochin.[1] In 1901, the Central Records of the Cochin State were established at Tripunithura.[2] This later evolved into the Kerala State Archives Department.[2]
Diwan of Travancore
In 1901, he was appointed Registrar of Co-operative Credit Societies in the Madras Presidency and then served as Assistant Collector from March 1902 until 1906, when he was appointed Diwan of Travancore state.
The Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangham was established in 1907 by social reformer Ayyankali to campaign for education for Dalits.[3] Rajagopalachari was supportive of the movement, and in 1907 the government of Travancore passed an order for the admission of Dalit children in schools.[4] However, the upper-caste landlords who owned most of the schools were obstinate in allowing Dalit children into their schools and openly defied the government order.[4] A major strike erupted. Low caste agragrian workers refused to farm their fields.[5] In 1910, Rajagopalachari and Mitchell, who headed the education department, made the order for admission of Dalit children public, thereby putting an end to the controversy.[6][7]
Rajagopalachari also brought forth reforms in the administration. Dalits, who were previously excluded from the administration, were made eligible for nomination to the State Assembly.[8] Ayyankali became the first Dalit member to be nominated to the Travancore State Assembly.[8] Rajagopalachari also donated 8acres of land for the construction of an Islamic college by Sheikh Mohammad Hamadani Thangal.[9]
Rajagopalachari's administration had its own share of controversies. M. A. Shakoor, in his biography of Vakkom Moulavi, calls Rajagopalachari's administration "authoritarian".[10]
Later life and career
In 1914, Rajagopalachari returned to Madras as Secretary of the Judicial Department, the first Indian to hold the post. In 1917, he was appointed to the Council of the Governor of Madras. When the Madras Legislative Council came into being, as per the provisions of the Government of India Act 1919, on 17 December 1920, Rajagopalachari was elected as the first President.[11] It is believed that he was instrumental in formulating the no-confidence motion against the Justice Party Government of the Raja of Panagal.[12] His tenure came to an end in 1923 and he was succeeded by L. D. Samikannu Pillai.[13] In 1923, he was appointed to the Council of India in London, resigning in 1925 due to ill-health and returning to India.
Honours
Rajagopalachari was appointed Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) in 1909 and Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India (KCSI) in the 1920 New Year Honours.[14]
Legacy
A bust of Rajagopalachari is present in the hall of the Madras Legislative Council.
Notes
- ^ a b "History of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Cochin". iccicochin.com. http://www.iccicochin.com/history.html. Retrieved 2008-07-12.
- ^ a b "Missing chapter in history of universal schooling". Archive Files to enter hard disk. July 23, 2003. http://www.my-kerala.com/n/a/2003/7/. Retrieved 2008-07-12.
- ^ Ayyankali, Chapter 3:Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangham
- ^ a b Ayyankali, Chapter 4:Kerala's First Workers Strike
- ^ Ayyankali, Chapter 5:The First ever agrarian workers strike
- ^ Ayyankali, Chapter 6:School Entry
- ^ Chekutty, N. P. (February 25, 2008). "Missing chapter in history of universal schooling". India Together. http://www.indiatogether.org/2008/feb/edu-ayyankali.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-12.
- ^ a b Ayyankali, Chapter 8:Praja Sabha Member-2e
- ^ U. Mohammed (2007). Educational empowerment of Kerala Muslims: a socio-historical perspective. Other Books. pp. 56. ISBN 8190388738, ISBN 9788190388733.
- ^ M.A.Shakoor. "VAKKOM MAULAVI - THE MAN WHO LED ISLAMIC RENAISSANCE IN KERALA A TRAIL BLAZER IN POLITICAL JOURNALISM". Vakkom Moulavi Foundation Trust. http://www.vmft.org/documents/moulavi.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-12.[dead link]
- ^ Proserpio, Leo (1931). L.D. Swamikannu Pillai: A Biographical Study. Codialbail Press. pp. 96.
- ^ Ralhan, O. P. (2002). Encyclopaedia of Political Parties. Anmol Publications PVT LTD. pp. 185. ISBN 8174888659. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=P4lCjG1DUV4C&pg=PA185&lr=&sig=ACfU3U3KOtL7bIwxXsTCd4Bvnw34kmL0Ww.
- ^ Natesan, G. A. (1925). The Indian Review. G. A. Natesan & Co.. pp. 649.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 31712. p. 4. 30 December 1919.
References
- History of Cochin. corporationofcochin. pp. 122. http://www.corporationofcochin.net/Cochin.pdf.
- Ayyankali. ambedkar.org. http://www.ambedkar.org/books/AYYAN-KALI.htm.
- Obituary, The Times, 2 December 1927
Further reading
- Rajagopal, P. V. (1978). Flashing Ayyangar: The Life and Times of P. Rajagopalachari, 1864-1927.
- Some Madras Leaders. 1922., Pg 62 - 67
Preceded by
Subramanya PillaiDiwan of Cochin
1896–1901Succeeded by
L. LokaPreceded by
S. GopalachariDiwan of Travancore
1906–1914Succeeded by
M. Krishnan NairCategories:- 1862 births
- 1927 deaths
- People from Chennai
- Presidency College, Chennai alumni
- Indian Civil Service officers
- Members of the Council of India
- Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
- Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire
- Kingdom of Travancore
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