C. P. Ramaswami Iyer
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Sir C.P. Ramaswami Iyer (1879–1966) was an Indian administrator noted for his progressive yet authoritarian rule. He served as the last Dewan of Travancore from 1936 to 1947.
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[edit] Biography
Iyer filled a number of political roles in British India, serving as the Advocate General of Madras and later as a member of the Governor's Council and as a member of the Viceroy's Executive Council from 1920 onwards. His early political career was marked by considerable influence and a talent for administration. He continued in these roles until he assumed the post of Dewan of Travancore in 1936.
[edit] Dewan of Travancore
A prominent personality in pre-independence India, he is widely credited for modernising the state of Travancore.[citation needed] He set aside 15% of the state budget for education, and made schooling compulsory and free for all children, including females, policies which later resulted in a 100% literacy rate in the subsequent state of Kerala. He also introduced anti-pollution and anti-littering laws, vestiges of which remain today.
During his administrative rule, the first university was started in Travancore. The Temple Entry Proclamation was also announced, allowing temple entry to all Hindus irrespective of caste status. Travancore was the first state in India to do so.
[edit] Criticism & dissent
While hailed as a modernizing reformer by many, his administration was also marked by popular dissent. Many detractors criticized his administration as being authoritarian.[citation needed] During this period he came into conflict with the Communists on numerous occasions, several incidents of which became minor rebellions. These culminated in 1946, when a communist uprising, which is popularly known as Punnapra-Vayalar revolt attempted to establish a new government in the Punnapara-Vayalar region. This was quickly put down by the Travancore army and navy.
[edit] Later life
Following Indian independence, Iyer attempted to keep the State of Travancore independent but later acceded to India after military action was threatened by Sardar Patel. An attempt on his life was made in 1947 following which he resigned and was succeeded by the last Dewan of Travancore, PGN Unnithan. Post-independence, he chaired various national committees until his death in 1966.
He is a relative of authoress Janaki Ram.
[edit] External links
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