Sethu Lakshmi Bayi

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Sethu Lakshmi Bayi (1895 – 1985) was the ruler of Travancore as regent for her nephew, Chitra Tirunal from 1924 until 1931.

Born in Mavelikkara, she abolished animal sacrifice and replaced the matrilineal system of inheritance with the patrilineal one. She was known for making Travancore a very progressive state.

Sethu Lakshmi Bayi was the granddaughter of famous painter Raja Ravi Varma, from the Mavelikkara Royal Family, which originated from the Kolathunadu Royal House from Malabar. Until she was five years old lived with her family in Mavelikkara. In 1900, following the failure of heirs in the Travancore royal family, she and her sister were adopted by her maternal grand-aunt, and she moved into the royal palace in Trivandrum. Five years later, when she was 10 years old, she was married to Rama Varma Valia Koil Thampuran of Ananthapuram Palace.

In 1924, Moolam Thirunal, the Maharaja of Travancore, died, and Sethu Lakshmi Bayi became regent for her nephew, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma.

[edit] Reforms

[edit] References

• Raghunandan, Lakshmi (1995) At the turn of the tide : the life and times of Maharani Setu Lakshmi Bayi, the last queen of Travancore Maharani Setu Lakshmi Bayi Memorial Charitable Trust, Bangalore ;
• Gandhi, Mohandas Karamchand Young India

[edit] External links

• Varma, Shreekumar (5 February 2006) "Benign presence" The Hindu Chennai (Madras), India;
• Varma, Shreekumar (2 March 2006) "Women On Top" The Sunday Express India;