| Rai Raya Rai Venkata Rao | |
|---|---|
| Diwan (title)Diwan of Travancore | |
| In office 1821–1829 |
|
| Preceded by | Reddy Row |
| Succeeded by | Thanjavur Subha Rao |
| In office 1838–1839 |
|
| Monarch | Swathi Thirunal |
| Preceded by | R. Ranga Rao |
| Succeeded by | Thanjavur Subha Rao |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 1843 |
Rai Raya Rai Venkata Rao (died 1843), (also spelt as Venkatta Row), was an Indian administrator and statesman who served as the Diwan of Travancore from 1821 to 1829 and in 1838-1839. He was the father of R. Raghunatha Rao and paternal uncle of Sir T. Madhava Rao.
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Venkata Rao was born in Coombaconum in Madras Presidency to Gundo Pant in a Thanjavur Marathi family. He was educated in the Madras Presidency and on completion of his education, joined the service of the British.
Venkata Rao served as the Head Sheristadar to the Chief Commissioner of Mysore from 1834 to 1838 and as Assistant Chief Commissioner of Mysore from 1840 to 1842. In 1842, he was appointed Diwan of Hyderabad and served till 1843, when he returned to Bangalore due to ill-health.
In 1819, Venkata Rao joined the Travancore state service as an assistant to Col. McDowall, the British resident. He impressed the Queen-regent of Travancore, by his abilities and was soon appointed Diwan Peishkar or Governor of one of the divisions of the Travancore kingdom. During his tenure as Diwan Peishkar, Venkata Rao repaired and refurbished the Padmanabhaswamy temple in Trivandrum and modified the dress codes of the sepoys.
In 1821, when the Diwan, Reddy Rao accepted a jagir of two villages from the queen,it created a scandal in the kingdom forcing him to resign. Venkata Rao was selected to replace him with the support of the British resident.
On taking office, Venkata Rao immediately waived taxes. He set up his base at Quilon and organised a number of irrigation works. The Kadinangulam backwaters were created during his tenure.
Venkata Rao fell ill in 1843 and died in Bangalore in July 1843.
Venkata Rao was given the title "Rai Raaya Rai" in 1838 in recognition of his services to the Crown.
| Preceded by Reddy Row |
Diwan of Travancore 1821 - 1829 |
Succeeded by Thanjavur Subha Rao |
| Preceded by R. Ranga Rao |
Diwan of Travancore 1838 - 1839 |
Succeeded by Thanjavur Subha Rao |