Ethics, History and Art and Culture
About T Madhav Rao:
- Raja Sir Tanjore Madhava Rao was an Indian statesman, civil servant, administrator, and politician who served as the Diwan of Travancore from 1857 to 1872, Indore from 1873 to 1875 and Baroda from 1875 to 1882.
- Madhava Rao was born on 20 November 1828 in a prominent Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. He was the nephew of the former Diwan of Travancore T. Venkata Rao and the son of another Ranga Rao.
- British Liberal statesman Henry Fawcett called him “the Turgot of India“. In 1866, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India.
- He brought a steam engine to the city and drove a vehicle with it, made telescopes with bamboo pipe and found value in the use of early projectors (magic lanterns) in educating children.
- He triggered girl’s education in the city by sending his own daughter to the newly started Zenana Mission school.
- He was senate member of Madras and Bombay Universities, was one of the early members of Indian National Congress.
- He was a great follower of sociologist and political theorist Herbert Spencer.
- Minor Hints and Hints on the Training of Native Children authored by Dewan Madhava Rao and biographies on him by Sakha Rama Rayar Lakshmana Rayar and Kulathu Iyer bring to light some of the rare facets of his personality.
Administrative Reforms:
- His administrative reforms include strengthening the Public Works department by appointing Mr. Greenway as Civil Engineer in 1860.
- The telegraph office was started and the anchal (postal) department, which was so far carrying only official letters, was opened to the general public.
- The Education Department was formalised with the appointment of Sanakra Subba Ayyar as Director.
- In his final administration report, he demonstrated his vision of development as “ to provide every subject within a couple of hours of journey, the advantages of a Doctor, a School Master, a Judge, a Magistrate, a Registering Officer and a Postmaster”.
- Historian Malayinkeezhu Gopalakrishnan rates the foremost contribution of Madhava Rao as ‘Pandarapatta Vilambaram, in which Government land that was given on lease for farming were given to the land holders for a nominal price.
- This had magical effect on Kerala society as the youth who aspired for modern education sold the land and pursued education, triggering a renaissance.
Titles and awards
- Fellow of the Madras University- 1862
- Knight Commander of the Star of India- 1866
- Title of Rajah- 1868
Source: Indian Express
