Dharma Raja
Dharma Raja Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma (Malayalam: ധർമ്മരാജാ കാർത്തിക തിരുനാൾ രാമവർമ്മ, 1724–17 Feb 1798) was the Maharajah of Travancore from 1758 until his death in 1798. He succeeded his uncle Marthanda Varma, who is credited with the title of "maker of modern Travancore". During his reign Dharma Raja not only retained all the territories his predecessor had gained but administered the kingdom with success. He was addressed as Dharma Raja on account of his strict adherence to Dharma Sastra, the principles of justice by providing asylum to thousands of Hindus and Christians fleeing Malabar during the religious and military onslaught of Tipu Sultan.
Quotes
[edit]- Unfortunately, there are no memorials erected anywhere in Kodungallur, or Trichur, or Alwaye to honour Dharma Raja who gave shelter in his state to thousands of Hindus escaping from the Islamic brutalities of the fanatic Tipu Sultan; or Ayyappan Marthanda Pillai who was the architect of the historic Nedumkotta; or Raja Keshavadas under whose direct command a comparatively small army humbled and defeated the invading army of Tipu Sultan; or scores of valiant Hindu soldiers who laid down their lives to protect their country and faith.
- S.R. Goel in : Tipu Sultan - Villain or Hero (1993)
- Some time previous to the death of this Rajah, a female member of the Kolathnaud family was adopted as a Princess of Travancore, and Her Highness gave birth to a Prince in the Kollum year 899. This was the renowned Rama Rajah, generally called Dharma Rajah.
- A History of Travancore from the Earliest Times" by P.S. Menon. 1878. [1]
- It was in his time that the Travancore Rajah was known and generally styled " Rama Rajah" and " Dharma Rajah," which names are quite familiar to travellers who journey from Benares and other northern parts of India to Bamaswaram or Ramanad.
- A History of Travancore from the Earliest Times" by P.S. Menon. 1878.
- Don't you know I have achieved a great victory recently in Malabar and over four lakh Hindus were converted to Islam? I am determined to march against that cursed Raman Nair (Rajah of Travancore) very soon. Since I am overjoyed at the prospect of converting him and his subjects to Islam, I have happily abandoned the idea of going back to Srirangapatanam now.
- Tipu Sultan. In Tipu’s letter of 19 January 1790 to the Governor of Bekal, Budruz Zuman Khan (Badroos Saman Khan). quoted in K.M. Panicker, Bhasha Poshini, August 1923
- God is my judge that I have never taken any pains to assist them [the Malabar Rajas whom he sheltered], or gave them evil counsel, nor have I ever raised my disturbances in the country of the Circar [Mysore] until this moment, nor did I until now ever know of any enquiry or examination on the part of the Circar with respect to their remaining here . . . I have given positive orders that those Rajas should leave the country. Prior to the time that the Cochin Raja became a dependent on your Circar, the Calicut Raja had possessed himself of all his country; at that period, I expended large sums of money to lend him assistance and restored him his country. He then granted me a place for the purpose of building the wall of my boundary in his country, by an irrevocable grant, in consequence whereof, the wall was completed there, at a very great expense, since which five and twenty years have now elapsed. This is the real state of the case; nor has there until this present time been any let or molestation whatever in this respect, nor there ever will be any trouble caused to the Raja of Cochin by me. At the time of the negotiations for peace between you and the English, my name was also included in the treaty; it was well-known to the servants of your Circar that this boundary was then in being. When I received the fort of Cranganore from the Dutch, they proved by particular writings and treaties that no persons whatever had at that time, or ever had, the smallest claim or connection with it, but that it was dependent entirely upon them; in consequence of which, I bought it of them. I have never given protection to thieves or rebels to the Circar . . . as I cannot act in anything without acquainting the English, I have written all these occurrences to the Governor of Madras; immediately on receipt of these orders I shall fully answer everything regarding.
- Vikram Sampath - Tipu - The Saga of Mysore's Interregnum (2024)
