1. Visakham Thirunal was a noted scholar of Sanskrit and literary composer in Malayalam, who reversed his brother's policy, liberally patronizing poet Kerala Varma, while hostile to painter Raja Ravi Varma.
13 Facts About Visakham Thirunal
1. 2.
Vishakham Thirunal Rama varma was born on 19 May 1837 to Rani Gowri Rukmini Bayi and her husband Punartham Thirunal Rama Varma Koil Thampuran of the royal family of Thiruvalla.
3.
Visakham Thirunal's mother died when he was barely two months of age leaving him and his elder siblings to the care of their father.
4.
Visakham Thirunal's Highness was grandson to Maharani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi and nephew of Maharajah Swathi Thirunal.
5.
Visakham Thirunal wrote in The Statesman and the Calcutta Review.
6.
Visakham Thirunal had a special aptitude for botany and agriculture.
7.
Visakham Thirunal was an erudite scholar and had in his court learned Brahmins, known as Tharka Sastry and used to take their advice in settling cases that were referred to him.
8.
The Maharajah's elder brother, Ayilyam Visakham Thirunal, died after ruling Travancore for twenty years from 1860 to 1880.
9.
Visakham Thirunal introduced a number of reforms including changes in the education system, police department, justice and judiciary etc.
10.
Visakham Thirunal furthered the cultivation of Tapioca which became so popular and commonly available that it came to be known as the poor man's meal in Travancore.
11.
Visakham Thirunal's highness took keen interest in promotion of tapioca and he even issued proclamation detailing his subjects about how to cook tapioca.
12.
Visakham Thirunal's eldest and only son, Sri Narayanan Thampi, who started the first bus services in Travancore, was born in 1865.
13.
Visakham Thirunal married a daughter of Irayimman Thampi who was of royal descent.