Chithira Thirunal of Travancore
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Chithira Thirunal (born as Balarama Varma; November 7, 1912–July 19, 1991) was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Travancore in India.
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[edit] Accession
Balarama Varma was the eldest son of Sethu Parvati Bayi, Senior Rani of Attingal, by her consort, Ravi Varma of Kilimanoor, a grand-nephew of the celebrated painter Raja Ravi Varma.Balarama Varma's mother was distantly related, by birth, to the royal house of Travancore in the direct female line. In 1900, following the failure of heirs in the Travancore royal family, she had been adopted by her maternal grand-aunt. Thus, upon the death of his adoptive maternal uncle, Sri Moolam Thirunal Ramavarma, on August 7, 1924, Balarama Varma succeeded to the throne of Travancore under the Regency of his maternal aunt, the famous Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi [1]. As was customary, he took the regnal name 'Chithira Thirunal,' as he was born under the Chithira nakshatram or star.
[edit] Maharaja of Travancore
Chitira Tirunal reigned under the regency of his maternal aunt, Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, who was also his mother's first cousin. On November 6, 1931, upon his attaining majority, Chitira Tirunal was invested with full ruling powers. He was instrumental in establishing the University of Travancore (now the University of Kerala) in 1937. He also had a beautiful palace built which is now a museum. He was able to secure the services of eminent statesmen such as C.P.Ramaswami Aiyar, who served as his chief minister for several years. The period of HH Chitra Thirunal Bala Rama Varma who took the reign of administration in 1931, witnessed many-sided progress. The promulgation of "Temple Entry Proclamation"(1936), was an act that underlined social emancipation. But the Punnapra - Vayalar massacre and the declaration of Indipendent Travancore were the black episodes of his life.
[edit] Later years
After India became independent in 1947, Chithira Tirunal agreed to merge his state with India after some initial hesitation. Travancore was united with neighbouring Cochin state and Chitira Tirunal served as Rajpramukh of the Travancore-Cochin Union from July 1, 1949 to October 31, 1956, which was the entire duration of the existence of that political entity. On November 1, 1956, the state of Kerala was created by uniting the Malayalam-speaking areas of the Travancore-Cochin Union with those of neighbouring Madras State, and Chithira Tirunal demitted office. On December 28, 1971, Chitira Tirunal lost his titles when the Indian government derecognized the rulers of the erstwhile princely states.
Chithira Tirunal Balarama Varma died at the Royal Palace at Kowdiar, Trivandrum in 1991, aged seventy-eight. He had ruled Travancore for 67 years and at his death, was one of the few surviving rulers of a first-class princely state in the old Indian Empire. He was also the last surviving Knight Grand Commander of both the Order of the Star of India and of the Order of the Indian Empire. He was succeeded as head of the royal house of Travancore by his brother, Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma.
The government of India issued a stamp in 1991, commemorating the reforms that marked the rule of Chitira Tirunal in Travancore. The Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology and the Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering at Trivandrum was named after him.
[edit] Titles
to 1924: Maharajkumar Bala Rama Varma III, Eliya Raja of Travancore
1924-1935: His Highness Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Sri Patmanabha Dasa Vanchipala Bala Rama Varma III, Kulasekhara Kiritapati Mani Sultan Bahadur, Shamsher Jang, Maharaja of Travancore
1935-1943: His Highness Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Sri Patmanabha Dasa Vanchipala Sir Bala Rama Varma III, Kulasekhara Kiritapati Mani Sultan Bahadur, Shamsher Jang, Maharaja of Travancore, GCIE
1943-1944: Major His Highness Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Sri Patmanabha Dasa Vanchipala Sir Bala Rama Varma III, Kulasekhara Kiritapati Mani Sultan Bahadur, Shamsher Jang, Maharaja of Travancore, GCIE
1944-1945: Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Sri Patmanabha Dasa Vanchipala Sir Bala Rama Varma III, Kulasekhara Kiritapati Mani Sultan Bahadur, Shamsher Jang, Maharaja of Travancore, GCIE
1945-1946: Colonel His Highness Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Sri Patmanabha Dasa Vanchipala Sir Bala Rama Varma III, Kulasekhara Kiritapati Mani Sultan Bahadur, Shamsher Jang, Maharaja of Travancore, GCIE
1946-1991: Major-General His Highness Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Sri Patmanabha Dasa Vanchipala Sir Bala Rama Varma III, Kulasekhara Kiritapati Mani Sultan Bahadur, Shamsher Jang, Maharaja of Travancore, GCSI, GCIE
[edit] Honours
King George V Silver Jubilee Medal-1935
Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE)-1935
King George VI Coronation Medal-1937
Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (GCSI)-1946
Indian Independence Medal-1947
