Theme 15.KERALA: TOWARDS MODERNITY
Colonization in progress
By the beginning of the 19th century, the British subjugated the three regions of Kerala-Malabar, Kochi and
Travancore. With the Treaty of Srirangapattanam signed in 1792, Malabar came under British rule.By the
treaty of 1791,the Kochi Raja became a vassal of the English and in 1800 Kochi was placed under the
control of the Madras government. In 1805; British signed a subsidiary treaty with Travancore ruler. By
this treaty Travancore lost its political Independence.
Development of colonial economy
Changes in land relations
The British transformed the revenue system of Malabar.
The Nambudiri Brahmins were recognized as the owners of the land.
The intermediary tenants (kanakkars) were placed between landlords and tenants.
Both land lords and the kanakkars exploited the tenants.
An elaborate administrative system was introduced to collect revenue.
British officers were appointed for tax collection.
Development of new industries and investment of capital
Under the ownership of British, Plantation industries began in Kerala.
The major plantation crops were tea,coffee,rubber and cardamom
Availability of land suited for the growth of plantations led to the development of plantation industry in
Travancore area.
Free trade controlled by colonial capital was established.
Numerous trade laws and regulations were introduced
The British invested their capital in the field of plantations.
The development of plantation favoured non-local as well as local investors.
Migrations began from Travancore to Malabar. This helped the expansion of commercial cultivation in
Malabar
The banks advanced credit to purchase land, extend trading and processing agricultural products.
As a result of the expansion of commercial agriculture, Indigenous production declined.
A number of agro-processing industries including coir were developed
These industries were export oriented and under European capital.
Role of the state in industrial development
By the middle of the 1930s the state played an important role in the industrial development in Travancore
and Kochi.
The Government gave financial assistance to private initiatives to start new industries.
The govt.invested in industrial sector and ensured marketing facilities.
Infrastructural facilities like education, health, transport, banking etc. developed.
Growth of transport system
For the development of trade, State implemented scheme for the development of Cochin harbour, building
of roads, canal network etc.
The British also introduced railway in Kerala.
The first railway line was commissioned on 12th March 1861 from Beypore to Tirur.
Sujith K HSST History GVHSS Kayyoor,Kasargod. Page 1
, Modernization through reforms
British government and the rulers of Kochi and Travancore introduced substantial changes and reforms in
Kerala.
Travancore Kochi Malabar
Each land holder was given Subordinate courts,Huzur District, provincial courts were
Pattayam court were established established
Slavery was abolished in Slavery was abolished(1845) Spice plantation at Ancharakkandi
1812
Established 5 district The Survey and settlement of Municipalities were established
courts&1 court of appeal land conducted
Devaswoms came under Cochin Tenancy Act was Teak plantation at Nilambur
govt.control passed
Poll tax ,Uzhiyam,feudal Staff selection board was set Weaving mills, tile and factories
levies were abolished up were started
Factories,bridges,canals,post Railway lines were Roads, railway lines canals were
offices were built constructed constructed
Spread of knowledge
The Portuguese established printing in Kerala in 1577.
The first printed book in Malayalam language was‘Samkshepavedartham ’in 1772.
German missionary, Arnos Pathiri, prepared the first lexicon and a grammar work in Malayalam.
In 1846 Benjamin Bailey of Church Mission Society Published an English-Malayalam lexicon.
The first authentic book in Malayalam grammar was prepared by Herman Gundert.
He started two Malayalam news papers in 1847 called ‘Rajyasamacharam’and ‘Paschimodayam’.
Missionary Education.
Missionary organizations like London Mission Society (LMS) and Church Mission Society (CMS) and
Basel Evangelical Mission (BEM) etc.inaugurated the spread of modern education in Kerala.
The London Mission Society's area of activity was largely Travancore. The Church Mission Society
worked in Travancore and Cochin while the Basel Evangelical Mission was active in Malabar.
Church Mission established a college and seminary Kottayam in 1813 under the leadership of Rev.Mead.
The first school in Kochi was started at Mattanchery by Dawson in 1818
Twinkle Tab, a Spanish missionary of the Salvation Army group established English schools in southern
part of Travancore.
In 1841 Rev.Habik set up an English school at Barnasseri in Kannur
BEM established primary school at Kallayi near Kozhikode in 1848 and Thalasseri in 1856
Sujith K HSST History GVHSS Kayyoor,Kasargod. Page 2
Colonization in progress
By the beginning of the 19th century, the British subjugated the three regions of Kerala-Malabar, Kochi and
Travancore. With the Treaty of Srirangapattanam signed in 1792, Malabar came under British rule.By the
treaty of 1791,the Kochi Raja became a vassal of the English and in 1800 Kochi was placed under the
control of the Madras government. In 1805; British signed a subsidiary treaty with Travancore ruler. By
this treaty Travancore lost its political Independence.
Development of colonial economy
Changes in land relations
The British transformed the revenue system of Malabar.
The Nambudiri Brahmins were recognized as the owners of the land.
The intermediary tenants (kanakkars) were placed between landlords and tenants.
Both land lords and the kanakkars exploited the tenants.
An elaborate administrative system was introduced to collect revenue.
British officers were appointed for tax collection.
Development of new industries and investment of capital
Under the ownership of British, Plantation industries began in Kerala.
The major plantation crops were tea,coffee,rubber and cardamom
Availability of land suited for the growth of plantations led to the development of plantation industry in
Travancore area.
Free trade controlled by colonial capital was established.
Numerous trade laws and regulations were introduced
The British invested their capital in the field of plantations.
The development of plantation favoured non-local as well as local investors.
Migrations began from Travancore to Malabar. This helped the expansion of commercial cultivation in
Malabar
The banks advanced credit to purchase land, extend trading and processing agricultural products.
As a result of the expansion of commercial agriculture, Indigenous production declined.
A number of agro-processing industries including coir were developed
These industries were export oriented and under European capital.
Role of the state in industrial development
By the middle of the 1930s the state played an important role in the industrial development in Travancore
and Kochi.
The Government gave financial assistance to private initiatives to start new industries.
The govt.invested in industrial sector and ensured marketing facilities.
Infrastructural facilities like education, health, transport, banking etc. developed.
Growth of transport system
For the development of trade, State implemented scheme for the development of Cochin harbour, building
of roads, canal network etc.
The British also introduced railway in Kerala.
The first railway line was commissioned on 12th March 1861 from Beypore to Tirur.
Sujith K HSST History GVHSS Kayyoor,Kasargod. Page 1
, Modernization through reforms
British government and the rulers of Kochi and Travancore introduced substantial changes and reforms in
Kerala.
Travancore Kochi Malabar
Each land holder was given Subordinate courts,Huzur District, provincial courts were
Pattayam court were established established
Slavery was abolished in Slavery was abolished(1845) Spice plantation at Ancharakkandi
1812
Established 5 district The Survey and settlement of Municipalities were established
courts&1 court of appeal land conducted
Devaswoms came under Cochin Tenancy Act was Teak plantation at Nilambur
govt.control passed
Poll tax ,Uzhiyam,feudal Staff selection board was set Weaving mills, tile and factories
levies were abolished up were started
Factories,bridges,canals,post Railway lines were Roads, railway lines canals were
offices were built constructed constructed
Spread of knowledge
The Portuguese established printing in Kerala in 1577.
The first printed book in Malayalam language was‘Samkshepavedartham ’in 1772.
German missionary, Arnos Pathiri, prepared the first lexicon and a grammar work in Malayalam.
In 1846 Benjamin Bailey of Church Mission Society Published an English-Malayalam lexicon.
The first authentic book in Malayalam grammar was prepared by Herman Gundert.
He started two Malayalam news papers in 1847 called ‘Rajyasamacharam’and ‘Paschimodayam’.
Missionary Education.
Missionary organizations like London Mission Society (LMS) and Church Mission Society (CMS) and
Basel Evangelical Mission (BEM) etc.inaugurated the spread of modern education in Kerala.
The London Mission Society's area of activity was largely Travancore. The Church Mission Society
worked in Travancore and Cochin while the Basel Evangelical Mission was active in Malabar.
Church Mission established a college and seminary Kottayam in 1813 under the leadership of Rev.Mead.
The first school in Kochi was started at Mattanchery by Dawson in 1818
Twinkle Tab, a Spanish missionary of the Salvation Army group established English schools in southern
part of Travancore.
In 1841 Rev.Habik set up an English school at Barnasseri in Kannur
BEM established primary school at Kallayi near Kozhikode in 1848 and Thalasseri in 1856
Sujith K HSST History GVHSS Kayyoor,Kasargod. Page 2
