Sethu Lakshmi Bayi

Sethu Lakshmi Bayi Biography

Sethu Lakshmi Bayi was a regent Maharani of Travancore who ruled the kingdom on behalf of her nephew, Maharajah Chithira Tirunal Balarama Varma till he became 18. Chithira Tirunal Balarama Varma was the last king of Travancore, before democracy was fully installed in India following Indian independence. Her full name is Maharani Pooradam Thirunal Sethu Lakshmi Bayi and she is widely regarded as one of the great administrators of Travancore kingdom. She was the granddaughter of the celebrated artist and painter Raja Ravi Varma.

Bharani Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi - Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran couple was childless. Her sister, the Junior Rani Parvathi Bayi’s single daughter too died. When the Travancore kingdom was left heirless, Bharani Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi adapted two nieces who gave birth to Sethu Lakshmi Bayi and Sethu Parvathi Bayi respectively, who continued the lineage. Bharani Thirunal went on a pilgrimage of Sethusamudram in 1894 accompanied by her nieces. Sethu Lakshmi Bayi was born in 1895 to Ayilyam Nal Mahaprabha Thampuratti of the Utsavamadhom Palace in Mavelikara, the daughter of Raja Ravi Varma, the celebrated artist. Her family was a branch of the Kolathunad Royal Family who got settled in Travancore following Tipu Sultan’s invasion on Malabar during 18^th century. Since her birth was believed to be a direct result of the Rani's pilgrimage to Sethusamudram, she was named Sethu Lakshmi Bayi and her younger cousin was named Sethu Parvathi Bayi.

At the age of six Sethu Lakshmi Bayi became Senior Rani of Attingal and Travancore while Sethu Parvathi Bayi became Junior Rani. Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran was appointed the guardian of both, who appointed teachers. She was married to Sri Rama Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran at the age of 10. After four years, in 1910, the couple started living together. Same year she became pregnant, but suffered a miscarriage. Meanwhile the Junior Rani gave birth to her eldest son Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, who later became the last ruler of Travancore. Sethu Lakshmi Bayi gave birth to Uthram Thirunal Lalithamba Bayi in 1923.

In 1924, following the Maharaja’s death, she was proclaimed Regent Maharani of Travancore. She ruled Travancore since Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma was only 12 year old then. It was during her reign when historic Vaikom Satyagraha happened. She brought many social reforms during her reign of 6 years, since Chithira Thirunal was minor. After the regency she retired from active involvement in the affairs to the state and looked after affairs of the Sreepadom estate, properties traditionally held by the Senior Rani.

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Updated: September 24, 2017