Background
Tanjore Madhava Rao was born at Combaconum in Madras, India in 1828. He was the nephew of the former Diwan of Travancore T. Venkata Rao and the son of another Ranga Rao.
(His Highness the Maharaja is sure to receive Numerous apn...)
His Highness the Maharaja is sure to receive Numerous apnumerous applications for subscripphcations. tions and contributions to various objects and institutions. One applicant will ask for a number of copies being taken of a book which he is about to publish. A nother will solicit aid for building a temple, or a ghaut, or a dharamsala. A third will solicit a donation for horseraces. His Highness liberality will be invoked in favour of schools, hospitals, theatrical performances, horse-shows, fine arts, new industries, and diverse other purposes. (2) It is obvious that all such applications can Judge each on not be complied with. Due discrimination will have to be exercised by the Maharaja. Each case will have to be judged on its own merits, but the following considerations may afford some useful guidance. (Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.) About the Publisher Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology. Forgotten Books' Classic Reprint Series utilizes the latest technology to regenerate facsimiles of historically important writings. Careful attention has been made to accurately preserve the original format of each page whilst digitally enhancing the aged text. Read books online for free at www.forgottenbooks.org
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Tanjore Madhava Rao was born at Combaconum in Madras, India in 1828. He was the nephew of the former Diwan of Travancore T. Venkata Rao and the son of another Ranga Rao.
He was educated in the strictest tenets of his sacred caste. But he readily imbibed the new spirit of the age. To mathematics, science and astronomy he added a study of English philosophy and international law. Although a devout student of the Shastras, he advocated female education and social reform.
Refusing to cross the sea and so break caste by appearing before a parliamentary commission, he yet preached religious toleration. A patron of the Indian Congress, he borrowed from the armoury of British administration every reform which he introduced into the native states. He was respected alike by Europeans and natives, and received titles and honours from the British government. As tutor of the maharaja of Travancore, and then as revenue officer in that state, he showed firmness and ability, and became diwan or prime minister in 1857. He found the finances disorganized, and trade cramped by monopolies and oppressive duties. He co-operated with the Madras government in carrying out reforms, and when his measures led to misunderstandings with the maharaja, he preferred honourable resignation to retention of a lucrative office in which he was powerless for good. In 1872 he was engaged at Indore in laying down a plan of reform and of public works which he bequeathed to his successor, when a grave crisis at Baroda demanded his talents there. The Gaekwar had been deposed for scandalous misrule, and an entire reorganization was needed. Aided by Sir Philip Melvill, Madhava Rao swept away the corrupt officials, privileged sirdars and grasping contractors who had long ruined Baroda. He wrote able minutes defending the rights and privileges of the Gaekwar from fancied encroachment, and justifying the internal reforms which he introduced. He resigned office in 1882, and in his retirement devoted his leisure to reading and writing upon political and social questions.
Madhava Rao created a new type of minister adapted to the modern requirements of a progressive native state, and he grafted it upon the old stock. He linked the past with the present, using the advantages of heredity, tradition and conservatism to effect reforms in the public administration and in Indian society.
In 1866 he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India.
(His Highness the Maharaja is sure to receive Numerous apn...)
