Veketasubramanya Iyer on Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma

“He assumed the rule of Travancore state in 1829, at the age of sixteen. At the suggestion of Colonel John Munroe, the British Resident of Travancore, Swati Tirunal had been tutored in English, Sanskrit, Marathi, political science, and Karnatic music by Subba Rao from Tanjavur, also known as English Subba Rao for his skill in the English language.”

“The most important elements in this improvement were the English language and Karnatic music. An English school was started in Trivandrum as early as 1834, earlier than English education was imparted in the Madras Presidency directly under the British rule.”

“In 1840 a new resident of Travancore state who aspired to be Dewan reported to Madras that Swati Tirunal’s authority spending on his court musicians was [[extravagant and unnecessary. The resident’s continuous complaints effectively undermined Swati Tirunal’s authority several years before his death in 1846.”