A Brief Sketch of Travancore : The Model State of India

The Author have gathered during a long period of unremitting devotion to the study of the country, its people, its history and its Government. The following extract from the Madras Mail explains the scope and object of the book The book begins by discussing the natural features and the topography of the State, and dwells on the special features of its fauna, and flora. Then the early races of Tra vancore are traced to the various stages of their advent, and next come chapters devoted to the Nayars, the Numbudris and the Dravida Brahmins, which three classes comprise the mass of the population in the Malayalam language and literature are lightly touched on in a short chapter, which is' followed by an account of the principal religious temples and worship in vogue in the State, special mention being made of the catholic spirit which dominates the Government of His Highness the Maharajah in all matters pertaining to religion. Under the Section Progress a historical retrospect is given of Travancore and its ruling House and a succinct account of the economic progress made by the State during the times of the earlier and the later Rajahs. The chapter on the Poli tical Relations with the paramount power is a clear state ment of the circumstances under which the ruling House of Travancore came into relationship with the British.