Thachil Matthoo Tharakan: Difference between revisions
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'''[[Thachil]] Mar Matthoo Tharakan''' (1741–1814) played a key role in |
'''[[Thachil]] Mar Matthoo Tharakan''' (1741–1814) was a [[Saint Thomas Christian]] merchant, social leader and minister who played a key role in [[Kerala]], especially in its [[Travancore]] and [[Cochin]] regions, in [[India]] towards the latter part of the 18th century and early 19th century. He relentlessly worked to bring about a reunification in his community which was divided into Catholic (''[[Malankara Church (Paḻayakūṟ)|Pazhayakūr]]'') and Jacobite (''Puthenkūr'') after the [[Coonan Cross Oath]] of 1653.<ref name = "basilica"/> He organized his community against the colonialist attempts of [[Portuguese India|Portuguese]] and played a prominent role in the assembly of [[Syro-Malabar Church|Catholic Saint Thomas Christians]] at [[Angamaly|Angamāly]] that paved the way for the establishment of independent [[Syro-Malabar Church#Syro-Malabar hierarchy|Syro-Malabar hierarchy]].<ref name = "basilica"/> |
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==Trader and exporter== |
==Trader and exporter== |
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Matthoo belonged to [[Alengad|Alangad]], near [[North Kuthiathode]], in the present [[Paravur Taluk]] of [[Ernakulam]] District. He was born into a prosperous [[Syro-Malabar]] Christian family in 1741 as the son of Thachil Thariath and |
Matthoo belonged to [[Alengad|Alangad]], near [[North Kuthiathode]], in the present [[Paravur Taluk]] of [[Ernakulam]] District. He was born into a prosperous [[Syro-Malabar]] Christian family in 1741 as the son of Thachil Thariath and Ukken Itti Anna.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Thachil Mathu Tharakan|last=Ooken|first=C.C. Lonappan|publisher=St. George's Press|year=1966|location=Irinjalakuda|pages=2}}</ref> He did business successfully, with the help of his father's friends, Ranga Shenoy and Narayana Shenoy, prospered, and the friends that he made during that period later took him to great heights. His powerful friends included Captain [[Eustachius De Lannoy]], the [[Dutch Empire|Dutch]] commander who became head of the Travancore Army and [[Raja Kesavadas|Raja Kesava Das]]. Through such friends, he got introduced to the Kings of [[Travancore]] and [[Cochin]].It was on 943 M.E. that Mathoo Tharakan began his royal service.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Thachil Mathu Tharakan|last=Ooken|first=C.C. Lonappan|publisher=St. George's Press|year=1966|location=Irinjalakuda|pages=3}}</ref> |
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Matthoo Tharakan thus became a leading trader and influential Christian leader, from among the Indian [[Saint Thomas Christians|Syriac |
Matthoo Tharakan thus became a leading trader and influential Christian leader, from among the Indian [[Saint Thomas Christians|Syriac Christians]] of Kerala.{{sfnp|Malekandathil|2013}} |
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He awarded a 'Thankakompan' that earned the king's appreciation and the king then awarded him the title' Mathoo Tharakan Muthalali Avarkal' .<ref>{{Cite book|title=Thachil Tharakante Thankakompan|last=K.M.Varghese|first=Chitramezhuthu|publisher=M.O.C. Publications|year=1929|location=Kottayam|pages=25}}</ref> The title ''Tharakan'' was granted by the King [[Dharma Raja of Travancore]] to indicate 'a noble trader'. Matthoo Tharakan was a merchant of timber, spices, salt, and tobacco, and was reportedly the first timber exporter from Southern India. |
He awarded a 'Thankakompan' that earned the king's appreciation and the king then awarded him the title' Mathoo Tharakan Muthalali Avarkal' .<ref>{{Cite book|title=Thachil Tharakante Thankakompan|last=K.M.Varghese|first=Chitramezhuthu|publisher=M.O.C. Publications|year=1929|location=Kottayam|pages=25}}</ref> The title ''Tharakan'' was granted by the King [[Dharma Raja of Travancore]] to indicate 'a noble trader'. Matthoo Tharakan was a merchant of timber, spices, salt, and tobacco, and was reportedly the first timber exporter from Southern India. |
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==Minister of Travancore== |
==Minister of Travancore== |
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Matthoo Tharakan was Commerce Minister to Maharaja [[Balarama Varma]] of [[Travancore]]. His best years were during the reign of [[Dharma Raja]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasrani.net/amp/2012/07/01/ikkako-kathanar-the-forgotten-martyr/|author=Mailaparambil|title= Ikkako Kathanar -the forgotten martyr |
Matthoo Tharakan was Commerce Minister to Maharaja [[Balarama Varma]] of [[Travancore]]. His best years were during the reign of [[Dharma Raja]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasrani.net/amp/2012/07/01/ikkako-kathanar-the-forgotten-martyr/|author=Mailaparambil|title= Ikkako Kathanar -the forgotten martyr |
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|date=1 July 2012}}</ref> He loaned a large sum of money to the Kingdom to help fight its wars against [[Tipu Sultan]]. However, during the following period of [[Jayanthan Sankaran Nampoothiri]]'s Dewanship, there was an uprising and revolt engineered by [[Velu Thampi]]. This led to Velu Thampi becoming the Dalawa (Prime Minister) in 1801. Velu Thampi persecuted Mathu Tharakan (his ear was cut and later he was imprisoned). He ordered confiscation of Matthoo Tharakan's landholdings and assets alleging that he had to pay huge revenue arrears to the Government of Travancore. This order was later cancelled by the British Resident Macaulay. |
|date=1 July 2012}}</ref> He loaned a large sum of money to the Kingdom to help fight its wars against [[Tipu Sultan]].<ref name=Deepika>{{cite news|title=''Swarṇaceviyuṭe uṭama: Tacil Matū Tarakan''– Thacil Matū Tarakan: the owner of golden ear|url=https://epaper.deepika.com/m5/2665611/Deepika-Kottayam/Deepika-09-May-2020#page/14/1|newspaper=[[Deepika (newspaper)|Deepika]]|language=ml}}</ref> However, during the following period of [[Jayanthan Sankaran Nampoothiri]]'s Dewanship, there was an uprising and revolt engineered by [[Velu Thampi]]. This led to Velu Thampi becoming the Dalawa (Prime Minister) in 1801. Velu Thampi persecuted Mathu Tharakan (his ear was cut and later he was imprisoned). He ordered confiscation of Matthoo Tharakan's landholdings and assets alleging that he had to pay huge revenue arrears to the Government of Travancore. This order was later cancelled by the British Resident Macaulay. Velu Thampi's subsequent revolt against the British (without the sanction of the Maharaja) led to his suicide in 1809 in [[Mannadi|Mannadi Temple]], Adoor. [[Balarama Varma]] repented the indiscriminate actions of Velu Thampi and symbolically gave Tharakan a golden ear.<ref name=Deepika/> |
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==Social and religious leader== |
==Social and religious leader== |
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Thachil Matthoo Tharakan made attempts at reunion of the Christian communities separated by the [[Coonan Cross Oath]]. But his efforts were apparently thwarted by the Portuguese. His efforts had the support of [[Mar Joseph Kariattil]] of the Indian Syriac-Rite Catholics, and of [[Mar Thoma VI|Mar Dionysius I]] of the Indian Syriac-Rite Orthodox faction, known as the Jacobites. But Bishop Kariattil's death in Goa and Rome's silence, ultimately led to the Indian Jacobites remaining separate and the Indian [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church|Syriac Catholic]] accepting the jurisdiction of the Latin Bishops in India. He was actively involved in organising the historic journey of [[Mar Joseph Kariattil]] and [[Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar]] to Rome in 1782 for representing before the Pope the grievances of the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church|Syriac Catholics]]. |
Thachil Matthoo Tharakan made attempts at reunion of the Christian communities separated by the [[Coonan Cross Oath]]. But his efforts were apparently thwarted by the Portuguese.{{sfnp|Malekandathil|2013}} His efforts had the support of [[Mar Joseph Kariattil]] of the Indian Syriac-Rite Catholics, and of [[Mar Thoma VI|Mar Dionysius I]] of the Indian Syriac-Rite Orthodox faction, known as the Jacobites. But Bishop Kariattil's death in Goa and Rome's silence, ultimately led to the Indian Jacobites remaining separate and the Indian [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church|Syriac Catholic]] accepting the jurisdiction of the Latin Bishops in India. He was actively involved in organising the historic journey of [[Mar Joseph Kariattil]] and [[Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar]] to Rome in 1782 for representing before the Pope the grievances of the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church|Syriac Catholics]].{{sfnp|Malekandathil|2013}} |
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Tharakan was instrumental in organising an assembly of the Catholic Saint Thomas Christians (''Pazhayakūttukār'') in Angamāly [[St. George Syro-Malabar Basilica, Angamaly|Saint George's Great Church]], that enacted the [[Angamaly Padiyola|''Angamāly Padiyōla'']] on 1 February 1787.<ref name = "basilica">{{cite web|title=Padiyola|publisher=St.George's Basilica, Angamāly|url=http://angamalybasilica.com/template.php?id=36&page=15&catid=36|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723194912/http://angamalybasilica.com/template.php?id=36&page=15&catid=36 |archive-date=2012-07-23}}</ref> This assembly protested against the colonial subjugation of the native Christians and strongly urged for the consecration of native bishop among them.{{sfnp|Malekandathil|2013}} |
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== References== |
== References== |
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<references/> |
<references/> |
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==Sources== |
==Sources== |
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* {{cite encyclopedia |first=Pius |last=Malekandathil|title=Nazrani History and Discourse on Early Nationalism in Varthamanapusthakam |encyclopedia=NSC Network |url=https://www.nasrani.net/amp/2013/01/28/nazrani-history-and-discourse-on-early-nationalism-in-varthamanapusthakam/|year=2013|access-date=28 January 2013}} |
* {{cite encyclopedia |first=Pius |last=Malekandathil|author-link= Pius Malekandathil|title=Nazrani History and Discourse on Early Nationalism in Varthamanapusthakam |encyclopedia=NSC Network |url=https://www.nasrani.net/amp/2013/01/28/nazrani-history-and-discourse-on-early-nationalism-in-varthamanapusthakam/|year=2013|access-date=28 January 2013}} |
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==Further reading== |
==Further reading== |
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* Thachil Matthoo Tharakante Suvarna Kamalam (Malayalam) by John Peter Thottam, Kalavilasini, Trivandrum (1933) |
* Thachil Matthoo Tharakante Suvarna Kamalam (Malayalam) by John Peter Thottam, Kalavilasini, Trivandrum (1933) |
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* Thachil Matthoo Tharakan by C. C. Lonappan Ookken (1966) |
* Thachil Matthoo Tharakan by C. C. Lonappan Ookken (1966) |
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*Thathampally Enna Desathinte Katha (Malayalam) by Joseph Kottaparamban,Vidyarambham Press,Alappuzha(2001) |
*Thathampally Enna Desathinte Katha (Malayalam) by Joseph Kottaparamban, Vidyarambham Press, Alappuzha (2001) |
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*Niranam Granthavari Malayalathile Adya Charithragrantham (Malayalam) by Thomas M. Kurien |
*Niranam Granthavari Malayalathile Adya Charithragrantham (Malayalam) by Thomas M. Kurien, Sofiya Books, Kottayam (2006) |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120301220721/http://cs.nyu.edu/kandathi/kandathil.html#a Thachil Matthoo Tharakan] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120301220721/http://cs.nyu.edu/kandathi/kandathil.html#a Thachil Matthoo Tharakan] |
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* [http://thachilfamily.org/ Thachil Family Official Website] |
* [http://thachilfamily.org/ Thachil Family Official Website] |
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[[Category:Syro-Malabar Catholics]] |
[[Category:Syro-Malabar Catholics]] |
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[[Category:People from Ernakulam district]] |
[[Category:People from Ernakulam district]] |
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[[Category:Social leaders]] |
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[[Category:Tharakan titleholders]] |
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Latest revision as of 22:05, 15 April 2022
Thachil Mar Mathoo Tharakan | |
|---|---|
 Thachil Mar Mathoo Tharakan | |
| Born | 1741 |
| Died | 1814 North Kuthiathode |
| Nationality | Indian |
Thachil Mar Matthoo Tharakan (1741–1814) was a Saint Thomas Christian merchant, social leader and minister who played a key role in Kerala, especially in its Travancore and Cochin regions, in India towards the latter part of the 18th century and early 19th century. He relentlessly worked to bring about a reunification in his community which was divided into Catholic (Pazhayakūr) and Jacobite (Puthenkūr) after the Coonan Cross Oath of 1653.[1] He organized his community against the colonialist attempts of Portuguese and played a prominent role in the assembly of Catholic Saint Thomas Christians at Angamāly that paved the way for the establishment of independent Syro-Malabar hierarchy.[1]
Trader and exporter
[edit]Matthoo belonged to Alangad, near North Kuthiathode, in the present Paravur Taluk of Ernakulam District. He was born into a prosperous Syro-Malabar Christian family in 1741 as the son of Thachil Thariath and Ukken Itti Anna.[2] He did business successfully, with the help of his father's friends, Ranga Shenoy and Narayana Shenoy, prospered, and the friends that he made during that period later took him to great heights. His powerful friends included Captain Eustachius De Lannoy, the Dutch commander who became head of the Travancore Army and Raja Kesava Das. Through such friends, he got introduced to the Kings of Travancore and Cochin.It was on 943 M.E. that Mathoo Tharakan began his royal service.[3] Matthoo Tharakan thus became a leading trader and influential Christian leader, from among the Indian Syriac Christians of Kerala.[4]
He awarded a 'Thankakompan' that earned the king's appreciation and the king then awarded him the title' Mathoo Tharakan Muthalali Avarkal' .[5] The title Tharakan was granted by the King Dharma Raja of Travancore to indicate 'a noble trader'. Matthoo Tharakan was a merchant of timber, spices, salt, and tobacco, and was reportedly the first timber exporter from Southern India.
Minister of Travancore
[edit]Matthoo Tharakan was Commerce Minister to Maharaja Balarama Varma of Travancore. His best years were during the reign of Dharma Raja.[6] He loaned a large sum of money to the Kingdom to help fight its wars against Tipu Sultan.[7] However, during the following period of Jayanthan Sankaran Nampoothiri's Dewanship, there was an uprising and revolt engineered by Velu Thampi. This led to Velu Thampi becoming the Dalawa (Prime Minister) in 1801. Velu Thampi persecuted Mathu Tharakan (his ear was cut and later he was imprisoned). He ordered confiscation of Matthoo Tharakan's landholdings and assets alleging that he had to pay huge revenue arrears to the Government of Travancore. This order was later cancelled by the British Resident Macaulay. Velu Thampi's subsequent revolt against the British (without the sanction of the Maharaja) led to his suicide in 1809 in Mannadi Temple, Adoor. Balarama Varma repented the indiscriminate actions of Velu Thampi and symbolically gave Tharakan a golden ear.[7]
Social and religious leader
[edit]Thachil Matthoo Tharakan made attempts at reunion of the Christian communities separated by the Coonan Cross Oath. But his efforts were apparently thwarted by the Portuguese.[4] His efforts had the support of Mar Joseph Kariattil of the Indian Syriac-Rite Catholics, and of Mar Dionysius I of the Indian Syriac-Rite Orthodox faction, known as the Jacobites. But Bishop Kariattil's death in Goa and Rome's silence, ultimately led to the Indian Jacobites remaining separate and the Indian Syriac Catholic accepting the jurisdiction of the Latin Bishops in India. He was actively involved in organising the historic journey of Mar Joseph Kariattil and Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar to Rome in 1782 for representing before the Pope the grievances of the Syriac Catholics.[4]
Tharakan was instrumental in organising an assembly of the Catholic Saint Thomas Christians (Pazhayakūttukār) in Angamāly Saint George's Great Church, that enacted the Angamāly Padiyōla on 1 February 1787.[1] This assembly protested against the colonial subjugation of the native Christians and strongly urged for the consecration of native bishop among them.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Padiyola". St.George's Basilica, Angamāly. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012.
- ^ Ooken, C.C. Lonappan (1966). Thachil Mathu Tharakan. Irinjalakuda: St. George's Press. p. 2.
- ^ Ooken, C.C. Lonappan (1966). Thachil Mathu Tharakan. Irinjalakuda: St. George's Press. p. 3.
- ^ a b c d Malekandathil (2013).
- ^ K.M.Varghese, Chitramezhuthu (1929). Thachil Tharakante Thankakompan. Kottayam: M.O.C. Publications. p. 25.
- ^ Mailaparambil (1 July 2012). "Ikkako Kathanar -the forgotten martyr".
- ^ a b "Swarṇaceviyuṭe uṭama: Tacil Matū Tarakan– Thacil Matū Tarakan: the owner of golden ear". Deepika (in Malayalam).
Sources
[edit]- Malekandathil, Pius (2013). "Nazrani History and Discourse on Early Nationalism in Varthamanapusthakam". NSC Network. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
Further reading
[edit]- M. O. Joseph, Nedumkunnam: Thachil Matthoo Tharakan, (Malayalam) Kottayam, NBS, 1962.
- Thachil Matthoo Tharakante Thankakompan (Malayalam) by K M Varghese, Manorama, Kottayam (1927)
- Thachil Matthoo Tharakante Suvarna Kamalam (Malayalam) by John Peter Thottam, Kalavilasini, Trivandrum (1933)
- Thachil Matthoo Tharakan by C. C. Lonappan Ookken (1966)
- Thathampally Enna Desathinte Katha (Malayalam) by Joseph Kottaparamban, Vidyarambham Press, Alappuzha (2001)
- Niranam Granthavari Malayalathile Adya Charithragrantham (Malayalam) by Thomas M. Kurien, Sofiya Books, Kottayam (2006)
- Thachil Matthoo Tharakan
- Thachil Family Official Website