Sakthan Thampuran

Rajah Pooyam Thirunal Rama Varma (1751-1805) was the ruler of Cochin popularly known as Sakthan Thampuran (Sakthan meaning powerful). He was born at Vellarapally Palace to a princess of the Cochin Royal Family and her consort Chennose Namboodiri. His mother having died when he was only three years old, the prince was brought up by his aunt known as Chittamma Thampuran. His early education took place under the tutelage of scholars such as Kallenkara Pisharody. As crown prince (Elayarajah) of Cochin, with the support of the British, Sakthan Thampuran became the de facto ruler of Cochin on behalf of his uncle the reigning Rajah. In 1790, on the death of his uncle, he succeeded as Rajah. Even before his accession Sakthan Thampuran had become famous for his valor as much as he was known for his anger. He crushed the power of the local feudal lords and consolidated the power of the ruler. His punishment of criminals and wrongdoers was considered harsh but helped restore peace to the country. Sakthan Thampuran enjoyed good relations with the British authorities and was also a personal friend of Dharma Raja of Travancore. After his 55th birthday Sakthan Thampuran fell ill and passed away soon. His palace in Thrissur is preserved as a monument and he was responsible for developing the town and also making it the cultural capital of Kerala.

Sakthan Thampuran married twice. His first wife was a Nair lady from the reputed Vadakke Kuruppath family of Thrissur (several members of the Cochin Royal Family later took spouses from this family) whom he married when he was 30 years old. He is said to have had a daughter from this first wife. However this Nethyar Amma (title of the consort of the Cochin Rajah) died soon after an unhappy marriage. Thereafter the Rajah remained single for a few decades, marrying again at the age of 52. This second wife of the Rajah was Chummukutty Nethyar Amma of the Karimpatta family and was a talented musician and dancer of Kaikottikalli. She was 17 at the time of her marriage with the Rajah. This marriage was without issue and within 4 years the Rajah died. In those days the widowed Nethyar Amma's did not have any special provisions from the state and hence Chummukutty, at the age of 21, returned to her ancestral home.