Lushington

Governor of Madras (-1830-)

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When Swathi Thirunal appointed his tutor Subba Rao as Dewan in 1830 AD, the then British Resident, Col. Morrison, had reported unfavourably to the Madras Government and Mr. Lushington, the Governor of Madras, visited Travancore in 1830 AD with the special object of inspecting the State and forming his own opinions about Travancore affairs and the capabilities of the reigning Prince. Swathi met Lushington at Quilon and had a long interview with him. The conversation was carried on in English, a thing which the governor had not expected, and the governor was extremely pleased with the thoughts of the young Maharajah. The commanding appearance of the Prince and his knowledge of the politics and administrations of other countries contributed in no small measure to the excellent impression formed of him by Lushington. He was fully satisfied of Swathi’s ability to rule the land and left Travancore highly delighted with all he saw. But all the same, a prejudice was created and kept up against the Maharajah in the minds of the Court of Directors for in their Extract Political Letter to Bengal, dated 18th December, 1832, they wrote:-

“Our relations with the state of Travancore therefore appear to us, as they existed at the date your most recent communications, to have been in a state by no means satisfactory. Upon authority indeed which Col. Morrison seems confidently to rely on, it would seem that the country, which on the accession of the Rajah was in a flourishing condition, was hastening to decline. Its affairs we trust have receive in the mean time your watchful attention.”

“We confide in your judgement and care for discovering and executing whatever the exigencies of the case may require; and for that purpose we desire that you will consider the management of Travancore affairs as specially entrusted to you.