The Maharajah of Cochin and the Rawalji of Badrinath
Maharajah Rama Varma of Cochin (r.1932-41) M aharaja Rama Varma of Cochin - Chowarayil Theepetta Thampuran – was popularly known as Dharmika Chakravarthy and ruled the state from 1932 to1941. Cochin made great progress under this Maharajah who was known for his extreme simplicity and lofty commitment to the country. Sir. R.K.Shanmugham Chetty, the first Finance minister of independent India, was the Diwan- Prime minister- of Cochin during the period from 1931 to 1945, thus serving most of his tenure under this Maharajah. Sir. Shanmugham Chetty, Diwan of Cochin (1931-45) Much of the developments of present day Cochin were triggered during the reign of Dharmika Chakravarthy under the able initiatives of Sir. Shanmugham Chetty. The Cochin secretariat- the civil station- was established on modern administrative lines, and the high court was opened in 1938. The development of the Cochin harbour was also completed during this time. The Shanmugham road, of present day Cochin, is named aft...