Sir C P Ramaswamy Iyer was the Diwan (Chief Minister) of
Travancore during 1936-1947. He worked against the untouchability and was a key person in introducing the Temple Entry Proclamation in 1936 by Sri Chithira Thirunal, the Maharajah of Travancore.
Ramaswamy Iyer was born in November 1879 at Wandiwash in Arcot of Chennai. He was the only son of C R Pattabhirama Aiyar, the city civil judge, and Seethalakshmi Ammal. He was graduated from Madras Law College and enrolled as a lawyer in Madras High Court in 1903. This celebrity man has adorned various top positions in universities and other organizations. He became the secretary of the Indian National Congress in 1917.
As a Diwan, Sir C P Ramaswamy Iyer initiated the irrigation projects of Pechipara Hydro-electric Scheme and Periyar Game Sanctuary. Some of the constitutional reforms were put forward for the first time by him such as graded agricultural income tax. He abolished land revenue. Ramaswamy was also entitled 'Sachivottama', which means Supreme Counselor of the King, by the king of Travancore.
He was the founder and first vice-chancellor of the Travancore University (presently Kerala University). He established the Marine Biological Institute. Among the other achievements, he represented India as a delegate at the League of Nations held at Geneva in 1926 and Commonwealth Universities Conference. He also helped in founding the Swati Tirunal Academy at Thiruvananthapuram.
But, Ramaswamy Iyer was unpopular among the general public of Travancore. His overbearing traits were disliked very much by the people. When the British decided to grant independence to India, he insisted on a free Travancore state as he wanted to stay in power. In order to consolidate his position, he suggested a new system of administration known as 'American model’. According to this system, the position of Dewanship was un-changeable. This despotic decision of Dewan led to revolts in various places of Travancore. The communists established their own government in the state in one such revolt in Punnappra-Vayalar in 1946.
Sir C P Ramaswamy Iyer took his last breath on September 29, 1966.
