RISE OF FEMALE EDUCATION IN THE PRINCELY STATE OF TRAVANCORE

Abstract

The state of Kerala formed out of three princely states such as Travancore, Cochin and Malabar.  This state has a long tradition of women’s education going back to the earliest times. In the matter of education Kerala stood forefront from ancient times. During the Sangam age literature shows that education was universal in Kerala. But the progress of aryanization and the consequent increase in the hold of caste system caused a decline of general education particularly female education. At the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century witnessed tremendous change in the society of Travancore, of one the three princely states of Kerala. This period of educational history has laid the foundation of modern education. In Travancore direct intervention of the state in the field of education began in 1817, when the Rani Gouri Parvathi Bhai issued the Royal Rescript. The beginning of the modern education in Travancore was made by Christian missionaries. Their education system created a new direction to the women in Travancore. The aim of missionaries in setting up female school was to raise the social status of women and to liberate them from the existing social evils like untouchability and caste feelings.