An Analitical Study On The Growth Of Education In Travancore As Indicated By The 1876 Census

Abstract

Modern Kerala was formed through the merger of Travancore-Cochin and Malabar. Among these three political divisions, Travancore had the most significant influence on Kerala's historical, political, economic, and cultural development. Travancore stood out among the many princely states in India for its remarkable progress in social and human development, ranking highly in these areas and surpassing many of its contemporaries. The state's commitment to education, particularly its emphasis on providing elementary education for all children, made it the most literate region of its time.

In ancient and medieval Travancore, education was closely linked to religious teachings, primarily of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Islam, though secular subjects were also included. The Portuguese and Dutch significantly contributed to the development of education in the region. Catholic and Protestant missionaries played a crucial role in modernizing education in the Travancore princely state. This article discusses the number and proportion of the educated population in the country, the standard of instruction, and the distribution of education across different religions. The educational status of Travancore considers the education of both children and adults, as well as the differences between educated males and females. The educational status across various castes is analyzed, focusing on the numbers and proportions of the educated within each caste. Additionally, the comparative educational conditions between the sexes and the educational status of different Taluks and Divisions are assessed.