Why in the News?

Ministry of Tourism has pledged to replace the Sakthan Thampuran statue that was knocked over by a state transport bus in Thrissur.

Who was Sakthan Thampuran?

Sakthan Thampuran, born Raja Rama Varma IX in 1751, was a powerful ruler of the Cochin kingdom from 1790 to 1805.
- He was raised by an aunt who nicknamed him Sakthan, meaning powerful, reflecting his strong personality and leadership.
The title Thampuran is derived from the Sanskrit word samrat, meaning emperor.
The Cochin kingdom, a part of the Late Chera Empire, spanned regions from Ponnani (Malappuram) to Thottappally (Alappuzha) in modern-day Kerala.
At age 18, in 1769, he became heir apparent, advising the king to maintain friendly relations with both the Dutch and the English, who were competing for control of trade in the region.
He orchestrated the Mysore invasion of Travancore, which eventually led to the Powney treaty.
This treaty freed the Cochin kingdom from its allegiance to Mysore and formalized its relations with the British East India Company.
He ended the institution of the Yogiatirippads, spiritual heads of key temples. He shifted temple management to the government, earning a reputation as a fearsome leader who rid his kingdom of crime.

Sakthan relocated the capital of his kingdom from Thrippunithura to Thrissur.
- He developed Thekkinkadu Maidanam and the surrounding Swaraj Round, which became the foundation for Thrissur’s infrastructure.
He invited merchants from all religions and British officials to settle in Thrissur, and personally managed the kingdom’s finances.
In 1797, he started the Thrissur Pooram as an alternative to Arattupuzha Pooram, uniting major temples in Thrissur to pay respects to Lord Shiva, the deity at Vadakkumnathan Temple.
- It is held every year on the Pooram day – the day when the moon rises with the Pooram star in the Malayalam Calendar month of Medam.

[2021] With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. The Nizamat of Arcot emerged out of Hyderabad State.

2. The Mysore Kingdom emerged out of Vijayanangara Empire.

3. Rohilkhand Kingdom was formed out of the territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(d) 3 only