Raja Kesava Das

Raja Kesava Das was born on 17th March 1745, at Kunnathur, a village in the ancient state of Travancore. His mother was a peasant and his father worked as a police constable. During his childhood he went to the royal palace with Poku Moosa, who was very faithful to the Maharaja of Travancore. The conduct and the behavior of Kesava Pillay impressed the Maharaja, Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma.


The Maharaja believed that God resided in him and he was an emancipator who would save the country from the crisis and troubles that has engulfed the country. Kesava Pillay gradually raised the ladder of success and finally for his administrative talents the British Governor Mornington felicitated him with the title Raja.

Under the guidance of Captain Dillanoi he was trained as a solider. Raja Kesava Das became Army Chief of Travancore after the death of Dillanoi. He was a brave warrior who won the battle of Kaladi conquering Tippu Sultan.

Raja Kesava Das was a man of vision and he made a commendable contribution by establishing a well-planned city of Alappuzha with immense potential. He was a farsighted statesman who knew the advantages of having a port town in the country. His dream finally materialized in 1786 when a ship embarked at Alappuzha for the first time.

Raja Kesavadas tried to develop the region by inviting great businessmen from Bombay, Gujarat, Kutch etc. He encouraged these businessmen to settle in the city and start various industrial projects.



Last Updated on 05 May 2011