Walking past the historic Thekke Theruvu (South Street) in the Fort area, one can hardly miss this mansion. Towering amongst the neighbouring agraharams, the façade of the building, punctured with arch openings and heavy cornice, is sure to make a lasting impression in your mind. Walk a little further towards the main doorway and you will realise that you are standing in front of the famed ‘Fouzdar House’, the palatial mansion of one of the most influential families in erstwhile Travancore.
Built during the closing years of the 19th century, the house was occupied by Anantharama Iyer (b.1848-d.1912), Fouzdari Commissioner to Sree Moolam Tirunal Rama Varma (r.1885-1924), the Maharaja of Travancore. “Our forebears belonged to Vembar village in Tuticorin. Later, some of our ancestors settled in Maramangalam,” says Anantharama Krishnan, the great grandson of Anantharama Iyer. An early ancestor of the family, Maramangalam Subbayya Iyer had served at the Travancore court during the reign of Maharani Ayilyam Tirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi (r.1810-1815).
Anantharama Iyer, a.k.a. Saravanai Swami was born as the son of Saravanai Iyer and his second wife Krishnammal. Saravanai Iyer’s family was closely associated with the royal family of Travancore.
When Rani Lakshmi Bayi died in 1857, Krishnammal was entrusted the task of bringing up the Rani’s infant son Rama Varma who was born under the star Moolam (according to the Malayalam star). “According to family tradition, Krishnammal became the young prince’s wet nurse,” recalls Anantharama Krishnan. The little boy developed a strong bond with Krishnammal’s young son Anantharama Iyer. When Sree Moolam Tirunal Rama Varma became the chief in 1885, he appointed his childhood friend as ‘Fouzdari Commissioner’, titular Commander of Travancore Army. Fouzdari Commissioner was an important position associated with the Valiya Kottaram, next in hierarchy only to the Sarvadhikaryakkar. It was following the command of the King that the Fouzdar House was constructed in the South Street, not far from the royal residence.
Fouzdar House is different from the conventional agraharam typologies that line either sides of the street. The typical ‘red and white’ vertical band that adorns front façade of agraharams is the only resemblance that the Fouzdar House shares with its neighbourhood. Instead of the linear spatial segregation unique to agraharams, the mansion has a double storied maalika facing the Thekke Theruvu. To the rear of the maalika is a spacious nalukettu and related structures. The upper floor of the maalika is a spacious hall with windows opening to the South Street. “The upper hall was used by the family members to view the royal birthday processions,” says Anantharama Krishnan.
Being part of the King’s private staff, Anantharama Iyer was part of the royal entourage to Kashi and the Delhi Durbar of 1911, recalls Anantharama Krishnan. In 1911, when Anantharama Iyer returned from Delhi, the grave news of the demise of his only son awaited him. It is said that the Fouzdar never again set foot in his house; he shifted to Anantha Vilasam complex, where he had set up office. Not long after, Saravanai Swami also breathed his last. “On Anantharaman’s demise the King lost one of his beloved friends. Thereafter, the Maharaja abolished the post of Fouzdari Commissioner, transferring the responsibilities to the Sarvadhikaryakkar. Thus Anantharama Iyer is still remembered as the last ‘Fouzdari Commissioner’ of Travancore,” recalls Anantharama Krishnan.
(Based on an interview with the members of Fouzdar House, Fort, Thiruvananthapuram.)
