A BRITISH RESIDENT DISCOVERS A GURU

Thycaud Ayyavu Becomes Manager

It was in Madras, as part of his business of supplying goods to a military camp,that Thycaud Ayyavu swamikal came in contact with a British official Atholl Murray MacGregor.When MacGregor later became Resident of Travancore and Cochin,he made Ayyavu the Manager of his Residency in Trivandrum.

 Atholl MacGregor (1836-1922) joined the Madras Civil Service in 1855 and served as the British Resident in the princely states of Travancore and Cochin. MacGregor earned a place in  history as the person who controlled the Mappila Revolt and later served three terms as Resident.He was the son of Sir John Atholl Bannatyne Murray-Macgregor ( 1810-1851),a Scottish Baronet,and colonial administrator, who served briefly as President of the British Virgin Islands in 1851. His mother was Mary Charlotte (died 1896), youngest daughter and co-heiress of Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, 1st Baronet.His brothers included Rear-Admiral Sir Malcolm (1834–1879), who had a career in the Royal Navy and inherited the baronetcy; Sir Evan (1842–1926), a civil servant who became Permanent Secretary to the Admiralty; Alpin (1846–1899), a gentleman usher to Queen Victoria.

MacGregor was Resident thrice:26 February 1867 – 26, May 1867;11 October 1875 – 1877 and 28 March 1879 – March 1881.He belonged to the family of the Duke of Atholl.

When Atholl Murray Macgregor was born on 22 Jul 1836 in Muthill, Perthshire, Scotland, hs father, John Atholl Bannatyne Murray Macgregor of Macgregor, and of Lanrick; 3rd Baronet, Macgregor-201 was 26, and his mother, Mary Charlotte Hardy Hardy-1987, was 23. In 1851 England Census records that Atholl Murray Macgregor was living as a lodger with William and Emma Walton, and was a pupil at the Rectory.Atholl Murray-MacGregor passed away on 2 Mar 1922 in Perth, Perthshire, Scotland, at the age of 85.

He married Caroline Mary Stuart ( Menzies -1847-1906.)They got married on 23 April 1878 in Yorkshire West-Riding, Northumberland, England.She was the Daughter of Robert Menzies 7th Baronet and Ann Balcarres (Stewart-Alston) Menzies.Sadly her mother died only four days after her marriage. They had four children during their marriage; three sons, and one daughter.Sons:John Atholl MacGregor ( 1880-1916),Robert Menzies MsacGregor ( 1882-1946) and Evan Malcolm MacGregor ( 1883-1960).

 In 1891 the family were living at 'Eastwood', Caputh, Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland with their three younger children, their eldest son having died during Military service in World War I at the Somme, Picardie, France. By 1901 the family had moved to 'Ardchoille' Kinnoull, Perth, Perthshire, Scotland, where Caroline lived with her husband and two youngest children.

Ayyavu Swamikal was born in 1814 in Nakalapuram in Tamil Nadu. His original name was Subharayan.At the age of twelve, Subharayan received spiritual initiation from two Tamil Saints, Sachidananda Maharaj and Sri Chitti Paradeshi who used to visit his father. They told his family that his life has a specific assignment, he is destined to serve humanity at another place and that when it is time they would come and take him to mould him to fulfil his duty. These avadutas are said to be connected to great siddhas from Tamil Nadu living in Himalayas who knew the science of immortality. When he was 16, the two siddhas took him with them to Palani where he learned advanced yoga. He travelled with them to Burma, Singapore, Penang and Africa. With them he met teachers of many religions and saints. Subbarayan mastered English during his stay and travel with them. He also acquired proficiency in English, Siddha medicine and alchemy during his wanderings with the siddhas.

Thycaud Ayya Swami

At the age of nineteen he was sent back home with instructions to look after his parents and brethren. At home he continued worshiping Goddess and yogic practices, often entering the state of Samadhi. His biographers and disciples state that by this time he had acquired the Ashtasiddhies or divine powers including that of astral travel. Occasionally he visited Pazhani, Chennai and other religious places as part of pilgrimages for participating scholarly discussions going on there. He also started writing and composed 'Brahmothara Khandam' and 'Pazani Vaibhavam'. At the age of 27, as suggested by his gurus he visited Kodungalloor Devi Temple in Kerala. It is said that his devotion was so deep and his prayers were so strong that when he recited the keerthans the temples bells rang by themselves and the doors opened to give him darsan.

He went to Trivandrum during the period of Swati Tirunal Maharaja. The king came to know of his scholarship and expertise in Sivaraja Yoga and invited him to the palace and also learned many things from him.One day while a family gathering related to a marriage was going on at the house where he stayed a very old lean women told him that someone will be coming to meet him from his village and asked him to go to the traveller's shed near by on that night. The Goddess gave darsan to him at that travellers' shed that night. Later Thycaud Devi Temple was constructed at this site. Before long he went back to Tamil Nadu.

Within a few months his father left to Kasi. The whole responsibility for the family fell on his shoulders and he started a business to support his family. In accordance with the direction of his guru, Subbarayan got married. He used to deliver spiritual discourses at Madras.He also supplied goods to a military camp there,where MacGregor was employed.

MacGregor became fond of this English speaking Tamil villager and established a friendship with him. He was interested in Indian religion, language and culture and he became his student. During the reign of Maharaja Ayillyam Thirunal, Atholl MacGregor became the Resident of Travancore. When the selection of a manager for Residency came he appointed him as the Manager of his Residency in Thycaud in 1873. 

Ayya was guru to both Chattampi Swami and Narayana Guru.In the biography of Ayya published by Kalady Parameswaran Pillai in 1960, Pazhaniya Pillai author and son of Ayya Swamikal writes:

“ On Chithrapaurnami day of 1055 ( 1880) my father chanted “Balasubramanya manthra” to Nanu Guru. After completing the “SivarajaYoga Sadhana” Narauana Guru went for meditation ….. Kunjannan (Chattmpi Swamikal) and Nanuannan (Nanu Guru) described and worshiped my father as “Siva” (page 78).

Ayya used to say that any saint can install idols in temples. Ayya Vaikundan too was the disciple of Thycaud Ayya Swamikal. The rebel Vaikundan was relapsed from jail by the advice of Ayya to Maharaja. Vaikundan a ccepted the title of Ayya and the turban of Ayya Swamikal. He introduced installation of mirror as idols in temple. Later Sri Narayana Guru followed Ayya Vaikundan and founded “kannadi temple” in Kalavamkodam, Alapuzha.

When Ayya started “panthibhojan” (inter-dining) with Ayyankali the upper caste leaders ridiculed Ayya as Pandipparyan” and “Mleschan”. Then Ayya told them that,

“intha ulakithile ore oru……..” Sri Narayana Guru later translatesd it into Malayalam.

Thus the slogan “oru jathy,oru matham….” was born ( page 114-115 ).

Ayya was an ardent practitioner and Acharya (Guru) of the ancient Shivaraja Yogic system and stands in the traditions of Tamil Sidhas like Agasthyar, Bhogar, Manikkavachakar, Thirujnanasambandhar, and Thirumoolar.He was the Guru of other monks like Kollathamma, Swayam Prakasha Yogini Amma, Thackalai Peermohammed Sidhan, Makkadi Lebba, Fr. Pettayil Fernandaz, Sri. Ayyan Kali, Manonmanium Sundaran Pillai.He was born and brought up in Chennai. His ancestors were great Shaiva Yogis and Vedanthis. In childhood itself he had the opportunity of getting blessings of his Gurus, Sri Chatti Paradesi and Sri Satchithananda Maharaj, (the Tamil saints of Sage Agasthyar order). He had traveled with them between the age of 16 and 19 and learnt higher yogic techniques including aastral travel.

Ayya was an alchemist too-Alchemy, ie, preparing a tincture of mercury and sulphur, can afford to expand the lifespan to 150-200 years. Mercury was viewed as the seminal seed of Shiva. It formed a part of the alchemical triad of mercury, sulphur and air, corresponding to the trinity of moon, sun, and wind. Breath controlled through the practices of Pranayama, transformed the body's winds into a spiritual mediator that could unify the solar and lunar currents within the body. Much like the alchemical process applied air to mercury and sulfur to form the amalgam that brought the work to completion. Consciousness was seen to ride the vehicle of breath into union with the absolute in the Sahasrara Chakra at the top of the head. TheYogi could, through the intercession of the Goddess, placated by manipulation of the breath, expand consciousness to the point where it becomes what is called the Maha Chitta or "Great Awareness" which is the God Shiva himself.

Towards the end of his life, Ayya guru was obsessed with alchemy. It is said that like many yogi’s of the time, he had conducted experiments to make gold out of copper.An European spy was send to keep an eye on him,but Ayya failed to make gold.

W W Strickland,a British anarchist,who was in Travancore in 1908,wrote a book,Travel Letters from Ceylon,Australia and South India.

One day Ayya guru was very impatient and restless, walking round and round.  Strickland asked him what the matter was. The guru told him that he was expecting two of his disciples who had gone to meditate at Maruthwamala to bring a certain plant which he needed for some experiment. After some time two boys entered the scene. The guru eagerly asked, "Did you bring what I had asked you to bring ?"

The senior of the two boys with some hesitation said "We have brought what you wanted" and took out something from his mundu and placed it on the table. It was a gold coin which probably they had purchased from the market. The guru's face became red with anger. Seeing this, the boys made a quick exit. The spy asked, "Sir, you should be happy since they have gifted you a gold coin. Why are you angry ?"

Then the guru said, "They are making fun of me. They think I am greedy for gold. They do not understand my real purpose. What I need is a certain plant for an alchemical experiment which requires this plant. The plant is only for cleaning the brass coin. The real transmutation process is psychical". The spy grabbed the golden opportunity. He offered to bring the plant. The guru at first was reluctant, saying that being a foreigner he may not be able to converse with the local people and get the plant. But the spy was very enthusiastic and at last the guru told him the name of the plant. The spy hired a horse drawn carriage, went to Maruthwamala and brought a carriage full load of the plant. This pleased the guru and he included the spy in the experiment in place the two boys who never showed up again.

It was Walter William Strickland,who sent Chempaka Raman pillai to Germany.

It was MacGregor who prepared a list of birds for Logan's Malabar Manual,based on Jerdon's Birds of India.But the Manual records that there are errors in this list.

Visakham Thirunal

V Nagam Aiya,in Travancore State Manual records that MacGregor was impressed with Visakham Thirunal,who succeeded Ayilyam Thirunal on 17 June 1880.MacGregor wrote to him:

" It is a matter of greatest satisfaction that the crown will devolve on one so well settled,as Your Highness is,to excercise an authority on which the welfare and happiness of somany depend.In saying this I do not adopt the mere ordinary courtesy of court language but I express an opinion for which the strongest ground has been afforded by Your Highness's former career and known attainments and principles...I am firmly of opinion that few princes have ever succeeded to a throne with more opportunities earning a great name ,and if Your Highness devotes your talents in singleness of purpose to the good of your subjects,as I believe you will do,the benefit will not be confined to Travancore,but will be reflected far and wide over Hindstan".

Visakham Thirunal was there for five years only- At the age of nine he started his English education under Subba Row, who later became Dewan of Travancore. He also wrote in The Statesman and the Calcutta Review.

In 1861 the prince visited Madras and met with the Governor, Sir William Denison, upon whom he made such a favourable impression that the Governor remarked that "He is by far the most intelligent Native I have seen; and if his brother is like him, the prospects of Travancore are very favourable."

The Maharajah's elder brother, Ayilyam Thirunal, died after ruling Travancore for twenty years from 1860 to 1880.Ayilyam and Visakham fought with each other;Visakham Left the Palace and his associate poet Keralavarma Valiya Koyithampuran was made a hostage.Since Ayilyam's reign was full of intrigues,MacGregor's letter assumes special significance.

Travancore Emblem

The Delhi Durbar of 1877, decided to standardize the armorial bearings/royal banners/coat of arms for most Indian States.It was meant to highlight the might of the British Empire, an event marking Queen Victoria's ascension to the title of Empress of India.

On September 02, 1876 a letter reached Resident of Travancore and Cochin, Mac Gregor, from Phillip Hankin at the office of the Viceroy of India,Lord Lytton. Hankin wanted Mac Gregor to find out if the royal families had “quasi Armorial Bearings” or banners that are in use. And if they did, to send the details.

Mac Gregor replied with a little note and two sketches that he had received from the state offices of Travancore and Cochin. Travancore’s state symbol contained the conch shell – the symbol of Lord Vishnu, whose sleeping form, Sri Padmanabhaswamy, was their deity. In early October, a very confused British official sent a letter to Mac Gregor. He drew a rough squiggle meant to represent the conch shell and asked what the meaning of it was. “What is the shape… candlestick or lampstand…”

Mac Gregor responded with detailed sketches of “…the armorial bearings, if it can be called that.”

Neither emblems had any distinct colour but the Calcutta HQ had designed an emblem for Travancore King, a golden-colored conch shell on a blue background. The Dewan had a pea-green flag and in Alapuzha, the Dewan’s Chief Supervisor had made him a banner with a white conch shell within a red oval.A confused Mac Gregor wanted the capital of Travancore to settle the matter, but expected a telegram with clarifications to find him before he got there.A telegram reached Mac Gregorin time. In it was the detail the British wanted confirmed – the emblem was the conch. The national colour would be a light yellow, as preferred by the king. Yellow was Lord Vishnu’s colour.

Henry Edward Sullivan, In Charge of the Inam Department in Madras received a letter from the Calcutta offic,on 17 October. He was told to get the emblems painted:If a vivid description of the colours is available, they can get it done at the Calcutta School of Art. After a month,Mac Gregor realized that thes move was by the Viceroy Lord Lytton ( 1876-1880 ) himself. They were being made for the first of the grand British imperial Durbars in India.In a letter of 21 October , a more developed sketch was sent to Mac Gregor.It displayed the conch shell within a plaque, shielded on both sides by elephants with raised trunks holding different objects.

Kochi Emblem

A month after, Cochin Dewan T Shungoony Menon wrote to MacGregor. He requested the Resident to send his band from Kollam as there were only three bands in Cochin, and the incoming party with the Governor and his wife was large and could not possibly make do with only three bands.Shungoony then provided the details of the Cochin banner, explaining that the King's seal is a conch shell with an umbrella on one side, a traditional lit lamp on the other side and the whole surmounted by a palanquin. The colours of the flag preferred were red and white.The letter made it clear that the King being old would not be attending the durbar.

Lord Lytton

Henry Edward Sullivan became Acting Resident of Travancore during 10 Mar 1877 – Feb 1878.

Lord Lytton,a character in the banner drama,was an extra ordinary human being.

Edward Robert Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton,( 1831 – 1891) was an English statesman, Conservative politician, and poet (who used the pseudonym Owen Meredith). He served as Viceroy of India between 1876 and 1880—during his tenure Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India—and as British Ambassador to France from 1887 to 1891.

His tenure as Viceroy was controversial for its ruthlessness in both domestic and foreign affairs: especially for his handling of the Great Famine of 1876–78, and the Second Anglo-Afghan War. Lytton's policies were alleged to be informed by his Social Darwinism. His son Victor Bulwer-Lytton, 2nd Earl of Lytton, who was born in India, later served as Governor of Bengal and briefly as acting Viceroy, and he was the father-in-law of the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, who designed New Delhi.

The New York Times, reported in 1891:

"Midway on his journey [to India] he met, by prearrangement, in Egypt, the Prince of Wales, then returning from his tour through India. Immediately on his arrival in Calcutta he was sworn in as Governor General and Viceroy, and on 1 January 1877, surrounded by all the Princes of Hindustan, he presided at a spectacular ceremony on the plains of Delhi, which marked the Proclamation of her Majesty, Queen Victoria, as Empress of India. After this the Queen conferred upon him the honor of the Grand Cross of the civil division of the Order of the Bath. In 1879 an attempt was made to assassinate Lord Lytton, but he escaped uninjured. The principal event of his viceroyalty was the Afghan war. "

After turning down an appointment as governor of Madras, Lytton was appointed Viceroy of India in 1875 and served from 1876 to 1880. His tenure was controversial for its ruthlessness in both domestic and foreign affairs.In 1877, Lord Lytton convened a durbar (imperial assembly) in Delhi that was attended by around 84,000 people, including Indian princes and noblemen. In 1878, he implemented the Vernacular Press Act, which enabled the Viceroy to confiscate the press and paper of any Indian Vernacular newspaper that published content that the Government deemed to be "seditious", in response to which there was a public protest in Calcutta that was led by the Indian Association and Surendranath Banerjee.

Dewan Sankunni Menon

Lord Lytton arrived as Viceroy of India in 1876. The rains had been failing in parts of the Madras Presidency since 1875, and the administration's response has been held to contribute to the death toll of between 6.1 million and 10.3 million people.

His implementation of Britain's trading policy has been blamed for increasing the severity of the famine.Critics have contended that Lytton's belief in Social Darwinism determined his policy in response to the starving and dying Indians.Lytton was a protégé of Benjamin Disraeli in domestic affairs, and of Richard Lyons, 1st Viscount Lyons, who was his predecessor as Ambassador to France, in foreign affairs. His tenure as Ambassador to Paris was successful, and Lytton was afforded the rare tribute – especially for an Englishman – of a French state funeral in Paris.

Cochin Dewan Thottakattu Sankunni Menon (21 April 1820 - 1881), also spelt as Shungoony Menon, was an Indian civil servant and administrator who served as the Dewan of the Cochin kingdom from 1860 to 1879. His administration is recognized as a period of development. Sankunni Menon's brother T. Govinda Menon also served as Diwan from 1879 to 1889.

Sankunni Menon was the eldest son of T. Sankara Warrier who had served as the Diwan of Cochin kingdom from 1840 to 1856.Born in Trichur in 1820, Sankunni Menon had a good English education and joined the Madras provincial civil service serving as a Deputy Collector in Tinnevely District when he was appointed Diwan of Cochin to succeed Venkata Rao.

The first four years of Sankunni Menon's diwanship were occupied with his handling the intrigues of his deputy, Parameswara Iyer. In 1864, Iyer's patron Ravi Varma IV died and Sankummi Menon took full control of the administration after dismissing Iyer.He opened the Ernakulam Public Library on 1 January 1870 and the Trichur Public Library in 1873.Sankunni Menon retired on 22 August 1879 due to failing health. He was succeeded by his younger brother Govinda Menon.

© Ramachandran