The Making of a Princely State Under British Colonialism : Realm, Rule and Society in Cochin, 1791-1947.

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Dr. OMANA J.. daughter of Smt. Joyce and (Late) Mr. George J., was born on 23rd November 1956 at Poovachal, in Trivandrum District. Passed M.A. Degree in History, Sociology and Economics, M.Phil. and B.Ed. from the University of Kerala and Ph.D. from Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady. Joined as Teacher in St. Joseph's Girls' High School, Mundakkayam in 1981 and Lecturer in Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, in 1998. Visited U.K for the col- lection of research materials from the British Library with the help of Foreign Travel Grant from Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi.

Dr. Omana J. Reader in History, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, has been actively engaged in study, teaching and research of history, particularly Modern Kerala history. She has published over thirty research papers and articles in various periodicals and research journals of repute. She presented papers in National and International Seminars, and she was invited by Lee University, USA to deliver Lectures on Indian Culture.

At present, Research Guide, Sree Sakaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady.

The history of British Colonial Cochin State is a very important topic for understanding the life of the people of the erstwhile Cochin State. An attempt is made in this book to acquaint the students with the basic topic of socio-economic history of Cochin State during the British period. This book examines the changes took place in the method of administration, agriculture, industry, trade and commerce etc. Cochin as a part of modern Kerala deserves special attention not only for its geographical features but also for its social, economic and political aspects. There are not many text books exclusively dealing with the history of Cochin State during the British colonial period with the proper perspective. Compared to the studies on Malabar and Travancore, major works on Cochin are meager and those which available, are based on traditional myths. Socio economic development of a state is indicated by the high rate of growth of percapita income and of structural transformation of the economy and society. The study deals with the growth of infrastructure that initiated sweeping changes in the socio economic spheres, which ultimately led to the overall development of the state during the British period in Cochin. The book examines an overall historical and analytical perspective of the manifold changes that were effected to augment the productive resources of the state which brought about changes in the social realm also.

The advent of the Europeans for the trade was one of the most important historical milestones in the history of the Cochin State. The intervention of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English in local administration has influenced the socio-economic history of Cochin. Though the Europeans came to Cochin in search of commercial avenues, their commercial interest was only short lived and they started to interfere in the local governments' administration of the Cochin State. Gradually, their involvement in local administration influenced the socio-economic history of Cochin to a great extent.

The British impact could be seen in all the walks of life in Cochin. They effected changes in the fields of administration. agriculture, trade, industry, transport and communication, education, judiciary, health etc which influenced the socio- economic history of Cochin State. Socio-economic history of a state has a base on self-sustained growth of different regions. It depends upon both economic and non-economic factors. Cochin, the ancient land of the Perumals has developed into a modern state with her beautiful coast, plains, busy industries, dense population, attainment of full literacy, trade through Cochin port etc. The state has made remarkable progress in all directions during the British colonial period. It is interesting to trace how during the British period Cochin developed from a small feudal state with little resources to a modern and model state which was considered as one of the most progressive and well governed states in British India.

**Contents and Sample Pages**