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Home > Kerala Temples > Introduction to Kerala Temples > Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries AD Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries ADThough the British had established their supremacy from *17th century they followed a policy of religious tolerance and none of the places of Hindu worship was destroyed by them. They in fact respected the native laws and customs till the beginning of the nineteenth century when it was found that incomes from many endowments were mis spent by the persons vested with the responsibility of administering them. It is also worthwhile to mention here about the political and socio cultural movements of this period which had a direct impact on the temple goers.The Marxian ideology and the atheistic doctrines attracted a section of people and it was the fashion of the day to refrain from worshipping in temples. However, this influence could sustain only for about four decades (1940-1980), thereafter Marxian followers slowly changed their attitude. As the present kerala state comprises the erstwhile regions of Madras Presidency, and princely States of Cochin and Travancore, it is worthwhile to briefly mention the salient features of legislations introduced in these regions on the functioning of these temples. 1. Malabar (including Kasargod taluk) 2. Kochi (Cochin) 3. Travancore 4. Kerala State *Malabar became part of Madras Presidency on 21st May 1800 under the British. The Dutch could not also keep up their influence for long in this region as they had to ultimately give up their claims by 1815 when they surrendered all their business to the British. The British gradually built up their influence over the entire Kerala region and even the native rulers had to accept their supremacy. The Kerala region then comprised part of Malabar and South Kanara districts of Madras Presidency and the princely states of Travancore and Cochin. This was the political set up when India became independent on 15th August 1947. The princely states of Travancore and Cochin were subsequently integrated to form the Travancore – Cochin state on 1st July 1949. By the States Reorganization Act 1956, Kerala state was carved out on 1st November 1956 from the above mentioned regions, i.e. Travancore State (excluding Thovala, Agastheeswaram, Kalkulam, Vilavancode and Shencottah taluks), Cochin State and Malabar district (excluding five islands of Lakshadweep which formed part of it) and Kasargod taluk of erstwhile South Kanara district. Thereafter there was no inter state changes. << back
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