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Udaya Kumar
This paper considers the fictional and political writings of C. V.
Raman Pillai (1858-1922, widely known as C. V.), whose trilogy of
historical romances Marthandavarma (1891), Dharmaraja (1913),
and Ramarajabahadur (1918-19) presented celebratory accounts of
two eighteenth century Kings of Travancore Marthandavarma (reg.
1729-58) and Ramavarma (reg. 1758-98). In the two decades that
separated his first two novels, C. V. published several essays of
political criticism under the title Videshiyamedhavitvam (Foreign
Rule) opposing the appointment of non-native Brahmins as Dewans
of
Travancore.
Although
his
three
historical
romances
were