{
  "bookName": "History of Christianity in India: Source Materials",
  "authorName": "M. K. Kuriakose",
  "publisherName": "Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge",
  "publicationYear": 2011,
  "chapterNumber": 101,
  "chapterName": "1853. Proclamation on Slavery by Marthanda Varma Uttaram Thirunal, Maharaja of Travancore",
  "pageFrom": 154,
  "pageTo": 154,
  "pages": [
    {
      "pageNumber": 154,
      "ocrText": "154\nHISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA\n101. PROCLAMATION ON SLAVERY BY MARTHANDA\nVARMA UTTARAM THIRUNAL, MAHARAJA OF\nTRAVANCORE (1853 A.D.)\nIn response to the efforts of missionaries and the British Resident\nthe Maharaja of Travancore curtailed the practice of slavery in his\nrealm through the following proclamation. Cited in K. K. Kusuman,\nSlavery in Travancore, pp. 164-166. Translation taken from J. W.\nGladstone, The Social Impact of the Protestant Missionary Work\nin South Travancore in the 19th Century', (Unpublished M.Th.\nThesis,) U.T. College, 1975, Appendix III.\nThis is now hereby proclaimed after the consideration of the\ninterest entertained for some time past, that the condition of slaves\nin our state shall be improved as far as possible without any loss or\nhardship to the Kudiyans of Government.\n1. The Government abandon the right over the children born\nof the 'Pandaravaka Slaves' usually so-called from the date of the\ndeclaration on this proclamation.\n2. Though the right over the slaves is abandoned as stated\nabove, the slaves as well as all others should clearly understand\nthat there shall be no change in the customs and untouchability in\nforce according to the respective caste etiquettes.\n3. Hereafter no slave shall be allowed to be sold either for the\nexecution of the decisions or orders of the court for the collection\nof taxes or 'Pattoms'.\n4. Slaves shall own and enjoy property just like any other\npeople and they shall not be robbed of such property by any one\nregarding it as belonging to the slaves.\n5. Those who act any thing against the slaves in any unjust\nmanner shall be punishable under regulation VI of 1010 M.E.\n(1835). All people shall conduct themselves in conformity with\nthis regulation.\n6. Hereafter, if there be slaves attached to the properties with-\nout heirs and which are confiscated by Government because of\nescheat, such slaves shall be exempted from slavery without being\nadded on as Government property.\n7. Slaves shall not be separated without the consent of their\nparents and their children, and they shall not either be sold\nor entrusted to others living beyond twelve miles of their respective\ndwelling places.",
      "status": "completed"
    }
  ]
}