News from the Capital

The Nairs, who had tax-free lands at their disposal for the upkeep of temples, were entrusted with t...

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May 09, 1906

Travancore Education Department (Three)

(Sasthaav) The important duties assigned to the education secretary can be summed up as follows: to...

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August 08, 1908

Melee at the Jubilee Hall

A few snippets have been inserted elsewhere relating to some of the incidents that occurred on the o...

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October 07, 1908

Some Thoughts on Education

The speech made by Honourable C.Krishna Pillai B. A. in his capacity as the chairman of the prize gi...

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July 08, 1908

Bail processes

Bal Gangadhar Tilak has been committed to the Sessions Court by the Presidency Magistrate for the ch...

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About the Collection

The Svadesabhimani was a weekly Malayalam language newspaper founded by the noted writer and journalist Vakkom Abdul Khader Moulavi (1873-1932), who was the owner and publisher and its managing editor. This digital collection contains the original Malayalam and their English translations.

Throughout its existence, it was funded through the personal funds of Vakkom Moulavi, who imported a modern press from Britain. The newspaper began publication in Anjengo, a small village in the princely state of Travancore, on 19 January 1905. Chirayinkeezhu C.P Govinda Pillai was the first editor for one year, after which Sri. K. Ramakrishna Pillai became the editor. The newspaper ceased publication on 26 September 1910, when it was banned by a Royal Proclamation, the editor Ramakrishna Pillai was exiled and the press was confiscated.

The Svadesabhimani served to inform the public in Travancore, as well as in the Malayalam speaking regions, about local, national and international issues. It stood apart from other Malayalam newspapers of the time in exposing corruption in the government, analysing and critiquing government policies, discussing important issues of social and religious reform and bringing news of the national anti-colonial movement and international developments. It is considered a trailblazer in Malayalam journalism, contributing to the development of a new political consciousness in the state.