2026-08-25 Tue

Maharani Ayilyom Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi also as Gouri Laxmi Bayi; c. 1791–1815, was the Maharani of Travancore. She is notable as the only queen of Travancore to have ruled in her own right and not solely as a regent).

She ascended the throne in November 1810 following the death of Maharaja Balarama Varma, who left no male heirs. She ruled in her own right until 1813. After the birth of her son Swathi Thirunal that year, she served as Regent Maharani on his behalf until her death in 1815. Her younger sister, Gowri Parvati Bayi, then continued as regent until Swathi Thirunal assumed full power in 1829. Her accession faced challenges, including rival claims to the throne, but she secured her position with the support of British Resident Colonel John Munro, whom she appointed as Dewan.

Gowri Lakshmi Bayi is remembered for her progressive administrative and social reforms during her brief reign. She modernized the judiciary by separating judicial powers from revenue officials and establishing a Court of Appeal along with district courts, thereby reducing corruption; reorganized the police force on the advice of Dewan Munro; issued a 1812 proclamation abolishing the purchase and sale of slaves (except agricultural ones) and freeing certain castes such as Ezhavas and Kaniyans from bondage; removed restrictions on Shudras and others wearing gold and silver ornaments while abolishing various taxes on festivals and inheritance; brought major temples under a Devaswom Board to curb mismanagement; and established a Smallpox Vaccination Section in 1813, personally leading by example along with the royal family to overcome public resistance. Regarded as one of Travancore’s most popular and reform-minded queens, her early death left her young children in the care of her sister, who continued many of these progressive policies.

Rani Gouri Lakshmi Bai minted coins in gold - puvitta ananta varahan, silver double chukrams, gold fanams, and copper Kasu / cash. The gold varhanan, are very rare and weighs a pagoda weight. The above varahan weighs 3.38g. The obverse of the Varahan is with the device of Lakshmi, her namesake, seated on Lotus. she introduced two Lotus spring to the existing Ananthvarahan. The reverse is granulated