Father of our nation, as coined by Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, was a man of exemptional talents and caliber, which later on created the legendary status his name carries, even to this day, even among people of foreign dissent, Mahatma’s contributions are immense, towards our great nation and to humanity itself, which cannot be measured or counted. His teachings and methods have inspired peaceful revolutions all around the world. Travancore being a small part of the Indian subcontinent was also heavily influenced by the Mahatma’s charisma and zeal for nonviolent movement. Mahatma’s presence anywhere in our country was counted as a blessing from gods by the common folks, similar was the sentiment shared by the commoners in the princely state of Travancore. Inspired and invigorated by his trials from South Africa, Gandhi returned to India with his family on 9 January, 1915. choosing to explore India and meet the masses, he travelled from Porbandar to Kolkata by train. En-route he stopped and made halts at Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Varanasi, Champaran in Northern Bihar before finally alighting at Kolkata. Interacting with locals all along the way. It was in Champaran, where Gandhi introduced and implemented his methods to the Indian audience. The fact that he completed his journey speaks volumes about his tolerance for travel, moreover he never demanded high levels of comfort, often traveling in third class train compartments.
People of Travancore or modern Kerala have been immensely influenced by Gandhian principles and teachings, one of reasons why congress party have always held power in the state for so long. The old Kerala was a place riddled by social injustice and lack of reforms. Such was the ambience that, Swami Vivekanand himself have called Kerala, “a mad house of lunatic casteism”. Such a state now has gone through multitudes of reforms and changes. One could say it is the Gandhian subcultural on which all the Kerala reformist based their movement on. All of Mahatma’s visits to the southern state led to not just of meeting of great historical personalities but also exchange of ideas and inspiration to both sides, from meet with Queen of Travancore Sethu Lakshmi Bai, and Kerala’s most famous social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, to AyyanKali, a revolutionary leader, educator and a social reformer, even during the temple entry proclamation by the King of Travancore Chithira Tirunal, it is said that Gandhi’s influence loomed over this proclamation. With meeting and mingling with so many great minds, it is evident that influences of these personalities would take shape in their individual works and endeavors. That is why it is not unreasonable to believe that today’s India and more specifically today’s Kerala is much shaped by the ideals and influences of not just one man but many who bestowed their whole life for Indian independence and social welfare. One would think maybe that was Mahatma’s greatest legacy,that to influence others.