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P. Rajagopalachari

Sir
Perungavur Rajagopalachari
P. Rajagopalachari.jpg
Dewan of Cochin
In office
1897–1901
Monarch Rama Varma XV
Preceded by V. Subramanya Pillai
Succeeded by L. Locke
Dewan of Travancore
In office
26 October 1907 – 11 May 1914
Monarch Moolam Thirunal
Preceded by S. Gopalachari
Succeeded by M. Krishnan Nair
Member of Madras Legislative Council
In office
1917–1927
Governor John Sinclair, 1st Baron Pentland, Lord Willingdon, George Goschen, 2nd Viscount Goschen
President of the Madras Legislative Council
In office
1921–1923
Prime Minister A. Subbarayalu Reddiar, Raja of Panagal, P. Subbarayan
Governor Lord Willingdon, George Goschen, 2nd Viscount Goschen
Preceded by None
Succeeded by L. D. Swamikannu Pillai
Personal details
Born 18 March 1862
Died 1 December 1927
Political party Indian National Congress
Alma mater Presidency College, Madras
Occupation lawyer, civil servant
Profession Sub-Collector, Statesman

Diwan Bahadur Sir Perungavur Rajagopalachari, KCSI, CIE (18 March 1862 – 1 December 1927), also spelt in contemporary records as Sir P. Rajagopala Achariyar, was an Indian administrator. He was the Diwan (chief minister) of Cochin State from December 1896 to August 1901 and of Travancore from 1906 to 1914.

Rajagopalachari was born in Madras and educated at Presidency College and Madras Law College. He joined the Judicial Department Indian Civil Service on 3 May 1886 and was appointed deputy collector in December 1887. From 2 May 1890 to December 1896, he served as assistant collector and magistrate in Madras Province.

In December 1896, Rajagopalachari was appointed Diwan by Maharaja Rama Varma of Cochin. He served in his capacity from 1896 to 1901. During his tenure as diwan, the Cochin Native Merchants Association was founded. This later became the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Cochin. In 1901, the Central Records of the Cochin State were established at Tripunithura. This later evolved into the Kerala State Archives Department.

In 1901, he was appointed Registrar of Co-operative Credit Societies in the Madras Presidency and then served as Assistant Collector from March 1902 until 1906, when he was appointed Diwan of Travancore state.

The Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangham was established in 1907 by social reformer Ayyankali to campaign for education for Dalits. Rajagopalachari was supportive of the movement, and in 1907 the government of Travancore passed an order for the admission of Dalit children in schools. However, the upper-caste landlords who owned most of the schools were obstinate in allowing Dalit children into their schools and openly defied the government order. A major strike erupted. Low caste agragrian workers refused to farm their fields. In 1910, Rajagopalachari and Mitchell, who headed the education department, made the order for admission of Dalit children public, thereby putting an end to the controversy.


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