T. Rama Rao (administrator)

T. Rama Rao CIE
Portrait of T. Rama Rao
Diwan of Travancore
In office 1887–1892
Monarch	Moolam Thirunal
Preceded by	V. Ramiengar
Succeeded by	S. Shungrasoobyer
Personal details
Born	1831 Trivandrum, Travancore
Died	June 5, 1895 Trivandrum, Travancore
Occupation	civil servant, Administrator
Profession	Statesman
Religion	Hindu

T. Rama Rao CIE (c. 1831 – June 5, 1895) was an Indian administrator who served as the Diwan of Travancore from 1887 to 1892. V. Nagam Aiya, in his 1906 Travancore State Manual calls him "the most popular Diwan in recent times". Rama Rao was a cousin of Sir T. Madhava Rao and R. Raghunatha Rao

Rama Rao was born in Trivandrum in the year 1831 to Sakharam Row, a former District and Sessions judge. Rama Rao had his schooling at the Rajah's Free School in Trivandrum and the L. M. S. Seminary at Nagercoil. On completion of his education, Rama Rao entered the Travancore civil service and worked as a clerk. When he did not receive promotion, Rama Rao quit the job and accepted an offer as a translator in district and sessions court in Calicut.

In 1857, Rama Rao was appointed Tahsildar of Kalkulam. Rama Rao was hailed by European missionaries for the character shown by him as a tahsildar. He was soon promoted as Deputy Sheristadar and as First Sheristadar in the Huzur Cutcherry. He became Deputy Peishkar of the Quilon Division in 1862.

Rama Rao served as Deputy Peishkar of Quilon division from 1862 to 1878 and Kottayam division from 1878 to 1887, when he was appointed Diwan of Travancore.

Rama Rao died on June 5, 1895.