It rained very closely in Kochi on August 15, 1947. But that didn’t matter. Seventy 9 years in the past, to the day, bells rang everywhere in the metropolis, in colleges and schools, temples and church buildings, whereas the ships within the harbour, factories and mills sounded sirens to announce India’s independence.
“Interestingly, the Indian flag was not hoisted at any official building in Thiruvananthapuram but the YMCA. In Kochi, the flag was hoisted at the Durbar Hall grounds, Ernakulam, by the Cochin Maharaja, Aikya Keralam Thampuran’s younger brother, the Elaya Raja Rama Varma Parikshith Thampuran,” says Balagopal Varma, metropolis historian.
A information merchandise in The Hindu, dated August 15, 1947, concerning the reforms proposed by the Maharaja of Cochin to the State Council
Grainy images from the day, revealed within the September version of Cochin Information (archived by Granthappura, the Kerala Digital Archive) a journal revealed by the Government of Cochin, present a river of black umbrellas on the street as a giant crowd makes its method to Rajendra Maidan, unbothered by the rain. “The processions started from Durbar Hall in the evening and terminated at Rajendra Maidan where a public meeting was held,” says Rajith Nair, a historical past fanatic who’s co-authoring a e-book on Kochi and the Cochin Royal Family.
An commercial to go to Kochi that appeared within the August 15, 1947 situation of The Hindu
That day two flags have been hoisted — of the Indian Union and the Cochin State — on the similar degree, not increased or decrease than the opposite. The Elaya Raja declared, as he hoisted the flags, “As a symbol of the Union of the State of Cochin with the Dominion Government and the independence of our State, let us fly the Dominion Flag and the State Flag at the same level.” He concluded the speech with “Jai Hind! Jai Cochin!”
Interestingly the 2 flags have been hoisted in any respect authorities buildings, instructional establishments, properties, retailers and different institutions such because the Town Hall and Maharaja’s College, to call a few, throughout the town. Flag hoisting ceremonies have been held at Mattancherry, Thrissur, Irinjalakuda, Talappalli and Chittoor.
Rajith says, “There was a 19 gun salute. The procession comprised Girl Guides and Boy Scouts, elephants, panchavadyam, bands and more.” There is a reference to ‘Muslim pipes’ (within the Cochin Information article) additionally being a part of the procession, which, Rajith guesses, may very well be a wind instrument like a shehnai. That just isn’t all, there have been fireworks and public conferences too to rejoice the occasion. A snake boat race deliberate for the day was cancelled on account of the heavy downpour.
As a part of his analysis for his e-book, Rajith has come throughout references to the day, which impresses upon us what the day meant. “One of the reminiscences I came across was by one Krishna Rao, who said that his history teacher told the class that it rained so heavily in order to wash off 150-odd years of slavery!”
Just a day earlier than, on August 14, 1947, the Maharaja despatched a message to the Legislative Council, informing them of the accession of the Cochin State to the Indian Federation. He wrote, “In my view it is essential for the strength and prosperity of India that all units of the Indian Federation should as far as possible have uniform systems of administration. Therefore I am passing all departments except Devaswam [sic], Police, Jail and State Forces to Ministers under the Government of Cochin Act.”
In that message, the Maharaja additionally declared he was ready to behave as a constitutional ruler. Wheels have been set rolling on a number of different constitutional adjustments [for the Cochin State] adopted, the numerous ones being the abolition of the Diwanship and the institution of the Public Service Commission.
The Durbar Hall Ground has witnessed a number of public occasions, however the first Independence Day celebration, would stay probably the most cherished of all of them.
