Thachil Matthoo Tharakan

Thachil Mar Matthoo Tharakan (1741–1814) was a Saint Thomas Christian merchant, social leader and minister who played a key role in Kerala, especially in its Travancore and Cochin regions, in India towards the latter part of the 18th century and early 19th century. He relentlessly worked to bring about a reunification in his community which was divided into Catholic (Pazhayakūr) and Jacobite (Puthenkūr) after the Coonan Cross Oath of 1653. He did business successfully, with the help of his father's friends, Ranga Shenoy and Narayana Shenoy, prospered, and the friends that he made during that period later took him to great heights. His powerful friends included Captain Eustachius De Lannoy, the Dutch commander who became head of the Travancore Army and Raja Kesava Das. Through such friends, he got introduced to the Kings of Travancore and Cochin.It was on 943 M.E. that Mathoo Tharakan began his royal service.

Matthoo Tharakan thus became a leading trader and influential Christian leader, from among the Indian Syriac Christians of Kerala.

He awarded a 'Thankakompan' that earned the king's appreciation and the king then awarded him the title' Mathoo Tharakan Muthalali Avarkal' . The title Tharakan was granted by the King Dharma Raja of Travancore to indicate 'a noble trader'. Matthoo Tharakan was a merchant of timber, spices, salt, and tobacco, and was reportedly the first timber exporter from Southern India.

Minister of Travancore Matthoo Tharakan was Commerce Minister to Maharaja Balarama Varma of Travancore. His best years were during the reign of Dharma Raja. He loaned a large sum of money to the Kingdom to help fight its wars against Tipu Sultan. However, during the following period of Jayanthan Sankaran Nampoothiri's Dewanship, there was an uprising and revolt led by Velu Thampi against British corruption, which had been aided by Tarakan. This led to Velu Thampi becoming the Dalawa (Prime Minister) in 1801. Velu Thampi punished Mathu Tharakan (his ear was cut and later he was imprisoned). He ordered confiscation of Matthoo Tharakan's landholdings and assets alleging that he had to pay huge revenue arrears to the Government of Travancore. This order was later cancelled by the British Resident Macaulay. Velu Thampi's subsequent resistance to the British led to his suicide in 1809 in Mannadi Temple, Adoor. Balarama Varma then symbolically gave Tharakan a golden ear. This assembly protested against the colonial subjugation of the native Christians and strongly urged for the consecration of native bishop among them.