THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA, November 2, 2011 (by K. Venugopal): The wealth found in the cellars of the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple was not accumulated through oppressive taxes or through looting during wars, claims a new book released this week.
Instead, as much as 95 per cent of the wealth comprised of regular donations made by various branches of the Travancore royal family, according to ‘Charithram Kuricha Sree Padmanabha Swamy Kshethram,’ written by noted historians M.G. Sasibhooshan and Dr. R.P. Raja.
Dr. Sasibhooshan termed as utterly false the contention that the wealth consisted of funds garnered through harsh taxes such as ‘Mulakkaram’ (breast tax). “This allegation is being made on the basis of a casual reference by historian Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai, who did not present any evidence to prove it,” he said. “The records show that the tax revenue went to the state coffers and not to the temple.”
Mr. Sasibhooshan added that each contribution made to the temple was meticulously entered in the Mathilakom records, including contributions of Christians and Muslims. “Not a single paisa has come in through taxes or through wars and conquests,” he said.