Dewan Bahadur Sachivottama Sir Chetput Pattabhiraman Ramaswami Iyer LL.D. D.Litt., popularly known as Sir C. P., was an Indian lawyer, administrator and statesman, acknowledged as the most powerful man in the Madras Presidency in the decades immediately prior to Indian Independence.
Portrait of Ramaswami Iyer, The Hindu (1939)
A young Sir. C.P. during his delegate phase
Kowdiar Palace - official residence of the Junior Maharani and her son, the underage monarch, as well as a frequent site for the Diwan to personally counsel the Maharani
Bhakti Vilas, traditionally the secondary official residence of the Diwans of Travancore, used by Sir C.P. for ministerial purposes.
Order of the Indian Empire
The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria on 1 January 1878. The Order includes members of three classes:Knight Grand Commander (GCIE)
Knight Commander (KCIE)
Companion (CIE)
Photo of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya's badge
Insignia of the Order
Maharaja Thakore Shri Sir Bhagwatsinhji Sagramji Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Gondal GCSI, GCIE, in a 1911 photograph, during his visit to London for the coronation of King George V. He is wearing the mantle, collar and star of a Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire.
Maharaja Sri Sir Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma III, Maharaja of the Kingdom of Travancore, GCSI, GCIE, wearing the sash, star and badge of a Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE)