T. THUMBOO CHETTY

Sir T. Thumboo ChettyImage source : Rajarathnam Family


















Raja Sabha Bhushana, Amatya Siromani, Sir T. Thumboo Chetty, O.B.E., Kt., K.S.G., K.C.S.G. Bernard  Trichinopoly Thumboo ChettyHuzur Secretary to the Maharaja of Mysore. (1922 - 1942)Private Secretary to the Maharaja of Mysore. (1942 - 1949)B 18/08/1877 - D 20/05/1952 
Publication : articles on St. Philomena and other subjects in Catholic journals. Recreation: Tennis, Photography
Married to 
 Selvavathy d/o S. Rajarathnam Chetty,Lady Gertitude Thumboo Chetty,Title Gandabherunda  : Desopakarini (1946)B 02/01/1895 - D 10/01/1974 Two daughters:Philomena Thumboochetty (Rukmavathy), renowned ViolinistMaria Josephine Dharmavathy 

Sir T. Thumboo Chetty

Subsequent to the appointment of Mr. T. R. A. Thumboo Chetty as the Assistant Secretary to the Government, the family was blessed with a fourth son, who received his father's name, Bernard Trichinopoly Thumboo Chetty known as T. Thumboo Chetty who took the B.A. degree of the Madras University, taking Sanskrit as his second language. He also received his early education from St Joseph College and Central College Bangalore. In his student days T. Thumboo Chetty displayed extraordinary intellect in various aspect of study.

T. Thumboo Chetty entered the Mysore Civil Service in the year 1904 as an Assistant Commissioner. His unswerving integrity of character and sympathetic imagination helped him to become a very successful executive officer.

In 1914 Mr. T. Thumboo Chetty joined the Palace Administration, he attracted the attention of His Highness Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar who in November 1914, appointed him as the Assistant secretary on his personal staff.

T. Thumboo Chetty in 1922 occupied the high office of Huzur Secretary to His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore Krishnarajendra Wadiar. Mr. Mirza Ismail B.A., Huzur Secretary to His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore handed over to Mr. T. Thumboo Chetty B.A., the charges of the office of the Huzur Secretary to His Highness in the forenoon of the 22nd March 1922. The mantle of this high office fell on the shoulders of Mr. Thumboo Chetty after the latter's appointment as Private Secretary. 

Mr. Thumboo Chetty was also given the status of member of the Executive Council in 1929.

Mr Thumboo Chetty introduced many reforms as the head of the Palace administration. His Highness Sri Krishnarajendra Wadiar held Mr. T. Thumboo Chetty in very high esteem and placed implicit confidence in his wisdom and act. He, therefore, entrusted to him the entire responsibility of educating and training Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiar as the future ruler of Mysore. 

Dassara of Mysore.This is most likely Sir. T. Thumboo Chetty standing far right. We see the Maharaja of Mysore Krishnarajendra Wadiar and Prince Jayachamarajendra Wadiar on the Howdah of the elephant. Source : Postcard Published in (1938?)

Both the Maharajas bestowed on him a much coveted honour and public felicitations on those occasions indicates the high regard and esteem in which he is held by the people of the State. 

The Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiar appointed Mr. T. Thumboo Chetty as his Private Secretary on the 21st March, 1942.

His Highness Jayachamarajendra Wadiar, at the birthday Durbar of 1942, bestowed upon him one of the Highest title of Amatya Siromani. 

Mr T. Thumboo Chetty was the most trusted adviser to is His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore. Mr T. Thumboo Chetty was always consulted before every decision on important problems of the State and in undertaking large schemes and beneficial works. His advice was impartial, discerning and constructive.

The Last ruling Maharaja of Mysore H. H. Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar (1919-1974)* First public appearance of H. H. after coronation.Reign 1940–1950* Sir T. Thumboo Chetty could be seen standing 2nd from right.Mr T. Thumboo Chetty later became the Private Secretary to His Highness Jayachamarajendra Wadiar from the year 1942 to 1949.

Few men have served Mysore and the Ruling family with a more single-minded and clear-headed devotion than Mr T. Thumboo Chetty. H. H. Jayachamaraja Wodeyar while speaking about Mr. T. Thumboo Chetty said : " He discharged that onerous duty with conspicuous ability".

Though all these busy years of unceasing official life, Mr. T. Thumboo Chetty has remained a deeply religious and pious member of the Catholic Church. It will be seen how Mr. T. Thumboo Chetty has linked the devotion to the Saint and how anxious he is that the great influence of St. Philomena should guide and protect his daughter.

Sir T. Thumboo Chetty retired in 1949 after serving the Mysore Princely State for over 45 years.

Continued...: Saint Philomena Church 

https://sites.google.com/site/thumboochetty/saint-philomena-church 

Life of St. Philomena, etc. (Second edition, revised and enlarged.). Sir T. Thumboo Chetty, 1931.Source :https://www.bl.uk/ 

Titles and Honours 

Mr. T. Thumboo Chetty received the Following Titles and Honours :-

Palace Title :-

 T. Thumboo Chetty was conferred titles of Raja sabha bhushana and Amatya Siromany by H. H. the Maharaja of Mysore in 1928 and 1942 respectively.

- Gandabherunda Title conferred by His Highness the Maharaja Krishnarajendra Wadiar.

- Raja sabha bhushana, 1928,  conferred by His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore Krishnarajendra Wadiar. 

- Amatya Siromani,  1942, conferred by His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore Jayachamarajendra Wadiar.

*Composer Lakkana Dandesha known as Amatya Shiromani lived (144-1430) Prime Minister of Praudha Devaraya of the Vijayanagara Kingdom.

British Empire :-

- Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.). 1935

St. James's Palace, S.W.I, 3rd June, 1935. 

The KING has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of His Majesty's Birthday, and in commemoration of the completion of the twenty-fifth year of His Majesty's Reign, to give orders for the following promotions in, and .appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire :- 

To be Additional Officers of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order:— 

Trichinopoly Thumboo Chetty, Esq., Huzur Secretary to His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore.

Source : https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34166/supplement/3612/data.pdf

- Honour of Knighthood (Kt.). 1946

Whitehall, April 5, 1946. 

Under authority of a Royal Warrant, the Viceroy of India has conferred the honour of Knighthood upon the following gentlemen: — 

At the Viceroy's House, New Delhi, on the 9th March, 1946. 

Amatyasiromani Trichinopoly Thumboo Chetty, O.B.E., Private Secretary to His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore.

Source : https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37524/page/1744/data.pdf

Pontifical Orders of Knighthood :-

The Pontifical Orders represent one of the highest and most prestigious distinctions which the Pope, who is not only Supreme Pontiff and Head of the Roman Catholic Church, but as ‘Sovereign Prince’ (Fons Honorum) of the Vatican City State can bestow on an individual.  Such awards are made to lay individuals, both male and female, largely of the Roman Catholic faith but also to those of other Christian denominations and indeed, other faiths also.  Such awards are granted in recognition of an individual’s pre-eminent service to their faith, community, or the work of the Holy See on a local, national and international level. Source : http://www.papalknights.org.uk/

- Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great (K.S.G.). 1938

- Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great  (K.C.S.G.). 1940