Samuel Mateer's Libraries and the Weaving of Intellectual Life in Colonial Travancore.

  • Unique Paper ID: 176315
  • PageNo: 7224-7237
  • Abstract:
  • Samuel Mateer emerged as a pivotal figure in the transformation of intellectual life in 19th-century Travancore through the establishment of reading rooms and libraries. Amidst a rigid caste hierarchy and traditional societal structures, Mateer recognized the essential role of accessible knowledge in fostering social progress. His initiatives were not merely about providing books; they served as vital platforms for education, community engagement, and social reform. By promoting literacy and critical thinking, Mateer challenged prevailing norms and encouraged empowerment among marginalized communities. Moreover, his multilingual reading rooms became hubs for diverse audiences, fostering inclusivity and dialogue among different social groups. Ultimately, Mateer's legacy endures as a testament to the power of knowledge in driving societal change and promoting human dignity in Colonial India.

Copyright & License

Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

BibTeX

@article{176315,
        author = {Dr. Sukesh Kumaradas and Dr. Abdul Kareem T B},
        title = {Samuel Mateer's Libraries and the Weaving of Intellectual Life in Colonial Travancore.},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {11},
        number = {11},
        pages = {7224-7237},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=176315},
        abstract = {Samuel Mateer emerged as a pivotal figure in the transformation of intellectual life in 19th-century Travancore through the establishment of reading rooms and libraries. Amidst a rigid caste hierarchy and traditional societal structures, Mateer recognized the essential role of accessible knowledge in fostering social progress. His initiatives were not merely about providing books; they served as vital platforms for education, community engagement, and social reform. By promoting literacy and critical thinking, Mateer challenged prevailing norms and encouraged empowerment among marginalized communities. Moreover, his multilingual reading rooms became hubs for diverse audiences, fostering inclusivity and dialogue among different social groups. Ultimately, Mateer's legacy endures as a testament to the power of knowledge in driving societal change and promoting human dignity in Colonial India.},
        keywords = {Samuel Mateer, Reading room, missionaries, low caste education},
        month = {April},
        }

Cite This Article

Kumaradas, D. S., & B, D. A. K. T. (2025). Samuel Mateer's Libraries and the Weaving of Intellectual Life in Colonial Travancore.. International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology (IJIRT), 11(11), 7224–7237.

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