Dr. Peter N Lakshmanan, B.A, M.B & C.M, [Madras] M.R.C.S, M.R.C.P, D.Ph,[London], Physician to His Highness the Maha Raja of Travancore&Durbar Physician , Travancore State.

Introduction::   Dr. Peter N.Lakshmanan, B.A, M.B&C.M., M.R.C.S, M.RC.P.,.D.Ph,[London], was definitely one of the highly educated Medical Doctors in the entire world. He was one the tallest intellectuals and medicos of his time but his profile  was not properly recorded by the Historians and so his general profile is not easily available today. But  I am really glad to bring out the name and fame of  Dr. Peter N Lakshmanan to the knowledge of contemporary medicos, readers , historians and public. Definitely he was one of the tallest and brightest milestones  of  medical, educational and social road of India.[ Dr. Peter N. Lakshmanan's Educational Qualification reference:  Directory, Government of Travancore, 1915 ].

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Peter N Lakshmanan and his Childhood : Historians have done injustice to  Dr. Peter N Lakshmanan by not  writing a historical profile about him , It is said that Dr Peter N Lakshmanan was born in a poor family . His parents were connected with Mr.Peter's family of Nagercoil [ Mr. Peter was Mr. Daniel Paramanandam's Son-in-Law] of Nagercoil. And  Dr. Peter N Lakshmanan's  parents were helped by Mr. Peter's family in many ways with great compassion and so Peter N Lakshmanan's parents christened their son as Peter N Lakshmanan. The biography  and origin of Dr. Peter N. Lakshmanan was kept in darkness for  some known and unknown reasons.

Peter N Lakshmanan's Education: Peter N Lakshmanan was a very brilliant student and so after his BA he did his M.B &C.M,  medical degree course in a Medical College, in Madras, and  went to England  to pursue his higher education in Medicine  and  he passed  the prestigious M.R.C.S and M.R.C.P medical courses in London Then he did his prestigious D.Ph [London]and successfully came out  with flying colors. We can proudly say that he was one of the highly educated Medical Doctors of his time in the whole of India and world. 

Dr. Peter N Lakshman joined the Medical Service , Govt of Travancore State;  During the last decades of the 19th century and first quarter of 20th century ,  some highly educated men from Nagercoil were occupying very high positions in the then Government of Travancore State. To cite some example we can say, Rev.C. Masillamani's son [and Daniel Paramanandam's grandson] Mr. C. M Agur , B,A was working as Manager, British Resident's Office , Trivandrum  and CM Agur's illustrious younger brother  Mr. Ezra Masillamani, B.A, B.A[ London] was working as the Chief State Geologist , for Southern Region , Travancore State. and Mr. Gnana Joshua , B.A, a relative of C.M.Agur was working as a Secretary to the Government of Travancore .In this context Dr. Peter N Lakshmanan joined the Medical Service in the Government of Travancore in a senior grade .

Dr. Peter N Lakshmanan , M.R.C.S, M.R.C.P. D.Ph,[ LONDON}  also served as Chemical Examiner to Government of Travancore along with his other regular duties '

Dr. Peter N Lakshmanan and the Maharaja of Travancore :  Dr. Peter N lakshmanan, had the rare privilege to serve as  Physician to his Highness the Maharaja of Travancore, Sri. Rama Rarma .[ Ref. Directory , Government Of Travancore , 1915]

Dr Peter N lakshmanan served as the Durbar Physician : Dr. Peter N Lakshmanan,B.A, M.B&C.M, M.R.C.S, M.R.C.P, D,Ph[London]  served as the Durbar Physician of the Travancore State Government . Durbar Physician was the Head of the Medical Department of the Government of the Travancore State . During those days , Dr Peter N Lakshmanan was getting a monthly salary of Rs1200 /= while  all the other Surgeons and Physicians working the Medical Department were getting a maximum   monthly salary of  Rs 450 /= only. His Highness The Maha Raja and his Government recognized the enviable medical education and efficacy of Dr. N. Peter Lakshmanan .

Conclusion : The Medical Degrees that succeeded Dr. Peter N Lakshmanan's name  speak for his great medical erudition, and intellectual and educational accomplishments . Definitely Dr Peter N Lakshmanan was a Man of Letters. Due to some reason he resigned his post and left Travancore State Government . The later period of  his life, biography, accomplishment and end  are neither very clear and nor  traceable. It is said some of his children and their descendants  were living  in Jabalpur .Definitely Indian medical , social and educational history of India would/will be incomplete without having some chapters about Dr. Peter N Lakshmanan, the Durbar Physician of Travancore State.. Even though I am unable to give some more personal details about Dr.Peter N Lakshmanan  I am really glad for having unearthed and   brought out some portions and pages of the illustrious and untold history of Dr. Peter  N. Lakshmanan.

By. P. BABU MANOHARAN, M.A,[ Rights are reserved.  This Article will be enlarged with more information and corrected, if needed, later].