Thachil Matthoo Tharakan

Thachil Mar Matthoo Tharakan (1741–1814) was a Saint Thomas Christian merchant, social leader and minister who played a key role in Kerala, especially in its Travancore and Cochin regions, in India towards the latter part of the 18th century and early 19th century. He relentlessly worked to bring about a reunification in his community which was divided into Catholic (Pazhayakūr) and Jacobite (Puthenkūr) after the Coonan Cross Oath of 1653. He organized his community against the colonialist attempts of Portuguese and played a prominent role in the assembly of Catholic Saint Thomas Christians at Angamāly that paved the way for the establishment of independent Syro-Malabar hierarchy. Nonetheless, he also engaged in corruption across Travancore and became lifelong enemies with Velu Thampi.