Very interesting part of the past Mr,SPS. I am reminded more of Thippu.
Thippu was also a member of an academy in France. Though he was not a literate, he used to take help for learn about French state administration and libertarian politics. He established district administration in modern times and not the British, as we are lead to believe.
He abolished the ban on low cast women wearing upper garment ( like Ravikkai or choli ). Curiously this social ban continued in Tamilnadu till middle of last century.