 In 1924, Maharajah Moolam Thirunal died and his grand nephew and the heir to the throne, Sree Chithira Thirunal, was just 12 years old then.A regency became necessary, since the Maharajah was still a minor.Since Travancore royal family followed the matrilineal system, Sethu Lakshmi Bayi was the head of the family.