Pudukottai - History

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Pudukottai - History

The history of Pudukkottai is an epitome of the history of South India. There are, in and around Pudukkottai, many vestiges of the oldest human habitation (megalithic), some of the oldest lithic records known in the south and towns and villages mentioned in ancient Tamil literature. The Pandya-s, the Chozha-s, the Pallava-s, the Hoysala-s, the Vijayanagara kings and the Madurai Nayak-s ruled over the State, fostered its communal organizations, trade and industries and embellished it with temples and monuments of outstanding merit.

When South India felt the impact of the Muslim onslaught, this area was not spared. When Nayak rule at Madurai tottered, the Poligar-s (Palaya-karar-s) plundered and ravaged the country for more than a century until the Tondaiman-s subdued them and carved out the former state of Pudukkottai. The princely state of Pudukkottai, which was under the Tondaiman-s, merged in the Indian Union on March 3, 1948. The Pudukkottai district was formed on January 14th, 1974, being separated from Tiruchirappalli District.

Capital of the only princely state of Tamilnadu during the British time (1686 to 1948) and presently district headquarters. One of the planned towns of India. Home of one among the earliest cave temples (about 1300 years old) with a continuous traditions till date. A notable centre for arts and temple architecture during the period of royalty. The Government Museum, the palace and impressive public buildings are a few other attractions.

Pudukkottai town was originally surrounded by an impenetrable jungle that formed a natural defence. Parts of this old wood are still to be seen in what are called the Kasba east 'forests'. In former times the approaches to the town were through these jungles along three roads on the north, south and west. On these roads stood gateways called vadi-s in Tamil. Each of these was under the charge of a commander with a detachment. These outposts are still commemorated by the place-names Machuvadi, Kummandanvadi and Puliyavadi. The town is skirted on the west, along the area known as Thirugokarnam, by low rocks that supply granite.

Early History

Of the founding and early history of the town, there is very little hard evidence. 'Pre-historic' burial sites in Sadaiyap-parai , west of Thirugokarnam and on either sides of Thirukkattalai ‘cart-track’ indicate that this region of the town, as other parts of this tract, was the home of early men. When and how such a megalithic settlement crystallized into a populous town (mangalam or nagaram) is not quite clear.

According to ‘A Manual of the Pudukkottai State (1944)’, the megalithic settlements may have grown into a populous town of Kalasa-mangalam, which became an important settlement of the Chettiyar-s and Karala-Vellalar communities. The mercantile part of this town grew into a nagaram, called Senikula-manikka-puram with a merchant-guild. With the accession to power of the Pallava-rayar-s of Vaiththur, Kalasa-mangalam became the capital of a Palayam. To the west of Kalasa-mangalam, was Singa-mangalam. Parts of these two mangalam-s became the eastern and western halves of the modern Pudukkottai town. Near them grew up another nagaram, Desabala-manikka-puram by name.

Medieval History

How these towns mangalam-s and nagaram-s were transformed into Pudukkottai town is not clear nor is it known when exactly the kottai after which Pudukkottai takes its name, was built. The earliest mention of the name of Pudukkottai occurs in an inscription on the basement of the Santha-natha Swami temple in the town. The inscription is dated to the regime of the Chozha king, Kulottunga III and can be ascribed to the 13th century. The name 'Pudukkottai' occurs in a 14th century inscription in the temple at Thiruvarangulam, a short distance from the town.

Again in the famous temple of Gokarnesvara in Thirugokarnam, a suburb of the town, two inscriptions, one belonging to the 14th century and the other to the 15th century, refer to the name of the town as Pudukkottai. It has been inferred that Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman, who built the town in 1686, must have also fortified parts of it within about ten years of his reign. It is probable that the fortification was destroyed between 1732 and 1734 by Chanda-sahib or Ananda Rao or both during their invasions of the town. This cannot, however, be maintained categorically.

It is believed that Chanda-sahib destroyed the Tondaiman's palace that is said to have stood at the northern end of the town. After its demolition, a new palace was built at Siva-gnana-puram, south-east of the town, which the then Raja used as a palace and a hermitage and where, it is believed, the 18th century sage and composer Sadhasiva-brahmendra came to initiate him.

Pudukottai - History

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