Professional Documents
Culture Documents
swarnakathirasa, hills, which is one hundred and fifty meters above sea level.3
Tirunelveli, Sixty Kms North West of Thoothukudi and forty Kms. East of
Sankarankovil. Kovilpatti is also linked with broad gage railway line between
Madurai and Tirunelveli4 and now it is the second biggest town and commercial
Southeren bank of river vaippar and also on the northern bank of river kayatharu
1 th
G.O.M.S.No.1314. Revenue dated 27 Septemper 1986.
2
Pharoah and Co, A Gazetteer of South India, London, 1885, P.280.
3
Book For General Information to public on Town Panchayatsd, Thoothukudi, 1988, P.1.
4
Sundararajans.S Nooru Andukalukkumun Tirunelveli Mavattam (Tamil) Madras. 1985. P.70.
5
Perumal K.V. Porunaivalam. Chennai, 1977. P.48.
1
Area of Kovilpatti:
According to the settlement of the revenue Accounts, the lands are mostly
divided in to four broad divisions. They are Occupied, Unoccupied, inam and
porambokkulands. In the first two divisions wet and dry lands are included. The
occupied land division is of 92626.5 Acres. In its wet lands are of 152,250
acres, while dry lands are of 774.015 acres. The unoccupied land division is of
0.9 acres of wet land and 0.39 acres of dry land. The inam and porambokku land
covers 3,10,54.5 acres. Thus totally Kovilpatti has 1237.20.0 acres of land6.
Name of Kovilpatti:
Kovilpatti reputed for its hosiness and fertility of the soil has a glorious
history in the past and present. The name Kovilpatti conveys, it self the meaning
of holiness. The term Kovil is a respectable Tamil word while patti denotes the
village. Which is also considered as the abode of Lord siva. Hence the place
the town kovilpatti is called by various names Kovilpuri and Kovil village.7
6
A Register Number 18, Kovilpatti village, Kovilpatti Taluk, Thoothukudi District.
7
A.R.E., 1940-1941, No.297.
2
Enchanting Nature:
feature is the pict uresque range of swarna Kathiresa hills on the South east side
of kovilpatti. It is widely spread over more than five miles in Kovilpatti. The
range is an inspiring nature’s creation. Climbing on the hills and looking back
on the southernside one can see the gift of nature encircling Kovilpatti.
The sheer beauty of this hills denseforest, fertile green lands, vast plain,
sprawling paddy fields, banana plantations and etc have all blessed the people
of kovilpatti for ages. A sulparious climate in another priceless gift of the nature
of this place. The climate is both likable and equable. The nature bestowed the
region with the river north as vaippar south as uppodai alias kayatharu flows
and provide fair irrigation. This region is mostly irrigated by the tanks and
wells.
The Chief crops of this region are cotton, Cholam, Cumbu, Chillies
Gingely, oil seeds, Rice and Ragi .8 The period from September to December is
the northeast monsoon greatly infiuence the climate of the region and also due
lower invelocity than those in the western side of the ghats. From the north east
The town is very airy between the months of June and August because of a pass
8
Statistical Report of Kovilpatti taluk for the year 1989 – 1990.
3
in the Western Ghats. There are six major and twenty one minor tanks in
kovilpatti region fed by the rain water or less supplied from river channels are
from March to May. It contains soil both of the red and black sorts. Kovilpatti
becautyand Econamic value. It seems to be the home of the palm trees and the
important medicinal plants. The hills which are found extensively are covered
with dense forests. The forests provide a variety of plants and trees. Some
important trees are palmyras and Tamarinds. The black cotton soil which
considered the best suitable soil for cotton cultivation spread over Kovilpatti
other parts of peninsular India. The wild life though restricted to the South
western ghates. Hill myna the Nilgiri Whistling thrush, Fairly Bluebird, Palleas
most houses. Bulls and buffalos are used for ploughing. The important
mammals of the kovilpatti region are the Indian fox, Jackal, the serbillrat and
9
Report from the Excutive Engineer water resources organization, P.W.D. Korampallam Division, Thoothkudi.
10
Potential linked credit plan for children barenar district, Tamil Nadu, 1996 – 1997.
4
The physical feature of the land helpsin establishing the character of this
land as the region of scenic beauty with the plenty of resource in water and soil.
Settlement at Kovilpatti
In Kovilpattyi the early people had settled due to the Vaippar River. The
water facility has been the basic amenity of the people of the pastand present.
Beyond doubt the people who settled in Kovilpatti never had faced any acute
water problem. But the course of the river sometimes created thorny issues
among the people due to over flowing, particularly during the monsoons.
Historical region
The Kovilpatti region or the lower valley of vaipar river sustained and
nurtured an ancient civilization for more centuries than man can remember. The
and West Nalunthula and Kayathar speak the historical antiquity and soil
11
Mainmegali pirasuram, Chidambaranar Mavattam,Chennai, 1986. P.41.
12
Ibid, p.47.
5
Archaeology and museums and the Archaeological survey of India conducted
an elaborate Survey in this region. In their half way excautions it self they
unearthened many ancient things at kayathar. They asserted that there might
have Dravidian settiement in this region. They found out burialurns, huge
mud pots, half feet size ivory made fluts two copper bangles. Human skull and
bones from this discovery itself we conclude that in the pre historical period.
Society;
The society of kovilpatti was divided into tribes during the early sangam
period. These tribes in the course of time were dominated by the Aryans. The
14
The people who settled at kovilpatti are Dravidian stock. But they
divide among themselves, in the caste issue which is prevailing in the entire
TamilNadu. The remarkable castes of people who living in Kovilpatti are the
Brahmins the vellalars, the Nadars, the Maravas the Naidus, the yadavas, the
Kammalas, the pallas, the parayas, the chakkiliyas and the Muslims. The other
caste people not mentioned here are living in a limited number. The above
mentioned first six castes of people are the major commending sections of the
6
leading to more subcastes. Most of the above castes of people are Hindus by
tradition due to the spread of Islam and Christianity, most of the oppressed
Muslims Christianity never has given up it caste identity. But the Muslim
converters gave up their caste identity to a notable level and untied as Muslims
by spirit Christians are living in significant majority (7.30%) and they have
Economy
Right through the ages kovilpatti has been based on agrarian economy.
They are hardworking and they have a good knowledge of local conditions or
rain, seasons manuring and rotation of crops. The fertility of the soil and
cotton, ground nut, cholam, cumbu, Ragi, Sunflower, Gingely, Tamarind, and
palmyra are Some of the agricultural produce. Merchants purchased the local
goods available and it was also easy for them to trans Port the commercial
articles from place to place, thanks to the major Port like Thoothukudi and
surface transport system. Trade and commerce and development of small scale
15
Census of India, Reports. 1961 Tirunelveli Districty 1962.
7
Education:
education, widely different from the traditional system marked the beginning of
individuals, Father Johnde Britto and Father Constantine Joseph Beskhis were
was introduced in the year 1945. After wards there was a steady progress in the
field of education.
Religion:
During the sangam period they worshipped the forces of nature. The arrival of
the Aryans marked far reaching changes in their religious outlook. The Hindus
were divided in to various sects and subsects. A though these sects and subsects
exist even in the kovilpatti of today, the bounderies that mark them are not so
rigid always.
16
Census of India Reports, 1961, Tirunelveli District, Madras 1962.
8
Islam:
Islam was another notable religion of this region from seventh century
A.D. onwards. Muslims came to this region as traders and they made
settlements all over the kovilpatti region. The important centres of their
settlement are Kayathar, Kalugumalai, Ettayapuram and so, on. Today muslims
are found in large numbers in this region, these people have been strongly
Christianity:
The next notable religion of this region was Christianity one important
reason for the fast growth of this religion especially during the Bristish rule was
the reaction of the low caste Hindus to the casteism that prevailed than. These
people chose the softer option by joining the fold of Christianity which was the
religion of their political allies. The Christian mission which came to the
kovilpatti region in 1791 converted the poor Hindu nadars to the protestant
the Bristish rule, the element of casteism continued to remain among them.
Roman catholic religion. It spread into the hinter land of thoothukudi district in
the 17th century. In 1600, forty five persons including kamanayakkar in land
places were baptized. After some years kamanayakkar met Johnde Britto the
17
Velmeni,K.S.K., (ed) Gazetteers of India, Tamil Nadu state, Thoothukudi District, Vol-1, 2007.P.290.
9
founder of Madura mission and asked him to baptize some of his relatives. Then
with the help of de Britto he had invited some nadars and vellalas to live in the
,1708,1727,1732, and 1756 mosty Nadars and vellalars were converted. In 1711
November 189419.
Jainism was the other notable religion which was once active in this area.
North pulankulam and Melanalanthula in the kovilpatti region. The irony is that
at present in this region have partically no flowers in this region but monuments
alone exist20.
Ruling dynasties:
18
Latter of priest Lovis Demellin 1688 to be Jersvit Head Gonaluus.
19
Selvaraj.R. Religious conversion of the oppressed communities in Tirunelveli Districts from 1800-1900.
Unpublished M.Phil dissertation 1994 Madurai Kamaraj University Madurai P.35.
20
Field study 20th April 2013.
10
Kovilpatti region was rulers by many dynasties. The rules of sangam
pandyas, kalabhras and medival pandyas were the earliest ones to hold the rule
of this region.
The pandyas ruled the land from 300 B.C to 250 A.D. After the eclipse of
the sangam age the alien rule of the kalabhras was extended over the pandya
century21. During the sangam period Kovilpatti was served as the part of the
vempakottai situated near the virthunagar. The kalabhras Interregnum lasted for
nearly 300 years ending with the sixth century. A.D.22Pandya kadungon (575 –
600 A.D) defeated the kalabhras towards the end of the sixth century23. He laid
his seat at Madurai and had his swayover Tirunelveli region including
He vacated the kalabhras from the Jungle of Asurnattu Kayathar then he created
the first pandya empire period kovilpatti was served as the part of Asur Nadu
division. The prominent kings of pandyas who carved their names in the pages
of history are kadungon, Maravarman Avani sulamani (600 – 620 A.D), Seliyan
sendan (620 -640 A.D) Maravarman Arikesari (642 -700 A.D), Maravarman
21
Rajayyan.K. A History of British Diplomacyl in Tanjore Mysore 1969, P.10.
22
Nilakanda sastri, K.A., A History of South India, Madras 1976. P.45.
23
Kandasamy.V., Madurai Varalarum panpadum (Tamil) Madurai 1981., pp.46.
24
Nilakandasastri K.A., The pandyan Kingdom, London, 1929, pp.45 – 50. Velvikudi copperplates lines 39 – 46.
25
Thalavaipuram copper plates.
11
Rajasimha (730 -760 A.D) Varaguna II (862 – 885 A.D) Rajasimha II
kovilpatti. The eminent kings among the chola rulers were parantaka I Raja
Raja chola and Rajendra Chola. During the reign of Rajendra chola (1012 –
1044 A.D) a representative was appointed to look after Madurai and Tirunelveli
region in the name of the chola pandya and Jatavarman sundara chola son of
Rajendra chola I become the first chola pandya. The post of viceroy was
abolished due to the uprising of pandya king during the period of kulothunga I
(1071 – 1129 A.D). After the decline of chola power kovilpatti including
pandya country fell in to the possession of later pandyas who were the ancestors
of medival pandyas.
Invasions:
Kovilpatti region through the ages faced many invasions like the
The invaders were mostly attracted by the economic prosperity of the region.
Amidst the regular invasions the rulers of pandya country established a stable
monarchial form of government from sangam period 550 A.D – 950 A.D than
1146 A.D to the mid sixteenth century. This region was entrusted to British in
26
Hussaini.S.A.Q., The History of pandya country, Kararikudi 1962, pp 36 – 45.
12
1801 by the Arcot Nawab. In 1901 Kovilpatti became one of the village of
sattur taluk. In 1901 British made kovilpatti as the head Quarters of the Revenue
Division office of kovilpatti taluk. On first April 1959 Kovilpatti became one of
the newly created Division of Tirunelveli District. Upto 1964 Kovilpatti was
28.06.1983.
Adjoining places;
and so on are the important adjoining towns and villages. Kayathar lies twenty
locally called pankottai medu. Black and redware, medival stoneage pottery,
roof tiles and burial urn edges are found on the surface Justifying its habitation
status some two thousand years ago27. The local refer to the existence on this
the local people as one of the panchapandya References to the existence and
27
Senthil Selvakumarn, Heritage of chidambaranar District Tirunelveli, 1994. P.14.
13
subjucation of panchapandyas in the reign of Rajadhiraja I and kulotunga I are
in plenty. Col. Machenzies notes on the plaayapattu refer to many batties that
headquarters of five pandyas of the panchapandyas one must have had his citade
here28.
official on his way to Quilon. This stene was erected by his colleagues. It is
dated in the 19th century. Virapandyakattabomman who rose against the Bristish
rule was hanged here in 179929. Astatue of kattabomman has been erected
recently at the place where he was hanged. The building in which kattabomman
circular roof top. The place has one Siva temple relating to 16 th Century style. A
portriat figure in the Gopura represents a Nayak king, pointing perhabes to its
authorship. To the west of the village run supper river, on its banks lies the koth
and arameswara temple30. Tradition has it that Rama in his search of the goldan
deer took rest at kayathar for a while. He bathed in the Kayathar River and
tasted its salty water. To get pure drinking water he pierced the ground wioth
his arrow and outspouted the Ganga on wrock is engraved a mens feet and is
locally called Ramas feet. It has two records of sundara pandya each dated
28
Tholpourui Tholli Nukbapaniyelar Kalagam (pub) Chidambaranar Mavattam (Tamil)Madurai 1986.
29
Rajjayyan.K Rise and fall of the poligars of TamilNadu, Madras, 1974, p.99.
30
Ganapathy.S.M., op.cit, pp.236 -237.
14
1535 and 15536 A.D. This king must have been one of the later pandyas who
ruled Tirunelveli. Astone bridge is built acroess the uppar river presentiy in a
In recent time copper age period (5000 B.C – 4000 B.C) burial urns were
people.
Asur Thalavaipuram:
excavated in the field at Thalavaipuram. This copper plate was issued by the
pandy king paranaka viranarayena (886 – 905 A.D) in 905 A.D. This inscription
31
Thalavaipuram copper plate Lines 66 – 238.
15
Asur:
Quarters of Asur Valanadu during the early Pandya period chola period and
second pandya period (1190 – 1310 A.D) and Later pandya period (1371A.D –
Kadumbur:
men. From 180332 A.D to 1947 it was served as one the zamindari of Tamil
the Kondaiyan kottai section of the marava caste. His estate which was
permanently settled under an istimrar sanad dated 22 nd April 1803 is a small one
comprising thirteen villages with a total area of twenty eight squere miles33.
32 th
Lord Vlive in council 9 May 1803 Revenue Despatches to England Vol.7 pp. 528 -548.
33
Pate H.R., Tirunelveli District Gazetteers, Madras, 1917 p. 381.
16
Ottapidaram:
headquarters of he old ottapidaram taluk abolished in 1911 and it has Just been
and one to vishnu and a few houses of sudras. In 1986 Ottapidaram became
separate taluk and bifuricated from Kovilpatti taluk. The most dearly prized
cholera from the village is not toriously great. Just to the north of the village in
the midst of the paddy fields is an enclosure containing the tombs of four
officers and a gunner who fell in the assault made on panjalamkurchi on the
fifth September 1799. Two thousand years old, prehistoric buriallerns were
excavated here, Ottapidaram is also the birth place of veteran freedom fighter
V.O.Chidambaram pillai. Two temples dedicated to siva and Vishnu adorn this
village34.
34
H.R.Pate. op.cit., p.387.
17
Panchalamkurichi:
towards the end of 18th century. It was the strong hold of the famous line of
Nayak. The earliest poligar of historical times succeeded in 1709 and it was
against him that the first of a long series of expeditions was directed in 1755.
The leader was colonel Heron the first British commendant to enter Tirunelveli,
It was however a halfhearted affair and the troops never reached the place. As
the party approached Kattabomman Nayak sent out a part of his tribute, the
enforcement of which was the object of the campaign and the troops were
withdrawan.
immediately up in arms and refused to pay their dues, fore most among them
being the Kattabomman Nayak of the day who had succeeded in 1760. In 1767
major Flint marched with a strong force against the place. An assult was made
but was unsuccessful. Having lost several men including eight Europeans killed.
In 1781 the British acquired from the Nawab of Arcot the right to collect the
18
taxes of the region. Panchalamkurichi was than maintaining its independent
status as the British were yet to turn their attention towards the place.
being led by colonel Fullarton. The assult was a failure and the stroming party
had to retire with considerable loss. On this occasion again the poligars men
who had also suffered heaveily. In 1786 colonel Fullarton was sent with a force
Fullarton with due respect. The fort was attacked by the British and razed to the
ground. Kattaboman III however escaped took refuge in Sivagiri. Some times
between 1785 and 1790 the Nawab took over the power of tax collection. As a
result the Palayapattus became powerful. After 1790 the right of collecting taxes
were again given to the British. In the mean while Kattabomman III passed
Umaithurai and Sivathaiya escaped from the palayamkottai Jail defying the
British injunction raised the razed panchalamkurichi fort within a fortnight. The
unsuccessful attempt made on March 31, by Major colin Macaulay to storm the
fort and its final capture and reduction on May 23, 1801 by colonel Agnew. The
19
ruined palace of panchalamkurichi have been exposed by excavation and is
Archalogy35.
Kalugumalai:
the main road to sankarankioil, The ancient name of the mountain is Araimalai.
In the period of Nintraseir Nedumaran, The Jains were impgabed and hence the
place was called kalugumalai which later on changed into kalugumalai. This
place is called as Thirunechchuram and the hill where Jain palli is situated is
anabode of Jain monk but the natural caverns and beds have been converted
kalugumalai during the early christian era are not known sofar.
A.D. when jainism was at its zenith at kalugumalai. On the rock of this
rows. Almost all are in same size except one or two. In the first row twenty five
figures, in the second row eighteen and in the third row also eighteen figures are
carved. Besides these special importance is given to the figures like Araimalai
35
Senthil Selvakumaran of cit, ., p. 387.
20
Alwar, Adhinathar, Neminathar, Mahavirar, Parsvanathar, Padmavatai yakshi
and Ambikayakshi and they are well chislled with usual para pernalia. Some
more Thirthankara figures also are found carved scatterd by the Jain followers
who visited this palli. More than hundred inscriptions are engraved here all of
them are in vatteluthu dated back to ninth century A.D.36 From these
of Jainism. Number of Jaina teachers and students stayed here and Jaina
philosophy was taught in this palli. Landswere donated for their feeding during
the reign of Maranjadaiyan.37 Ladies also attended this school as teachers and
students. They were named as kurathi and Manakki respectively. Lands and
cattle were donated for the up keep of this palli and this was protected by
seperate security forces, they were called as Thirumalai virar and parantaka
virar. They might have been appointed by the king. Thus a greatest palli of this
kalugumalai existed atleast two hundred years continuously. Like other Jain
The place bears witness to excavated monolithic temple, rock cut temple
and structural temple. The rock was excavated to form a central shrine, Lord
image bears only six hands, a rare feature. Besides this rock temple a structural
Temple for siva has been erected in the same complex. On grounds of style and
36
S.I.I. Vol.-V, Nos. 307 – 406.
37
S.I.I. Vol. – V. Nos.405 and 406.
21
palaeography of inscription this temple may be assigned to the 13 th century. The
place is deservedly famous for its rock cut temple on the hillock called
image. The vimanna is in the octagonal shape and belongs to Dravida class
which is decorated with fish and floral motifs alternating. A beautiful kudu
the eastern side siva is with his Consort parvathi, on the southern siva as
Narasimhar and on the north Brahma. It is interesting to note on the four corners
of the vimana carved with Nondi. Yali frieze Kapotham the Gadharva frieze,
pointer to the scuiptors talent. They express different sentiments, like happiness,
valour, piety, anger etc, in their true colour. Figures of dancing damseis
captivate the connoisseur. Probably it might have been the hand work in the
Ilavelangai:
22
bears testimony to the worship of hero stones in the pandimandala during the
16th Century. On a private land ten hero stones are found in memory of heroes
who laid down their lives in a war on the side of Tirunelveli perumal
vettumperumal Raja40.
The heroes are portrayed with bow, sword, shields and fighting against.
Soliders on horseback. By the side of the stain hero two women are portrayed in
the pose of garlanding the departed hero. In one instance, is portrayed a warring
hero and on other one stones bear inscriptions which are now highly mutilated.
They refer to the battles between Vengalaraja and vettum perumal. Soldiers
alias vettum perumal and killed many cavalry men. The inscriptions disclose a
record of the deeds that took place in saka 1469 (A.D 1547) The place where
the hero stones are located must have been the battle field.
Temple. The Tiruthankaras are sculptured in Ardha paryanka sona post flanked
on either side by chauri bearers and wafting the fly whisko. In the Karuppasamy
Temple are several black stones in the shape of ilngas and they bear inscriptions
too.
40
Ibid., p. 127.
23
Kamanayakkanpatti:
church was initially built by st.Johm Brito about 400 years back. And after that
it had crossed several stages of renovations and finally it has transformed into a
beautiful chapael as today. The Rev Father content Joseph Beschi known as
rever entially veeramamunivar served as priest in this paris. There are two big
teek wooden cars in the church were built by him. This church is one of the
Ettayapuram:
the present Ettayapuram Zamin dates back to the first half of sixteenth Century.
With the defeat of then Vijayanagar king Ramadeva Raja at the hands of
king gave the latter some villages and also the task of eradicating the kallar
menance. The event took place sometime between 1423 and 1443. The 20 th
41
Senthil Selvakumaran M. cp.clit., p.11.
24
Zamindar Jagavira Ramacumara Ettappa Nayakar shifted his headquarters to
Ettayapuram.
memory of his ancestor Ettappan42. During the time of Tirumalai Nayak some
poligars rose in revolt against king and it was ascribed to the Ettayapuram
poligar who spear headed the campaign. In 1803 the estate received its
permanent settlement as a zamindari. Poet subramania Bharati who was then the
Zaminspoet laureate composed and enocated many of his poem in the Darbar
Mandapa of Ettayapuram palace. The house where poet Bhareti was born is
Archaeology.
Pandavarmangalam:
about this village is presently in Madras Museum. This charter is dated in the
A.D.43
42
Ganapthy pillai W.E., Ettayapuram pastand present, Madras. 1890. P.24.
43
A R E 1958 – 59. Intreduction p. 6.C.P. No.130 & 1958 – 59.
25
Pasuvandanai:
distinguishing land mark of the place. The central shrine and the subramanya
sub shrine bear testimony tochola. The temple belongs to the period of RajaRaja
in the village and is kept in the village high school. It indicates the ancientness
of the village.
Vanaramutti:
This place lies on the Kovilpatti – Kalugumalai road way. Tradition has it
that the mon key hoard not being able to face up to Ravana might retreated and
stayed here, hence its present name. An ancient siva temple, with inscription
refers to the place as urrantur alias sundarapandiya Nallur.44 The presiding deity
Butagana friezlines up in the uttara. The earliest epigraph of the temple is dated
to the 12th regnal year of Maravarmasundara pandya (1228 A.D) The gomukha
inscription dated the 13th regnal year of kulasekhara deva records the gift of this
44
A R E., 1940 – 1941, No.314.
26
nerchura Nadu45 An inscription of sundara Pandya mentions that one
Kandiyadeva the original holder of temple lands did not pay the dues to the
temple. Hence an officer of the king Devendravarmen, had sold the land of
Thirumangalakurichi:
Kayathar road. During the first pandya period three Brahmadeya villages were
Nallur.
Kattalankulam:
27
Thirumalai Nayak.46 Alangulam was included as they twenty third palayam
during the British period. In 1636 26th poligar of Ettayapuram Jagaveera Rama
Alagumuthu servaikkaran send an army to the surankudi under the leader ship
Ketchilan was shot dead. His country cholapuram was inear purated to the
Nayak was killed and histerritory Athanur was annexed by polla pandya
46
Tylors Historical MSS Vol. II. Pp. 21 and 161.
47
Ganapathiyapillai W. E. Op.Cit., pp. 21 – 23.
28
In 1739 A.D. Ettayapuram Palayam was divided into three parts namely,
1755 A.D) south east part of Ettayapuram was ruled by Puthalaipuram Ettaiya,
and vaithilinga mudaliar attacked the Ettayapuram fort and demolished the siva
temple and Pujai mandapa then English forces attempted to attack the perumal
prevented the English force but he was shot dead by the English soldier in front
kansahib received the tributary from puthalaipuram Ettaiya and nominated him
invaded to nelkattanseval on 25th May 1755 and he was defeated by the puli
thevar and returned to Madurai.48 Colone keron hand over the Tirunelvelli
seemai to the mapuzkhan as 15 lakhs annual rent than the English East India
48
Ganapathiya pillai op.cit, pp. 35 – 36.
29
On 5th June 1755 Colonel keron and kansahib arrived to the Tiruchirapalli
defeated the army of puithever and killed his muslim General Mudomia at
Alanthakulam near Kayathar. Muhamed Ali the Nawab of Arcot recalled his
affairs on 06.04.1756.
than he met mapuzkhan at Kayathar. Both were entered to the Ettayapuram and
Perunali forest. His son Jagavira Rama Ettappa Nayakar was crowned as the
30
Kattalangulam with the help of Alagumuthukon Jagaviora Rama EttappaNayaka
tried to captured the Ettayapuram from the Gurumalai Durai Ettapan but his
to attack the viran Alagu Muthukon at Petha Nayakkanur fort. Petha Nayakanur
fort was captured by kansahib. He arrested Alagumuthukan and his six Genarls
fighter of India.
MANTHITHOPPU
situated in this village has a copper plate is used by Kulasekhara pandya in 1030
49
Subashervaikkaren S.P.S. Kattalankulam servaikarar Alagumuthukon (Tamil) viruduthunagar. 2007.pp.30-36.
50
Manimegalaipirasuram. Op.cit., p.94.
31
AREA AND PERIOD OF STUDY
The present study describes the history of Kovilpatti from ancient period
to present day. This period is significant in the history of Kovilpatti. The study
Mannan the ruler of Vempakottai built the Shenbagavalli Amman temple and
detail about political, social, cultural and religious life of the people of
Kovilpatti.
cross section of the society and the economic status of women through Self
Help Groups.
Panchalankurichi.
32
To describe the transport facilities of this taluk. To explain the
METHODOLOGY
The methodology employed for the study is descriptive and narrative. All
HYPOTHESIS
The thesis is an attempt to bring out the whole history of Kovilpatti. The
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
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The Sthala Puranam of Poovanatha Swamy, and Shenbagavalli Amman
temple. Provides valuable information regarding the origin and growth of the
1914 -1915 and South Indian inscription also give more general information
about Kovilpatti.
records say about rulers and the offerings made to the temple.
The records of the Madras Government from the most important of the
sources for the thesis. The Military public and Revenue Consultations contain
the correspondence exchanged between the local powers and the Government as
well as the intercepted letters of enemies. The despatches which passed between
the Madras Government and the Board of Directors in England provide valuable
review of the situation from time to time. The reports of the collectors,
deal elaborately with the problems that confronted the people and Government.
34
husbandry, Thoothukudi, the commissioner of Handloom and textiles. The
services, the election commission of India, the district revenue and general
Panchayats Chennai.
contemporary and back volumes. The veracity of the sources was tested through
cross examination. The sources were analyzed both intensively and exhaustively
35
The sources mentioned above relating to Kovilpatti are preserved in the
these the data found in Various other libraries and information collected by
eminent scholars who did research on this particular field form good deal of
useful sources.
CHAPTERISATION
physical features get the neighbouring places. The primary and secondary
The first chapter traces the ‘Political History’ of the region. The Pandya
dynasty ruled over this region from the sangam period. Around 275 years
following the sangam age the Tamil country was ruled by kalabhras and
kadungon. (575 – 600 A.D) the Pandya ruler of Korkai had released the entire
Maravarman Avanisulamani (600 – 620 A.D). His son was sezhiyan sendan
– 760 A.D) and Varaguna II (862 – 885) Pandya country was divided in to four
36
Valanadus namely Thiruvalthivala Nadu, Keralasinga Valanadu, Srivallabha
different parts again the pandya ruler Rajasimha III was defeated by Sundara
Chola and his son Adithya III in 926 and 960 A.D. Rajaraja Chola (985 – 1016
Vembakottai built the Poovananatha swamy temple at Kala forest and around
1163 A.D) and Sadyavarman kulasekara (1162 – 1177 A.D) ruled the
expendition wiped only the Pandya rule in and around Madurai and actually
Tirunelveli and Tenkasi from 14th to 17th century. Then Tirunelveli region
including Kovilpatti was ruled by the Madurai Nayaks. Arcot Nawab and the
Kovilpatti become third grade municipality, with effect from 28th June 1983 it
The second chapter deals with the social conditions of the people of
Kovilpatti. The first few pages are allotted for a various castes and their
37
coexistence amidst mutual discrimination; the other aspects discussed are social
habits and customs, ornament, food habits, superstition, feudalism, Slavery, and
Devadasi system. A discussion of the social conditions shows that the two new
religious namely Christianity and Islam did much to change the people.
The third chapter deals with the “Economic life of the people”. The
measurement of the land, tax system occupations like spinning and weaving
lace work, Match industry, crackers, trade and commerce and transport and
communication.
The fourth chapter deals with Religion, Culture, and Education. The first
few pages are allotted for the description of three major religions of this region
namely Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity, with the advent of Islam first in the
fourteenth century and Christianity next around the 17th century. An accounts
Islam and its coming to this region have been dealt with at some length. The
missionary activities. The second half of this chapter deals with the culture of
the people. Here various festivals are described so as to bring out these three
cultures. Thus this chapter discusses three vital aspects of the life of the people
38
The fifth chapter deals with the “Temples in Kovilpatti”. An account of
This chapter establishes the greatness of the rulers through their feats in
The concluding chapter summaries and sums up the views and argument
put forth in earlier chapters. The research findings have also been carried out
this study has its own dynamism. As research is a continuous process this study
paves new for further exploration in this area. For the development of economic
the place has a long history through different ages, people should know the
importance of this place. Many tourist spots in India have historical importance
39