Tirumala Nayaka
| Tirumala Nayaka | |
|---|---|
 A statue of Tirumala Nayaka in Madurai | |
| Nayak ofMadurai | |
| Reign | A.D 1623–1659 |
| Predecessor | Muttu Virappa Nayak |
| Successor | Muttu Veerappa Nayak |
| Born | Madurai,Nayak Kingdom (modern dayTamil Nadu,India) |
| Died | c. 1659 Madurai,Nayak Kingdom (modern dayTamil Nadu,India) |
| House | Madurai Nayaks |
| Father | Muttu Krishnappa Nayak |
| Religion | Hinduism[1] |
Tirumala Nayaka(r. 1623–1659) was the ruler ofMadurai Nayak Dynastyin the 17th century. He ruledMaduraibetween A.D 1623 and 1659. His contributions are found in the many splendid buildings andtemplesof Madurai. He belongs toBalijacaste.[2]His kingdom was under constant threat from the armies ofBijapur Sultanateand the other neighbouringMuslimkingdoms, which he managed to repulse successfully. His territories comprised much of the oldPandyaterritories which includedCoimbatore,Tirunelveli,Madurai districts,Aragalurin southernTamil Naduand some territories of theTravancorekingdom.
Tirumala Nayaka was a great patron of art and architecture and the Dravidian architecture evolved into theMadurai style.He rebuilt and renovated a number of old temples of thePandyaperiod. His palace, known as theTirumala Nayaka Palace,is a notable architectural masterpiece.
| Kings and Queen Regents of Madurai Nayak Dynasty | |
|---|---|
| Part ofHistory of Tamil Nadu | |
 | |
| Madurai Nayak rulers | |
| Viswanatha Nayak | 1529–1563 |
| Kumara Krishnappa Nayak | 1563–1573 |
| Joint Rulers Group I | 1573–1595 |
| Joint Rulers Group II | 1595–1602 |
| Muttu Krishnappa Nayak | 1602–1609 |
| Muttu Virappa Nayak | 1609–1623 |
| Tirumala Nayak | 1623–1659 |
| Muthu Alakadri Nayak | 1659–1662 |
| Chokkanatha Nayak | 1662–1682 |
| Rangakrishna Muthu Virappa Nayak | 1682–1689 |
| Rani Mangammal‡ | 1689–1704 |
| Vijaya Ranga Chokkanatha Nayak | 1704–1731 |
| Queen Meenakshi‡ | 1731–1736 |
| ‡ Regent Queens | |
| Capitals | |
| Madurai | 1529–1616 |
| Tiruchirapalli | 1616–1634 |
| Madurai | 1634–1665 |
| Tiruchirapalli | 1665–1736 |
| Major forts | |
| Madurai 72 Bastion Fort | |
| Tiruchirapalli Rock Fort | |
| Dindigul Fort | |
| Thirunelvelli Fort | |
| other Military forts | |
| Namakkal Fort | |
| Sankagiri Fort | |
| Attur Fort | |
| Palaces | |
| Thirumalai Nayak Mahal,Madurai | |
| Chokkanatha Nayak Palacea.k.a. Durbar Hall,Tiruchirapalli | |
| Rani Mangammal Tamukkam palaceMadurai | |
Wars With Mysore
[edit]In the early years of Tirumala Nayaka's reign, an invasion of Mysore and counter-invasion of Madura. Recorded in a Mackenzie Manuscript, these conflicts predated Tirumala's later war with the Setupati of Ramnad. While precise dates are elusive, historians like Mr. Rangachari speculate that the Mysore aggression around 1625 may have been instigated by the ambitious Chamaraja Udaiyar, perhaps seeking to assert dominance or rectify past failures. Despite the Mysore general Harasura advance towards Dindigul, but beaten back by Madurai General Ramaiyan of local leaders like Ramaiyyan Ranganna Nayaka the polygar of kannividi the victorious army persuaded the Mysore army and even besieging the Mysore capital. The successful defense earned Ramaiyan great honor from Tirumala Nayaka.[3]
Tirumala Nayaka's Madurai
[edit]
Tirumala Nayaka's capital was Madurai. The royal residence had been moved from there to Thiruchirapalli by his predecessor, but Tirumala Nayaka moved it back to Madurai again. The reason for this move is claimed to be due to a dream Tirumala Nayaka had but also stated by historians that Madurai has a long history and continuously civilized through ages and thiruchirapalli is at a threat of immediate attack by Mysore.[4]
Personal life
[edit]Ardent devotee
[edit]Tirumala Nayaka ate his breakfast only after the pujas were performed atSrivilliputhur Aandal TempleTo get the information that the pujas were completed, the king built mandaps about every five kilometres on the route from Madurai toSrivilliputhurand installed loud bells in them. Each mandap also had a small kitchen. When there was a message to be sent a series of bells rang.[5]
References
[edit]- ^Religion in Vijayanagara Empire, by Konduri Sarojini Devi, p.100 mentions: "Granting that Acyuta conferred on Visvanatha the kingship of the Pandya Mandalam as Father Heras believes, it is possible that Visvanatha changed his faith to Vaishnavism to suit the exigencies. According to thekaifiyatof the Karnata Kotikam Kings, "Acyutadeva Maharaya formally crowned Visvanatha Nayadu of the Garikepati family of the Balija caste as the King of Pandya country yielding a revenue of 2 and 1/2 crores of varahas.
- ^
- Gita V. Pai, ed. (2023).Architecture of Sovereignty: Stone Bodies, Colonial Gazes, and Living Gods in South India.Cambridge University Press. p. 36.ISBN9781009150156.
- C. Hayavadana Rao, ed. (1915).The Indian Biographical Dictionary.Forgotten Books. p. 344.
- ^R. Sathyanatha Aiyar (1924).History Of The Nayaks Of Madura.p. 119-120.
- ^"History".Welcome to Madurai.Archived fromthe originalon 16 December 2014.Retrieved11 November2014.
- ^Kavitha, S. S. (4 July 2012)."You have a message".The Hindu.Archivedfrom the original on 7 May 2023.
External links
[edit]
- "The Royal patrons of architecture".The Hindu.Archived from the original on 29 June 2004.Retrieved14 June2008.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
- "Neglect wrecks a Nayak legacy".The Hindu.Archived from the original on 6 June 2011.Retrieved14 June2008.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - "Festive time at the city of temples".The Hindu.Archived from the original on 17 August 2008.Retrieved14 June2008.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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