Thirumalai Nayak ruled Madurai between 1623 to 1659 CE. He was the most notable of the thirteen Madurai Nayak rulers in the 17th century. His contributions are found in the many splendid buildings and temples of Madurai. His kingdom was under constant threat from the armies of Delhi Sultanate and the other neighbouring Muslim kingdoms, which he managed to repulse successfully. His territories comprised much of the old Pandya territories which included Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Madurai districts, Aragalur in southern Tamil Nadu and some territories of territories of the Travancore kingdom.
Thirumalai Nayak was a great patron of art and architecture and the Dravidian architecture evolved into the Madurai style. He rebuilt and renovated a number of old temples of the Pandya period. His palace known as the Thirumalai Nayak Palace is a notable architectural masterpiece.
Kings and Queen Regents of Madurai Nayak Dynasty |
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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 |
Tirumalai 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 |
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 | |
Palaces | |
Thirumalai Nayak Mahal, Madurai | |
Chokkanatha Nayak Palace/Durbar Hall, Tiruchirapalli | |
Rani Mangammal Tamukkam palace Madurai | |
Read more about Thirumalai Nayak: Early Years, Thirumalai's Madurai