Tondaiman - Chola Empire - Pudukkottai Tondaman Dynasty

Pudukkottai Tondaman Dynasty

The princely state of Pudukkottai was created by Raghunatha Tondaiman, a Kallar ruler of Pudukkottai. Raghunatha Kilavan Setupati of Ramnad (1673–1708) married Kathali Nachiar (Tondaiman's sister), who appointed his brother-in-law Raghunatha Thondaiman as chief of the Pudukottai district. Raghunatha Tondaiman (son of Avudai Raghunatha Thondaiman) earlier ruled Thirumayam. In appreciation for Raghunatha Tondaman's services, Raghunatha Kilavan Setupati gave him Pudukkottai.

In later centuries the Tondaiman rulers, while nominally feudatories of the Ramnad state, often pursued an independent foreign policy (a trend common in all parts of India at that time). After becoming ruler of Pudukottai, Raghunatha Tondaiman fought against the Nayaks of Tanjore in support of the Nayaks of Madurai and conquered Thirukkattupalli. A clash followed between the Tondaimans of Pudukottai and the Nayak rulers of Tanjore, and Tondaimans conquered the west of Thirukkattupalli.

The next ruler, Vijaya Reghunatha Raya Tondaiman, helped Nawab of Arcot against Hyder Ali (ruler of the Mysore Kingdom) and was loyal to the British government. When Hyder Ali’s army tried to enter Pudukkottai, the Tondaiman army drove Hyder’s army away. Tondaiman captured Kilanilai and Aranthangi, and assisted the British government against Tipu Sultan.

Pudukkotai came under formal British protection. This was arguably unavoidable, since the Thondaimans were menaced during that period by a resurgent Mysore ruled by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Tipu Sultan tried to leverage the power of the French against his British adversaries, and Pudukkotai (in common with its neighbours such as Thanjavur and Travancore) found it expedient to ally with the British.

Raja Rajagopala Thondaiman (1928–1948), the ninth (and last) in the line of Tondaiman rulers, was selected by the British government and was crowned at six years of age. After Indian independence in 1947, the Pudukkottai Princely State was amalgamated with the Indian Union in 1948 and became part of the Tiruchirappalli district; the long history of Tondaiman rule came to an end. Some settlements of this dynasty may still be found near Tanjaore. In early 1700 the Cholas built a temple in Madivala, which is now within the Bangalore city limits. This temple is still visited by Kathiravans who belong to this group.