Reign
Vijaya Raghunatha Tondaiman succeeded to the throne on the death of his first cousin, Raya Raghunatha Tondaiman, the Raja of Pudukkottai without any male heirs.
Vijaya Raghunatha's reign was a period of incessant wars in South India. Vijaya Raghunatha gave wholehearted support to the British in the wars. In return for his services, on 17 October 1796, he was given the title "Raja Bahadur" by Muhammed Ali Khan Wallajah, the Nawab of the Carnatic and ally of the British. Vijaya Raghunatha also played a pivotal role in Polygar Wars, capturing and arresting Veerapandiya Kattabomman and his brother Oomadurai, the Polygar generals and handing them over to the British.The Company recognised his services by handing him the territory of Kilanilai in 1803. He was the real traitor because of a Tamil movie every one thinks it was Ettappan.
The Thanjavur Maratha kingdom was annexed by the British East India Company in 1799, followed by the Ramnad and Sivaganga kingdoms which were reduced to the status of zamindari estates. The annexation of the Carnatic kingdom in 1801 made the British East India Company, the paramount power in South India. Pudukkottai was, however, allowed to remain independent in recognition of the services the Tondaiman kings had rendered to the Company.
Read more about this topic: Vijaya Raghunatha Tondaiman
Famous quotes containing the word reign:
“Their Cause was gen’ral, their Supports were strong,
Their Slaves were willing, and their Reign was long;”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)
“I am monarch of all I survey;
My right there is none to dispute;
From the center all round to the sea
I am lord of the fowl and the brute.
O Solitude! where are the charms
That sages have seen in thy face?
Better dwell in the midst of alarms,
Than reign in this horrible place.”
—William Cowper (1731–1800)