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District court,Pudukottai,TN
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Unlike northern India, Tamil Nadu had only a few princely states during British rule, the most prominent being Arcot and Pudukkottai. Pudukkottai emerged as a key ally of the British East India Company before 1857, assisting in the annexation of neighboring states like Ramnad and Sivaganga. The state also witnessed a major historical event — the arrest and execution of early freedom fighter Veerapandiya Kattabomman near Panchalankurichi in present-day Thoothukudi district.
Originally under the rule of ancient Cholas and later the Mutharaiyars and Pandyas, Pudukkottai experienced invasions by Malik Kafur in the 14th century and was briefly under Muslim rule. The Vijayanagara Empire regained control and placed the region under the Nayaks of Madurai. Around 1680, Raghunatha Kilavan Sethupathi of Ramnad transferred control to his brother-in-law Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman, who was later granted the title "Maharajah."
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| Heritage stamp, Pudukotta state indiastamp.blogspot.com |
In 1800, Pudukkottai signed the Subsidiary Alliance, officially becoming a princely state under British paramountcy. The British posted a Resident to oversee the administration. The Tondaiman dynasty continued to rule, and Raja Ramachandra Tondaiman, who ascended the throne at age 9, was one of its notable rulers. His reign, however, was marred by financial instability and administrative failure, prompting British intervention.
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| Pudukotta state,en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: This small region was once called Pudukotta Samasthanam or the Princely state during the Raj..........
Above image: Pudukkottai was a princely state in India, established around 1680, and was a staunch ally of the British East India Company. It was organized as a separate district on January 14, 1974. The state was under the control of the Madras Presidency from 1800 until 1923, and then under the Government of India until 1948. It eventually merged with the Indian Union on March 4, 1948......
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| Diwan Seshhyya Sastri, Pukufotta. alamy.com |
To restore governance, the British appointed Seshayya Sastri, former Diwan of Travancore, as Diwan of Pudukkottai in 1878. A skilled reformer, Sastri initiated several civic projects — improving reservoirs, building roads, and modernizing urban infrastructure. He also promoted education and renovated temples. Under his guidance, Ramachandra Tondaiman adopted the title “Brihadambadas” in 1881. By 1884, Pudukkottai had its own Post and Telegraph Office.
Later rulers like Martanda Bhairava Tondaiman were honored by the British, attending imperial events and receiving knighthoods. The final ruler, Rajagopala Tondaiman, was a minor, and British administrators like Alexander Tottenham governed on his behalf. On 1 March 1948, Pudukkottai acceded to the Indian Union and merged into Madras State by 1950.
