Rani Mangammal (1689—1704) (Total Reign: 15 years) was the queen regent on behalf of her grandson, in the Madurai Nayak kingdom of India, towards the end of the 17th century. Events Louis XIV of France passed the Code Noir, allowing the full use of slaves in the French colonies. ... Events Building of the Students Monument in Aiud, Romania. ... The Madurai Nayaks were the rulers of the city and region of Madurai, in India, from 1559 until 1736. ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ...

She ruled the kingdom with courage and great skill, and in her era she was one of the few female rulers in India. She was the most popular of all the Madurai Nayak rulers, and many southern Tamil Nadu towns are named for her. She was a popular administrator and is still widely remembered by people as a maker of roads and avenues, and a builder of temples, tanks and choultries. Popular belief ascribes to her every fine old avenue constructed in Madura and Tinnevelly. She was an able woman as well as a charitable one, and under her firm guidance Madura regained the proud position it had held in the days of Tirumala Nayakkan. The Madurai Nayaks were the rulers of the city and region of Madurai, in India, from 1559 until 1736. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Thirumalai Nayak ruled Madurai between 1623 to 1659 CE. He was the most notable of the thirteen Madurai Nayak rulers in the 17th century. ...

Her particular expertise was in irrigation and communications. She had many irrigation channels repaired, and new roads were constructed. The highway from Cape Comorin originally was built during the time of Mangammal and it was known as 'Mangammal Salai'. She built many public works, of which the Chatram in Madurai near the railway station is a standing monument. The Tamuku Maidan was built by her in 1670 and was designed to be capable of hosting royal entertainments such as elephant-fights. When later taken over by the British, it became the official residence of the District Collectors. Her palace in Madurai now houses the Mahatma Gandhi Museum. Kanyakumari is a town and a cape at the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula. ... 1670 was a common year beginning on a Saturday in countries using the Julian calendar and a Wednesday in countries using the Gregorian calendar. ... The District Collector is a Central Indian Government appointee who is in charge of the governance of a district in a state. ... Madurai   (மதுரை in Tamil ; IPA: ) is a city and a municipal corporation with a population of more than 1. ... Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Gujarati: , Hindi: , IAST: mohandās karamcand gāndhÄ«, IPA: ) (October 2, 1869 – January 30, 1948) was a major political and spiritual leader of the Indian Independence Movement. ...

Beginnings

The belief was that women were not suited to succeed to the throne of a kingdom, so Mangammal shines almost alone as an able and powerful female ruler in Tamil Nadu. Circumstances forced her to administer the Madurai Nayak kingdom, at the close of the 17th century. She did so for fifteen years, during a very troubled period, skillfully and boldly. Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... The Madurai Nayaks were the rulers of the city and region of Madurai, in India, from 1559 until 1736. ...

Mangammal was the daughter of Lingama Nayaka, a general of Chokkanatha Nayaka, who ruled Madurai from 1659 to 1682. Although Chokkanatha married Mangammal early, she became the principal queen only later on after his efforts to wed the daughter of the Thanjavur ruler Vijayaraghava Nayaka had failed. Chokkanatha died in 1682, but his queen Mangammal did not commit sati as she was a politically-minded woman to whom affairs of the state was more important. // Events May 25 - Richard Cromwell resigns as Lord Protector of England following the restoration of the Long Parliament, beginning a second brief period of the republican government called the Commonwealth. ... Events March 11 – Chelsea hospital for soldiers is founded in England May 6 - Louis XIV of France moves his court to Versailles. ... Thanjavur (தஞ்சாவூர் in Tamil), formerly known as Tanjore, is a city in Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. ... Events March 11 – Chelsea hospital for soldiers is founded in England May 6 - Louis XIV of France moves his court to Versailles. ... Sati may refer to any of the following: The Hindu Goddess Sati, daughter of Daksha and wife of Shiva A social practise in some parts of India in past centuries, often spelt Suttee The Buddhist Sati; see mindfulness. ...

Rengakrishna Muthu Veerappa, who succeeded Chokkanatha, tried to retrieve the diminished fortunes of the kingdom. He made a name for himself by courageously ignoring Aurangazeb. The queen was pregnant when Rengakrishna died, in 1689. After she gave birth to a son, Vijayaranga Chokkanatha, she committed sati, saying that she could not live after the death of her husband. So Mangammal was forced to become regent on behalf of her infant grandson, who was crowned when he was three months old. Abul Muzaffar Muhiuddin Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir (November 3, 1618 - March 3, 1707), also known as Alamgir I, was the ruler of the Mughal Empire from 1658 until 1707. ... Events Louis XIV of France passed the Code Noir, allowing the full use of slaves in the French colonies. ... Sati may refer to any of the following: The Hindu Goddess Sati, daughter of Daksha and wife of Shiva A social practise in some parts of India in past centuries, often spelt Suttee The Buddhist Sati; see mindfulness. ...

Military History

Mangammal was less often at war than her predecessors had been, but she did not escape the usual conflicts with her neighbors. During her reign Madurai first came into direct contact with the Mughal empire at Delhi, since Zulfikar Khan, the general sent by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb to attack the Maratha stronghold at Gingee, exacted tribute both from Trichinopoly and Tanjore in 1693, though he did not succeed in taking Gingee until five years later. Trichinopoly was besieged by Mysore in 1695, but quickly was recovered. The Mughal Empire (alternative spelling Mogul, which is the origin of the word Mogul) of India was founded by Babur in 1526, when he defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last of the Delhi Sultans at the First Battle of Panipat. ... The Mughal Empire (alternative spelling Mogul, which is the origin of the word Mogul) of India was founded by Babur in 1526, when he defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last of the Delhi Sultans at the First Battle of Panipat. ... Aurangzeb (Persian: ‎, English: ) (November 3, 1618 – March 3, 1707, also known as Alamgir I, was the ruler of the Mughal Empire from 1658 until 1707. ... The Marāthās (Marathi: मराठा)is a collective term referring to an Indo Aryan group of Hindu warriors and peasants hailing mostly from the present-day state of Maharashtra, who created a substantial empire, covering a major part of India, in the late 17th and 18th centuries AD. The Marathas... Gingee is a town situated in the South Arcot district, in Tamil Nadu state, India. ... Tiruchirapalli (also spelled Tiruchchirappalli, commonly known as Tiruchi or Trichy, formerly known as Trichinopoly under British rule) is a city situated on the banks of the Kaveri river, centrally located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. ... Thanjavur, also known as Tanjore, is a city in Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. ... Events January 11 - Eruption of Mt. ... Gingee is a town situated in the South Arcot district, in Tamil Nadu state, India. ... Tiruchirapalli (also spelled Tiruchchirappalli, commonly known as Tiruchi or Trichy, formerly known as Trichinopoly under British rule) is a city situated on the banks of the Kaveri river, centrally located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. ... Mysore or MaisÅ«ru in Kannada   (Kannada: ಮೈಸೂರು) is the second largest city in the Indian state of Karnataka. ... Events January 27 - Change of emperor of the Ottoman Empire from Ahmed II to Mustafa II (1695-1703) July 17 - The Bank of Scotland is founded by an Act of Parliament of the old Scottish Parliament. ...

The first problem which Mangammal had to face was the threat from the Mughals. Zulfikhar Ali Khan, the general of Aurangzeb who was engaged in the siege of Gingee, where Rajaram son of Shivaji had entrenched himself, sent an army to the south to demand submission from Thanjavur which had gone into the hands of the Marathas during the time of her husband. Zulfikhar Ali Khan was the son of Nawab Azad Khan, Wazir (minister) of the Mughal Empire. ... Aurangzeb (Persian: ‎, English: ) (November 3, 1618 – March 3, 1707, also known as Alamgir I, was the ruler of the Mughal Empire from 1658 until 1707. ... Gingee is a town situated in the South Arcot district, in Tamil Nadu state, India. ... Shivaji Bhonsle, also known as Chatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhonsle (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजी राजे भोसले) was the founder of the Maratha empire in western India in 1674. ... Thanjavur (தஞ்சாவூர் in Tamil), formerly known as Tanjore, is a city in Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. ... Extent of the Maratha Confederacy ca. ...

Aurangzeb's army was at Gingee Fort, and bent upon attacking Thanjavur and Madurai at any cost. Mysore in the west, had embarked on a campaign of territorial expansion by including Madurai even during the time when Mangammal's husband was alive. In the south, the Raja of Travancore, overlord of Madurai, had stopped paying the tribute. In the east, the powerful ruler of Ramanad, Raghunatha Thevar (also known as Kilavan Sethupathi) had risen in revolt in a bid for independence. Aurangzeb (Persian: ‎, English: ) (November 3, 1618 – March 3, 1707, also known as Alamgir I, was the ruler of the Mughal Empire from 1658 until 1707. ... Gingee Fort also known as Chinji or Jinji in Tamil Nadu, India is one of the few surving forts in Tamil Nadu - which is much more popular for its temples than forts. ... Thanjavur (தஞ்சாவூர் in Tamil), formerly known as Tanjore, is a city in Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. ... Mysore or MaisÅ«ru in Kannada   (Kannada: ಮೈಸೂರು) is the second largest city in the Indian state of Karnataka. ... Flag for former princely state of Travancore Travancore or Thiruvithaamkoor (Malayalam: തിരുവിതാങ്കൂര്‍ [], തിരുവിതാംകൂര്‍ [], തിരുവിതാങ്കോട് []) was a princely state in India with its capital at Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). ...

This state of affairs Mangammal had to face almost without any help from outside. With her political wisdom, diplomatic skill, administrative ability, and cool courage in the face of danger, she was able to maintain the prestige of Madurai and regain for it much of the position it had held during the days of Thirumalai Nayak. Thirumalai nayakar is a king who ruled the south india ...

After careful deliberation, Mangammal sent tribute, and later with the help of Zulfikhar Ali she was able to recover some portions of the kingdom lost to Thanjavur in the past. In this policy, Mangammal showed great prudence and wisdom, by skillfully bowing before the enemy. Mangammal also had to face an invasion of Tiruchi by Chikkadevaraya of Mysore who sent his famous Dalavoy Kumariyya, but an attack by the Marathas on Mysore led to his recall. Extent of the Maratha Confederacy ca. ... Mysore or MaisÅ«ru in Kannada   (Kannada: ಮೈಸೂರು) is the second largest city in the Indian state of Karnataka. ...

In 1697, Mangammal sent an expedition to Travancore to punish its ruler, Ravi Varma, who had attacked and destroyed an army sent from Madurai to Travancore to collect the annual tribute which the king had not been paying. The ruler of that country had of recent years been very remiss in sending his tribute to Madura, and it had been necessary on several occasions to send an army to collect the arrears. In 1697, the force despatched for this purpose was taken off its guard and almost cut to pieces. A punitive expedition was organized in the following year, and after hard fighting Travancore was subdued and an immense booty was brought home. Part of this consisted of many cannon, and these were mounted, on the ramparts of Trichinopoly and Madura. Events September 11 - Battle of Zenta, Prince Eugene of Savoy crushed Ottoman army of Mustafa II September 20 - The Treaty of Ryswick December 2 – St Pauls Cathedral opened in London Peter the Great travels in Europe officially incognito as artilleryman Pjotr Mikhailov Use of palanquins increases in Europe Christopher... Flag for former princely state of Travancore Travancore or Thiruvithaamkoor (Malayalam: തിരുവിതാങ്കൂര്‍ [], തിരുവിതാംകൂര്‍ [], തിരുവിതാങ്കോട് []) was a princely state in India with its capital at Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). ... Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) was an Indian painter who achieved recognition for his depiction of scenes from the epics of the Mahabharata and Ramayana. ... A small cannon on a carriage, Bucharest. ...

Mangammal's next war was against Shaji, the Maratha ruler of Thanjavur. In 1700 A.D., Dalavoy Narasappiah defeated the Thanjavur forces. For some time afterwards, friendly relations existed between the two kingdoms. They even united and proceeded against Chikkadevalaya of Mysore who had built an anicut across the river Cauvery and prevented adequate supply of water for the irrigation of land in Thanjavur district. But by that time, heavy rains had washed off this anicut, which was located at the site where the present Kannambadi dam stands. In the following year the Marathas were crushingly defeated near their capital, and were glad enough to buy off the invading army with an enormous bribe. The Marāthās (Marathi: मराठा)is a collective term referring to an Indo Aryan group of Hindu warriors and peasants hailing mostly from the present-day state of Maharashtra, who created a substantial empire, covering a major part of India, in the late 17th and 18th centuries AD. The Marathas... Thanjavur (தஞ்சாவூர் in Tamil), formerly known as Tanjore, is a city in Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. ... Mysore or MaisÅ«ru in Kannada   (Kannada: ಮೈಸೂರು) is the second largest city in the Indian state of Karnataka. ... Scrivener Dam, in Canberra, Australia, was engineered to withstand a once-in-5000-years flood event A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment. ... The Cauvery (sometimes written as Kaveri) is one of the major rivers of southern India. ...

Mangammal's greatest trial and serious failure was her expedition against Raghunatha Sethupathi. This ended in a defeat for the Madurai and the death of Dalavoy Narasappiah in the battle. This was a serious blow to Madurai from which it never recovered again. Mangammal died in about 1706 and was succeeded by her grandson Vijayaranga Chokkanatha Nayaka. Events March 27 - Concluding that Emperor Iyasus I of Ethiopia had abdicated by retiring to a monastery, a council of high officials appoint Tekle Haymanot I Emperor of Ethiopia May 23 - Battle of Ramillies September 7 - The Battle of Turin in the War of Spanish Succession - forces of Austria and...

Civil Administration

Mangammal worked industriously at civil administration, trade and industry. She paid special attention to irrigation and communications. Many irrigation channels were repaired, new roads were constructed, and avenue trees were planted. The highway from Cape Comorin was originally built during the time of Mangammal and it was known as 'Mangammal Salai'. She built many public works, of which the Chataram in Madurai near the railway station is a standing monument. Her own original palace in Madurai now houses the Mahatma Gandhi Museum although modified several times. Madurai   (மதுரை in Tamil ; IPA: ) is a city and a municipal corporation with a population of more than 1. ... Madurai   (மதுரை in Tamil ; IPA: ) is a city and a municipal corporation with a population of more than 1. ...

Mangammal was Hindu but nevertheless she was tolerant of other religions. She endowed both temples and mosques, and she was friendly with Christian missionaries and their converts. She began the famous Unjal (swing) festival in the temple of Meenakshi, performed in the month of Ani. Her contemporary portrait may be seen in the Unjal Mandapam. A painting in the Meenakshi temple shows the temple priest handing over the royal sceptre to the Queen. Mangammal was an efficient and popular ruler and her memory is cherished even today in the rural areas of the district. This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ... Gopuram of Madhurai Meenakshi temple built for Meenakshi According to Hindu mythology, Meenakshi was a princess who was born with three breasts, fish-shaped eyes and fishy smell. ...

Death

Managammal’s grandson Vijaya Ranga Chokkanatha came of age in 1704—1705. Tradition says she refused to make way for him and that she was supported by her chief minister, a man with whom she was on terms of undue intimacy. The story is that she was locked in a palace prison and slowly starved to death. Events Building of the Students Monument in Aiud, Romania. ... // Events Construction begins on Blenheim Palace, in Oxfordshire, England. ...

References

• Madurai
• Meenakshi Temple
• Madurai.com - Rani Mangammal

Bibliography

• Rao, Velcheru Narayana, and David Shulman, Sanjay Subrahmanyam. Symbols of substance : court and state in Nayaka period Tamilnadu (Delhi ; Oxford : Oxford University Press, 1998) ; xix, 349 p., [16] p. of plates : ill., maps ; 22 cm. ; Oxford India paperbacks ; Includes bibliographical references and index ; ISBN 0-19-564399-2.

• Devakunjari, D., 1921-. Madurai through the ages : from the earliest times to 1801 A.D. general editor, R. Nagaswamy (Madras : Society for Archaeological, Historical, and Epigraphical Research, [1979]) ; 336 p., [26] leaves of plates : ill. ; 22 cm. ; SAHER publication no. 8. ; "Thesis submitted to the University of Madras for the award of Ph.D. degree in the year 1957"--T.p. verso. ; bibliography: p. 334-336.

• Rajaram, K. (Kumarasamy), 1940-. History of Thirumalai Nayak (Madurai : Ennes Publications, 1982) ; 128 p., [1] leaf of plates : ill., maps ; 23 cm. ; revision of the author's thesis (M. Phil.--Madurai-Kamaraj University, 1978) Includes index ; bibliography p. 119-125 ; on the achievements of Tirumala Nayaka, fl. 1623-1659, Madurai ruler.

• Balendu Sekaram, Kandavalli, 1909-. The Nayaks of Madura by Khandavalli Balendusekharam (Hyderabad : Andhra Pradesh Sahithya Akademi, 1975) ; 30 p. ; 22 cm. ; "World Telugu Conference publication." ; History of the Telugu speaking Nayaka kings of Pandyan Kingdom, Madurai, 16th-18th century.

• Sathianathaier, R. History of the Nayaks of Madura [microform] by R. Sathyanatha Aiyar ; edited for the University, with introduction and notes by S. Krishnaswami Aiyangar ([Madras] : Oxford University Press, 1924) ; see also ([London] : H. Milford, Oxford university press, 1924) ; xvi, 403 p. ; 21 cm. ; SAMP early 20th-century Indian books project item 10819.