.மதுரை நாயக்கர்கள், 1529-1736
பாளையங்களின் பெயர்ப் பட்டியல்

மதுரை நாயக்கர்கள், மதுரையையும், அதைச் சார்ந்த பகுதிகளையும் 1529 தொடக்கம், 1736 வரை ஆண்டார்கள்.[1][2]

தெலுங்கைத் தாய்மொழியாகக் கொண்ட இவர்கள் ஆரம்பத்தில் விஜயநகரப் பேரரசின் கீழ் அரசப் பிரதிநிதிகளாக இருந்தனர்.

விஜயநகரப் பேரரசு பலமிழந்தபோது, தங்கள் ஆட்சிப்பகுதிகளில் தங்களைப் பலப்படுத்திக்கொண்டு பேரரசிலிருந்து தங்களை விடுவித்துக் கொண்டனர். நிர்வாக முறைகளில் புதுமைகளைப் புகுத்தியதன் மூலம் மதுரை நாயக்கர்கள் மக்களோடு தங்கள் தொடர்புகளை வலுப்படுத்திக் கொண்டனர். இவற்றுள் தங்கள் நாட்டை 72 பாளையங்களாகப் பிரித்து நிர்வாகம் மேற்கொண்டது முக்கியமானது.

மதுரை நாயக்கர் தோற்றம்[தொகு]
விஜயநகரத்துப் பேரரசர் கிருஷ்ண தேவராயர் ஆட்சியில் தளபதி, மண்டலாதிபதி போன்ற பொறுப்புக்களை வகித்தவர் நாகம நாயக்கர். இவருடைய மகன் விசுவநாத நாயக்கர். கிருஷ்ண தேவராயரிடம் பணிக்குச் சேர்ந்த விசுவநாத நாயக்கர், பேரரசரின் நம்பிக்கைக்குப் பாத்திரமானார். அக்காலத்தில் விஜயநகரப் பேரரசின் கீழிருந்த பாண்டிய மண்டலத்தில் குழப்பங்கள் தலைதூக்கின அதனை அடக்குவதற்காக விசுவநாத நாயக்கர் படையுடன் அனுப்பிவைக்கப்பட்டார் . எடுத்த பொறுப்பைச் செவ்வனே முடித்த விசுவநாத நாயக்கர், மதுரை மண்டலத்தின் நிர்வாகியாக அமர்த்தப்பட்டார். இவருடைய பரம்பரையினரே மதுரை நாயக்கர்கள் என அழைக்கப்பட்டவர்கள்.

மதுரை நாயக்கர் வம்சம்[தொகு]

முதல் ஐந்து மதுரை நாயக்கர்களும் விஜயநகரப்பேரரசுக்கு விசுவாசமாக அதற்கு அடங்கியே இருந்தார்கள். ஆறாவதாக 1609 தொடக்கம் 1623 வரை மதுரையை ஆண்ட நாயக்கரான முத்துவீரப்ப நாயக்கர், அக்காலத்தில் வலுவிழந்திருந்த விஜயநகரத்துக்குத் திறை கொடுப்பதை நிறுத்திக்கொண்டார். இவர் பின்னர் ஆட்சிக்கு வந்த திருமலை நாயக்கர் காலம் மதுரை நாயக்கர்களின் பொற்காலம் எனலாம். திருமலை நாயக்கருக்குப் பின்னர் இவ்வம்சத்தைச் சேர்ந்த மேலும் அறுவர் ஆட்சி செய்தனர். இவர்களுள் இராணி மங்கம்மாள் குறிப்பிடத்தக்கவர். இறுதியாக ஆட்சிப்பொறுப்பை ஏற்றவர் இராணி மீனாட்சி. 1732 இல் நாயக்க மன்னர் விஜயரங்க சொக்கநாத நாயக்கர் வாரிசு இல்லாமல் இறந்தபோது அவனது மனைவி மீனாட்சிக்கு ஆட்சிப் பொறுப்புக் கிடைத்தது. எனினும் அரசுரிமைப் போட்டியில் அவருக்கு உதவி செய்யும் சாக்கில் தலையிட்ட கர்நாடக நவாப்பின் மருமகனான சாந்தா சாகிப் அவரை சிறைப்பிடித்து மதுரை அரசையும் கைக்கொண்டார். இதன் மூலம் மதுரை நாயக்கர் வம்சம் ஒரு முடிவுக்கு வந்தது.[3]

மதுரை நாயக்கர்களின் மரபு[தொகு]

மிகவும் புகழ்பெற்ற வரலாற்று அறிஞரும் எழுத்தாளருமான ஆச்சாரியா திருமலா ராமச்சந்திரா என்பவர், 'மாமன்னர் திருமலை நாயக்கர்' 'கம்ம' இனத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர் என்பதை சான்றுடன் விளக்கியுள்ளார்.[சான்று தேவை] மேலும் 'பெனுகொண்டா சரித்திரத்தில்' மதுரை நாயக்கர்களின் குடும்ப பெயர் 'பெம்மசானி' என குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளது. அப்பெயர் கம்ம இனத்திற்கு மட்டுமே உரிய பெயராகும். தமிழகவாழ் கம்ம நாயக்கர்களின் வரலாறும் மதுரை நாயக்கர்களே இன்றைய கம்மவார்களின் முன்னோர்கள் எனத் தெளிவாகக் கூறுகின்றன. அவர் நெற்றியில் நாமம் அணியும் வழக்கம் கொண்டவர், வைணவத்தில் நாட்டம் கொண்டவர். மேலும், இராணி மங்கம்மாளின் பெயரை பெரும்பாலும் இன்று வரையில் சூட்டிமகிழும் ஒரே இனம் கம்ம இனம். மேலும், 'பாரதி' எனப்படும் பத்திரிக்கையிலும் 'கம்ம' இனத்தவர்கள் என சுட்டியுள்ளனர். இவை, மதுரை நாயக்கர்கள் கம்மவார்கள் என காட்டுகிறது. ஆயினும், க.அ நீலகண்ட சாஸ்திரி மதுரை நாயக்கர்களின் குலப்பெயர் 'பலிஜா' இனத்திலுள்ள 'கரிகப்பட்டி' என்று குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளார். அந்த குலப்பெயர் 'கம்ம' இனத்திலும் அதிகப்படியாக உள்ளது என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது. தமிழ் எழுத்தாளர்களான 'அ.கி பரந்தாமனார்' மற்றும் 'சு. வெங்கடேசன்' முதலானோர் மதுரை நாயக்கர்களை 'தொட்டிய/ராஜகம்பள' நாயக்கர்களாக காட்டியுள்ளனர். அந்த சமூகத்தினர் 'யாதவர்' எனப்படும் 'சந்திரவன்ஷி க்ஷத்ரிய' வம்சத்தவரின் கிளைசாதியினர் என்று 'எட்கர் தர்ஸ்டன்' எனப்படும் ஆங்கிலேயர் தனது 'தென்னிந்திய நாட்டின் சாதிகள் மற்றும் பழங்குடியினர்கள்' என்னும் நூலில் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளார். கம்பளத்தார்கள் 'பலிஜா' (க்ஷத்ரியர் அல்லாத) இனத்தின் கிளைசாதியினர் என்று சிலர் பதிவேற்றுகின்றனர். தஞ்சை நாயக்கர்களின் குலப்பெயர் 'அல்லுரி' என்பதாகும். அப்பெயர் 'பலிஜா' உள்ளிட்ட வெவ்வேறு சாதிகளுக்கும் வீட்டுபெயராகத் திகழ்கிறது. இவை அனைத்தும் ஒன்றுக்கொன்று முரண்களாய் உள்ளன.[சான்று தேவை]

பாளையம் என்பது தமிழகத்தில் விஜயநகரப் பேரரசின் ஆட்சி நடைபெற்றபோது, மதுரை மண்டலத்தை விசுவநாத நாயக்கர் மதுரை நாயக்க அரசாக உருவாக்கினார். விஜயநகரப் பேரரசின் படை மானிய முறையில் அமைந்த நாயங்கர நிர்வாக முறையைத் தழுவி அமைத்த பாளையப்பட்டு எனும் புதிய முறை ஆகும். இம்முறையின் கீழ் மதுரையை மையமாகக் கொண்டு மதுரை மண்டலம் 72 பாளையங்களாகப் பிரிக்கப்பட்டது. இப்பாளையம் ஒவ்வொன்றும் ஒரு படைநிலை ஆகும். இப்பாளையத்தை நிர்வாகம் செய்வதற்காக நியமிக்கப்பட்ட தலைவன் பாளையக்காரர் எனப்பட்டார்.

பாளைய முறை
"பாலாமு” என்கிற தெலுங்கு மொழிச் சொல்லிலிருந்து பாளையம் என்ற சொல் உருவானது. பாலாமு என்றால் படை முகாம் என்று பொருள்படும்.இன்றைய தெலங்கானாவில் இப்பொழுது வாரங்கல் என அழைக்கப்படும் ஓருகல்லைத் தலைநகராகக் கொண்ட காகதிய அரசால் பாளைய முறை ஏற்படுத்தப்பட்டது என்று ஒரு சில வரலாற்று அறிஞர்கள் கூறுகிறார்கள். விஜயநகர பேரரசர்களில் முக்கியமான அரசரான குமார கம்பனன் கி.பி 1336 -. கி.பி. 1378 மதுரையை பிடித்தார்.கேரளா , ஆந்திரா , கர்நாடகா , தமிழ்நாடு என்று துங்கபத்ரா ஆற்றுக்குத் தெற்கில் உள்ள அனைத்து பகுதியையும் தன் வசம் கொண்டு வந்து விரிந்த பேரரசை ஏற்படுத்தினார். விஜயநகர அரசு விரிந்து பரந்திருந்ததால் பேரரசை பாளையம் எனும் சிறு சிறு பகுதிகளாகப் பிரித்து அரசாங்க வசதிக்காக அமைத்து கொண்டார். இம்முறையின்படியே பின்னாளில் விசுவநாத நாயக்கர் 72 பாளையங்களாக நாட்டைப் பிரித்து மதுரையை தலைநகராக் கொண்டு மதுரை நாயக்க அரசை ஏற்படுத்தினார். இது பின்னாளில் 200 பாளையங்கள் வரை பிரிக்கப்பட்டன.

மதுரை நாயக்கர்களின் பட்டியல்[தொகு]

விசுவநாத நாயக்கர் (1529 - 1564)
முதலாம் கிருஷ்ணப்ப நாயக்கர் (1564 - 1572)
வீரப்ப நாயக்கர் (1572 - 1595)
இரண்டாம் கிருஷ்ணப்ப நாயக்கர் (1595 - 1601)
முத்துக் கிருஷ்ணப்ப நாயக்கர் (1601 - 1609 )
முதலாம் முத்துவீரப்ப நாயக்கர் (1609 - 1623)
திருமலை நாயக்கர் (1623 - 1659)
இரண்டாம் முத்துவீரப்ப நாயக்கர் (1659 - 1659)
சொக்கநாத நாயக்கர் (1659 - 1682)
அரங்க கிருஷ்ண முத்துவீரப்ப நாயக்கர் (1682 - 1689)
இராணி மங்கம்மாள் (பகர ஆளுனர்) (1689 - 1704)
விஜயரங்க சொக்கநாத நாயக்கர் (1704 - 1732)
இராணி மீனாட்சி (1732 - 1736)

படைமுதலி பட்டம்[தொகு]

பீஜப்பூர் சுல்தான் விஜயநகரப் பேரரசின் மீது படையெடுத்து வந்தான். போர்க்களத்தில் சல்மத்கான் என்பவன் கிருஷ்ணதேவராயரை குறிவைத்து தாக்க அவரை நெருங்கியபோது, அரியநாதர் அந்த வீரனுடன் யுத்தம் செய்து அவனை அவனது படையோடு துரத்தி அடித்து, தம் மன்னர்தான் வெற்றிவாகை சூடப் பேருதவியாக விளங்கினார்.

அரியநாதரின் இந்த செயலை மன்னர் பாராட்டி, அவருக்கு படைமுதலி என்னும் பட்டத்தைத் தந்து, அவரைப் படைத் தளபதியாக்கி அமைச்சருக்கு உரிய தகுதியையும் வழங்கினார். அன்றைய நாள் முதலாக அரியநாதர் தளவாய் அரியநாத முதலியார் என்னும் சிறப்புப் பெயரால் அழைக்கப்பட்டதோடு, அவரது வழிவந்த மரபின் மக்களும் தம் இயற்பெயரோடு முதலியார் என்னும் அப் பட்டப்பெயரையும் இணைத்துக்கொள்ள, அந்த விருதுப்பெயர் காலப்போக்கில் இனப்பெயராக வழங்கப்பட்டு வருகிறது[8] .

தளவாய் அரியநாத முதலியார், விசயநகர முன்னாள் அரசப் பிரதிநிதியும் (வைஸ்ராய்) மற்றும் பின்னாள் ஆட்சியாளருமான விசுவநாத நாயக்கர் (1529–1564 ) ஏற்படுத்திய, மதுரை நாயக்க மன்னர்கள் அரசில் பணியாற்றிய வெள்ளாள தளவாயும் முதலமைச்சருமாவார்[1][2][3].

இவர் பகுதியளவில் நிலமானிய முறை அமைப்பை (quasi-feudal organization of regions) நாட்டின் பாளையங்களில் பாளையக்காரர் முறை (poligar or the palayakkarar system) என்ற பெயரில் நிறுவினார். இந்த அமைப்பில் நாட்டின் பகுதிகள் பாளையங்களாகப் (palayams) (சிறு இளவரசாட்சிகள்) (small principalities) பிரிக்கப்பட்டு பாளையக்காரர்களின் (குறுநில முதன்மையர்கள்) (petty chiefs) ஆளுகையில் நிர்வாகிக்கப்பட்டன[4]..

இவர் பாண்டிய நாட்டை 72 பாளையங்களாகப் பிரித்தார். இப்பாளையம் ஒவ்வொன்றும் ஒரு படைநிலை ஆகும். இவ்வாறு பிரிக்கப்பட்ட பாளையங்களை 72 பாளையக்காரர்கள் 50 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு மேலாக ஆண்டனர்[2][4].

பாளையங்களின் பெயர்ப் பட்டியல்[தொகு]
அம்மையநாயக்கனூர்
அத்திப்பட்டி
அழகாபுரி
ஆய்க்குடி
ஆற்றங்கரை
இளசை
இரசக்கயனூர்
இலக்கையனூர்
இடையக்கோட்டை
இராமகரி
உதயப்பனூர்
ஊற்றுமலை
ஊர்க்காடு
எட்டையபுரம்
ஏழுமலை
ஏழாயிரம்பண்ணை
கடலூர்
கல்போது
கன்னிவாடி
கம்பம்
கண்டமனூர்
கவுண்டன்பட்டி
கடம்பூர்
காமநாயக்கனூர்
காடல்குடி
காசையூர்
குமரவாடி
குளத்தூர்
குருவிகுளம்
கூடலூர்
கொல்லப்பட்டி
கொல்லங்கொண்டான்
கோலார்பட்டி
கோட்டையூர்
கோம்பை
சந்தையுர்
சக்கந்தி
சமுத்தூர்
சேத்தூர்
சிவகிரி
சிங்கம்பட்டி
சுரண்டை
சொக்கம்பட்டி
தலைவன்கோட்டை
தேவாரம்
தொட்டப்பநாயக்கனூர்
தோகைமலை
தும்பிச்சிநாயக்கனூர்
படமாத்தூர்
பாஞ்சாலங்குறிச்சி
பாவாலி
பெரியகுளம்
போடிநாயக்கனூர்
ரோசலைப்பட்டி
வடகரை
வாராப்பூர்
விருப்பாட்சி
வெள்ளிக்குன்றம்
விரமலை
நத்தம்
நடுவக்குறிச்சி
நாகலாபுரம்
நிலக்கோட்டை
நெற்கட்டும் செவல்
மணியாச்சி
மருங்காபுரி
மன்னார்கோட்டை
மலைப்பட்டி
மருதவானையூர்
முதுவார்பட்டி
முல்லையூர்
மேல்மாந்தை

* 1. Panchalankurichi (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 2. Ettaiyapuram (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 3. Nagalapuram (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 4. Yezhairam Pannai
* 5. Kadalkudi (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 6. Kuzhattur (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 7. Melmaandai -VILATHIKULAM
* 8. Aartrankarai (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 9. Kollapatti ETTAYAPURAM
* 10.Kolarpatti
* 11.Kadambur (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 12.Maniyachi (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 13.Thalaivankottai (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 14.Nerkatanjseval
* 15.Sokkampatti (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 16.Uttrumalai (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 17.Sethur
* 18.Sivagiri (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 19.Singampatti (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 20.Azhagapuri (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 21.Uurkadu
* 22.Surandai (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 23.Sandaiyur (Madurai Dist.)
* 24.Elumalai (Madurai Dist.)
* 25.Erasakkanayakkanur(Theni Dist.)
* 26.Kottaiyur
* 27.Marungapuri
* 28.Mannarkottai
* 29.Pavali
* 30.Ilakkaiyanur
* 31.Mullaiyur
* 32.Kadavur
* 33.Idayakottai (Madurai Dist.)
* 34.Nilakkottai (Madurai Dist.)
* 35.Thevaram (Theni Dist.)
* 36.Ramapattinam
* 37.Kalpodu
* 38.Kannivadi (Madurai Dist.)
* 39.Doddappanayakkanur (Madurai Dist.)
* 40.Kambum (Theni Dist.)
* 41.Kasaiyur
* 42.Varappur
* 43.Thokaimalai
* 44.Padathur
* 45.Aayakudi
* 46.Samuththur
* 47.Viruppachi
* 48.Padamaththur
* 49.Kandamanayakkanur
* 50.Thumbichinayakkanur
* 51.Nattham (Madurai Dist.)
* 52.Vellikundram (Madurai Dist.)
* 53.Malaiyapatti
* 54.Vadakarai
* 55.Ammayanayakkanur (Madurai Dist.)
* 56.Bodinayakkanur (Theni Dist.)
* 57.Sakkandhi
* 58.Madavanaiyur
* 59.Rosalpatti
* 60.Veeramalai
* 61.Periyakulam (Theni Dist.)
* 62.Kuruvikulam
* 63.Aatthipatti
* 64.Ezhasai
* 65.Maduvaarpatti
* 66.Kombai(Theni Dist.)
* 67.Kudaloor
* 68.Gaudanpatti
* 69.Kumaravadi
* 70.Udaiyappanayakkanur
* 71.Kollankondan
* 72.Kamayanayakkanur

Palaiyakkarar was the head of Palayam (Tamil)
or Paalem (Telugu)

By 1378 AD, Kumara Kampana, the prince of Vijayanagaram had conquered the Madurai country. After that the whole of Tamil Nadu and then KeraLa followed. By the end of the century, the whole of South India, south of the Krishna-Tungabadra rivers were under its rule. Vijayanagaram was a military state. The country was divided into small territories under military governors called AmaraNayakkars. The territorial divisions were called 'Amara Nayakka Thaanam's. Later on this system gave place to the Palayam system.

Palaiyakkarar, Poligar, Polygar or Palegar or Polegar was the feudal title for a class of territorial administrative and military governors appointed by the Nayak rulers of South India (notably Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks and the Kakatiya dynasty) during 16th - 18th centuries.

The word is an English corruption of Palaiyakkarar (Tamil) or Palegaadu (Telugu) or Paaleyagaara (Kannada). The Polygars of Madurai Country were instrumental in establishing administrative reforms by building irrigation projects, forts and religious institutions. Their wars with the British after the demise of Madurai Nayaks is often regarded as one the earliest Indian Independence struggles. Many were hanged and some banished forever to Andaman Islands by the British. Puli Thevar, Veerapandya Kattabomman, Dheeran Chinnamalai, Marudu brothers were some of the most notable Polygars who rose up in revolt against the British rule in South India. The war against the British forces predates the Sepoy Mutiny in Northern India by many decades but still largely given less importance by historians
Name and origins

Palaiyakkarar was the head of Palayam (Tamil) or Paalem (Telugu), a fortified district or military camp devised by the famous general Ariyanatha Mudaliar of the Madurai Kingdom. Some historians say that the Palaiyakkarar system might have originated from the Kakatiya dynasty's model by Prataparudra, who similarly divided his kingdom among 77 Padmanayakas. Kongatiya now the family members lives in Tumkur District Kora village (kongatiya Thimmanna nayaka)
Background

Soon after the Vijayanagara kingdom was formed, it started expanding. The formation was in 1336 AD. By 1378 AD, Kumara Kampana, the prince of Vijayanagaram had conquered the Madurai country. After that the whole of Tamil Nadu and then KeraLa followed. By the end of the century, the whole of South India, south of the Krishna-Tungabadra rivers were under its rule. Vijayanagaram was a military state. The country was divided into small territories under military governors called AmaraNayakkars. The territorial divisions were called 'Amara Nayakka Thaanam's. Later on this system gave place to the Palayam system. Dalavaay Ariyanatha Mudhaliar, the minister/general of Visvanatha Nayakkar of Madurai established 72 PaaLayams in the Madurai country. They were placed under the care of the PaaLayakkaarars. This system outlasted the Madurai Nayakkars. PaLayams like Sethu Nadu became kingdoms.

In the Vijayanagara empire, local chieftains called "palegar's" were allowed to rule with limited autonomy by their overlords. They had powers to collect revenue, maintain a small army and impose punishments. They numbered up to 200 during this period. However, they are supposed to have refused to come to the rescue of the empire at the Battle of Tallikota in 1565 CE, which marked the downfall of the Vijayanagara empire.

When the Vijayanagara Empire of southern India weakened after the mid-16th century, the Vijayanagara Nayaks, or governors, became the independent rulers of large tracts of southern India. Of the prominent Nayaks were the Nayaks of Madurai (1549 – 1736), ruling from Madurai and Tiruchirapalli. The Tanjore Naickers opted for a conventional system of administration, while the other Vijaynagar offshoots, namely the Nayaks of Gingee, and other territories under the Aravidu line of later Vijayanagara Kings based in Chandragiri - Vellore Fort, followed the Palayam or Palegallu system of administration,.[1]
Beginnings

The first Naicker king of Madurai Viswanatha Nayak (1559—1563); a shrewd administrator, assisted by his famous Dalavoy (Governor General) cum Pradhani (first citizen) Ariyanatha Mudaliar are credited with establishing "the polygar (palaiyakkarar) system” in Madurai Kingdom.

The Madurai kingdoms consisted of present day Western Tamil Nadu with Coimbatore, Salem and Kollidam river forming the northern boundary barring Tanjore Kingdom and Western Ghats forming the western border and Kanniyakumari in the South. To make the territorial administration more efficient, Viswanatha Naicker and Ariyanatha Mudaliar apportioned the country into 72 palaiyams to 72 chieftains, some of them locals and the rest Telugu leaders of detachments who had accompanied Viswanatha Naicker from Vijayanagar. Most Palaiyams were dry tracts of land with scanty rainfall found in the western parts of Tamil Nadu.
Role of a Poligar

The Poligar's role was to administer their Palaiyams (territories) from their fortified centers. Their chief functions were to collect taxes, maintain law and order, run the local judiciary, and maintain a battalion of troops for the king.

They served as regional military and civil administrators. In turn they were to retain ¼ of the revenue collected as tax, and submit the remaining to the king's treasury. The Poligars also at times founded villages, built dams, constructed tanks and built temples. Also the rulers taxed regions according to the cultivable and fertility of the land. Often several new rainwater tanks were erected in the Semi-Arid tracts of western and south Tamil Nadu.

Their armed status was also to protect the civilians from robbers and dacoits who were rampant in those regions and from invading armies which often resorted to pillaging the villages and countryside.[1]
Poligar landmarks

Viswanatha Naicker, the Madurai Nayak king, when rebuilding Madurai, built a double-walled fortress encompassing Meenakshi temple and Madurai town with giant moats filled with water. He also built 72 double-storied structures around the perimeter of the fort wall to serve as offices for each Palaiyakkarar.

In 1841, a British Collector Black Burn demolished all 71 bastions to extend the City and filled the deep moats to form the Veli streets. One of the surviving bastions still functions as a corporation office near Periyar Bus stand in Madurai.

In Palaiyakkarar’s local region, they built forts usually on a hill. Since cannon and gunfire artillery came into existence, when establishing the Naicker Empire most of them were fortified to withstand cannon shot of the enemy troops. Sankagiri fort on the Coimbatore-Salem highway of Deeran Chinnamalai is one that remains in its original state.

Notable Palaiyakkarars

* Puli Thevar (Nerkattumseval – Tirunelveli District)
* Dheeran Chinnamalai (Theerthagiri Gounder) - (olden Coimbatore and Salem District)
* Veerapandya Kattabomman (Panchalankurichi- Tuticorin District)
* Koneti Naidu (Penukonda, Rayadurgam and Kundurpi- Anantapur District)
* Virupachi Gopal Naicker - (Virupakshi)
* Venkatapathi Naidu (Kalyandurg- Anantapur District)
* Ramabhadra Naicker ([[Vadakarai - Dindigul District)
* Madakari Nayaka- (Chitradurga)
* Raja Venkatappa Nayaka- (Surapura)
* Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy- (Kurnool)
* kadirappa nayaka,aggithimappa nayaka, vasantha nayaka gn narasimha nayaka(gummanayakanapalya,bagepalli)

List of various Palaiyams and their Palayakkars

* 1. Panchalankurichi (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 2. Ettaiyapuram (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 3. Nagalapuram (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 4. Yezhairam Pannai
* 5. Kadalkudi (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 6. Kuzhattur (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 7. Melmaandai
* 8. Aartrankarai (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 9. Kollapatti
* 10.Kolarpatti
* 11.Kadambur (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 12.Maniyachi (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 13.Thalaivankottai (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 14.Nerkatanjseval
* 15.Sokkampatti (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 16.Uttrumalai (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 17.Sethur
* 18.Sivagiri (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 19.Singampatti (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 20.Azhagapuri (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 21.Uurkadu
* 22.Surandai (Tirunelveli Dist.)
* 23.Sandaiyur (Madurai Dist.)
* 24.Elumalai (Madurai Dist.)
* 25.Erasakkanayakkanur(Theni Dist.)
* 26.Kottaiyur
* 27.Marungapuri
* 28.Mannarkottai
* 29.Pavali

* 30.Ilakkaiyanur
* 31.Mullaiyur
* 32.Kadavur
* 33.Idayakottai (Madurai Dist.)
* 34.Nilakkottai (Madurai Dist.)
* 35.Thevaram (Theni Dist.)
* 36.Ramapattinam
* 37.Kalpodu
* 38.Kannivadi (Madurai Dist.)
* 39.Doddappanayakkanur (Madurai Dist.)
* 40.Kambum (Theni Dist.)
* 41.Kasaiyur
* 42.Varappur
* 43.Thokaimalai
* 44.Padathur
* 45.Aayakudi
* 46.Samuththur
* 47.Viruppachi
* 48.Padamaththur
* 49.Kandamanayakkanur
* 50.Thumbichinayakkanur
* 51.Nattham (Madurai Dist.)
* 52.Vellikundram (Madurai Dist.)
* 53.Malaiyapatti
* 54.Vadakarai
* 55.Ammayanayakkanur (Madurai Dist.)
* 56.Bodinayakkanur (Theni Dist.)
* 57.Sakkandhi
* 58.Madavanaiyur
* 59.Rosalpatti
* 60.Veeramalai
* 61.Periyakulam (Theni Dist.)
* 62.Kuruvikulam
* 63.Aatthipatti
* 64.Ezhasai
* 65.Maduvaarpatti
* 66.Kombai(Theni Dist.)
* 67.Kudaloor
* 68.Gaudanpatti
* 69.Kumaravadi
* 70.Udaiyappanayakkanur
* 71.Kollankondan
* 72.Kamayanayakkanur

Notable Palaiyams
Nayakkar Palayams

Palayams ruled by Nayakkar communities and part of South Tamil Nadu.

* Saptur (Madurai Dist)
* Panchalankurichi (Madurai Dist)
* Ammayanayakkanur (Madurai Dist)
* Elumalai (Madurai Dist)
* Bodinayakkanur (Theni Dist)

Maravar Palayam

Palayams ruled by Maravar communities and part of South Tamil Nadu.

* Nerkattumseval (Madurai- Tirunelveli) - ruled by Puli Thevar.
* Kollamkondan (Madurai- Tirunelveli)
* Singampatti (Madurai- Tirunelveli)
* Sethur, Tirunelveli (Madurai- Tirunelveli)
* Thalaivan Kottai (Indrathalavan Thirunelveli)
* Chokkampatti

Other Palayams

* Kongu Nadu- maximum number of Palayams in the whole of South India
* Ettayapuram (Madurai-Tirunelveli)
* Kannivadi (Madurai - Dindigul)
* Virupachi (Madurai - Dindigul)
* Kalahasti (Chandragiri)
* Madurantagam (Chandragiri-Vellore)
* Nagari (Karvetinagaram)
* Bangarupalem (Bangarupalem, Chittoor District)
* Katineni Yerragudi(kadapa)

[1]

Palayams ruled by Nayakkar communities and part of South Tamil Nadu.

* Saptur (Madurai Dist)
* Panchalankurichi (Madurai Dist)
* Ammayanayakkanur (Madurai Dist)
* Elumalai (Madurai Dist)
* Bodinayakkanur (Theni Dist)

Maravar Palayam

Palayams ruled by Maravar communities and part of South Tamil Nadu.

* Nerkattumseval (Madurai- Tirunelveli) - ruled by Puli Thevar.
* Kollamkondan (Madurai- Tirunelveli)
* Singampatti (Madurai- Tirunelveli)
* Sethur, Tirunelveli (Madurai- Tirunelveli)
* Thalaivan Kottai (Indrathalavan Thirunelveli)
* Chokkampatti

Other Palayams

* Kongu Nadu- maximum number of Palayams in the whole of South India

* Ettayapuram (Madurai-Tirunelveli)
* Kannivadi (Madurai - Dindigul)
* Virupachi (Madurai - Dindigul)
* Kalahasti (Chandragiri)
* Madurantagam (Chandragiri-Vellore)
* Nagari (Karvetinagaram)
* Bangarupalem (Bangarupalem, Chittoor District)

The number of Palayams and the Palayakkar were not fixed. New Palayams were created and older palayams were merged with other Palayams. The number of Palayams ranged to over 200. The Kongu Nadu had the maximum number of "Palayams" in the whole of South India.
North Region

Kalahasti - Chenappa Naidu

Chandragiri - pulicherla -pulicherla venkata chandrappa nayunivaru mogarala-

Chittoor Nagari - palegar vakkala chengamma Nayannuvaru Bangarupalyam - muddu bangaru seshachalapathi Nayannuvaru

Puttur—chenna Ankama Naidu

Veeraballi (sanipai-Padamatanagiri)-Yaramalanayuni Thathama Naidu (R/o Sivaramappa naidu) .

Katineni erragudi- chakrayapet mandal - katineni Venkatapathi Nayunivaru (1529- 1542, Achyuta deva Raya )
Central Region

Madurantagam

Pudukottai

Chengalpattu - Seshadri Pillai, the Poligar

Some Palayakkars are Maddikayala Teppalraj, Kuppum Venkatachala Naicker, Damerla Venkatapati Naicker, Strirama Singama Naicker, Rayalu Naicker, Vadamaraja Tanappa Naicker, Rangappa Naicker, Anapambattu Harikrishna Raj, Nakka Venaktarama Naicker, Adavi, Venaktapati Raj, Kulur Venkata Raj, Itambi Subburoya Pillai (the only Tamil of the group), Mul Raj, and Madupakam Ramachandra Naicker in Madras region. katineni yerragudi, katineni Venkatapathi Nayunivaru(1529-1545 , Achyuta Rayal).
East Region

Ariyalur - Malavarayan

Turayur - vyri chetti(vyrichetti palayam)

Puchiya Nayakkan

Lakkaya Nayakkan

Kammaya Nayakkan

Kamakshi Nayakkan

Lingama Nayakkan

Muttaya Nayakkan

VallaKondama Nayakkan

Samaya Nayakkan

Ammaya Nayakkan

Kulappa Nayakkan

Appayya Nayakkan

Palani Hills - Sennava Nayakkan

Virupakshi - Ramabhadra Nayakkan,
Western Region (Kongu Nadu)

There were ten Gounder Palayakkarars from the Kongu Nadu. Some of them are:

Pollachi (Puravipalayam) - The Gopanna Mandradiars were Palayakkarars and later became a Zamindari of Pollachi and Puravipalayam during the British rule.

Samuthur - The Vanavarayars of Samathur were Palayakkarars and later became a Zamindari of Samathur and Kottampatti during the British rule.

Uthukuli - The Kalingarayars of Uthukuli where Palayakkarars and later became a Zamindari of Uthukuli and Tirupur during the British rule. [2]

Kangeyam (Palaya Kottai or Palayamkottai) - The Sarkarai Mandradiars of Kangeyam were the traditional chieftains and Palayakkarars of the Kongu Nadu.

Konganapuram - Sri Rangasamy Gounder, Sri Sengotuvellappa Gounder and Sri Nachiappa Gounder - The descendants of Zamindari of Konganapuram.

Pokkampalayam - Dr.P. Subbarayan - The descendant of Zamindari of Kumaramangalam and Sri Rathanasabapathy Gounder - The descendant of the Zamindari of Pudupalayam

Tharamangalam - Gatti Mudalis of Salem and Dharmapuri
Karnataka region

Mysore - Somanna Danayaka

Surapura Samsthana - founded by the Bedars and ruled between 1650 and 1858 AD in Sagara-nadu or Shorapur Doab (Gulbarga dist. Karnataka)

Gummanayakanapalya palegars(bagepalli,chickballapur dist)
South Region

Sinnanajan Thevan

Sivagiri Vanniyan

Irattaikudai Vanniyan

Alagapuri Vanniyan

Settur - Tiruvana Thevan

Kollangondan Thevan

Annichi Nayakkan

Tumbichi Nayakkan

Kama Nayakkan

Kalanga Nayakkan

Kandama Nayakkan

Elumadai Nayakkan

chokkanpatti - Chokkathalavan

Thadiaythalavan

Tali Veli

Suttala Thevan

Saluva Thevan

Seturayan

Nallakutti of Singampatti

Nambithalavan

Ananjathalavan

Ramabhadra Reddi

Ramaswami Reddi

Kumaraswami Reddi

Venkatachala Reddi

Kechalapa Nayakkan

Pethana Nayakkan

Kadalakkudi Nayakkan

Nagalapuram Nayakkan

Melamandai - Sirumalai Nayakkan

Indrathalavan

Kumarathalavan

Eravappa Nayakkan

[3]

Panchalankurichi - Veera Paandiya Katta Pomman

Ettayapuram - Ettappan

Ramnad

Sivagangai - Marudu brothers

[4]

Nelkattamsevval - Puli Thevar
Mini Palayams and their rulers

Local Agrarian Societies in Colonial India: Japanese Perspectives By Peter G. Robb, Kaoru Sugihara, Haruka Yanagisawa

The Madura Country: A Manua By James Henry Nelson

Indrathalaivan ( Thalaivan Kottai )
Rebellions against British

With the downfall of Madurai Kingdom in 1736 anarchy prevailed in those regions. Starting 1690’s the Madurai Kingdom became a feudatory under the Mughals, represented by the Nawab of Carnatic (The Nawab of Arcot) and after 1750s the region came under the complete control of the Carnatic Nawab, who was the new overlord of the Polygars.

The Carnatic Nawab’s tax collection efforts often ended in small wars with the polygars, who refused to recogonise his authority and considered him as a usurper. The Nawabs often expensive tax collection campaigns and lavish spending drove him to bankruptcy, resorting to huge borrowings from the British. In 1752 the old Madurai Kingdom was leased to a savage warrior Mohammed Yusuf Khan, and was backed with troops from the British and Carnatic Nawab to bring the Polygars into control. He immediately went around pillaging and damaging the country-side to subdue the Polygars, till he himself got killed his overlords. But by the end of Yusuf Khan’s life he bought many polygars under control with several of them killed.

Later in late 18th century to compensate loans borrowed from British, the Nawab ceded his tax collection rights to the former, who in turn raised the taxes, irrespective of a regions agrian produce, enraging several Polygars.The Polygars saw the British as an unwanted intruder, still refusing to accept the weak Nawab.
Puli Thevar

One of the earliest to rebel against the British -Carnatic Nawab combine was Puli Thevar, a polygar of Nerkattumseval in mid 18th century. Nerkattumseval is Palaiyam near the Western Ghats of Madurai region. Puli Thevar Puli Thevar, initially a good ally of Carnatic Nawab, came into conflict with Muhammed Yusuf Khan, over payment of dues, erupting into a war. After a prolonged campaign of three years, Muhammed Yusuf Khan defeated and captured Puli Thevar and the later's end is uncertain.
Veerapandiya Kattabomman

The most famous of all Polygars, was Veerapandiya Kattabomman, ruler of Panchalankurichi in present day Tuticorin district in late 18th century. Veerapandiya Kattabomman came into conflict with the British who now posted a Tax collector.Kattabomman’s war against the British is often classified as the First Polygar War, later he was captured in an act of betrayal and hanged by the British in 1799. See the separate page of Veerapandiya Kattabomman.
Dheeran Chinnamalai

One of the first and popular Palaiyakkarar, was the Kongu Chieftain Theerthagiri Gounder widely known as "Dheeran Chinnamalai". He was the main leader in the Poligar Wars and commanded a vast army made up of mostly Kongu youths, notabely in the second Poligar War between 1800-1805. Maveeran Dheeran Chinnamalai rose up in revolt against the British East India Company. He was captured in an act of betrayal and hanged by the British. See the separate page of Dheeran Chinnamalai.
Polygar Wars

See Polygar Wars

Polygar War is a series of wars fought by a combine of Palaiyakkarar's against the British troops, between 1798 and 1805. The war between the British and Kattabomman Nayak (Veerapandiya Kattabomman) is often classified as First Polygar war (1799), while Second Polygar War 1800-1805 against the British was fought by a much bigger combine over entire western Tamil Nadu headed by Dheeran Chinnamalai and Marudhu Pandiyan brothers of the Sivaganga.

The Polygars often had artillery and resisted stubbornly and the storming of their hill forts proved on several occasions’ sanguinary work. The British columns were exposed throughout the operations to constant harassing attacks; and had usually to cut their way through almost impenetrable jungles fired on from under cover on all sides. It took more than a year to suppress the rebellion completely, resulting in the abolition of the Polygar system.
End of the Polygar system

After a long and expensive campaign the British finally defeated the revolting Polygars, of whom many were beheaded and hanged while others were deported to the Andaman Islands. Of the Polygars who submitted to the British some of them were granted Zamindari status, which has only tax collection rights and disarmed them completely. (The Zamindari system originated in Bengal, but was adopted by the British.)
General view

Modern historians credit the Polygars for their massive re-structuring work (following the 14th century mayhem), which provided a massive fillip to economic and agricultural growth and helping in restoring order, leading to formation of many new towns and villages (pettai and palaiyam suffixes found in Tamil Nadu today).

Incidents do point towards some disorderly polygars, who took things in their hand, becoming mini tyrants and corrupt, earning the wrath of their citizens. Some accounts were often exaggerated by the chroniclers of English East India Company to justify their occupation over these regions. But such were the nature, often found in any administration including the administrative officers in English East India Company officers, the Deccan Sultans and the Jahirs of the Mughals.

The region after the downfall of Madurai Kingdom was marked by a complete confusion, mayhem and disruption of general life, exacerbated by severe droughts in 1782, 1783,1807,1823,1833 and 1854.

The revision and collection of the tax by the British East India Company, who were ill-suited or inexperienced for the purpose (as they were British traders and Military officers rather than administrators), resulted in growing resentment between the Polygars and the British.

When the districts of Rayalaseema were ceded to British rule, the local palegars refused to share the revenue with the British. The British collector in Rayalaseema, Thomas Monroe, ordered the arrest of the palegar of Koikuntla, Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, who was hanged publicly. After that, however, the British allowed the palegars to remain. They numbered around 80 in the region and were permitted to conduct their own courts. For example, Dosakayala Venkata Subba Reddy would hold court every day at 10 a.m. and judgments delivered by him had no appeal. In some areas palegars encouraged their private armies to indulge in dacoit activities and took a share of the booty.

Palegars vanished after independence, but the culture survived in the form of factionists.
Recognition today

It was not until 1960, when a movie released on Veerapandya Kattabomman did the public take notice of the Palaiyakkarar's, who were till then simply termed as “local chieftains”. Till then their acts in the war was kept alive in the Folk songs and ballads in the western Tamil Nadu country side, often ignored by the rest. One of the famous legend is that of the great Kongu Chieftain and Palayakkar, Dheeran Chinnamalai and his revolt against the tryanny of the British forces in the South India

Today Puli Thevar, Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Dheeran Chinnamalai, Marudu brothers all are honored with monuments by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The movie Veerapandiya Kattabomman stands out as one of the best movies in Shivaji Ganesan’s long illustrious movie career, winning him many international fame and accolades.
Academics and books

A number of Tamil Publications cover Puli Thevar, Marudhu Pandiyan Brothers and Veerapandiya Kattabomman’s role in the struggle against the British. Their administrative efforts are mentioned in the books covering the Madurai Nayaks and 17th- 19th century regional history, while most of the British chronicles paint them in a very bad light. Otherwise no exclusive compilations of study material exist.

In school texts Tamil and government text books covers the major leaders and Palaiyakkarar's role in administration and war, the Indian English textbooks based loosely on British accounts simply state the period as polygars, with no mention of their role in the development and the freedom struggle.

2009 in kannada film industry "veera madhakari " film is released it is the name of madhakari nayaka
Madakari Nayaka was the last ruler of Chitradurga, India.[1] Nayaka lost Chitradurga in a siege of Mysore by Hyder Ali, and was slain by Ali's son Tipu Sultan.
During the reign of Madakari Nayaka, the city of Chitradurga was besieged by the troops of Hyder Ali. Hyder Ali spotted a woman entering Chitradurga through a gap (kindi) in the rocks and sent his soldiers through it. The guard on duty of the port near the gap had gone home for lunch. When there was no water at home, wife Obavva left home to bring some water for her husband. En route, she noticed Hyder Ali's soldiers entering the fort from the gap. She didn't want to wake her husband from the lunch, so she took a onake (flail for rice), started hitting the soldiers one by one as they were trying to enter the fort. Upon his return from lunch, Obavva's husband was shocked to see Obavva with a blood-stained onake and hundreds of soldiers lying dead about her. The passage remains as marker of the story, beside the Tanniru Doni — a small water source which holds cold water year round. Hyder Ali attacked again in 1779 and took the fort. The place is renowned for its Kallina Kote ("the place of the stone fort"), and is home to the Fort of Seven Rounds, which is built with large stones.
Chitradurga Paleyagar family history

The Chitradurga Paleyagar family was of the Beda or Boyar caste, and was one of the hill tribes who subsisted by hunting and tending cattle. The accounts of their origin are somewhat confused. According to one tradition, three Beda families emigrated from Jadikal-durga, in Tirupati, and settled at Nirutadi near Bharamasngara in about 1475. They are said to have belonged to the Kamageti family and Valmiki gotra. The son and the grandson of one of these, Hire Hanummappa Nayaka and Timmanna Nayaka, settled at Matti in Davangere taluk. The latter, called Kamageti Timmanna Nayaka, was appointed by the Vijayanagara king, first as the Nayaka of Holalkere, then of Hiriyur, and finally of Chitradurga. He fortified the hill at Chitradurga and conducted himself in such a manner that a force was sent by the king against him. According to another account, Timmanna Nayaka came with a small body of armed men from a place called Madakeri below the ghats near Tirupati and entered the service of the Paleyagar of Basavapattana. Later, as some quarrel arose about a mistress he had kept at Matti, he left the place and took refuge at Mayakonda. Pursued there as well, he escaped to the jungle near Guntur, and after collecting a band, started plundering the area and erected a small fort called Rangapatna near Haleyur. The neighbouring Paleyagars of Harapanahalli, Nidugal, and Basavapattana, being annoyed by his depredations, united against him and, with the aid of some Vijayanagara troops, marched upon Rangapatna. Timmanna Nayaka was then forced to retire to Chitradurga, where he was closely besieged. At that time the following incident occurred, which led to his recognition as one of the chiefs dependent on Vijayanagara. This was in about 1562.
[edit] Timmanna Nayaka

Timmanna Nayaka distinguished himself by stealing into the camp at night with the intention of carrying off the horse of Saluva Narasinga Raya, the Vijayanagara prince who commanded the forces against him. The prince awoke, and Timmanna hid in the straw to escape observation. The prince reset the peg for the heel ropes into the ground, and unknowingly impaled Timmanna's with it. Timmanna remained silent and hidden, and when all was again still, he released himself by cutting off the pinned hand and stole the horse. This act showed the besieging army that Timmanna could not be intimdated. A peace was said to have been concluded after that. The Vijayanagara king invited Timmanna to the capital and expressed his great admiration of his courageous exploit. At the request of the king, Timmanna Nayaka next took Gulbarga, which the Vijayanagara forces had failed to take even after a siege of six months. The king, pleased with this, invited Timmanna to court. Timmanna later incurred the royal displeasure, and was imprisoned at Vijayanagara, where he died.

Timmanna Nayaka was succeeded by his son Obana Nayaka. He took the name Madakeri Nayaka, and he declared his independence from the Vijayanagara Empire within a few years taking the throne.

In 1602, Obana Nayaka was succeeded by his son Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka. His reign was full of conflicts with the neighbouring chiefs. Several battles took place with the Paleyagar of Basavapattana over various locations, such as Mayakonda, Santebennur, Holalkere, Anaji, and Jagalur, all of which ultimately remained as parts of Chitradurga territory. At the time of his death in 1652, Obana's possessions yielded a revenue of 65,000 Durgi Pagodas.

Rangappa Nayaka was succeeded by his son Madakeri Nayaka II in 1652, who was also credited with a number of victories, particularly in the east. During his time, the kingdom was divided into four regions. The local officers in charge of these were Hotte Gurukanna, Karanika Bhunappa, Abbigere Mallanna, and Karanika Appanna. Rangappa died in 1674, leaving a dominion yielding 100,000 Durgi Pagodas.
[edit] Chikkanna Nayaka

Madakeri Nayaka had no children, and his adopted son, Obana Nayaka, succeeded him to the throne of Chitradurga. Obana was put to death by the Dalavayis, possibly because he had failed to give them the customary tributes. Chikkanna Nayaka, a younger brother of Madakeri Nayaka, was installed in 1676. At this time, the Harapanahalli chief laid siege to Anaji and killed the local officer, Bhunappa. Chikkanna Nayaka went to Anaji and forced the enemy to stop the siege. Immediately after this, he had to go to Harihar to defend it against the Muhammadans, who had attacked it under the command of Shamsher Khan. The defence was effected by the following strategy: during the approach at night, numerous torches were lit and fixed to the branches of trees, and the musicians were asked to play on their instruments as usual at Chikkanna's encampment on Baregudda hill. The intention was to create the impression that the army had not moved. The Nayaka marched his whole force through a circuitous route, attacked the fort from the west, and drove off the enemies. Chikkanna formed marriage alliances with the Rayadurga and Basavapattana chiefs. It is said that the Chitradurga family changed its religious faith twice during the reign of this Nayaka. First, the entire family embraced Veerashaivism, and the Nayaka even caused a Matha to be built in the fort and a Virakta Jangama named Ugrachannaviradeva to be appointed to act as a guru to them. Later, almost all are said to have returned to their original faith. Chikkanna Nayaka died in 1686.

Chikkanna Nayaka was succeeded by his elder brother Linganna Nayaka, also known as Madakeri Nayaka III. At this time there was a serious disagreemtn amongst the Dalavayis as to the rightful successor to the throne. One group, headed by Panchamara Muddanna, imprisoned and later killed Linganna Nayaka, and placed Donne Rangappa Nayaka on the throne. Muddanna remained the strongest man in Chitradurga until another faction headed by Dalavayi Bharamappa took power. Muddanna and his brothers were soon destroyed, and Donne Rangappa was imprisoned.
[edit] Bharamappa Nayaka

Dalavayi Bharamappa was interested in the integrity of the state. Without a direct heir to the throne, he, in consultation with the other elders of the court, brought in a distant heir named Bharamappa Nayaka. The new Nayaka ascended to the throne in about 1689. This was a difficult time for the state; it was during this period that the Mughals overran the possessions of Bijapur and established their government at Sira, of which Basavapattana and Budihal were made paraganas, and to which Chitradurga and other neighbouring states of Paleyagars became tributaries. There were many battles during the reign of this Nayaka between both Chitradurga and Harapanahalli as well as Rayadurga and Bijapur. The Nayaka was successful in all these battles. His long reign of 33 years (1689–1721) was equally remarkable for the extent of his benefactions. He is said to have built as many as 30 temples, three or four palaces, five strong forts, and not less than 20 tanks throughout his territory. A part of the Chitradurga fort and a number of gateways and bastions are also attributed to him. The only thing from which people suffered during this reign was the great plague in 1703, which took a heavy toll and caused an almost complete evacuation of the capital city for some days.

Upon his death in 1721, Bharamappa Nayaka was succeeded by his son Hiri Madakeri Nayaka. Within two or three years of accession, the young prince had to face the consequences of a famine and the Maratha raid under Piraji. His reign was punctuated with a number of hostilities against Harapanahalli, Savanur, Bidanur and the Marathas. He was generally successful in his engagements and annexed a large tract of country in the north-east extending beyond Molakahnuru. There was a great battle in Mayakonda in 1747–48 between Chitradurga and the confederate forces of Bidanur, Rayadurga, Harapanahalli, and Savanur. The Chitradurga army met with disaster, and the Nayaka was slain by Somashekhara Nayaka of Harapanahalli. During the reign of this Nayaka, Chitratlurga rose in prosperity; state revenue reached 300,000 Durgi Pagodas. The chief is remembered for the construction of a number of temples, but he also made arrangements for a number of worship ceremonies and festivals in different temples.
[edit] Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka II

The next Nayaka was his son Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka II, who retook Mayakonda. He achieved this with the help of the Maratha Sardar Murari Rao and the Subedar of Advani. Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka is said to have made various expeditions to the north and south, and in the latter direction gained some possessions in the Budihal region. He is also said to have maintained a friendship with the Subedar of Sira. He died in 1754 without an heir, and Madakeri Nayaka, called Madakeri Nayaka the last, son of one Bharamappa Nayaka of Janakal-Durga, was his successor.
[edit] Raja Veera Madakari Nayaka

Madakeri Nayaka, who was to be the last Nayaka of Nayak'a chi tradurga, as twelve years old at the time of his accession to the Chitradurga throne. The enemies of Chitradurga again tried to conquer it, but the Bedas remained faithful and defended the Nayaka. Kalyadurga made an effort alone and met with failure. In 1759–60, a united front formed by Rayadurga, Harapanahalli, and Savannr attacked. A battle took place near Ihoskere, with Chilradurga claiming victory, though with some losses. This was followed by some minor disturbances from the actions of the chiefs of Tarikere and Jarimale in the border areas of the state.

Chitradurga had become a powerful state in the south, such that the major powers like Haidar Ali and the Peshwas sought its help against each other. The Nayaka first helped Haidar Ali in his campaigns against Bankapur, Nijagal, Bidanur, and the Marathas. Despite this, the Nawab had been waiting for an opportunity to attack Chitradurga. In 1777, Haidar was threatened with a formidable invasion by the allied armies of the Marathas and the Nizam. The Nayaka of Chitradurga changed his allegiance, and Haidar marched upon Chitradurga, rejecting the offers of the chief to pay a large fine. The siege was maintained unsuccessfully for some months before an arrangement was entered into, and a fine of thirteen lakhs of pagodas was levied on the Chief. With the Maratha campaign over, Haidar once more approached Chitradurga, which held out against Haidar for months. With the assistance of treacherous Muhammadan officers in the Paleyagar's service, Chitradurga was taken in 1779. Madakeri Nayaka and his family were sent as prisoners to Srirangapattana, and 20,000 Beda soldiers from Chitradurga were sent to the island of Srirangapattana (Mysore), with the sole view of breaking up their power. After the death of the Nayaka, the Chitradurga treasury is said to have yielded to Haidar, inter alia, the following quantities of coins: 400,000 silver; 100,000 royal; 1,700,000 Ashrafi; 2,500,000 Dabolikadali; and 1,000,000 Chavuri.

* Katineni Yerragudi(kadapa)