CMRS 9 - contd.

     CMR Story:       

           Part.1. - “The Soil.   - Chapter – 9.  -   ”The Madurai Siege.”

After break fast, Venki mama took leave of Nana’s mother.

He assured her again that he will find a suitable bride for Seenu.

‘Amma, I am also going with mama; I have places to visit but will be back before the lunch time’, said Nana, thinking of the incomplete story in his mind.

Mama’s house at the northern end was about 10 minutes of slow walking from his home.

In between were a variety of trees and several houses with plenty of open space around.

They walked leisurely in silence, looking at the landscape around the vast place.

At the centre of that large rectangular fenced plot was a common hall surrounded by flower pots and kitchen gardens. At some distance was a big well and washing area. Beyond that and nearer the fence were cow sheds and many thatched dwelling units. There were also store houses to stock the cattle feeds and paddy bags.

The entire place was at a higher level, gradually sloping down to river bed, miles away.

Why should there be so much of vacant space for so few houses mama?

It is because your father made it so. - He had a long range perspective.

I don’t get it, said Nana unable to grasp its significance.

You can’t: As long as you confine yourself to the present. - Is it not?

I still do not understand what you mean by that?

I mean your father had future expansions of your family and of others in his mind.

You need to build more houses for your children and grand children. Do you understand?

It is not just only in our colony but in every other part of the village under development.

Oh. - It is a good thinking.

 

Indeed so but nothing like town planning of Madurai’ known as koodal ma nagar. 

It is a city of squares with wide main streets named after the Tamil months that surround the Meenakshi temple as the centre point and with inter-connecting cross roads and lanes.

Mama shall we sit here? – Nana showed a place under a shady jack tree.

It is difficult to keep talking while walking.  - Is it not?

Well, you seem to be keen on our unfinished story, laughed venki mama.

Where did we leave the story last?

You said the Nayakar Dynasty was coming to an end.

True. That was when you were not even born.

But, I already briefed you on the Karnatic war.

You did indeed but not on the story of Madurai siege.

Ok then. Let me be brief to the extent possible.

If you want complete detail you can read ‘Madurai Thala varalaru’ at your leisure.

Was it among the several packages you brought when we shifted?

Oh yes, I did not want to leave it there.

In case, the invaders happen to read it, they may rewrite the history to hide facts.

Did you think that facts can be twisted and rewritten?

What is the doubt?  - Vested interests are in it always.

Any ruler wants his version to be a recorded history. -  Is it not?

After a long time gap, no one can make out what is real and what is not.

I got it mama. Please continue with your story.

It was a trying period when Ramu’s father was the dalavai with our king in exile.

It was in the year 1751 and you were two at that time.

Chanda Saheb’s man Alam Khan took procession of the Madurai fort.

He ruled as far as the Thiruvadi Rajyam. (Trivancore) and appointed his governors.

He gave Madurai to his brother-in-law Mayana and Tirunelveli to one Nabhi khan.

When Mayana sold the Madurai fort to Mysore sultan, there arrived one Kuku Saheb.

He ordered slaughtering of cows and felling of trees inside Madurai temple.

Treating Madurai as salable property infuriated the Sethupathis and Palayakars.

Added provocation was the scant respect shown to the Hindu Gods and temples.

They immediately marched their army and recaptured Madurai fort.

Did they come in person along with our King?

No need. - Sethupathi’s Commander was Vellaian Servaikarar Thandavaraya pillai.

He along with Udaya Thevar, the vassal pradani of Sivaganga zamin had come with their solders to help our Dalavai of Madurai, who was Ramappan’s father at that time.

What happened then?

After purification ceremonies, they opened the temples, restored worship and services.

Since the kingdom should not remain with out a ruler, they brought back the otherwise unwilling Vijayakumara Muthu Thirumalai and crowned him as king in December, 1752.

Is that all with the story of Madurai siege, asked Nana with a disapproving tone?

Mama laughed and said it was only the start.

It was the darkest period for Madurai. - Once a great empire, it had been reduced to the status of a profit-making property, leased out by the victor.

Vijayakumarar’s rule lasted only for 18 months.

He fully realized the vulnerability of his position.

He started preparing for his permanent hide out in case of another attack.

So, the name-sake Nayakar King decided to leave all his power with his Dalavai.

What does it mean? – Leaving the power, asked Nana.

It means a lot. – Vijayakumarar had already relinquished his rights during his hide out at Veellaikkuricci. - This time he parted with his royal seal also.

Other words, the King had given the general power of attorney and permitted his Dalavai to use the ‘Raja muththirai’ as he pleased, before he bid good bye and left.

The helpless Dalavai, acting on behalf of the king, unsure of what was right under the circumstances, had to decide on what was important to conceal from the enemy’s vision.

He took the precaution to explain his plans to his son Ramappan. -

He was to be his successor in the event of his untimely death. –

What he feared did happen.

When Mayana and Nabhi khan joined hands and marched their army that was backed by the armed men of the French company, the king had already disappeared.

There was a fierce battle and Madurai was captured again.

Many lost their lives and the Dalavai was also one.

So, Ramappan became the dalavai. - Ramu was very worried.  –

He wanted our opinion on his plans before implementation.

You have no idea of how difficult it is: the decision making in such critical times?

Yes, mama. - It is a risky venture doing things and being unsure of its consequences.

It is not the question of credit or discredit. The worrying aspect is unpredictable results.

Correct. Worst still, we couldn’t be sure if we were using or abusing the authority given.

Why you think so?

Let me explain.

In every previous occasion, the crisis was temporary and what ever was removed from the palace and the temples for safe keeping was temporary till normalcy was restored.

How it is different now? - Earlier also it was many years before order was restored.

Yes. Order will be restored but this time it would be not by our friends but by our foes. We knew in whose hands the administration and control of Madurai country will fall.

“Please explain”, asked Nana who had no idea what was the real crisis then

We anticipated the Europeans armed traders, whether French or English, to become too powerful to have their way and dictate the puppet rulers of north Indian princely states or the sultan of Mysore or the Nizam of Deccan or the Nawab of Arkad.

What we feared indeed happened ten years later, proving that our basic assumption on which we took decisions, turned out to be correct and sensible.

The events that followed vindicated our actions.

What were those events? – Was it anything to do with Madurai Siege?

It was of course. - It had every thing to do with the fate of Madurai.

First of all, every one had their eye on Madurai for different reasons.

For the Nizam or the Nawab or the Sultan, holding the Madurai fort was a sign of victory. It proved their military superiority and sway over Hindu domination in south India.

For the French company it was a commercial advantage over its rival in business.

The same was true for the British too but they were more ambitious. They wanted property rights as they successfully did in Bengal under Robert Clive who became Divan and getting the rights for revenue collection.

So, the repeated attempts for Madurai siege started.

The British officer Captain Caillaud who was in charge of Trichinapalli fort arrived with his army and joined Yusuf Khan who was camping near Thirupparankunram.

They made a vain attack to scale the walls of Madurai fort but were repulsed.

Finally, Captain Caillaud ordered retreat and summed up the event of May -1757, with a remark in his diary thus, “made a breach, attacked it and got a damnable drubbing.”

A wise alternative for the British was to pay Rs.1, 70,000/- to the so called kallar rebels who guarded the Madurai fort, which was promptly sanctioned by the Madras council.

This happened to be a timely action because Madurai would have otherwise gone into the hands of Haidar Ali of Mysore who invaded the Madurai country by end 1757 when he took over the forts of Dindigul and Sholavandan, but found the Madurai fort too strong and well guarded. – So he went back after plundering the Madurai country

Now, Madurai country was in the management of Yusuf Khan as revenue receiver.

In turn, he was to pay a rent of Rs.9 lakhs to the Nawab, through the East India Company.

Very soon, Yusuf Khan switched sides and declared that he had allied with the French and had hoisted French Flag and changed the colours on Madurai fort.

That was in the year 1763.  - It provoked the British to send Col Mason and Preston.

They made an unsuccessful failed attempt to recapture Madurai.- Col Mason’s report admitted that the ability and strength of Yusuf Khan had been grievously under-rated.

The siege of Madurai was recommenced by Major Campell in Feb 1764.

This time some prior underhand dealings might have been arranged in advance, because one Marchand, the French commander under Yusuf Khan, rebelled and treacherously handed over the brave Muslim General into the hands of the British.

They ordered the hanging of Yusuf Khan, on the night of 15^th.october 1764.

Thus, the protracted siege of Madurai ended.

For the British, their valour failed but their treacheries succeed as usual.

Nawab of Arcot slowly lost his control as the English men established themselves.

By 1781, the revenues of the district of Madurai were assigned to the British and a “Receiver of Assigned Revenue” was appointed.

The first Receiver sent to Madurai was Mr. George Proctor who was virtually the first Collector.  - He was succeeded by Mr. Eyles Irvin in 1783.

This is the story of Madurai siege that you were so eager to hear about. - Is it ok, Nana?

Oh my God. – Mama, you say so many things with out revealing any secrets.

Please tell first what those strange decisions were and what your dilemma was then.

That is a secret to which your father and I were bound by our oath on secrecy.

If at all any one can reveal that to you, it was our Dalavai Ramappan and not me.

 

Nana finally asked mama,

” Where is Dalavai now?” – Are you in touch with him?

To this impatient question, the uncle’s smug reply to his nephew was,

“I am not in touch with him; but he is, as and when he wants.”

Before Nana could talk further, they saw a villager running towards them. He said,

“Ayya, Unga veettu thinnaile.. suruli malai siddar sami vanthu kunthikkinu irukkango.”

Venki mama jumped to his feet and hurried up to his house with out a word to Nana.

Next issue, we will see the happenings of the next 10 years and move to CMR 1800.

CMRS 9

     CMR Story:        

Part.1. - “The Soil.   - Chapter – 8.  -  ”The  Karnatic war and Madurai Siege ”

                                                                 

ஏண்டாப்பா நாணு,

நான் சொல்லச் சொல்ல காதுலயே வாங்கிக்க மாட்டேங்கறயே...

ஊர் ஜோலியா சுத்தி சுத்தி வரயே, நம்ம வீட்ட கொஞ்சம் கவனிக்கிறயா..

ஏம்மா எதப் பத்தி சொல்லறே?.. சும்மா சுத்தி வளைக்காம சொல்லேன்..

எல்லாம் நல்ல விஷயமாத்தாண்டா பேசறேன் - கல்யாண சமாசாரம்தான்.

சீக்கிரமா நம்ம சீனுவுக்கு ஒரு கால் கட்டு போட வேண்டாமா?

Seeing Nana deeply immersed in his thoughts, Venki mama slowed down his pace.

They were having their usual early morning walk to the river side, to have bath.

It was a long and pleasant walk crossing the coconut groves and the paddy fields.

The cool early morning breeze was some thing to be experienced and not explained.

Is there any thing bothering you Nana? – You seem to be not your usual self.

Yes mama, but it is just a minor matter. -  I was thinking of my mother.

Of late, she is constantly pestering me to arrange for Seenu’s marriage.

She knows well that I am against early marriage and still she is pressurizing me.

I understand Nana. – May be she is right from her angle and is doing her duty.

How can you can you find fault with her for following our family traditions.

Does it mean you agree with my mother then?

I mean that she does what she thinks she should, in your father’s absence.

But you know how upset I was when father forced me to marry so young.

Then, it was the force of circumstances cited as reason. – What you say now?

In fact, you were not happy either with Meenu’s early marriage.  

They have now arrived very near to the river.

Well, you are cornering me correctly.

But you should realize that circumstances have not changed.

As a matter of fact, to tell the truth, the situation has worsened.

Do you mean that the good old days of Madurai is gone for ever?

True. You guessed it right.

What is the reason?

Reason was the military support given by the British to Nawab of Arkot.

Madurai had gradually fallen into their hands. - It was not in our interest.

What about our King then? Why were not the sethupathis fighting for him?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

I think it is time I explained to you things you do not know yet.   

It is a long story. - Let us finish our bath first.

It is also time our readers know the reason why many families had to migrate out of Madurai in the year 1760 and a little bit about the historical back ground behind.

History shows that “Migration” to South India was not a new phenomenon.

Nayakar’s period saw Telugu speaking population settling down at Madurai.

Festivals like ‘Dasara’ were new introductions in the life of Tamil speaking society.

Vijayanagara influence led to migration of several Kanarese communities also.

The ‘Kappilians’ were chief among them who fled south across the river Thungabhadhra.

They migrated in the face of oppressive Mohammadan rule in north.

They traveled through Mysore to Kanchipuram and then to Coimbatore.

Many Kanarese families got settled down in the Kambam valley region too.

Another community to arrive next was ‘The Saurastras.’ (pattunul karar).

They soon rose to prominence in towns like Dindugul and Madurai.

The Saurastras spoke vernacular Patnuli or Khathiri, a dialect of Gujarathi.

Specialised in the art of silk weaving, their valuable contribution was praise worthy.  

There was also inflow of Sanskrit scholars of Brahmin community moving to south.

New arrivals also included the Telugu speaking ‘Thottiyans’ known as ‘Kambalatthar’.  They were appointed by the Vijayanagar rulers as their regional administrators. Commonly known as palayakkarars, their caste name was Nayakkan.

It is different from the ruling class of Nayakar

Thus, while the north India became a melting pot under the grip of Sultans and Nawabs, the south was comparatively unaffected as long as the Nayakar dynasty lasted.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

The last few of the Nayakar dynasty were its weakest.

Its last link was Queen Meenakshi (1732 to 1740), whose period was marked by lot of internal strife, succession disputes and foreign interventions.

She had no issues and adapted one Vijayakumarar, son of Bangaru Thirumalai who is said to have been a member of another branch of the Royal family.

Bangaru Thirumalai plotted to depose the Queen and there arose a family dispute.

Chanda Saheb, sent by Arkot  Nawab, pretended to take the role of an arbitrator and received bribe from both the parties of dispute. -  Later, in a treacherous conspiracy, the Queen was imprisoned in her own palace and then Meenakshi committed suicide.

                                                                                                                                  

After the death of Queen Meenakshi for a few years Chanda saheb was all powerful.

He strengthened the defenses of his head quarters at Trichinapalli and appointed his two brothers Buda saheb and Saduck saheb as governors for Madurai and Dindigul.

 ‘Madurai Thala Varalaru’ says that Bangaru Thirumalai and Raja of Tanjore who both suffered defeat at the hands of Chanda sahib asked the Marathas for help.

The strong Maratha army under Raghoji Bhonsle defeated and killed the Nawab of Arkat and also the two brothers of Chanda sahib, captured Dindigul and Madurai forts.

Setting aside Bangaru Thirumalai’s claim, the Marathas left Morari Rao of Gooty as governor in charge of their occupied territories.

During his rule he restored the Madurai temple to its original glory.

In due course, Madurai fell in to the hands of Muslims and then to the British company after the historic events known as the “Karnatic war.”   

1. By 1744, the Nizam of Hyderabad reasserted his control over the Karnatic region and appointed Anwaruddin as the Nawab of Arcot who appointed his own son Muhammad Ali for the administration of Madurai.

2. In 1748, Arcot Nawab Anwaruddin was killed in a battle as a result of which Muhammad Ali and Chanda Saheb became rival claimants to the throne.

3. In the fierce contest between them, a proxy war commenced between the British and the French trading companies with vested interest.

4. The British took sides with Muhammad Ali while the French supported the rival Chanda Saheb by providing him with military help.

5. This resulted in the increasing influence of the English in Madurai country, although Madurai did not play any direct part, in the wars between rivals.

6. In 1751, when Chanda Saheb’s men helped by the French captured Madurai fort, Muhammad Ali sent captain Cope to recover the city of Madurai but in vain.

7. In 1755, Muhammad Ali re-captured Madurai fort, thanks to Yusuf Khan and his 2000 sepoys employed by the British Company under Col Heron.

8. Col Heron placed Mahfaz Khan, in charge of the administration of Madurai and during his misrule; a muslim fakir claimed on top of the Roya gopuram and attempted to erect a flag which resulted in the closure of the temple.

9. In 1759 Yusuf Khan was sent back to Madurai to restore order. Both Madurai and Tirunelveli were rented out to him for an annual sum of Rs.5 Lakhs.

 (It is in this critical juncture that our imaginary characters / incidents enter our story)

On their way back home, Venki mama revealed secrets that he was hither to holding up.

 He revealed at least certain things that Nana was longing for long, to hear about.

Nana, I do not know if you know it or not. - Your father, I and the present dalavai Ramappan (Ramu) were very close and we formed an inseparable teen age trio.

We indulged in adventures of all sorts in our childhood.

Since Ramu belonged to a family of dalavais of Madurai, we knew that he will some day become a dalavai himself because the post of dalavai had become hereditary in the same way as that of ‘Palayakarar’ in line with the hereditary rights of the Royal family.

It happened sooner than expected as his father died in a battle against Muslim invaders.

Earlier, going to Tanjore to pursue my career in painting, I got separated from others.

Ramu allowed me to go on the condition that I should return when he called me back.

The post of dalavai was thrust upon him at a crucial period and Ramappan wanted only thrust worthy people by his side.  - He made your father his chief secretary (rayasam)

He sent word for me to return immediately and I obliged him as promised.

I came back to help him in what ever manner he wanted it.

So, we continued to be a trio, this time a secret trio in responsible positions.

But you were not holding any prominent portfolio, said Nana.

That is exactly the point. - I am not supposed to; so that I can work in secrecy.

My official work was one of portrait paintings and upkeep of Madurai archive.

My other responsibilities included one of record keeping on the inventory of valuables.

It helped me get a deep knowledge about treasury articles and its secret locations.

As librarian in charge of preservation of old and rare documents I learnt all historical details from old Tamil Sangam period till now and about the foreign interventions.

I learnt of many precious things that were lost during earlier onslaughts on Madurai.

When young we had witnessed in our parent’s days the chaotic scenes when Madurai fort was attacked by Muslim invaders after the death of Queen Meenakshi.

We had seen how sethupathi vassal dalavai and others removed the main deity idols of Meenakshi Sundareswar and koodal azhakar along with the puja articles and jewels to keep under their safe custody. They took them to Mana madurai and made provisions for regular puja and for the protection of temple servants for nearly two years.

They returned only after the Maratha rulers drove out the invaders from Madurai.

Now, after 10 years, a more serious crisis came as Madurai suffered, caught between the cross fires of “Karnatic war” about which I have told you already. Have I not Nana?

Yes, you told me that as a reason for our shifting the families in a hurry, replied Nana.

True. But there were much more important reasons.

We knew that Nayakar Dynasty had come to the end of the road.

In this crisis, Ramappan as the Dalavai cum Pradani got the power and freedom to take decisions and implement the same in the interest of the country and its people. …

We will talk later, said Venki mama as they were nearing Nana’s house.

Nana’s mother was at the gate as if waiting for their arrival.

வெங்கியா கூட வரது  - ரொம்ப நல்லதா போச்சு.... உள்ளே வா.

இரண்டு பேரும் முதல்ல கால அலம்பிண்டு வந்து கூடத்துல உட்காருங்கோ.

நானே உனக்கு சொல்லி அனுப்பனும்னுதான் இருந்தேன் வெங்கடராமா.

சரி அப்புறம் பேசலாம்.. முதல்ல பலகாரம் பண்ணுங்கோ.

லக்ஷ்மி பலகணையை கொண்டு வந்து போடு. இலையை எடுத்து வை.

மல்லிகை பூ மாதிரி இட்லி சுடச் சுட வாத்து வைத்திருக்கேன்.

குழந்தை காமு வந்து, வெங்கி மாமா மடியில் ஏறி அமர்ந்து கொண்டாள்.

நாணுவின் அம்மா, தூணில் சாய்ந்து உட்கார்ந்து கொண்டாள்.

உள்ளே வ்ந்து பலகையில் அமர்ந்த வெங்கி மாமா நாணாவுக்கு ஜாடை செய்துவிட்டு,,,

மங்களம் நானே உன் கிட்ட பேசத்தான் வந்தேன் என்று ஆரம்பித்தார்.

நாணா சொன்னான், நீ சீனு கல்யாணத்துக்கு அவசரப்படரதாக.

அந்தக் கவலையை பேசாம என் கிட்ட விட்டுடு.

நான் ஏற்கனவே வத்தலகுண்டு, தென்கரை, மேல்மங்கலம் என்று சொல்லி வைத்திருக்கேன்.

நம்மாத்தோட சம்பந்தம் பண்ணிக்க யார்தான்  தயார் இல்லை.

ஜாதகப் பொருத்தம் மட்டும்தான் பார்க்கணும்.

கங்காதர கனபாடிகள் திருவனந்தபுரத்துக்கு போயி ஒரு வருஷம் ஆச்சு.

திரும்பி வர சமயம்தான். அவர் வந்தவுடனே ஏற்பாடு பண்ணிடலாம்.

எல்லாம் நான் பார்த்துக்கிறேன். சரியா.

லக்ஷ்மி கூஜாவுல ஜலம் கொண்டு வந்து வைத்து விட்டுப் போனாள்.

பாட்டி இட்லி தட்டை எடுத்துக் கொண்டு வந்தாள்.

என்னமோப்பா, நீ இருக்கே ..பகவான் இருக்கார்.. எனக்கு என்ன..

ஈஸ்வரோ ரட்சதுன்னு இருந்திடறேன்.. என்றாள் மங்களத்தம்மாள்.