Raja Sri Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman (1641–1730) was the ruler of the Pudukkottai kingdom from 1686 to 1730. Starting his career as a feudatory chieftain of the Sethupathi of

Ramnad Ramanathapuram (), also known as Ramnad, is a town and a municipality in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Ramanathapuram district and the second largest town (by population) in ...

, in 1686, Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman was recognised as the independent ruler of Pudukkottai by the Sethupathi for the services he had rendered him.

Early life

Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman was born in 1641 to Avadai Raghunatha Tondaiman, a Kallar chieftain and army general in service of

Sriranga III Sriranga III (1642–1678/1681 CE) was the last ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, who came to power in 1642 following the death of his uncle Venkata III. He was also a great grandson of Aliya Rama Raya. Early rebellions Before his accession to ...

, a claimant to the Vijayanagar throne. For his braveness and military services, Avadai Raghunatha Tondaiman was given the title ''Raya Rahutta Raya Vajridu Raya Mannida Raya''{{Which lang, date=July 2021 by Sriranga Raya in 1639 along with a grant of land. In 1640 along with the help of Sri Rangaraya, Avadai Tondaiman captured territories north of Vellar from Pallavarayar. Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman was educated in private and succeeded to the chieftainship on the death of his father in 1661. In 1675, his possessions were confirmed by the Raja of Ramnad,

Raghunatha Kilavan Sriman Hiranyagarbha Ravikula Raja Muthu Vijaya Raghunatha Raja Raghunatha Deva Kilavan Setupati (r. 1671–1710) was the first king of Ramnad Kingdom which is also known "Maravar Kingdom".Lists of Inscriptions, and Sketch of the Dynasties ...

, who was his

brother-in-law A sibling-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling, or the sibling of one's spouse, or the person who is married to the sibling of one's spouse.Cambridge Dictionaries Online.Family: non-blood relations. More commonly, a sibling-in-law is referre ...

. Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman fought for the Raja of Ramnad who, in gratitude for his service, enlarged his dominions by granting him

Thirumayam Fort The Thirumayam Fort is a 40-acre wide fortress in the town of Thirumayam in Pudukkottai-Karaikudi Highway in Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu, India. It was constructed by Vijaya Raghunatha Sethupathi, the Raja of Ramnad in 1687. Later the for ...

and other estates in 1686 and allowed him to use the title "Raja of Pudukkottai".

Reign

Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman reigned from 1686 to 1730 and strengthened the kingdom. He was an ally of

, the Raja of Ramnad. Following the Raja's death in 1720, Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman supported Tanda Deva against Bhavani Shankar, the candidate of Serfoji I of Thanjavur. Though, Bhavani Shankar took the throne after defeating Tanda Deva with Serfoji I's support, Serfoji I later switched sides and invaded the kingdom in 1723. Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman also supported the cause of Tanda Deva who was eventually successful. In 1730, Serfoji I promised the fortress of Kilanilai for his services but failed to keep his promise. Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman died in April 1730 and was succeeded by his grandson Vijaya Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman I.

Family

Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman had six wives. Some of his children are: * Periya Raya Tondaiman * Chinna Raya Tondaiman * Thirumalai Raya Tondaiman * Muthu Vijaya Tondaiman * Vijaya Tondaiman * Rajkumari Periyanayaki Ammal Ayi Sahib

References

1641 births 1730 deaths Pudukkottai state