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Ramanathapuram Muguvai Ramnad (shortened) | |
|---|---|
Special Grade Municipality | |
  Ramanathapuram Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu | |
| Coordinates:9°21′50″N78°50′22″E / 9.363900°N 78.839500°E /9.363900; 78.839500 | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Ramanathapuram |
| Government | |
| • Type | Special Grade Municipality |
| • Body | Ramanathapuram Municipality |
| Elevation | 35 m (115 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 61,440 |
| • Rank | 2nd in Ramanathapuram District (as of 2011 census) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Telephone code | 04567 |
| Vehicle registration | TN-65 |
| Website | http://ramanathapuram.nic.in |
Ramanathapuram (pronunciationⓘ), also known asRamnad,[1] is a city and amunicipality inRamanathapuram district in theIndianstate ofTamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters ofRamanathapuram district and the second largest town (by population) in Ramanathapuram district.
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The town is at times referred as Mukhavai (Mugavai) Nagaram, that is, Entrance town.[3] The region is well known since Puranic ages. The estate of Ramnad included the Hindu holy island city ofRameswaram, from where, legend has it that the Hindu godRama launched his invasion ofRavana'sLanka. On the conclusion of the war and Rama's success in it, he appointed aSethupathi or "lord of the bridge" to guard the way to the island. The "bridge" referred to here is the legendaryRama's Bridge which was believed to have been constructed by Rama. The chieftains of Ramnad were entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the bridge, hence the appellation.[citation needed]
Historically, for a short period, this area had been under theChola dynasty whenRajendra Chola I brought it under his territory in 1063 CE.[citation needed]
In the late 12th and early 13th centuries, this province was ruled by Hazrat Sulthan Syed Ibrahim shaheed ofErvadi. Later on, his heirs were ruling the province following a peace treaty with the Sethupathis. From then, until the early 15th century the present territories ofRamanathapuram district—comprising thetaluksTiruvadanai,Kilakarai,Paramakudi,Kamuthi,Mudukulathur, Ramanathapuram andRameswaram—were included in thePandyan Empire.[citation needed]
During the 14th and 15th centuries, the traditional chieftain of the region who belonged to theMaravar caste was officially recognized asSethupathi by theNayak king of Madurai. The chieftain of Ramnad, in return, recognized the sovereignty of the Nayak king over his lands. When the power of the Nayak kings ofMadurai began to decline in the late 17th century, the chieftains of Ramnad asserted their independence. In the late 17th century, Raghunatha Kilavan crowned himself king of Ramnad and changed his seat from Pogalur to Ramnad close to the east coast. He erected massive fortifications to protect his capital. In 1725, theking of Tanjore claimed the northern part of the Ramnad kingdom (theAranthangi region) up to the river Pambar in return for his services during the civil war in Ramnad. A vassal of Ramnad who was amongst the victors in the civil war took over the westerly locatedSivaganga region, thereby leaving only three-fifths of the kingdom actually in the hands of the king of Ramnad. At the beginning of the 18th century, family disputes over succession resulted in the division of Ramanathapuram. With the help of the King of Thanjavur in 1730, one of the chieftains deposed the Sethupathi and became the Raja of Sivaganga.[citation needed]
In 1741 the area came under the control of the Marathas and then under the Nizam in 1744. Dissatisfied with theNawab's rule, the chieftains revolted, led by the last ruling Nayak, against the Nawab in 1752. By that time, the throne of Arcot had two rivals,Chanda Shahib andMuhammed Ali, and this district was under the rule of Nawab of Arcot. The British supported Chand Sahib, whilst the French supported Muhammed Ali. This paved the way for a series of conflicts in the southern part of the continent also calledCarnatic Wars.
In 1795, the British deposed Muthuramalinga Sethupathi and took control of the administration of Ramanathapuram. After the death of the QueenVelu Nachiyar, theMaruthu brothers took charge by paying regular revenue to the East India company. In 1803 the Maruthu Pandiyar ofSivaganga revolted against the British in collaboration with Kattabomman of Panchalamkurichi. Colonel Agnew captured and hanged the Maruthu brothers. After the fall ofTippu Sultan, the British took control and imprisoned the Nawab. In 1892 the Zamindari system was abolished and a British collector was appointed for administration.
In 1910, Ramanathapuram was formed from portions ofMadurai andTirunelveli districts, with J.F. Bryant as the first collector. During the British period this district was called "Ramnad"; the name continued after independence. Later the district was renamed as Ramanathapuram to be in conformity with the Tamil name for this region."Ramnad" is also known as "Mugavai"(face) since it acts as the entry point for River "Vaigai".[citation needed]
| Religious census | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Religion | Percent(%) | |||
| Hindu | 76.39% | |||
| Muslim | 19.77% | |||
| Christian | 3.08% | |||
| Sikh | 0.01% | |||
| Other | 0.79% | |||
| No religion | 0.01% | |||
According to2011 census, Ramanathapuram had a population of 61,440 with a sex-ratio of 988 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.[4] A total of 6,370 were under the age of six, constituting 3,245 males and 3,125 females. The average literacy of the town was 83.42%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.[4] The town had a total of 14716 households. There were a total of 20,375 workers, comprising 115 cultivators, 178 main agricultural labourers, 262 in house hold industries, 18,773 other workers, 1,047 marginal workers, 20 marginal cultivators, 30 marginal agricultural labourers, 41 marginal workers in household industries and 956 other marginal workers.[5]
Among HindusMaravars,Konars,Devendrakulam,are more predominant population and also large number of populationSaiva Vellalars,Nadars,Muslim,Paraiyar in Ramanathapuram District.
As per the religious census of 2011, Ramanathapuram had 76.39%Hindus, 19.77%Muslims, 3.08%Christians, 0.01%Sikhs, 0.7% following other religions and 0.01% following no religion or did not indicate any religious preference.[6]
Ramanathapuram is a municipality. After shifting the district headquarters' offices from Madurai to Ramanathapuram, the town is growing. The gauge conversion of the railway from Madurai to Rameswaram and from Tiruchi to Rameswaram connects the town to all major Indian cities. Ramanathapuram district was a larger district in Tamil Nadu, and later some of its portions were removed to create Sivaganga district.
The river Vaigai enters theBig Tank (periya kanmaai) and the water is collected for the purpose of agriculture. It is claimed that the river water does not reach the sea, portraying the size of the catchment area. The town has many ponds catering to the needs of the populace. It is a good sign to have few engineering colleges like Anna University, UCER-Ramnad campus, Syed Ammal Engineering College and Mohamed Sathak Engineering College.
Former Indian presidentA.P.J. Abdul Kalam attended Schwartz Higher Secondary School, Ramanathapuram.
It is a part ofRamanathapuram (Lok Sabha constituency).
Ramanathapuram is located at9°23′N78°50′E / 9.38°N 78.83°E /9.38; 78.83.[7]It has an average elevation of 2 metres (6 feet). The nearest towns includeParamakudi,Rameshwaram,Mudukulathur,Kilakarai andManamadurai.
The town is located in south east Tamil Nadu and connected byNH 49 (also called asAH 43) to Madurai from Rameswaram.East Coast Road is the major coastal road in eastTamil Nadu which connects the state capital Chennai and Ramanathapuram; this road also connects Ramanathapuram withPondicherry,Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari.Ramanathapuram railway station is well connected by railroad to major cities in India throughMadurai Junction andKaraikudi Junction.
The nearest international airport isMadurai Airport, about 125 km and domestic airport isTuticorin Airport about 140 km.The Nearest Naval Station is located inUchipuli In the name ofINS Parundu.
Tourists visit Ramnad to see the Raja Palace,[8] still occupied by the former Sethupaty Raja and his family.[citation needed]
The royal family sends the elephant for Santhanakoodu procession inErwadi during the annualSanthanakoodu Festival.
Ramanathapuram is close toRameswaram,Devipattinam,Thiruppullani, andUthirakosamangai which are very important ancient pilgrimage centres.
Uchipuli, an Indian naval air station with near by Ariyamaan Beach is one among the popular beaches in Uchipuli.
Periyapattinam,Athiyuthu,Panaikulam,Alagankulam,Puduvalasai, Chittarkottai,Valoor beaches are other popular in Ramnad region.
And there is also memorial for former President of IndiaA. P. J. Abdul Kalam is also located at Peikarumbu near Ramanathapuram.
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