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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
(JULY, 1917
THE HISTORY OF THE NAIK KINGDOM OF MADURA
BY V. RANGACHARI, M.A., L.T.; MADRAS.
(Continued from p. 124.)
The Romance and Sath of his Queen. The accomplishment of Muttammal's object, therefore, would mean not merely her self-sacrifice, but the murder of an infant. A strong objection, therefore, arose against the queen's resolution, and this was focussed and strengthened by the able queen dowager, Mangammal, a woman of remarkable individuality and character, who, as we shall see presently, left an indelible influence in the history of Madura. It is not improbable that Mangammal's endeavour against the sati of her daughter-in-law was inspired by a feeling of jealousy at her superior reputation ; but the real fact seems to have been her sincere horror at the death of the only heir expected, and her real solicitude for the welfare of the kingdom. But Muttammma! was obstinate; and at length a compromise was arrived at, by which she was to be permitted to ascend the pyre after giving birth to her child.
The child that was born under such singular circumstances was christened Vijaya Ranga Chokkanatha. On the fourth day of his entrance into the world, his mother who had more affection to her dead lord than her living child, and who had performed large charities in order to expiate the crime of delay in her sati, found that no preparation was made for her departure. She therefore took a large draft of rose water, thereby inviting a severe cold, which, owing to her delicate health, soon put an end, as she wanted, to her life. So ended the tender romance of her short wedded days.
CHAPTER IX. THE MUGHAL SUPREMACY. Vijaya Ranga Chokkanstha (1689-1781.)
SECTION I.
Regeney of Mangammal.30 Vijaya Ranga Chokkana tha was scarcely three months old, when he was proclaimed king. The actual administration of the realm naturally devolved on his guardian and grandmother Mangammal. The Queen Regent was one of the most remarkable women, who have distinguished themselves in Indian History and cut an undying figure in the rock of fame by the individuality of their character and the greatness of their achievements. No sovereign of the Madura line, except Visvanatha I and Tirumal Naik, has gained such a lasting remembrance in the memory of mankind. The kindly disposition and charitable deeds of Maigammal, in fact, so much engaged the affections and gratified the hearts of the people that, even today, almost every choultry, every road, every tank and temple in the Districts of Madura and Tinnevelly, is attributed to her liberality. The range of her charities, says an enterprising chronicle, extended from Kasi to Comorin and the sphere of her reputation from the heaven to the earth. An exceedingly interesting,
The events of the regenoy of Maugammai are not well known owing to the loss of Jesuit letters from 1887 to 1699. The account given here is based only on indigenous chronicles. As Mangamma! was a maro regent, inscriptions during her regency are sometimes in the name of her grandson, 6.9., the Tiruppudaimarudúr grant of 1695.
