Indian Antiquary Vol 46

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 37

FEBRUARY, 1917]
THE HISTORY OF THE NAIK KINGDOM OF MADURA
37
ministerial ring was given by the Naik to his favourite, Vidiappa, and the ring of the commander-in-chief to his other favourite, Råmappaiya. Wheeler points out that the Naik's army numbered 4,000 horsemen and 60,000 footmen under 72 polygars. The cavalry was placed outside the fort, and the infantry on tho 72 ramparts. The annual revenue of the State was 44 lakhs of chakrams, i. e., 88 lakhs of rupees. About one tenth of these went to Brahmans, £ 60,000 for servants' salaries, £40,000 for charities and palace expenses, € 20,000 for the Naik's daily charities, and the remaining £ 680,000 were stored up in the treasury, thereby giving much scope for Mussalman plunder; or to speak in terms of chakrams, 4 lakhs for Brahmans and their temples, 3 lakhs for salaries of servants, one lakh for daily charities, and the remaining 34 were hoarded up. Wheeler then goes on to state that Tirumal married the daughters of his uncles, who had been passed over for the sake of the Tanjore princess. For his war with the Setupati, his numerous marriages, etc., see ante. Wheeler concludes by pointing out that Tirumal was adored as a God by his subjects. He never refused a boon. No suppliant ever left his presence with discontent in his face. His troops were well disciplined, his generals brave and experienced, and himself so fortunate that he gained as many victories as he fought battles.
CHAPTER VII. The Advent of the Marathas.
SECTION I.
Muttu Ala-kadri 1659. THE denth of Tirumal Naik was the sign of internal factions and disputed succession. Immediately after the performance of the funeral of the great king, his son Muttu Alakâdri, or Muttu Virappa 57 as he was also called, was elevated to the throne by a council of the lords, courtiers and the ministers. The succession of the new monarch, however, was disputed by the able Kumâra Muttu, the younger brother of the late king, who was, as we have already seen, engaged in his victorious campaign in Mysore at the time of his brother's death. Immediately after he received the intelligence of his nephew's election, he abandoned the contest with Mysore and returned at the head of his exultant army to win the crown by the sword, Kumara Muttu had the strong support of his a:'my, but Virappa had the command of the treasury and the support of the most influential grandees of the court. The war between the rival claimants, it appeared therefore, would be prolonged and obstinate ; but at this stage the timidity or self-sacrifice of Kumara Muttu saved the kingdom from the evils and bardships of a civil war. In return for the independent rule of Sivakasi and the surrounding districts, he gave up his claim to the throne of his ancestors. The reasons which led to this extraordinary act are uncertain. The author of the Madura District Manual believes that it was probably drie to the prudence of Kumâra Muttu or to the unwillingness
57 The divergency of opinion among the chronicles in regard to Virappa's date is very great. According to the Pand, Ohron., which is perhaps the right authority, he ruled only three months from the Panguni of Vilambi (1659 A.D.) to the Vaikasi of Vikari. The Hist, of the Carnat. Kinga and Supp. MS. and the Telugu record of the Carnat. Dynas, on the other hand, attribute to him 10 yours from Subbakpit to Virðdhikrit (S 1484-1494, i.e.,) 1562-1572 A.D. One of the Mirtanjiya MSS. (O. H. MSS. II. 119) says that he sanamed office on the 5th Mabi, ViJambi (S. 1580) and ruled till the end of Vyk Asi in Vikari, i, e., 4 months.