Indian Antiquary Vol 46

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

Page 38

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[FEBRUARY, 1917
of his wearied army to fight with his formidable opponents. The theory of strong Court opposition seems to have much truth in it, for we are told that even Ranganna Naik,58 so just in his behaviour and so loyal in his conduct, was for Muttu Virappa, and went on an embassy from him to his rival, then encamped in the village of Dharmavaran, to dissuade him from war, and from the Madura throne in return for the sovereignty over the district of Sivakasi. Either policy or foar then prompted Kumara to support with resignation the loss of his crown and accept a province in preference to a more extensive but doubtful kingdom. Before he surrendered his right and his army, however, he took care that his son Kumâra Rangappa Naik was installed and anointed as the second in power, so that the claim of his line to the crown might not die with him. At Sivakasi he distinguished himself by his salutary works. He built the town, erected a large temple, which he dedicated to a lingam he had brought from Nanjanakudi, established a number of companion images ordered embroidered vestments for their adornment, constructed a car, and arranged for regular festivals. He is further said to have excavated many reservoirs and established many agraharams. He ruled there for some time and died. (Record of the Carna. Goors., O. H. MSS. II, p. 184.)
As for the new king, he seems to have been not wanting in capacity and character, A Telugu chronicle indeed eulogises him as a ruler of splendour and equity, a builder of temples and villages, a charitable man and a gallant soldier, and though the eulogy may be a general formula rather than a tribute to truth, yet Muttu Virappa seems to have been neither wanting in energy nor in high aims. The great object of his policy was to undo the political vandalism of his father, to remove the Musalman yoke, and to revive the former glory of independence. With this commendable, if unattainable goal, he strengthened the fortifications of Trichinopoly, and proposed to the Naik of Tanjore the formation of an alliance, both offensive and defensive, against Musalman domination. The proposal of Virappa was a wise one, but it received no favourable support from the Tanjore Naik who fcered that it would invite war and bring disester. After all, he did not gain by this selfish and timid attitude, for, in the opening months of 1659, a Muhammadan army appeared on the scene, and finding itself unable to seize Trichinopoly, owing to the caution of Muttu Virappa, turned its arms, with that unscrupulousness which blinded it from friends and foes alike, against Tanjore. The latter was not unprepared to sustain & siege. It was defended by an almost impregnable fortress, a fine equipment of artillery and a considerable collection of provisions ; but all these sources of strength and means of success could be of no avail where cowardice and treason reigned supreme. The Tanjore general was a coward, and a slight wound was enough to make him lose heart and give up the defence and flee, with his master, to the neighbouring fortress of Vallam. The result was the Muhammadan army was able to take possession of the city and then reduce the rest of the kingdom. Nothing remained to complete the disintegration of the kingdom but the capture of Vallam, and the king and the victorious Islamites now proceeded to that task. The fortress of Vallam was one of the strongest and most strategic in the country. Its defence bardly required much military skill, and the Tanjore king had no reason to fear
68 See Taylor's O, H. MSS. II, p. 177 (The history by Ranganna Naik.) Ranganna ruled his pdľayam for 50 years.