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Madurai is
one of the oldest cities of India, with a history dating all
the way back to the Sangam period of the pre Christian era.
The glory of Madurai returned in a diminished form in the
earlier part of this millennium; it later on came under the
rule of the Vijayanagar kingdom after its ransack by the
ravaging armies of Delhi (Malik Kafur). During the 16th and
18th centuries, Madurai was ruled by the Nayak Emperors, the
foremost of whom was Tirumalai Nayakar. The Sangam period
poet Nakkeerar is associated with some of the Tiruvilayaadal
episodes of Sundareswarar - that are enacted as a part of
temple festival traditions even today.
The Sangam age or the Golden age of Tamil literature –
produced masterpieces way back in the Pre christian era and
in early 1st millennium . Madurai was the seat of the Tamil
Sangam or Academy of learning. The entire city of Madurai,
is built around the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple – the
temple par excellence. Concentric rectangular streets
surround the temple, symbolizing the structure of the
cosmos.
As early as the 3rd century BC, Megasthanes visited Madurai.
Later many people from Rome and Greece visited Madurai and
established trade with the Pandya kings. Madurai flourished
till 10th century AD when it was captured by Cholas the arch
rivals of the Pandyas.
The Cholas ruled Madurai from 920 AD till the beginning of
the 13th century. In 1223 AD Pandyas regained their kingdom
and once again become prosperous. Pandian Kings patronised
Tamil language in a great way. During their period, many
master-pieces were created. "Silapathikaram", the great epic
in Tamil was written based on the story of Kannagi who burnt
Madurai as a result of the injustice caused to her husband
Kovalan. In April 1311, Malik Kafur, the general of Alauddin
Khilji who was then the ruler of Delhi, reached Madurai and
raided and robbed the city for precious stones, jewels, and
other rare treasures. This led to the subsequent raids by
other Muslim Sultans. In 1323, the Pandya kingdom including
Madurai became a province of the Delhi empire, under the
Tughlaks.
The 1371, the Vijayanagar dynasty of Hampi captured Madurai
and it became part of the Vijayanagar empire. Kings of this
dynasty were in habit of leaving the captured land to
governors called Nayaks. This was done for the efficient
management of their empire. The Nayaks paid fixed amount
annually to the Vijayanagar empire. After the death of
Krishna Deva Raya (King of Vijayanagar empire) in 1530 AD,
the Nayaks became independent and ruled the territories
under their control. Among Nayaks, Thirumalai Nayak
(1623-1659) was very popular, even now he is popular among
people, since, it was he who contributed to the creation of
many magnificent structures in and around Madurai. The Raja
Gopuram of the Meenakshi Amman Temple, The Pudu Mandapam and
The Thirumalai Nayakar's Palace are living monuments to his
artistic fervor.
Madurai started slipping into the hands of the British's
East India Company. In 1781, British appointed their
representatives to look after Madurai. George Procter was
the first collector of Madurai.
Now after India's independence, Madurai is one of the major
districts of Tamilnadu State. Later on Madurai district was
bifurcated into two districts namely Madurai and Dindugul
Districts. In Madurai District, there are 15 State Assembly
constituencies and two parliament constituencies.
The history of Madurai will not be complete without
mentioning the name of RaniMangammal, the woman of great
skill and sagacity. History does not provide many instances
of ruling queens in Tamil Nadu. Though it was considered
that women were not suited to succeed the throne of a
kingdom, Rani Mangammmal, however shines in almost solitary
eminence as an able and powerful ruler in Tamil Nadu.
Madurai is famous for its temples.The Aappudaiyaar Koyil
Tevara Stalam and the Koodalazhagar Divya Desam are the most
important temples one should rarely miss to go. In the
vicinity of Madurai is Tirupparamkunram, one of the 6 padai
veedu shrines of Murugan (glorified in Madurai Sangam
Nakeerar’s Tirumurugaatruppadai). Also in the vicinity of
Madurai is Alagar Koyil, one of the prominent Divya Desam
shrines of the Sri Vaishnavite faith. |
