Tuesday, 2 July 2019

INDIA MADURAI HERITAGE WALK ( PART 1)

Among the ancient cities of India, Madurai has a unique place with its literary efloresence, Puranic glories and continuous long history. Known as the " Athens of the South" , this city has several other names such as Koodal, Naanmadakkudal and Alavai, Madurai had trade contacts with the cities situated on the bank river Ganges as well as Greece and Rome. Foreign traders and spiritualists affiliated to different religious had associated with Madurai from time immemorial. Even today, Madurai keeps its glorious past, traditional temple festivals and political importance intact.

The Pandya rulers patronised the Tamil Sangam and helpfully development of the language and literature. They ruled the country, with its capital at Madurai since 3rd century B.C .Subsequent to the Sangam age, this place was ruled by Kalabhras, Early Pandyas, Chozhas, Later Pandyas, Madurai Sultans, Vijayanagar emperors, Madurai Nayaks, Nawabs of Arvot and the British. There are references to Madurai in the epigraphical records of the 2nd century B.C. Its glorious past is very much mentioned in the accounts of foreigners who visited this place. Its layout and splendours are given in picturesque in literary works such  as Madurai Kanchi, Nedunalvadai, Silappathikaram and Thiruvilayadal Puranam.

RULERS OF MADURAI 
The present Madurai was established by the Pandya rulers and expanded during the Nayak rule. The ancient Madurai of the Pandyas was located within the 4 Masi streets. The city area between the Masi streets and Veli ( outer) streets was expanded encircled by a fort with 72 bastions and 4 gateways. There are traces of the reminiscent of the ancient city. For example, there is a fortification called Melavasal , near Periyar Bus Stand. In the centre of the ancient city, between the Thirumalai Nayak Palace and the Meenakshi Sundaresvara temple, there are certain traces of ancient and historically significant buildings and other places.

RULERS OF MADURAI
Pandyas                                                              B.C  400   - A.D 400
Kalabhras                                                           A.D  400   - 550
Early Pandyas                                                    A.D  500   - 985
Chozhas                                                             A.D   985   -1100
Medeival Pandyas                                             A.D  1100   -1190
Later Pandyas                                                    A.D 1190    -1334
Madurai Sultans                                                A.D  1334   -1372
Vijayanagar rulers / Vanathirayasn                   A.D  1372   - 1529
Madurai Nayaks                                                A.D  1529   - 1736
Arcot Nawab and other                                     A.D  1736   - 1801
British Rule                                                       A.D  1801    -1947

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