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Mangammal
Rani Mangammal was the queen during the reign of King Chokkanatha Nayak. After his death in 1682 AD, she broke tradition by refusing to commit Sati, and proclaimed her only son, the 15 year old Muttu Virappa Nayak III, as the next king. As regent, she guided him in governing the kingdom. When King Muttu Virappa Nayak III died in a battle at the age of 22, Mangammal protected his pregnant wife from committing Sati. Mangammal became the first queen in the Madurai Nayak dynasty. During her reign, the Nayak kingdom began paying revenue to the Mughal emperor Aurangazeb, to secure protection from Mysore and Tanjore kingdoms. Like some of her predecessors, Mangammal shifted her capital to Tiruchirappalli. The Ramnad part of her kingdom declared independence under Sethupathy. Her reign is remembered for its vigor, diplomacy and prudent administration, which extended the lifespan of the Nayak kingdom. Mangammal demonstrated remarkable religious tolerance, supporting Christian missionaries, granting funds for mosque and Hindu temples maintenance. She focussed on irrigation and constructed inns with water facilities for travelers. Despite multiple versions of her death, her 18-year reign is celebrated for her governance and dedication to the welfare activities in the late dynasty. LifeMangammal was the daughter of Tupakula Lingama Nayaka, a General of the Madurai ruler, and the wife of Madurai ruler Chokkanatha Nayak (1659–1682) himself. She married Chokkanatha Nayak and became the mother of Rangakrishna Muthu Virappa Nayak (1682—1689).[1] When her husband died in 1682, he was succeeded by her son, Rangakrishna Muthu Virappa Nayak. Upon the death of her son in 1689, her son's widow was pregnant. Her son was succeeded by her grandson in 1689. Her daughter-in-law committed sati, and Mangammal became regent during the minority of her grandson, Vijaya Ranga Chokkanatha.[1][2] RegencyDuring Mangammal's regency, many irrigation channels were repaired, new roads were constructed, avenue trees were planted, and several municipal buildings were completed, including temples and her "Spring Palace" at TumKum (Thamukkam).[3] The "Spring Palace" now houses the Gandhi Memorial Museum in Madurai.[3] The highway from Cape Comorin was originally built during the time of Mangammal and it was known as Rani Mangammal Salai.[2][4] She played a key role in assisting the Mughal Army during the Siege of Jinji (Gingee). Queen Mangammal had realized that the renegade Rajaram had entrenched himself within Jinji and had been bent upon attacking Thanjavur and Madurai if the Mughal Army were to withdraw. Mangammal soon recognized Aurangzeb as her suzerain and began to assist Zulfiqar Khan in attacking the Jinji fort. When the fort was captured by both Zulfiqar Khan and Mangammal after 8 years, she and her family had control over the fort under the leadership of the Mughals. When her grandson, Vijayaranga Chokkanatha Nayaka, came of age in 1704, she and her prime minister, Achayya, refused to relinquish power. They were seized by the army commander and executed.[2][5] Rani Mangammal first celebrated the Unjal festival in Meenakshi temple during the Tamil month of 'Ahni'. During the festivities, all the royal families visit the temple and pay tribute to Meenakshi Amman. Even today, we can see her contemporary portrait in the Unjal Mandapam. Gallery
References
External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mangammal.
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