Madura District (Madras Presidency) facts for kids

Madura District was an important area in British India, part of the Madras Presidency. Think of it like a big region that included many smaller areas we know today.

This district covered parts of what are now the Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai, and Virudhunagar District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was a very significant place for a long time!

A Look Back: History of Madura District

The Madura region was once the heart of the powerful Pandya kingdom. Its capital city, Madurai, was a busy and important place even during the ancient Sangam period.

Around the 10th century AD, a new power, the Chola kingdom, grew strong. They conquered the region. The Pandyas then ruled as a smaller, less powerful group under the Cholas.

From the 10th to the 13th century AD, the Pandyas slowly regained their strength. They eventually became independent again and took control as the Chola power faded.

After a time of good rule, the Pandyas faced a new challenge. The Delhi Sultanate from the north, led by Alauddin Khalji, attacked and took over Madura.

For a while, the Madurai Sultanate ruled the area. But then, the mighty Vijayanagara Empire conquered it. After the Vijayanagar kings, the Madurai Nayak kingdom took charge.

When the Madurai Nayak kingdom ended in 1736, there was a period of confusion and disorder. Eventually, the British East India Company took control. They then created the Madura District as part of their rule in India.

How Madura District Was Divided

The large Madura District was split into 15 smaller areas called taluks. These were like smaller administrative divisions.

Some of these taluks were special. For example, 5 of them were part of the Ramnad estate, and 3 were part of the Sivaganga estate. These "estates" were large areas of land owned by powerful families.