Ramanathapuram Tourist Places - Temples, Beaches
History of the Ramanathapuram district holds the evidence of the rule of sangam period kings and ends up with the British. In the early 15th century, the present territories of Ramanathapuram district were included in the Pandya dynasty. In 1520, the Vijayanagar emperors took over the region from the Pandya dynasty and extended their reign for about two centuries. Marava chieftain Sethupathi family, who were Lords under Pandiya Kings and reigned over this part in the 17th century. At the start of the 18th century, family disputes over succession resulted in the dissolution of the kingdom. With the help of the King of Thanjavur in 1730, one of the chieftains deposed Sethupathi and became the ruler of Sivaganga.
Acting upon the weakness of the Nayak rules, the local chieftains namely Palayakarars became independent. Afterwards, Marathas and Nawabs had a brief supremacy here. That made them declare the last Nayak as ruler of Pandya region against the Nawab in 1752. In 1801, Mangaleswari Nachiyar became the Zamindar of Sivagangai. After her death, the Marudhu Brothers took charge, by paying regular revenue to the British to keep the region with them. In 1803, the Marudhu Brothers disputed against the British in collaboration with Kattabomman of Panchalankurichi. It was Colonel Agnew, who arrested the Marudhu Brothers and hanged them. After a very short time, Zamindari system was abolished by the British. In 1910, Ramanathapuram was formed by clubbing some portions from Madurai and Tirunelveli districts. The region is rainfed and remains almost dry throughout the year.