The Poligar System In The Madura Country: A Study On Its Origin And Growth Under Nayaks Period

Abstract

Viswanatha Nayak, the son of Nagama Nayak, and the founder of the Nayak rule of that region after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire (1529-1564 A.D.) stretched from Cape Comorin to Valikondapuram on the north and from Coimbatore, Erode, and the Western Ghats Rameswaram and the sea on the east, according to the Mrtyunjaya Manuscripts translated by W. Taylor. He was the first king of Madurai Nayak Kingdom during the 16th century. Viswanatha and his chief general, Ariyanaatha (or Ariyanayaga) Mudali double the offices of commander-in-- chief and prime-minister (Dalavay and Pradhaani) were very efficient administrators and restored order in the country by the institution of the Paalaiyam system of administration as the most practical solution of the difficulties. Visvanatha was trained in the administrative system of the Vijayanagara Empire and made his mark in applying its principles in a systematic manner. The chronicles of the time attribute a larger share of constructive work to Ariyanaatha than even to Visvanaatha, in the matter of the establishment of the Palaiyakar (Poligar) system.