Singampatti Zamin, owners of the vast Manjolai estate, are still powerful in political circles. Their life is hardly any different from their past. However, the recent order that Manjolai estate should be handed over to government in a period of 10 years, has come as a stunner.
Murugadoss
Chennai:
Singampatti Zamin, one of the 72 polygars formed under Madurai Nayaks, was without doubt the most powerful among all, as they ruled 24 of the 72 provinces. Strategically located in the southernmost tip of the Western Ghats, Singampatti’s terrain was a huge challenge to the British and much of the reins were in the hands of the Zamin.
Even today, the family is not lacking in anything. Murugadoss Theerthapathy, the current Singampatti Zamin, wields considerable influence in local politics. However Sankaravadivu(88), residing in Madurai is the senior-most member of the royal family.
Their family too had donated vast tracts of land to the government. It has also constructed several temples. One of them is the famous SorimuthuAyyanar temple in Karayar, where thousands of devotees visit on the occasion of Adi Amavasai.
Singampatti Zamin is still accorded the first respect in all temple festivals and is treated royally at all times. Sankaravadivu also said that their family is known for its bravery. Singampatti polygars joined with Pooli Thevan to fight against the British and won their estate back after it was taken from them.
Murugadoss is also an expert shooter. A school dropout, he is fluent in English, said his aunt. Rueing the fact that formal education eluded the royal family, Sankaravadivu said she was lucky to have married a highly regarded PWD engineer, Chellamuthu.
Many landmark buildings such as theVaikasi building in PWD Circuit House in Madurai and the Circuit House in Courtallam are credited to him. The main building of Madurai Kamaraj University was also built on the plans of Chellamuthu.
De La Haye scandal: Princes accused of murder
The ‘De La Haye scandal’ of 1919 continues to haunt the Singampatti royals. Murugadoss Theerthapathy, the king, had welcomed the descendants of Clement De La Haye to visit his palace. Clement De La Haye was the Principal of Newington College in Chennai, formerly Madras, where only sons of princely states studied. On the night of October 15, 1919, De La Haye was shot dead by one of the inmates of the college. The sons of Singampatti Zamin and Kadambur Zamin were named as accused in the case, but both were acquitted after a trail. However, the case has not been solved till date. It is said that La Haye had used a racist slur on the Zamin and might have lead to a fracas and gruesome murder.
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