Ramachandra Tondaiman | |
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Raja of Pudukkottai | |
Ramachandra Tondaiman, Raja of Pudukkottai seated in his palace, 1858
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Reign | 13 July 1839 – 15 April 1886 |
Predecessor | Raghunatha Tondaiman II |
Successor | Martanda Bhairava Tondaiman |
Born |
Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai state |
20 October 1829
Died | 15 April 1886 Pudukkottai |
(aged 56)
Issue | Kamalambal Rajammani Bayi Sahib, Mangalambal Rajammani Bayi Sahib, Sivarama Raghunatha Tondaiman, Brihadambal Rajammani Bayi Sahib |
House | Pudukottai |
Father | Raghunatha Tondaiman |
Mother | Rani Kamalambal Ayi Sahib |
Raja Sri Brahdamba Dasa Raja Ramachandra Tondaiman Bahadur (20 October 1829 – 15 April 1886) was the ruler of princely state of Pudukkottai from 13 July 1839 to 15 April 1886.
Ramachandra Tondaiman was born in Pudukkottai on 20n October 1829 to Raghunatha Tondaiman, the Raja of Pudukkottai and his second wife, Rani Kamalambal Ayi Sahib. He was educated in private and succeeded to throne at the age of nine on the death of his father with the British political agent at Pudukkottai acting as the regent.
Pudukkottai was administered by a regent in the early years of Ramachandra's reign. Soon after his accession, Ramachandra was awarded the style of "His Excellency" by the British government. In 1844, Ramachandra, formally, assumed control of the government.
Ramachandra's administration was allegedly marked by extravagance and financial mismanagement. He was punished by the British government who twice revoked the permission to use the style "His Excellency" in 1859 and 1873. In 1878, at the advice of Sir T. Madhava Rao, the Madras government appointed A. Seshayya Sastri, former Diwan of Travancore as the Diwan of Pudukkottai. Sastri reformed the administration and rebuilt the city of Pudukkottai as per modern principles of town planning. The Pudukulam and Pallavankulam tanks in the city were renovated and a Post and Telegraph Office was inaugurated in 1884. At Sastri's suggestion, Ramachandra renovated many Hindu temples in the state. In 1881, Ramachandra officially adopted the hereditary title "Brihadambadas" with the consent of Sastri.
Ramachandra was awarded the style "His Highness" on 16 May 1884 along with an 11-gun salute. He was awarded the Prince of Wales medal in 1875 and the Empress of India Medal in gold in 1877.
Ramachandra Tondaiman married Rani Brihadambal Rajammani Bayi Sahib on 13 June 1845. The couple had two daughters.