Pudukkottai district is an administrative district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Its headquarters are located in the town of Pudukkottai. The district is known for its historical association with the former princely state of Pudukkottai, which was ruled by the Thondaiman dynasty until its merger with the Indian Union after independence.
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Headquarters | Pudukkottai |
| Region | Central-southern Tamil Nadu |
| Type | Revenue district |
Geography
Pudukkottai district lies in the central-southern part of Tamil Nadu. It is bordered by Tiruchirappalli district to the north, Thanjavur district and the Bay of Bengal to the east, Ramanathapuram district and Sivaganga district to the south, and Tiruchirappalli and Karur to the west. The terrain is generally flat to gently undulating, with the Vellar and Agniyar among the rivers that traverse the district. A short coastline along the Palk Strait gives the district access to the sea.
History
The area corresponds largely to the territory of the former Pudukkottai princely state, founded in the late 17th century by Raghunatha Raya Thondaiman. The Thondaiman rulers maintained close relations with the British East India Company, and the state remained one of the few Tamil-speaking princely states under the British Raj. After independence, Pudukkottai acceded to the Indian Union and was integrated, eventually being merged into the Madras State (later renamed Tamil Nadu).
The present district of Pudukkottai was constituted on 14 January 1974, carved out of portions of Tiruchirappalli and Thanjavur districts.
Administration
The district is administered by a District Collector and is divided into revenue divisions, taluks, blocks and revenue villages. Pudukkottai town serves as the administrative, judicial, educational and commercial centre. The district falls under the jurisdiction of the Madras High Court.
Economy
Agriculture is the mainstay of the district's economy, with paddy, groundnut, cotton, pulses and millets being important crops. The district has traditional handloom weaving, brassware and metalcraft industries. Stone quarrying and granite are also significant, given the rocky terrain in several blocks. Fishing is practised along the coastal stretch.
Culture and heritage
Pudukkottai district contains a rich cluster of heritage sites. Sittannavasal is renowned for its Jain rock-cut cave with early Pandya- and Pallava-era murals. Kudumiyanmalai preserves an inscription on early Indian music. The temple complexes at Kunnandarkoil, Avudaiyarkoil (Athmanathaswamy Temple) and Thirumayam, along with the historic Thirumayam Fort, are notable landmarks. The district is also associated with the patronage of music, dance and Tamil scholarship under the Thondaiman rulers.
Education
Educational institutions in the district include arts and science colleges, polytechnics and engineering colleges affiliated to universities in Tamil Nadu. A government medical college has been established in Pudukkottai to serve the region.
Transport
The district is connected by the Indian Railways network through the Pudukkottai railway station on the Tiruchirappalli–Manamadurai line. National and state highways link Pudukkottai to Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur, Karaikudi and Ramanathapuram. The nearest major airport is Tiruchirappalli International Airport.
Related topics
- Pudukkottai
- Thondaiman dynasty
- Sittannavasal Cave
- Thirumayam Fort
- Avudaiyarkoil
- Districts of Tamil Nadu
- Tamil Nadu
References
- Wikidata entity: Q15190
- Government of Tamil Nadu — District administration portal, Pudukkottai