Page:The Aristocracy of Southern India.djvu/178

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The Aristocracy of Southern India.

maniaswami. The great mantapam at Kalugumalai was also erected in his time. Jewels set with precious stones of the value of Rs. 70,000 were presented to Subramaniaswami and his Tamil verses in praise of Siva, Vishnu, and Subramaniaswami bear testimony to his ripe scholarship. Two bridges, one at a cost of Rs. 6000, and another at Rs. 10,000, respectively, were built by him. The Government of Madras placed on record their high appreciation of his public spiritedness and benevolence. His bounty and munificence did not end here, for he also built a choultry at Vepalpate and endowed two villages yielding Rs. 1500, annually for its up-keep. When he died he left no heirs and hence his brother, Jagavira Rama Venkateswara Ettappa Nayakar Aiyan succeeded to the estate. He spent a large sum of money in erecting mantapams and other appendages to the Siva temple there. Notable among the additions to the palace was the Hall of Installation surmounted with five golden cupolas costing Rs. 7,000. He also died childless and therefore his brother Muthuswami Jagavira Rama Ettappa Nayakar Aiyan came to the possession of the estate. He had an interview with the then Governor of Madras, when His Excellency visited the Tinnevelly District. Swami Dikshidar, the author of Chambu Kairam, a portion of the Skunda Puranam, was publicly honored and rewarded by the Zemindar.

A silver howdah and a car at a cost of about 20,000 Rupees were prepared for the use of the Kalugumalai temple. He left behind him two sons, the elder of whom succeeded him.

Jagavira Eama Kumara Ettappa Nayaker Aiyan had the honor of welcoming H. E. H. the Prince of Wales, now King Edward VII, when he landed at Tuticorin in