Kayalpatnam (also known as Kayal) is an 18-ward municipality in the Thoothukudi district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Kayalpatnam (also spelled Kayalpattinam) is a historic coastal municipality in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for its centuries-old maritime trade history, Islamic heritage, Hindu temples (mandirs) and unique cultural identity. According to the 2011 census, it has a population of 40,588.

History

Kayalpatnam is mentioned in the travel diaries of Marco Polo in 1298 AD. Korkai, Vaguthai, or Kayal was an ancient port in the early Common Era and existed alongside Kollam, another important Pandyan port. While Kollam served the Pandyas on the west coast, Korkai/Kayal on the east coast connected to Ceylon, as well as the pearl fisheries in the Gulf of Mannar. Arab traders from Egypt and Yemen arrived at the port of Korkai (present-day Kayalpatnam), with some later migrating to Adirampattinam. There was considerable trading between Kayalpatnam, Adirampattinam, and Kilakarai, and this ancient port also traded with Egypt, Rome, and Greece.

The Muslim Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta mentioned Kayalpatnam (which he refers to as Fatan) in his travelogue The Rihla (lit. "Journey"). There also exists a strong cultural connection between Kayalpatnam, Adirampattinam and Kilakarai.

Kayalpatnam is home to several mosques, one of which was visited by photographer Benoy Behl in his film, A World of Beauty and Grace: Islamic Architecture of India.

Role In the Indian Independence Movement

Kayalpatnam, a part of Tiruchendur Taluk, was influential in the Indian independence movement. Many patriots from Kayalpatnam participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement, the Individual Satyagraha, and the Quit India Movement. Inspired by Gandhi’s call for prohibition, toddy shops operating in Kayalpatnam were picketed.

Freedom fighters from Kayalpatnam

Several individuals from Kayalpatnam participated in activities associated with the Indian independence movement.

One of them was L. K. Sheikh Muhammed, who participated in various Satyagraha campaigns, including toddy shop picketing. He was locally known as “Kayal Gandhi”. For this, Venkatraman was arrested and prosecuted under the Prevention of Molestation and Boycotting Ordinance, 1932 (Ordinance V of 1932), as well as Section 17(1) of the Indian Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1908 In Criminal Case No. 81 of 1932, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Tirunelveli sentenced him a year of Rigorous Imprisonment, on 28 June 1932.

He later participated in the Individual Satyagraha movement in 1941 from Tiruchendur.

During the Quit India Movement in 1942, Venkatraman was arrested by the Malabar Special Police during investigations related to the Kulasekarapattinam rioting case.

Local accounts also record his involvement in civic initiatives in Kayalpatnam, including efforts related to drinking water supply in the town. A total of 4,995 were under the age of six, constituting 2,548 males and 2,447 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 7.37% and .01% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the town was 81.3%, compared to the national average of 72.99%. Tamil is the predominant language, spoken by 99.72% of the population.

Islam is the dominant religion in this municipality. According to the religious census of 2011, Kayalpattinam's population consisted of 26.34% Hindus, 67.24% Muslims, 6.36% Christians and 0.01% following other religions. Zaviathul Fasiyathus shathulia, is located in Kayalpatnam. There are a few followers of Ahl-e-Hadith also present. There exists a Maqbara of Kazi Syed Alauddin, brother of Kazi Syed Tajuddin, the forefather of Madurai Maqbara Hazrats, and of all the Syeds living in Kazimar Street, Madurai is located here.

The Arwi dialect of Tamil was largely developed in Kayalpatnam.

The African Baobab tree has religious significance to the Hindus living in Kayal. At the Sri Isakki Amman Temple, locals believed that three goddesses lived in the tree branches. The tree at that temple was accidentally destroyed. In response, the Kayalpattinam Pathi movement was formed which seeks to protect and plant more Baobab trees.

In 2014, the Esakki Amman Temple roof was set on fire, causing damage to the temple. Following the fire, Hindu Munnani activists began to rebuild the roof. In response, Muslim residents protested the reconstruction of the temple. The local police believed it was an act of arson.

Islamic educational institutions

  • Al Madrasatul Fasiyyah
  • Al Mahlarathul Qadhiriyyah
  • Al Madrasatul Hamidhiyya
  • Madrasathul Azhar li Thahfeezil Quraanil Kareem
  • Da'wathul Huda
  • Aroosul Jannah Women's Islamic College
  • Ayisha Siddiqua Women's Islamic College
  • Al Kulliyathun Nasuhiyya Women's Islamic College
  • Muaskarur Rahman Women's Islamic College
  • Muaskarur Rahman Hifz College for Women's

References

  1. https://archive.org/details/kayalpatnam-selection-grade-town-panchayat-centenary-souvenir/page/n5/mode/1up?sfnsn=wiwspwa
  2. https://thiyagivenkatraman.blogspot.com/
  3. https://www.tamildigitallibrary.in/book-detail?id=jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZp2kZl1&tag=Whos%20who%20of%20freedom%20fighters#book1/
  4. https://g.co/kgs/xqedM1t
  5. https://g.co/kgs/ZHx8yn7
  6. https://archive.org/details/HindSwaraj.iar.10973.17784
  7. https://www.tamildigitallibrary.in/book-detail?id=jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZl6lZx6&tag=District%20calender%20of%20events%20of%20Civil%20disobedience%20movement,%20August%20to%20December-1942#book1/
  8. https://www.tamildigitallibrary.in/book-detail?id=jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZl3jZQ1&tag=Extracts%20from%20the%20fortnightly%20confidential%20reports%20from%20the%20Madras%20Government%20to%20the%20Government%20of%20India%20on%20the%20State%20of%20the%20Country%20for%20the%20year%201942#book1/
  9. https://www.tamildigitallibrary.in/book-detail?id=jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZt8luhd&tag=District%20calendar%20of%20events%20of%20the%20civil%20disobedience%20movement#book1/
  10. https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0BR1KNYLN?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_mwn_dp_X7FGM8KEN9XCTKQ2JW4S&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_mwn_dp_X7FGM8KEN9XCTKQ2JW4S&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_mwn_dp_X7FGM8KEN9XCTKQ2JW4S&bestFormat=true&language=en-IN&previewDoh=1