| Ramapaiyan,Ramaiyan, Ramappaiyen | |
| Birth Date: | 17th century |
| Birth Place: | Madurai |
| Death Date: | Mid of 17th century |
| Death Place: | Tamil Nadu |
| Occupation: | Military general |
Ramaiyan, Ramayyan or Ramappaiyyan was a general who served under the Madurai Nayak king Tirumala Nayaka. He is the subject of the Tamil ballad Ramayyan Ammanai.
Ramaiyan was a Tamil Brahmin soldier who served in the army of Thirumalai Nayak.[1] [2] He acquired fame for his prowess as a swordsman and gradually rose to become an important general in the Nayak's army.[3]
Ramaiyan's first major battle was against Harasura Nandi Raja, the general of the Mysore kingdom. In 1633, Harasura invaded the Nayak kingdom and marched as far as Dindigul but was repulsed by Ramaiyan and Ranganna Nayak, the polygar of Kannivadi. Nelson and Mr. Rangachari provide a detailed narrative of the events wherein the latter pushed their success further by besieging the capital of Mysore. The account highlights the recall of Ramaiyan and his subsequent disobedience, which, despite initial concerns, did not ultimately work against him. The Dalavay returned triumphant, receiving great honors from Tirumala Nayaka. The inscription of Srimukha in 1633, documenting his land donation to the local temple and referring to him as the minister of Tirumala Nayaka, likely followed this victorious campaign against Mysore.[4]
Ramaiyan also participated in the Nayak invasion of Travancore in 1634-35.
In 1639, Tambi, an illegitimate brother of the Sethupathi Cadaikkan and a contender for the throne rebelled against the king. Thirumalai supported the rebel and sent a huge army under the leadership of Ramaiyan.
Ramaiyan fought the Ramnad troops led by the Sethupathi's son-in-law Vanni in the Maravar country. The war lasted five months and resulted in Nayak's victory. The Sethupathi, himself, fled to Pamban Island but was captured and taken prisoner.
Ramaiyan/Ramappaiyen made an alliance with Nayak of ikkeri fought against Randaula khan and Sriranga III from the side of Vijayanagar emperor Venkata III defeated them at Bangalore.[5] and returned to Madura where he get several rewards for his success.[6]
Ramaiyan's exploits in the 1639 war were the subject of a popular Tamil ballad, Ramayyan Ammanai. In the ballad, Cadaikkan, initially, ridicules Ramaiyan
On completion of the war, Ramaiyan sends the following message to Thirumalai Nayak:
Ramaiyan died shortly after his victory against Ramnad. His death is believed to have taken place sometime between 1639 and 1648.