Pillai-Pāri family
| Pillai Pillai-Pari | |
|---|---|
| Noble House | |
 | |
Parent family | Malayamān-Ay Velir |
| Country |  British Raj  French India |
Current region | South india |
Place of origin | Tamilakam |
| Founded | 1768; 250 years ago (100-200CE as Malayamān and the Ay dynasty.) |
| Founder | Aliāyipirātiyār Pari |
| Final head | Munuswami Pillai Pari |
| Historic seat | Tirukoilur |
| Titles |
|
| Members | Raja Karanwant Srinivasa Pillai, Raja Ramanuja Muni Pillai, |
| Estate | Nungambakkam |
| Deposition | 1948 |
The Pillai Family or the Pillai-Pari family of Nungambakkam, is an old aristocratic family and a former Zamindari house of Tamil origin, with Princely lineage having been Dubashes, and Polygars, branching from the Malayāman and Ay linages. The family claims descent from the ancient Sangam era ruler Vel Pari. Members of the Pillai-Pari family established themselves as Philanthropists and founders of early Charities in Madras, and they are known for their involvement in the Carnatic wars during the 18th and 19th centuries, later becoming a Zamindari in the Chingleput (present day Tiruvallur districit) under the British Raj.
The family also is said to be of the Yadu dynasty, and chandravanshi lineage, with Velir roots.
History
The family's history is attested to the early middle ages, to the city of Tirukoilur, where they are said to be a cadet branch of the Malayaman dynasty.
In 1740, Rani Aliayipirātiyār Pillai Pari an aristocratic woman, of a branch of the remaining Malayamān-Ay house who ruled as regent under her son a samsthan, in the area around Tirukoilur, was driven out into the hill-forts surrounding Gingee and Tiruvanamalai during the Carnatic Wars, she later reinstated her rule over Tirukoilur as regent under her son, allying with the French in the Second and third Carnatic wars. After getting caught in the infighting between the British and Chanda Sahib, fled to Pondicherry, from where she is to have sent reinforcements to Thomas de Lally in the battle of Wandiwash. After the end of the Carnatic wars, she is said to have received a titular princely or noble recognition (Prince de titre) in 1768 under authority of Louis XV for her efforts in the war and loss of her previous princely status, however the family's exact title or distinction named is unknown, and as to whether it was issued directly by Louis XV, or by Jean Law under his name is also a topic of discussion.[1]
In the early 19th century, the British Raj designated a Zamindari in the Chingleput district (present day Tiruvallur district) to the family in return for submission after the Pillai family accepted submission, The were made Zamindars and were accorded to relatively lower status under the Raj.
Munniya Pillai born into the same family, ventured into working as a Dubash in Madras, and worked under the Nawab of the Carnatic and the British Governor of Madras.[2]
His son, Komaleswaran Kovil Srinivasa Pillai also known as C.Srinivasa Pillai became an incredibly wealthy Dubash who became one of the most prominent philanthropists in the early days of the Raj, in the 1840s he became the Trustee and president of the Pachaiyappa's trust, and established several charities and associations in Madras and a long patron of the Monegar Choultry. He was also made Raja Karanwant, having served as a courtier to the Nawab of Carnatic.[3]
C Srinivasa Pillai's son, Ramanuja Muni Pillai, later also became a great philanthropist and worked under the last Nawab of Carnatic, and was conferred the title of Raja Karanwant, this time recognised by the Viceroy.
Munniya Pillai's other grandson, Munuswami Pillai Pari, inherited the traditional title of the "Rajah" and became the last Zamindar and Raja of Nungambakkam, in 1911 then newly married to his wife, Rani Muniamma Pillai Pari, he travelled along with her to attend the Delhi Durbar, presenting themselves before king George V and Queen Mary.[4]
The title Prince of Durgam known as Durgam ilavarasan is said to be a traditional title used by the family, due to their presence in the hill-forts around Tiruvanamalai.
The Zamindari estate of Nungambakkam in Tiruvallur district of the Madras Presidency, the seat of the Pillai family was dissolved in 1948.
References
- ↑ Anantarankam, Pillai; Price, John Frederick (1904). Private diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai : dubash to Joseph François Dupleix, a record of matters political, historical, social, and personal, from 1736 to 1761. Robarts - University of Toronto. Madras : Gov't Press.
- ↑ Sir Richard Carnac Temple (1911). The Diaries of Streynsham Master, Vol. 1, The Diary (1675-1677). Government of India.
- ↑ Neild-Basu, Susan (February 1984). "The Dubashes of Madras". Modern Asian Studies. 18 (1): 1–31. doi:10.1017/S0026749X00011203. ISSN 1469-8099.
- ↑ Lethbridge, Roper (1893). The golden book of India, a genealogical and biographical dictionary of the ruling princes, chiefs, nobles, and other personages, titled or decorated, of the Indian empire. Robarts - University of Toronto. London Macmillan.