Saptur

Saptur is one of the palayams of ancient Madurai. Now its a village in Madurai district in Indian state of Tamilnadu.

History

Saptur, traditionally recognized as one of the 72 palaiyams of Madura, was situated about 10 km from T.Kallupatti. It was part of Tirunelveli and was transferred in 1859 to Madura District (present day Madurai district) ^[1]

Name Origin

The name Saptur comes from the Telegu sapa (mat) and uta (spring), referring to the location where the Rajakambalam Nayakar settlers worshipped their deity by placing its idol on a mat near a spring. ^[2]

Zamindari

In 1795 Polygar Ramaswami Kamayya (Cambia, Cawnia) Nayaka was ordered dispossessed of his palaiyam for withholding his tribute and other irregularities.He promptly took the hills and began exacting tribute from his former subjects. In 1797, he joined the polygar of Nilakottai (q.v.) in an unsuccessful attempt to regain control of Nilakottai’s fort. With the assistance of the polygars of Peraiyur, Elumalai, and Santhayur, he defeated Sankaralinga Thevar and took possession of a large tract of land that was then divided among the confederates. In 1800 Collector Lushington captured and executed him. His eldest son was also executed, but the second, Warra Kamayya Nayak, enjoyed a pension from the Company. In 1802 The permanent settlement turned him into a major zamindar, holding 47 villages, but deprived him of his kaval and other fees. The impartible zamindari of Saptur is the largest in the taluk and comprises an area of about 123 square miles, including a large portion of the eastern slopes of the Varushanadu hills. ^[3]

Geography

Saptur is located on the foothills of Western Ghats. Nearest Town is Peraiyur.

Demographics

Saptur is a multi caste big village having 3540 households. The major castes are Thevar, Chettiyar, Nayakkar, Nadar, Sakkliyar, Paraiyar, Aasari, Kudumban and Pillai. The major land holders are Thevar followed by Nayakkar and Chettiyars. ^[4]

References