Kayalpatnam (also known as Kayalpattinam or Kayalpattanam) is a municipality in the Thoothukudi district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. As of 2011, the town had a population of 38,409.
Also known as Kayal, the municipality is referred to in Marco Polo's[1] travel diaries dating to 1298 AD. Korkai,[2] Vaguthai, or Kayal was an ancient port dating to the early part of the Common Era and was contemporaneous with the existence of Kollam, another Pandyan port. Kollam served the Pandyas on the west coast while Korkai/Kayal on the east coast connected Ceylon and the pearl fisheries in the Gulf of Mannar. Arab traders from Egypt and Yemen landed at the port of Korkai (present-day Kayalpatnam). Some traders migrated to Adirampattinam. Strong trading connections existed with Sri Lanka. There exists a strong cultural connection between Kayalpattinam, Adirampattinam and Kilakarai. Most of the Muslims there are matrilocal residents. The ancient port had trade connections with Egypt, Rome, and Greece.[citation needed]
The MuslimMoroccan explorer Ibn Battuta mentioned Kayalpattinam (as called as Fatan) in his travelogue The Rihla (lit. "Journey"). There exists a strong cultural connection exists between Kayalpatnam, Adirampattinam and Kilakarai.
Kayalpatnam now has many mosques. Photographer Benoy Behl made a film, A World of Beauty and Grace: Islamic Architecture of India, on the Islamic architecture of India, in which they visit a Kayalpatnam mosque.[3]
In the Indian independence movement
In the Freedom Struggle, Kayalpatnam, a part of Tiruchendur Taluk, played a vibrant role. Many patriots from Kayalpatnam participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement, the Individual Satyagraha, and the Quit India Movement.
Toddy shop picketing holds significant historical importance in Kayalpatnam. In 1930, Mahatma Gandhi presented a set of Eleven Demands to the British Viceroy, Lord Irwin, addressing key economic and social grievances of the Indian people. These demands included the abolition of the salt tax, reduction of land revenue, and prohibition of intoxicating drinks. Among them, the call for the closure of liquor shops stood out as a reflection of Gandhi’s commitment to moral and social reform through non-violent means. Kayalpatnam, which is today one of the rare towns in Tamil Nadu without a liquor shop, was not always thus. During British rule, toddy shops operated in the town. It was against this backdrop that patriots like L. K. Sheikh Muhammed (Kayal Gandhi), R. Venkatrama Mudaliar (karnam of Kayalpatnam), and others took a principled stand. Inspired by Gandhi’s call for prohibition during the renewed phase of the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1932, they organized toddy shop picketing in Kayalpattinam.[4]
Freedom fighters of Kayalpatnam
One of the prominent freedom fighters from the town was L.K. Sheikh Muhammed, popularly known as the 'Kayal Gandhi'[5] for his simple and dedicated life, and his active involvement in various Satyagraha s, including toddy shop picketing.[5] He was widely respected for his unwavering commitment to Gandhian principles. He famously refused to accept the freedom fighters' pension and other benefits offered by the government, insisting that such assistance should be reserved for the truly needy. Throughout his life, he embraced simplicity and self-reliance, continuing to do his own chores even in old age.
L.K Sheik Muhammed Popularly known as 'Kayal Gandhi'
Another freedom fighter of Kayalpattinam was R. Venkatrama Mudaliar, who was the Karnam (Village Accountant) of Kayalpatnam. He resigned his karnam job with the onset of Civil Disobedience Movement and took part in toddy shop picketing at Kayalpattinam[6][7][8] along with L.K Sheik Muhammed and other patriots. For this Venkatraman was arrested and Sentenced under Section 4 of the ordinance act of 1932 and kept at Kokkirakulam sub-jail for four months and later at Tiruchirapalli central Jail for a year from 1932 to 1933.[9][10][11] He was tortured in prison, where the police kicked him in the stomach with heavy boots. Later, he took part in the 1941 Individual Satyagraha from Tiruchendur.[12][13] He was arrested by the Malabar Special Police (M.S.P) for his active participation in the Quit India Movement during the investigation of Kulasekarapattnam Conspiracy Case in 1942, though he did not involve in the conspiracy that killed the Assisant Inspector of Salt, Mr. Wilfred Loane, at Kulasekarapattnam.[11][14] In addition to his role in the freedom struggle, R. Venkatrama Mudaliar also contributed to the welfare of the village of Kayalpattinam. He took part in efforts to bring clean and reliable drinking water to the town of Kayalpattinam—a critical need in the region at the time. On the midnight of August 15, 1947, Venkatraman hoisted the national flag at Kayalpatnam, signifying the beginning of India’s independence.
Freedom Fighter R.Venkatrama Mudaliar, Karnam of Kayalpattnam, Resigned his Karnam job and took part in Civil Disobedience Movement. The Tiruchendur Panchayat Union Office features an inscription listing the names of freedom fighters from Tiruchendur Taluk who were awarded the Tamrapatra for their contributions to the Indian freedom struggle. The name of R. Venkatrama Mudaliar is included in this inscription.Tiruchendur Freedom Fighters Memorial Pillar Inscription - R.Venkatrama Mudaliar's name and his participation in the Individual Satyagraha.
Demographics
According to 2011 census, Kayalpattinam had a population of 40,588 with a sex-ratio of 1,082 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.[15] 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%.[15] The town had a total of 9417 households. There were a total of 11,414 workers, comprising 17 cultivators, 27 main agricultural labourers, 206 in-house hold industries, 10,717 other workers, 447 marginal workers, 9 marginal cultivators, 4 marginal agricultural labourers, 30 marginal workers in household industries and 404 other marginal workers.[16]Tamil is the predominant language, spoken by 99.72% of the population.
Islam is the dominant religion in this municipality. As per the religious census of 2011, Kayalpattinam had 26.34% Hindus, 67.24% Muslims, 6.36% Christians, 0.01% following other religions.[17]
1 2 "Census Info 2011 Final population totals". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
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