Kayalpatnam (also known as Kayalpattinam, Kayalpattanam, or Kayal) is a municipality in the Thoothukudi district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. As of 2011, it had a population of 38,409.
Kayalpatnam is mentioned in the travel diaries of Marco Polo[1] from 1298 AD. Korkai,[2] Vaguthai, or Kayal was an ancient port back to the early Common Era and existed alongside of Kollam, another important Pandyan port. While Kollam served the Pandyas on the west coast, Korkai/Kayal on the east coast connected to Ceylon and 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 strong trading between Kayalpattinam, Adirampattinam, and Kilakarai. Most Muslims there are matrilocal residents. The ancient port also traded with Egypt, Rome, and Greece.[3]
The MuslimMoroccan explorer Ibn Battuta mentioned Kayalpattinam (which he refers to as Fatan) in his travelogue The Rihla (lit. "Journey"). There exists a strong cultural connection between Kayalpatnam, Adirampattinam and Kilakarai.
Kayalpatnam has many mosques. One of these mosques is visited by photographer Benoy Behl in his film, A World of Beauty and Grace: Islamic Architecture of India.[4]
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.[5] Inspired by Gandhi’s call for prohibition, toddy shops operating in Kayalputnam were picketed.[6]
Freedom fighters from Kayalpatnam
One prominent freedom fighter from Kayalpatnam was L.K. Sheikh Muhammed, popularly known as the 'Kayal Gandhi'[7] for his simple and dedicated life, and his active involvement in various Satyagrahas, including toddy shop picketing.[7] 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.
L.K Sheik Muhammed Popularly known as 'Kayal Gandhi'
Another freedom fighter of Kayalpattinam was R. Venkatrama Mudaliar, who was the Karnam of Kayalpatnam. He resigned his position as Karnam upon the onset of Civil Disobedience Movement and took part in toddy shop picketing in Kayalpattinam[8][9][10] along with L.K Sheik Muhammed and others. For this, Venkatraman was arrested and sentenced under Section 4 of the Ordinance Act of 1932. He was kept at Kokkirakulam sub-jail for four months and later at Tiruchirapalli Central Jail between 1932 and 1933.[11][12][13] He was tortured in prison, where the police kicked him in the stomach with heavy boots [citation needed]. Later, he took part in the 1941 Individual Satyagraha from Tiruchendur.[14][15] 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.[13][16] In addition to his role in the freedom struggle, R. Venkatrama Mudaliar took part in efforts to bring clean and reliable drinking water to the town of Kayalpattinam [citation needed]. On the midnight of August 15, 1947, Mudaliar hoisted the national flag in Kayalpatnam, signifying the beginning of India’s independence [citation needed].
Freedom Fighter R.Venkatrama Mudaliar, Karnam of Kayalpattnam. 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.[17] 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%.[17] The town had a total of 9,417 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.[18]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.[19]
12"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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