Nagapattinam

Coordinates: 10°46′02″N 79°50′42″E / 10.767200°N 79.844900°E / 10.767200; 79.844900
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Nagapattinam
Chola nadu
UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
611xxx
Telephone code04365
Vehicle registrationTN 51

Nagapattinam (nākappaṭṭinam, previously spelt Nagapatnam or Negapatam) is a town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of

Nagapattinam District
. Nagapattinam is administered by a Special grade municipality covering an area of 17.92 km2 (6.92 sq mi) and had a population of 102,905 as of 2011.

A majority of the people of Nagapattinam are employed in sea-borne trading, fishing, agriculture and tourism.

Poompuhar, Kodiakkarai, Vedaranyam, and Tharangambadi
. Roadways is the major mode of transport to Nagapattinam, while the city also has rail and sea transport.

Etymology

Nagapattinam is derived from Nagar referring to people from Sri Lanka who settled here and pattinam referring to town.

Tirugnanasambandar, the 7th-century saint poets refer to the city as Nagai in their verses in Tevaram. The town was originally called "Nagai" and the word Pattinam was attached during the Chola era when it emerged as an important port.[7]

History

There are urn burials in and around the city from the Sangam period indicating some level of human habitation. Except the mention in Ptolemy as 'Νίγαμα Μετρόπολις,' there are no direct references to Nagapattinam during the 3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE).

Chola kingdom of the Sangam Age, referred to widely in Tamil scriptures such as Paṭṭiṉappālai.[6]

The

Divya Desam
, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book.

The early works of Tevaram by the 7th-century poets

Tirugnanasambandar mention the town had fortified walls, busy road building and a busy port.[10] The inscriptions from the Kayarohanswami temple indicate the construction was initiated during the reign of the Pallava king, Narasimha Pallava II
(691–729 CE). A Buddhist pagoda was built under Chinese influence by the Pallava king and the town was frequented by Buddhist travelers.

In the 11th century CE,

Raja Raja Chola.[1][11] It was named Chudamani or Chulamani Vihara after king Sri Mara's father[2] As per the small Leyden grant this Vihara was called Rajaraja-perumpalli during the time of Kulottunga I.[12]
Nagapattinam was the prominent port of Cholas for trade and a conquering gateway to the east.

See also: Portuguese Negapatam

In the early 16th century the Portuguese made commercial contacts with the town and established a commercial centre in 1554 CE. The Portuguese also conducted missionary enterprise here.[13] In 1658, the Dutch made an agreement with King Vijaya Nayakkar of Thanjavur on 5 January 1662, by which ten villages were transferred from the Portuguese to the Dutch – Nagapattinam Port, Puthur, Muttam, Poruvalancheri, Anthanappettai, Karureppankadu, AzhingiMangalam, Sangamangalam, Thiruthinamangalam, Manjakollai, Nariyankudi. Ten Christian churches and a hospital were built by the Dutch. They released Pagoda coins with the name Nagapattinam engraved in Tamil. As per agreement between the first Maratha King, Ekoji Raje of Thanjavur, and the Dutch, Naagapattinam and surrounding villages were handed over to the Dutch on 30 December 1676. In 1690, the capital of Dutch Coromandel changed from Pulicat to Nagapattinam.[13]

This town fell into the hands of the British in 1781 after the two naval battles between British and French fleets were fought off the coast of Negapatam, as it was then known: the

reached a peace agreement in 1784, Nagapattinam was formally ceded to the British. 277 villages, with Nagore as the headquarters, were handed over to the East India Company.[citation needed
]

From 1799 to 1845 CE, Nagapttinam was the headquarters of Tanjore district.

2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. It is well developed in the year 2016 where there are many Big textiles showroom (Krishna, Murasons etc.), Confectionery Houses (Mehala traders, Uma etc.), Schools, Colleges and Variety of fishes available in here.[15][16][17][18]

Geography

igloo shaped concrete house
Permanent shelter for tsunami-affected families in Nagapattinam

Nagapattinam lies at 10°46′N 79°50′E / 10.77°N 79.83°E / 10.77; 79.83.

Karaikkal & Puducherry in the north.[15] The town lies in the sea level.[15] The municipality covers an area of 14.92 km2 (5.76 sq mi)[15] Nagapattinam is situated at a distance of 300 km (190 mi) from Chennai, 14 km (8.7 mi) from Karaikal, 40 km (25 mi) from Mayiladuthurai, 40 km (25 mi) from Kumbakonam, 80 km (50 mi) from Thanjavur and 25 km (16 mi) from Thiruvarur.[15]

Nagapattinam lies on a plain terrain of alluvial soil consisting of sand, silt and clay. The

2004 tsunami.[19] A very fine layer of high saline soil was deposited in the paddy fields.[20]

Climate

Nagapattinam has a

northeast monsoon. The city receives an annual rainfall of 1,350 millimetres or 53 inches.[15] Proximity to the sea results in a high humidity throughout the year, which reaches 70% from August to May.[citation needed
]

Climate data for Nagapattinam, India (1981–2010, extremes 1901–2012)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 32.4
(90.3) 		35.6
(96.1) 		40.0
(104.0) 		41.7
(107.1) 		42.8
(109.0) 		41.7
(107.1) 		41.7
(107.1) 		40.6
(105.1) 		38.9
(102.0) 		37.6
(99.7) 		35.0
(95.0) 		33.9
(93.0) 		42.8
(109.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29.0
(84.2) 		30.0
(86.0) 		31.6
(88.9) 		33.5
(92.3) 		36.2
(97.2) 		36.7
(98.1) 		36.1
(97.0) 		35.5
(95.9) 		34.2
(93.6) 		32.0
(89.6) 		29.8
(85.6) 		29.0
(84.2) 		32.8
(91.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22.5
(72.5) 		23.0
(73.4) 		24.5
(76.1) 		26.6
(79.9) 		27.4
(81.3) 		26.9
(80.4) 		26.4
(79.5) 		25.9
(78.6) 		25.6
(78.1) 		25.1
(77.2) 		24.0
(75.2) 		23.0
(73.4) 		25.1
(77.2)
Record low °C (°F) 16.1
(61.0) 		15.6
(60.1) 		16.7
(62.1) 		20.0
(68.0) 		20.6
(69.1) 		20.6
(69.1) 		21.7
(71.1) 		20.0
(68.0) 		20.6
(69.1) 		20.6
(69.1) 		16.7
(62.1) 		16.7
(62.1) 		15.6
(60.1)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 56.4
(2.22) 		13.1
(0.52) 		16.7
(0.66) 		33.2
(1.31) 		42.6
(1.68) 		40.3
(1.59) 		47.1
(1.85) 		82.9
(3.26) 		92.2
(3.63) 		252.3
(9.93) 		444.1
(17.48) 		245.4
(9.66) 		1,366.3
(53.79)
Average rainy days 2.7 0.9 0.8 1.2 2.5 2.1 3.2 4.2 5.0 9.8 13.1 8.4 53.9
Average
relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST
) 		72 69 70 71 69 65 65 66 71 76 79 76 71
Source: India Meteorological Department[21][22]

2004 tsunami

Tsunami caused damages in Nagapattinam

The

Akkaraipattai. The property losses impacted the fishing industry, as most of the boats were damaged by the inundation.[25] The immediate aftermath created a lull in tourism.[26]

Demographics

Religion in Nagapattinam (2011)[27]
Religion Percent(%)
Hindu
 
 71.4%
Muslim
 
 24.8%
Christian
 
 3.7%
Others
 
 0.1%

According to

Buddhists, 0.01% Jains and 0.08% following other religions.[31]

The decadal growth rate was higher during the decade ending in 1981, due to an increase in the town limits from 8.7 km2 (3.4 sq mi) to 14.95 km2 (5.77 sq mi).[32] The overall growth rate has declined over the period due to migration of people to other urban centres.[32] There are 40 slums in the town as of 2001, with an estimated 44% residing in these slums. Out of 40 slums, 14 were affected by the 2004 tsunami. With the help of grant schemes and tsunami assistance programmes, these were rebuilt to tsunami-proof houses.[33]

Economy

Image of fishing boat and lighthouse

The main occupation of Nagapattinam is fishing in the waters of Bay of Bengal. The fish are sold in the daily and weekly fish markets in the town. There is a large number of ice factories for preserving the fish. The industry suffered a setback after the tsunami that struck the coast on 26 December 2004.[34]

There is limited agricultural activity, but much agricultural commerce is conducted in the town.[34] A majority of the people are employed in service industry, belonging to the tertiary sector.[34] The town is also the centre of retail provisions trading for the towns and villages surrounding Nagapattinam.[34]

Tourism is a major economic driver with the presence of heritage and historic points like Nagore, Velankanni, Sikkal, Kodikkarai, Vedaranyam, Mannargudi and Tharangambadi.[34]

There is limited industrial activity – the major industries are household, tailoring, embroidery, plastic wire and metal manufacturing.

Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) is near Nagapattinam. Established in 1993, it is a major contributor to the economy of the town.[34] The development of industries is constrained by the town being linear and by the applicability of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations[clarification needed] that prevent large-scale construction and industrial buildings.[34]

Dutch tomb in Nagapattinam

All major nationalised banks such as State Bank of India, Indian Bank, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Indian Overseas Bank and private banks like ICICI Bank, City Union Bank have branches in Nagapattinam.[35] All these banks have their automated teller machines located in various parts of the town.[35]

Transport

Nagapattinam municipality accommodates 104.539 km (64.958 mi) of roads; 27.328 km (16.981 mi) of cement roads, 72.993 km (45.356 mi) of bituminous roads, 1.2 km (0.75 mi) of WBM roads and 3.018 km (1.875 mi) of earthen roads.

State Express Transport Corporation operates long-distance buses connecting Nagapattinam to a number of other cities.[37]

Entrance of Nagapattinam Junction railway station

Great Southern of India Railway Company (GSIR) had its headquarters at Nagapattinam between 1861 and 1875. A broad gauge railway [BG] line was operated between Nagapattinam and

Velankanni Express that pass via Nagapattinam Junction.[39]

The port of Nagapattinam is in the

Burma and to a small extent to the United Kingdom and Spain.[41] The port also served passenger traffic to Singapore, but this was suspended due to a fire accident.[42] The modern day port has a commercial port complex and a dockyard that are protected by a river mouth sand bar facing the port.[43] The port handles only a limited amount of edible oil imports.[42] The Nagapttinam lighthouse is the first conventional 20-metre-high (66 ft) lighthouse tower, built inside the port premises by the British in 1869.[44] The port and the lighthouse are maintained by the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board under the Government of India.[40] Thirukkuvalai Port
is a deep-water multi-modal port.

The nearest Airport is

Tiruchirapalli Airport, located 145 km (90 mi) away from the town.[45]

Culture and tourism

twin minarets with two minarets in the background
Nagore Durgah, built in the 16th century, is one of the major landmarks of the town
Soundararaja Perumal Temple and Kayarohanaswami temple are the most prominent temples in the town.

Tourism plays a key economic role for the town, even though fishing is the major occupation. Nagapttinam is a base for heritage and historic points like Nagore, Velankanni, Sikkal, Kodiyakkarai, Vedaranyam, Mannargudi and Tharangambadi.[citation needed]

Alvars belonging to the 6th–9th century.[46] Nagapattinam is base to some of the prominent Hindu temples like Sikkal Singaravelan Temple at Sikkal, Vedaranyeswarar Temple at Vedaranyam, Ettukudi Murugan Temple and Koothanur Maha Saraswathi Temple.[47]

Campantar and Sundarar.[46] The temple is one of the seven temples of the Thyagaraja cult, classified as Saptha Vidangam, where the presiding deity Thyagaraja is believed to portray different dance styles.[48] The temple is also known for the shrine of Neelayadakshi, the consort of Kayarohanaswami.[46]

Nagore Durgha, a 16th-century minaret located in Nagore, is one of the important pilgrimage centres of the town. Kanduri festival is a 14-day event celebrated for the annual urs (anniversary) of the saint Hajrath Shahul Hamid (1490–1579 CE), in honor of whom the minaret was built.[49] The festival is celebrated in commemoration of the anniversary of the saint's death, and pilgrims from various religions participate in the rituals and rites. The festival is also seen as a sacred exchange between Hindus and Muslims expressing solidarity of mixed faith in the region.[50] It is believed that 60 percent of the shrines were built by Hindus and historically the minaret garners many domestic and international visitors.[51] There are three other prominent mosques; one near Nagai Pudhur Road, one near the new bus stand, and another at Moolakadai Street.[46]

Velankanni is a pilgrimage centre located 10 km (6.2 mi) from Nagapattinam. The town is known for the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, a Roman Catholic church built during the 17th century. Pilgrimage to the basilica is common during September when people of many faiths, especially Hindus, Muslims and Christians of all denominations visit the basilica.[47] The town has four prominent churches; the Lourdhu Madha (Sindhathurai Madha) Church, the Madharasi Madha Church, T.E.L.C. Church and the Protestant Church.[46]

Education and utility services

Negapatam Wesleyan Mission-House and the school-room as it will be when rebuilt (October 1855, p. 108, Rev. Thomas Hodson)[52]

Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University,Nagapattinam. Nagapattinam has 12 elementary schools, 8 high schools and 7 higher secondary schools.[54] There are 1 Medical College, 3 arts and science colleges, 2 engineering college, 3 polytechnic colleges and one industrial training institute (ITI) in the town.[54]

The electricity supplied to the town is regulated and distributed by the Nagapattinam circle of

Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB).[55] The water supply is provided by the Nagapattinam Municipality, through borewells from Vettar river – the distribution is done through pumping stations located at Kurukathi, Andipalayam and Solomon Park.[56] About 55 metric tonnes of solid waste are collected from the town every day.[57] Nagapattinam municipality does not have an underground drainage system and the current sewerage system for disposal of sullage is through septic tanks and public conveniences.[58] The storm water drainage system is made up of the natural river drainage and man-made storm water drains.[59]

Nagapattinam comes under the Nagapattinam telecom circle of the

broadband internet service.[60] There are six government hospitals in the town, with the largest being the District Government Hospital.[61] There are 28 other private hospitals, clinics, and medical shops.[61]

Politics

Nagapattinam was declared a municipality in 1866 during British times.[15] It was promoted to a second grade municipality in 1986, selection grade in 1998.[16] From 1991, the municipal limits were expanded to include Nagore.[16] The municipality has 36 wards and there is an elected councillor for each of those wards.[62] The functions of the municipality are devolved into six departments: General administration/personnel, Engineering, Revenue, Public Health, Town planning and IT.[63] All these departments are under the control of a Municipal Commissioner who is the supreme executive head.[63] The legislative powers are vested in a body of 36 members, one from each of the 36 wards. The legislative body is headed by an elected chairperson R.Marimuthu, assisted by a deputy chairperson.[64] The town became the district headquarters when the Nagapattinam district was created as a separate district.

Nagapattinam comes under the

Nagapattinam assembly constituency and it elects a member to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly every five years.[65] From the 1977 elections, the assembly seat was won by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) once during the 1996 elections, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) twice during the 1991 and 2001 elections, and Communist Party of India (Marxist) five times during the 1977, 1980, 1984, 1989 and 2006 elections.[66] The current MLA of the constituency is K. A. Jayapal, the minister for fisheries in the Government of Tamil Nadu.[67]

Nagapattinam is a part of the

Nannilam.[68] The current Member of Parliament from the constituency is Dr. K. Gopal from the AIADMK party.[69] From 1957, the Nagapattinam parliament seat was held by the Indian National Congress for five times during 1957–1961,[70] 1962–67,[71] 1967–71,[72] 1991–96,[73] and 1996–98[74] elections. CPI won the seat for five times during 1971–77,[75] 1977–80,[76] 1989–91,[77] 1996–98[74] and 1998[78] elections. DMK won four times during 1980–84,[79] 1999–2004,[80] 2004–09[81] and 2009 elections.[82] AIADMK won the seat twice during the 1984–89 elections and 2014 elections.[83][69]

Law and order in the town in maintained by the Nagapattinam sub division of the Tamil Nadu Police headed by a Deputy Superintendent (DSP).[84] There are three police stations in the town, one of them being an all-women police station.[85] There are special units like prohibition enforcement, district crime, social justice and human rights, district crime records and special branch that operate at the district level police division headed by a Superintendent of Police (SP).[84]

Notes

  1. ^ a b deepak s. Indian civilization. deepak shinde, 2016. p. 169.
  2. ^ a b C. E. Ramachandran; K. V. Raman, Indian History and Culture Society. Aspects of Indian history and culture. Books & Books, 1984. p. 11.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g W. 2002, p. 161.
  4. ^ Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited 2008, p. 5.
  5. ^ S. R. Balasubrahmanyam. Middle Chola Temples: Rajaraja I to Kulottunga I, A.D. 985-1070. Thomson Press (India), 1975. pp. 113–116.
  6. ^ a b c Kulke, K. & Sakhuja 2009, pp. 102–104.
  7. ^ Kulke, K. & Sakhuja 2009, pp. 104–107.
  8. ISBN 9788120813427
    .
  9. ISBN 9788120601512
    .
  10. ^ Kulke, K. & Sakhuja 2009, pp. 107–108.
  11. ^ Kulke, K. & Sakhuja 2009, p. 67.
  12. ^ S. R. Balasubrahmanyam. Middle Chola Temples: Rajaraja I to Kulottunga I, A.D. 985-1070. Thomson Press (India), 1975. pp. 115–116.
  13. ^ a b W. 2002, p. 139.
  14. ^ W. 2002, p. 136.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i About the town 2011.
  16. ^ a b c Nagapattinam Municipality features 2011.
  17. ^ Nagapattinam district profile 2011.
  18. ^ Nagapattinam district local administration 2011.
  19. ^ a b Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited 2008, p. 6.
  20. ^ Karan & P. 2011, p. 89.
  21. ^ Climatology of Nagapattinam 2015.
  22. ^ Extremes of Temperature and Rainfall 2016.
  23. ^ Karan & P. 2011, p. 70.
  24. ^ Karan & P. 2011, p. 77.
  25. ^ Karan & P. 2011, p. 227.
  26. ^ Karan & P. 2011, p. 231.
  27. ^ "Population By Religious Community – Tamil Nadu" (XLS). Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2011.
  28. ^ Nagapattinam population 2011.
  29. ^ a b Census of India 2011.
  30. ^ a b Census of India dashboard 2011.
  31. ^ Religious census 2015.
  32. ^ a b Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited 2008, pp. 7–10.
  33. ^ Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited 2008, p. 27.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited 2008, pp. 12–16.
  35. ^ a b Nagapattinam town Banks 2011.
  36. ^ Nagapattinam roads 2011.
  37. ^ a b c The Hindu & 13 July 2012.
  38. ^ W. 2002, p. 167.
  39. ^ a b The Hindu & 2 July 2012.
  40. ^ a b c Nagapattinam Port 2011.
  41. ^ W. 2002, p. 144.
  42. ^ a b The Hindu Business Line & 20 January 2012.
  43. ^ Strand & Masek 2008, pp. 235–239.
  44. ^ W. 2002, p. 162.
  45. ^ Nagapattinam transport 2011.
  46. ^ a b c d e Various 2007, p. 61.
  47. ^ a b Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited 2008, pp. 14–15.
  48. ^ The Hindu & 16 July 2010.
  49. ^ Hunter 1908, p. 3.
  50. ^ Werbner & Basu 1998, pp. 61–62.
  51. ^ Visweswaran 2011, pp. 33–34.
  52. ^ Hodson, Thomas (October 1855). "Missionary Tour by the Rev. Thomas Hodson". Wesleyan Juvenile Offering. XII. London: Wesleyan Missionary Society: 108. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  53. ^ W. 2002, p. 207.
  54. ^ a b Nagapattinam schools 2011.
  55. ^ TNEB region details 2011.
  56. ^ Nagapattinam water supply 2011.
  57. ^ Waste management programme 2011.
  58. ^ Nagapttinam sewarage 2011.
  59. ^ Nagapattinam storm water management 2011.
  60. ^ BSNL 2011.
  61. ^ a b Nagapattinam hospitals 2011.
  62. ^ Councillors of Nagapattinam Municipality 2011.
  63. ^ a b Commissionerate of Municipal Administration 2006.
  64. ^ Economic and political weekly 1995.
  65. ^ List of Assembly constituencies 2010.
  66. ^ Partywise Comparison Since 1977 2011.
  67. ^ MLA of Nagapattinam 2016.
  68. ^ The Hindu & 31 March 2009.
  69. ^ a b MP of Nagapattinam 2014.
  70. ^ Key highlights of the general elections 1957 to the Second Lok Sabha.
  71. ^ Key highlights of the general elections 1962 to the Third Lok Sabha.
  72. ^ Key highlights of the general elections 1967 to the Fourth Lok Sabha.
  73. ^ Key highlights of the general elections 1991 to the Tenth Lok Sabha.
  74. ^ a b Key highlights of the general elections 1996 to the Eleventh Lok Sabha.
  75. ^ Key highlights of the general elections 1971 to the Fifth Lok Sabha.
  76. ^ Key highlights of the general elections 1977 to the Sixth Lok Sabha.
  77. ^ Key highlights of the general elections 1989 to the Ninth Lok Sabha.
  78. ^ Key highlights of the general elections 1998 to the Twelfth Lok Sabha.
  79. ^ Key highlights of the general elections 1980 to the Seventh Lok Sabha.
  80. ^ Key highlights of the general elections 1999 to the Thirteenth Lok Sabha.
  81. ^ Key highlights of the general elections 2004 to the Fourteenth Lok Sabha.
  82. ^ MP of Nagapattinam 2009.
  83. ^ Key highlights of the general elections 1984 to the Eighth Lok Sabha.
  84. ^ a b Nagapattinam district police 2011.
  85. ^ Nagapattinam police 2011.

References

External links

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