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{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}

The [[Madras Presidency]] was a province of [[British India]] comprising most of the present day [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Andhra Pradesh]] along with a few districts and taluks of [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]] and [[Orissa, India|Orissa]]. A few princely states, notably [[Ramnad estate|Ramnad]] and [[Pudukkottai state|Pudukkottai]] also merged into the Presidency at some or the other time. The Presidency lasted till 1950, when it became the [[Madras State]] after India became a [[Republic of India|republic]]. In 1953 Telugu-speaking regions of the state split to form [[Andhra State]]. Subsequently, in 1959, [[Kannada]]- and [[Malayalam]]-speaking areas were merged with [[Kingdom of Mysore|Mysore]] and [[Travancore]].

==Administrative Zones of the Presidency==

The Districts of Madras Presidency were divided into five zones:<ref name="Thurston1">{{Harvnb|Thurston|1913| pp=8–9}}</ref>

===The West Coast===
The districts of the Presidency along the Arabian Sea constituted the West Coast. They were mainly the coastal districts of present-day [[Kerala]] and [[Karnataka]] states.<ref name="Thurston1"/>

===The Deccan===
These were also known as ceded districts since they were ceded to the British after the [[Anglo-Mysore War]]. The present day district of [[Bellary]] in Karnataka and [[Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh|Anantpur]], [[Kadapa]] and [[Kurnool]] districts of [[Andhra Pradesh]] came under this zone.<ref name="Thurston2">{{Harvnb|Thurston|1913| pp=10–11}}</ref>

===The Agencies===
The mountainous regions of the [[Eastern Ghats]], in present-day [[Coastal Andhra]] and [[Orissa, India|Orissa]], more specifically the present day [[Ganjam District]] and some districts of Andhra like [[Vizag]], were called as Agencies. They were administered as "Tribal Belt" by British [[District Collector|(District) Collector]]s, who were agents to the Governor.<ref name="Thurston2"/>

===Northern Circars===
This zone included the coastal areas of districts of present-day [[Coastal Andhra]] and [[Ganjam]] of Orissa.<ref name="Thurston2"/>

===The Coramandel===
The Southern Division of the Presidency comprising much of modern [[Tamil Nadu]] and present-day [[Chittoor District|Chittoor]] district of [[Andhra Pradesh]] was called the Coramandel.<ref name="Thurston2"/>

==Districts of the Presidency==

===Madras===
The modern districts of [[Chennai District|Chennai]], [[Tiruvallur District|Tiruvallur]], [[Chengalpattu district|Chengalpattu]] and [[Kanchipuram District|Kanchipuram]] in Tamil Nadu constituted the Madras District. This was one of the earliest areas to be colonized by the British. The present day city of [[Chennai]], then Madras was given as a grant by the [[Nayaks of Kalahasti|Kalahasti Nayak]] on Francis Day in 1640.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chennai.tn.nic.in/chndistprof.htm#hist |title=District Pofile - CHENNAI |publisher=Chennai.tn.nic.in |access-date=2009-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409220657/http://www.chennai.tn.nic.in/chndistprof.htm#hist |archive-date=9 April 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Madraspresidency2"/> The adjoining area of [[Chengalpet]] was merged into the district in 1763 when the [[Nawab of Arcot]] gave it to the British to solve his debt.<ref name="Madraspresidency1">{{Harvnb|A Short Account of the Madras Presidency|1862| pp=7–9}}</ref> The town of Sardas was a Dutch possession till 1819 before it was handed over to the British.<ref name="Madraspresidency1"/> Madras was an important battle site during the [[Carnatic Wars]] between the English and the French.<ref name="Madraspresidency1"/> For a long time, Madras was the administrative capital of the Presidency.

===North Arcot===
{{See also|North Arcot}}

The modern districts of [[Chittoor District|Chittoor]] in Andhra Pradesh, [[Vellore District|Vellore]], [[Tirupattur district|Tirupattur]], [[Ranipet district|Ranipet]], [[Thiruvannamalai District|Thiruvannamalai]], [[Arani, Tiruvannamalai|Arani]] and
few Talukas off [[Thiruvallur District|Thiruvallur]] ([[Thiruttani]], [[pallipattu]]) in Tamil Nadu constituted the North Arcot District. [[Chittoor]] was the administrative headquarters city for the district.<ref name="Madraspresidency2">{{Harvnb|A Short Account of the Madras Presidency|1862| pp=12–13}}</ref>

===South Arcot===
{{See also|South Arcot}}

The modern districts of [[Villupuram District|Villupuram]], [[Kallakurichi district|Kallakurichi]] and [[Cuddalore District|Cuddalore]] in Tamil Nadu constituted the South Arcot District. Before its possession by the British, it was part of the Carnatic along with North Arcot, Chengalpet and Nellore.<ref name="Madraspresidency3">{{Harvnb|A Short Account of the Madras Presidency|1862| pp=14–15}}</ref>

===Salem===
The modern districts of [[Salem District|Salem]], [[Dharmapuri District|Dharmapuri]], [[Krishnagiri District|Krishnagiri]] and [[Namakkal District|Namakkal]] constituted the Salem District.<ref name="Madraspresidency4">{{Harvnb|A Short Account of the Madras Presidency|1862| pp=33–34}}</ref> Salem was one of the important districts where industrial development took place, most notably Steel Industries and the [[TVS Group]] established in [[Hosur]] by [[T. V. Sundaram Iyengar]].Salem is the Administrative headquarters of The District<ref name=TVS>[http://www.tvsiyengar.com/aboutus.htm TVS Iyengar] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090308005005/http://www.tvsiyengar.com/aboutus.htm |date=8 March 2009 }}</ref>

===Coimbatore===
The modern districts of [[Coimbatore District|Coimbatore]], [[Erode District|Erode]], [[Tirupur District|Tirupur]], [[Nilgiris District|Nilgiris]] and a few taluks of [[Kollegal|Kollegal Taluk]] of [[Karnataka]] constituted the Coimbatore District.<ref name="Madraspresidency5">{{Harvnb|A Short Account of the Madras Presidency|1862| pp=35–36}}</ref> Along Salem, Coimbatore was one of the important industrial areas with noted figures like [[GD Naidu]], [[G. Kuppuswami Naidu]] and [[Sri SP Narasimhulu Naidu]] contributing to the development of the region. Salem and Coimbatore were acquired from the [[Kingdom of Mysore]] by the British after the defeat of [[Dheeran chinnamalai]], [[Tipu Sultan]] in 1792 and 1799 respectively.<ref>{{cite news|title=The city that is Coimbatore|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2005043001980300.htm&date=2005/04/30/&prd=mp&|access-date=9 June 2010|newspaper=The Hindu|date=30 April 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726120742/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2005043001980300.htm&date=2005%2F04%2F30%2F&prd=mp&|archive-date=26 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Markovits|first= Claude |title=A history of modern India, 1480-1950 |year=2004|publisher=Anthem Press|pages=253|isbn= 9781843310044 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uzOmy2y0Zh4C&q=coimbatore+1799&pg=PA253}}</ref>

===Madura===
The modern districts of [[Madurai District|Madurai]] , [[Theni District|Theni]] , [[Sivaganga District|Sivaganga]] , [[Ramanathapuram District|Ramnathapuram]] , dindugal and few taluk of [[Virudhunagar District|Virudhunagar]] and formed the Madura district.<ref name="Madraspresidency6">{{Harvnb|A Short Account of the Madras Presidency|1862| pp=21–22}}</ref> Along with Tinnively, Madura was acquired after the bloody [[Polygar Wars]] between the British and some of the erstwhile chieftains of the [[Madurai Nayak|Madurai Royal Family]]. Most of the Polygars who surrendered or helped the British were appointed as Zamindars in a few villages. The kingdoms of [[Ramnad estate|Ramnad]] and [[Sivaganga estate|Sivaganga]] were merged into Madura as Zamindaris in 1803.<ref name="sethupathi_tondaimans">{{cite web|url=http://www.tamilnadu.ind.in/tamilnadu_history/sethupathis_thondaimans/sethupathis.php|title=Sethupathi Tondaimans|work=The History of Tamil Nadu}}</ref><ref name="holdersofhistory">{{cite web|title=Holder of History:The Ramnad Sethupathis|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1518390491.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023031602/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1518390491.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-10-23|publisher=High Beam}}</ref><ref name="bridgeofram">{{cite web|title=Sethupathi Dynasty of Ramnad - Guardians of Rama Sethu|url=http://www.bridgeofram.com/2008/02/sethupathi-dynasty-of-ramnad-guardians.html|publisher=Bridge of Ram|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006003201/http://www.bridgeofram.com/2008/02/sethupathi-dynasty-of-ramnad-guardians.html|archive-date=6 October 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Tinnively===
The modern districts of [[Tirunelveli District|Tirunelveli]], [[Tenkasi district|Tenkasi]] , [[Tuticorin District|Tuticorin]] and along with a few taluks of [[Virudhunagar District|Virudhunagar]] formed the Tinnively district.<ref name="Madraspresidency8">{{Harvnb|A Short Account of the Madras Presidency|1862| pp=24–25}}</ref> Many battles between [[Polygars]] and the British were fought in Tinnively which came to an end in 1801. Among the Prominent Polygars who fought the British was [[Veerapandiya Kattabomman]]. The port of [[Tuticorin]] was acquired from the Dutch.<ref name="Madraspresidency8"/>

===Trichinopoly===
The modern districts of [[Tiruchirapalli District|Tiruchirapalli]], [[Karur District|Karur]], [[Perambalur District|Perambalur]] and [[Ariyalur District|Ariyalur]] formed the Trichinopoly District. The Great Southern Railway Company was established in as Trichinopoly. According to the 1871 census, Trichinoply was the second largest city in the Madras Presidency, after its capital Madras. In 1928 Golden Rock Railway workshop was established in Ponmalai. During [[World War II]] [[Tiruchirapalli International Airport|Trichinopoly Airport]] was established as the second airport in Tamil Nadu. In 1938, Tata Airlines carried its first service. Trichinopoly is famous for its branded cigars. The fort of Trichy built by the Nayak kings served as an important garrison in the battle against the French.

===Tanjore===
{{See also|Thanjavur Maratha kingdom}}

The modern districts of [[Thanjavur District|Thanjavur]], [[Nagapattinam District|Nagapattinam]], [[Mayiladuthurai district|Mayiladuthurai]] and [[Tiruvarur District|Tiruvarur]] formed the Tanjore District.<ref name="Madraspresidency1617">{{Harvnb|A Short Account of the Madras Presidency|1862| pp=16–17}}</ref> After the fall of the Cholas, the Tanjore country came under the Pandyan rule and subsequently the Delhi Sultanate before coming under Vijayanagara. Eventually a Vijayanagara Commander named Sevappa Nayadu was appointed as governor in 1532 and established the [[Thanjavur Nayaks|Tanjore Nayakar]] Kingdom which ruled till 1673. In 1674, the area came under the [[Thanjavur Maratha kingdom|Marathas]] who ruled till 1855. After the death of the last king, Tanjore came under the British and became a part of the Presidency.

===Malabar===
{{See also|Malabar District}}
The Malabar district included the present-day districts of Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad (excluding Alathur and Chittur Taluks), and Chavakad Taluk of Thrissur District (former part of Ponnani Taluk) in the northern part of Kerala state.

===South Canara===
{{See also|South Canara}}
The South Canara district covered the areas of the present-day districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi of Karnataka and the Kasaragod District of Kerala. The district was one of the most heterogeneous of Madras Presidency with Kannada, Tulu, Konkani and Malayalam being the principal languages spoken.

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
*{{cite book|title=Provincial Geographies of India:The Madras Presidency with Mysore, Coorg and Associated States|url=https://archive.org/details/provincialgeogra03holluoft|last=Thurston|first=Edgar|author-link=Edgar Thurston|publisher=Cambridge University|year=1913}}
*{{cite book|title=A Short Account of the Madras Presidency, for the Use of Schools|publisher=Oxford University|year=1862|ref={{sfnRef|A Short Account of the Madras Presidency|1862}} }}

== Bibliography ==
* ''The Maratha Rajas of Tanjore'' by K.R.Subramanian, 1928.

{{Divisions of British India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Madras Presidency districts}}
[[Category:Historical Indian regions]]
[[Category:Madras Presidency]]
[[Category:Geography of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Geography of Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Lakshadweep]]
[[Category:Regions of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Geography of Kerala]]
[[Category:Geography of Odisha]]

Administrative divisions of Madras Presidency - Revision history

>Diannaa at 16:42, 29 May 2021