Sevappa a peacemaker and gem of a person did not indulge in war activites.His reign in the Tanjavur kingdom was known to be one of comparative peace and prosperity. He helped the Vijayanagar emperor with his army and financial resources whenever needed during wars with the Bahmani kingdom.Sevappa's contributions to the cultural and religious spheres is remembered even today. He brought about a cultural efflorescence of Tanjavur in the subsequent ages. Numerous temples were constructed and many gifts of gold, jewels and land were donated to the deities on various occasions. Many tanks such as the Sivaganga tank in Tanjavur were repaired and renovated by him, which were of great help to the agriculturists of the area. One of the gopuras (temple towers) of the Arunachaleshwara (Siva) temple at Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, was constructed during his reign. Sevappa's spirit of religious tolerance is well known. Although a Vaishnava by faith, he donated liberally to Saiva shrines and his gift to a Madhva teacher as well as to other religious faiths such as Buddhism and Islam are also recorded. Sevappa was succeeded by his son Achyuttapa Nayaka after his death in 1680 A.D. |