Raghunatha Tondaiman II, also known as His Excellency Raja Sri Raghunatha Tondaiman Bahadur, was the ruler or Raja of the princely state of Pudukkottai, which is currently located in the present district of Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu. He reigned over the territory from the period 4th June 1825 to 13th July 1839. He was born in the year 1798 in Pudukkottai town in the state of Pudukkottai to father Raja Vijaya Raghunatha Tondaiman of Pudukkottai, who ruled over the kingdom from 30th December 1789 to 1st February 1807, and mother, Rani Ayi Ammani Ayi Sahib Avargal, the second wife of the Maharaja. He was the younger of two sons of Vijaya Raghunatha Tondaiman, who survived him. Raghunatha Tondaiman II was educated in private by British tutors.
Early Life of Raghunatha Tondaiman II
After the death of his father Vijaya Raghunatha Tondaiman on 1st February 1807, his elder brother Vijaya Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman succeeded him and ascended the royal throne of Pudukkottai. He ruled under a Council of Superintendence until 1817 when he attained the age of majority. On 4th June 1825, the elder brother of Raghunatha Tondaiman II, Raja Vijaya Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman of Pudukkottai, prematurely died due to severe illness. Raghunatha Tondaiman II succeeded him and ascended the throne as the new ruler of the princely state.
Rule of Raghunatha Tondaiman II
His Excellency Raja Sri Raghunatha Tondaiman Bahadur, the Raja of Pudukkottai state, reigned for around fourteen years from his coronation on 20th July 1825 till his death in the year 1839. The progressive ruler took several steps for the development of the state and for the betterment of his subjects. He also maintained a harmonious association with the British Government of India and provided various supports and aids to them. Most of the period under the rule of Raghunatha Tondaiman II was primarily uneventful.
In the year 1837, he suggested a scheme to bring the water of the Cauvery River (Kaveri River) into the princely state of Pudukkottai. But he failed to implement and execute the plan due to lack of resources and funds.
Raghunatha Tondaiman II was honoured with the style His Excellency on 2nd April, 1830 and was also given a 17 gun salute.
Personal Life of Raghunatha Tondaiman II
Raja Sri Raghunatha Tondaiman II was married to the daughter of M.R. Ry. Sri Suryamurti Panrikondran of Kallakurichi in the year 1812. Later he got married for a second time with Rani Kamalambal Ayi Sahib. The royal couple had two daughters and two sons, namely Rajkumari Periya Rajammani Bayi Sahib, Rajkumari Chinna Rajammani Bayi Sahib, Ramachandra Tondaiman and Thirumalai Tondaiman.
Raghunatha Tondaiman II died at the age of forty one on 13th July 1839 in Pudukkottai state. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Raja Sri Brahdamba Dasa Raja Ramachandra Tondaiman Bahadur, who was 9 years old at the time of succession and thus ruled under the regency of the Resident of British India, posted at Pudukkottai.
