Kayalpatnam

Kayalpattinam
Nickname: 
Little Makkah
Kayalpattinam
Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Kayalpattinam
Kayalpattinam (India)
Coordinates: 8°33′59″N 78°6′59″E / 8.56639°N 78.11639°E / 8.56639; 78.11639
Country India
StateTamil Nadu
Government
 • BodyKayalpattinam Municipality
Area
 • Total
12.5 km2 (4.8 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total
40,588
 • Density3,250/km2 (8,410/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Kayalar, Kayalite
Languages
 • OfficialTamil
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
628204
Telephone code04639
Vehicle registrationTN 92 (Thiruchendur RTO)
Nearest cityThoothukudi
Sex ratio1000:1177 ♂/♀
Literacy92.71%
Lok Sabha constituencyThoothukudi
Formerly with Tiruchendur
Vidhan Sabha constituencyTiruchendur
Civic AgencyKayalpattinam Municipality
ClimateHumid (Köppen)

Kayalpatnam (also known as Kayal) is an 18-ward municipality in the Thoothukudi district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Kayalpatnam (also spelled Kayalpattinam) is a historic coastal municipality in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for its centuries-old maritime trade history, Islamic heritage, Hindu temples (mandirs) and unique cultural identity.[1][2] According to the 2011 census, it has a population of 40,588.

History

Kayalpatnam is mentioned in the travel diaries of Marco Polo[3] in 1298 AD. Korkai,[4] Vaguthai, or Kayal was an ancient port in the early Common Era and existed alongside Kollam, another important Pandyan port. While Kollam served the Pandyas on the west coast, Korkai/Kayal on the east coast connected to Ceylon, as well as 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 considerable trading between Kayalpatnam, Adirampattinam, and Kilakarai, and this ancient port also traded with Egypt, Rome, and Greece.[5]

The Muslim Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta mentioned Kayalpatnam (which he refers to as Fatan) in his travelogue The Rihla (lit. "Journey"). There also exists a strong cultural connection between Kayalpatnam, Adirampattinam and Kilakarai.

Kayalpatnam is home to several mosques, one of which was visited by photographer Benoy Behl in his film, A World of Beauty and Grace: Islamic Architecture of India.[6]

Role In the Indian Independence Movement

Kayalpatnam, a part of Tiruchendur Taluk, was influential in the Indian independence movement. Many patriots from Kayalpatnam participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement, the Individual Satyagraha, and the Quit India Movement.[7]

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.[8] Inspired by Gandhi’s call for prohibition, toddy shops operating in Kayalpatnam were picketed.[7]

Freedom fighters from Kayalpatnam

Several individuals from Kayalpatnam participated in activities associated with the Indian independence movement.

One of them was L. K. Sheikh Muhammed, who participated in various Satyagraha campaigns, including toddy shop picketing.[9] He was locally known as “Kayal Gandhi”.[9] Sources describe his involvement in Gandhian movements during the period of the Indian freedom struggle. According to published accounts, he declined the freedom fighters' pension offered by the government.[9]

Another participant in the freedom movement from Kayalpatnam was R. Venkatrama Mudaliar, who served as the Karnam (village administrative officer) of the town. He resigned from this position during the Civil Disobedience Movement and participated in toddy shop picketing along with other activists.[10][11][12][13]

Mudaliar was arrested during the Civil Disobedience Movement and prosecuted under the Prevention of Molestation and Boycotting Ordinance, 1932 (Ordinance V of 1932), as well as Section 17(1) of the Indian Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1908. In Criminal Case No. 81 of 1932, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Tirunelveli sentenced him on 28 June 1932. He was held at Kokkirakulam sub-jail as an under-trial prisoner and later imprisoned at Tiruchirapalli Central Jail between 1932 and 1933. He was released on 3 May 1933.[14][10][15][16]

He later participated in the Individual Satyagraha movement in 1941 from Tiruchendur.[17][18]

During the Quit India Movement in 1942, Mudaliar was arrested by the Malabar Special Police during investigations related to the Kulasekarapattinam conspiracy case.[19][20]

Local accounts also record his involvement in civic initiatives in Kayalpatnam, including efforts related to drinking water supply in the town.[9]

Mudaliar's name is included in inscriptions at the Tiruchendur Panchayat Union Office and the Tiruchendur Freedom Fighters Memorial Pillar, which list individuals from the Tiruchendur Taluk who participated in the independence movement.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census, Kayalpattinam has 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.[21] 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%.[21] 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.[22] Tamil is the predominant language, spoken by 99.72% of the population.

Religions in Kayalpattinam (2011)[23]
Religion Percent
Islam
 
 67.24%
Hinduism
 
 26.34%
Christianity
 
 6.36%
Other or not stated
 
 0.06%

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.[23]

Culture

Most Muslims in Kayalpattinam follow the Shafi'i school of thought along with the Qadiriyya and Shadhiliya Tariqa (Sufi order) Qadiriyya tariqa connected to Mahlara, and Shadhiliya tariqa connected to zaviya Faasiyatush shadhiliya Tariqa. The Indian headquarters of this tariqa,[24] Zaviathul Fasiyathus shathulia, is located in Kayalpatnam. There are a few followers of Ahl-e-Hadith also present. There exists a Maqbara of Kazi Syed Alauddin, brother of Kazi Syed Tajuddin, the forefather of Madurai Maqbara Hazrats,[25] and of all the Syeds living in Kazimar Street, Madurai is located here.

The Arwi dialect of Tamil was largely developed in Kayalpatnam.[26]

The African Baobab tree has religious significance to the Hindus living in Kayal. At the Sri Isakki Amman Temple, locals believed that three goddesses lived in the tree branches. The tree at that temple was accidentally destroyed. In response, the Kayalpattinam Pathi movement was formed which seeks to protect and plant more Baobab trees.[27]

In 2014, the Esakki Amman Temple roof was set on fire, causing damage to the temple. Following the fire, Hindu Munnani activists began to rebuild the roof. In response, Muslim residents protested the reconstruction of the temple. The local police believed it was an act of arson.[28]

Islamic educational institutions

  • Al Madrasatul Fasiyyah
  • Al Mahlarathul Qadhiriyyah
  • Al Madrasatul Hamidhiyya
  • Madrasathul Azhar li Thahfeezil Quraanil Kareem
  • Da'wathul Huda
  • Aroosul Jannah Women's Islamic College
  • Ayisha Siddiqua Women's Islamic College
  • Al Kulliyathun Nasuhiyya Women's Islamic College
  • Muaskarur Rahman Women's Islamic College
  • Muaskarur Rahman Hifz College for Women's

References

  1. ^ Dass, S. Godson Wisely (4 July 2022). "African Baobab saplings at Thoothukudi's Kayalpattinam hope to preserve history". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  2. ^ "Tension at Kayalpattinam over damage to temple roof". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 August 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  3. ^ M. Polo refers in fact to Pazhaiyakayal (Old Payal), which is 15 km north of actual Kayalpatnam. See Roderich Ptak, Yuan and Early Ming Notices on the Kayal Area in South India, 1993.
  4. ^ Korkai, mentioned by Ptolemeus, is 4 km S-W of Old Kayal. See Roderich Ptak, ibid.
  5. ^ "Korkai - An Emporium of Pearl Trade of Ancient Tamil Country" (PDF). International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts. 6 (1): 1. February 2018.
  6. ^ Indian Diplomacy (12 July 2011). "A World of Beauty and Grace: Islamic Architecture of India". YouTube. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  7. ^ a b Kayal Mahaboob. காயல்பட்டணம் தேர்வு நிலை பேரூராட்சி நூற்றாண்டு நிறைவு சிறப்பு மலர் 1990.
  8. ^ Chakraborty, Dipanwita (4 April 2025). "Origin and Development of the Civil Disobedience Movement in India" (PDF). International Journal of Novel Research and Development.
  9. ^ a b c d Kayal Mahaboob. காயல்பட்டணம் தேர்வு நிலை பேரூராட்சி நூற்றாண்டு நிறைவு சிறப்பு மலர் 1990.
  10. ^ a b Tiruchendur Thiyagigal Malar (திருச்செந்தூர் சுதந்திரப் போராட்ட தியாகிகள் நினைவு மலர்).
  11. ^ Nellai Ganapathi, Tiruchendur Taluka Suthanthira Poratta Veerargal Ninaivu Malar, Tiruchendur, 1973.
  12. ^ Sa. Ganapathiraman, Pongi Eluntha Porunai (Suthanthira Poratta Varalaru), Tirunelveli, 1998.
  13. ^ ஸ்ரீவை, வணக்கம். "15.தூத்துக்குடி மாவட்ட சுதந்திர போராட்ட வீரர்கள் – முத்தாலங்குறிச்சி காமராசு -சுதந்திரபோராட்டத்தில் திருச்செந்தூர் தாலூகா பங்கு". Muthalankurichi Kamarasu. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  14. ^ "Categories". [www.abhilekh-patal.in](http://www.abhilekh-patal.in). Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  15. ^ "Who's Who of Freedom Fighters Tamil Nadu". August 1973.
  16. ^ S N, Somayajulu (1976). Nellai Mavatta Suthanthira Poratta Varalaru (First ed.). Tirunelveli: Hilal Press.
  17. ^ Information from the inscription engraved at Tiruchendur Freedom Fighters Memorial Pillar.
  18. ^ ஸ்ரீவை, வணக்கம். "27.தூத்துக்குடி மாவட்ட சுதந்திர போராட்ட வீரர்கள்- முத்தாலங்குறிச்சி காமராசு -திருச்செந்தூர் தாலுகா சுதந்திர போராட்ட வீரர்கள் பட்டியல்". Muthalankurichi Kamarasu. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  19. ^ Muthalankurichi Kamarasu, Thoothukudi Mavatathil Ariyapadatha Thiyagigal, Thoothukudi, 2022.
  20. ^ ஸ்ரீவை, வணக்கம். "குலசேகரபட்டினம் லோன் துரை கொலை வழக்கு – கலை நன்மணி முத்தாலங்குறிச்சி காமராசு 4. கள்ளு குடித்தவர்களை கறும்புள்ளி, செம்புள்ளி குத்தி கழுதை மீது ஏற்றிய சுதந்திரபோராட்ட வீரர்கள்". Muthalankurichi Kamarasu. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  21. ^ a b "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.
  22. ^ "Census Info 2011 Final population totals - Kayalpattinam". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  23. ^ a b "Table C-01 Population by Religion: Tamil Nadu". Censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022.
  24. ^ "About Us". Shazuli.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  25. ^ "Genealogy –". Maqbara.com. Archived from the original on 16 May 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  26. ^ "How Kayalpatnam is saving a waning language of the Indian Ocean". caravanmagazine.in. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  27. ^ Dass, S. Godson Wisely (4 July 2022). "African Baobab saplings at Thoothukudi's Kayalpattinam hope to preserve history". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  28. ^ "Tension at Kayalpattinam over damage to temple roof". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 August 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  1. https://archive.org/details/kayalpatnam-selection-grade-town-panchayat-centenary-souvenir/page/n5/mode/1up?sfnsn=wiwspwa
  2. https://thiyagivenkatraman.blogspot.com/
  3. https://www.tamildigitallibrary.in/book-detail?id=jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZp2kZl1&tag=Whos%20who%20of%20freedom%20fighters#book1/
  4. https://g.co/kgs/xqedM1t
  5. https://g.co/kgs/ZHx8yn7
  6. https://archive.org/details/HindSwaraj.iar.10973.17784
  7. https://www.tamildigitallibrary.in/book-detail?id=jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZl6lZx6&tag=District%20calender%20of%20events%20of%20Civil%20disobedience%20movement,%20August%20to%20December-1942#book1/
  8. https://www.tamildigitallibrary.in/book-detail?id=jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZl3jZQ1&tag=Extracts%20from%20the%20fortnightly%20confidential%20reports%20from%20the%20Madras%20Government%20to%20the%20Government%20of%20India%20on%20the%20State%20of%20the%20Country%20for%20the%20year%201942#book1/
  9. https://www.tamildigitallibrary.in/book-detail?id=jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZt8luhd&tag=District%20calendar%20of%20events%20of%20the%20civil%20disobedience%20movement#book1/
  10. https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0BR1KNYLN?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_mwn_dp_X7FGM8KEN9XCTKQ2JW4S&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_mwn_dp_X7FGM8KEN9XCTKQ2JW4S&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_mwn_dp_X7FGM8KEN9XCTKQ2JW4S&bestFormat=true&language=en-IN&previewDoh=1
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