Ramachandra Tondaiman
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| Ramachandra Tondaiman | |
|---|---|
 Seated in his palace, 1858 | |
| Raja of Pudukkottai | |
| Reign | 13 July 1839 – 15 April 1886 |
| Coronation | 13 July 1839 |
| Predecessor | Raghunatha Tondaiman II |
| Successor | Martanda Bhairava Tondaiman |
| Born | 20 October 1829 Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai state |
| Died | 15 April 1886 (aged 56) Pudukkottai |
| Issue | Kamalambal Rajammani Bayi Sahib, Mangalambal Rajammani Bayi Sahib, Sivarama Raghunatha Tondaiman, Brihadambal Rajammani Bayi Sahib |
| House | Pudukottai |
| Father | Raghunatha Tondaiman |
| Mother | Rani Kamalambal Ayi Sahib |
Raja Sri Brahdamba Dasa Raja Ramachandra Tondaiman Bahadur (20 October 1829 – 15 April 1886) was the ruler of princely state of Pudukkottai from 13 July 1839 to 15 April 1886.
Ramachandra Tondaiman was born in Pudukkottai on 20 October 1829 to Raghunatha Tondaiman, the Raja of Pudukkottai kingdom and his second wife, Rani Kamalambal Ayi Sahib.[citation needed] He was educated in private and succeeded to throne at the age of nine on the death of his father with the British political agent at Pudukkottai acting as the regent.[citation needed]
Reign
Pudukkottai was administered by a regent in the early years of Ramachandra's reign. Soon after his accession, Ramachandra was awarded the style of "His Excellency" by the British government.[citation needed] In 1844, Ramachandra, formally, assumed control of the government.[citation needed]
Ramachandra's administration was allegedly marked by extravagance and financial mismanagement.[1] He was punished by the British government who twice revoked the permission to use the style "His Excellency" in 1859 and 1873.[citation needed] In 1878, at the advice of Sir T. Madhava Rao, the Madras government appointed A. Seshayya Sastri, former Diwan of Travancore as the Diwan of Pudukkottai.[1] Sastri reformed the administration and rebuilt the city of Pudukkottai as per modern principles of town planning. The Pudukulam and Pallavankulam tanks in the city were renovated and a Post and Telegraph Office was inaugurated in 1884.[1] At Sastri's suggestion, Ramachandra renovated many Hindu temples in the state. In 1881, Ramachandra officially adopted the hereditary title "Brihadambadas" with the consent of Sastri.[2]
Ramachandra was awarded the style "His Highness" on 16 May 1884 along with an 11-gun salute.[citation needed] He was awarded the Prince of Wales medal in 1875 and the Empress of India Medal in gold in 1877.[citation needed]
