# Serfoji I's invasion of Ramnad

Serfoji I's Invasion of Ramnad was another military offensive by the Thanjavur Maratha King Serfoji I against the kingdom of Ramnad (Ramanathapuram) in the early 18th century. The impetus behind the conflict lay in territorial and political struggles between the Marathas of Thanjavur and the Sethupathis of Ramnad, who commanded ivory trade routes and ports in southern Tamil Nadu. Invoking the political weakness of Ramnad, Serfoji I, in a determination to confirm his dominance over the area, sought to secure vital resources for the expansion of his power through the military invasion of Ramnad that culminated in a cataclysmic defeat for Ramnad.

## Background

Bhavani Sankara was the illegitimate son of Setupati Kilavan, therefore, he was not recognized as a legal heir with his father's demise in 1710. Not with great strength of claim, but seizing power, he became the Setupati after the death of Kilavan's successor, Vijaya Raghunatha, in 1725. Backed by the Maratha ruler of Thanjavur, Raja Serfoji I, Bhavani secured the throne of Setupati under the condition that he would return certain territories previously taken from Thanjavur by Kilavan.
After Bhavani Sankara took power, Kattaya Tevar, another pretender to the throne of Ramnad, sought asylum in Thanjavur. Soon Kattaya, a royal and local chief from Arantangi, received the company of Sasivarna Tevar, another ejected noble from Ramnad. Sasivarna, who was related to the royal family through a daughter of Vijaya Raghunatha, ruled in Nalkottai, which is located in northwestern Ramnad, until removed by Bhavani Sankara. Resentful of the deposition, Sasivarna became a major ally to Kattaya Tevar against Bhavani.

## Prelude

Kattaya and Sasivarna at the Thanjavur court suited the bravado and ambition typical of the Maravas so much that they distinguished themselves with several gam lots, including the killing of a wicked tiger, the winning of a dueling win, and the foiling of an assassination of Thanjavur's king. King Serfoji was so impressed with their courage that he extended help to Kattaya and Sasivarna to fight against Bhavani Sankara and also by Bhavani Sankara's failure to keep the promises of returning the territories claimed by the Thanjavur kingdom.

## Invasion

In the year 1729, Serfoji of Thanjavur expressed his willingness to assist Kattaya Tevar and Sasivarna in their raids on Ramnad on certain conditions. The two obeyed his orders, and with the assistance of Serfoji's army, they set upon the invasion. However, Serfoji's intentions soon became apparent. After he had secured his hold over northern Ramnad, he was bent upon a strategy of divide-and-rule. He suggested it be divided into three parts, excluding Thanjavur claims, and these be given to the rival contenders, to Bhavani Sankara. Bhavani Sankara was against it, and he made up his mind to resist it, but was ultimately done to death by Thanjavur forces. It was in September 1729 that Serfoji placed Kattaya Tevar on the throne of Ramnad as the new Setupati.
Following Bhavani's demise, Serfoji fared better, although he previously failed at partitioning Ramnad into three parts (some sources suggest that Serfoji succeeded in this plan). Thanjavur annexed the northern regions of Ramnad, thus acquiring nearly half of its total area. Serfoji then donated the remainder of her territory to Kattaya and Sasivarna, except for the capital, Ramanathapuram, which was exclusively allotted to Kattaya as the Setupati seat. He directed them to portion out the rest of the kingdom equally. However his orders were construed differently or ambiguously and eventually led to quarrels between the two Marava leaders and further showed the weakness of Ramnad.