Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-3 , 2016 ISSN : 2454-1362 , http://www.onlinejournal.in Evolution Of Roadways In Tamil Nadu Dr.K.Neela Pushpam Asst.Prof Of History, Sfr College For Women,Sivakasi. Abstract: The most obvious feature of modern The ancient period revealed the civilization that may be considered as an index of a development of roadways in Tamil Nadu during the country’s prosperity is its road system. That is period of Pallavas, Cholas and Pandyas. roads promote civilization of a country.1 Quick and Sangam Age easy communication between communities, states During the Sangam period, the main trade and nations is one of the greatest forces in modern routes, such those going over the Western Ghats, civilization.The first evidence of road development went through thick forests. It was the duty of the in the Indian subcontinent can be traced back to state to protect the merchant caravans on these approximately 4000BC from the ancient cities of trade routes from robbers and wild life. Main roads, Harappa and Mohenjodaro of the Indus Valley known as Peruvali, were built that connected the Civilization. National Highways wing exercises distant parts of the country. These roads were as central government funds from Ministry of Road important to the army as they were to the Transport and Highways for improvement works. merchants. Out of 25 National Highways in Tamil Nadu, 12 The Sangam literature Silapathikaram NH’s runs inside the Tamil Nadu. Today India has spoke about the existence of road between Uraiyur a road network of over 3.314 million kilometres of (Trichy) and Madurai. This road linked Trichy, roadway, making it the third largest road network Pudukottai, Thirumayam, Tirupathur and Madurai. in the world. The history of roadways of Tamil Lingaapuran, a Lankan Chieftain who waged war Nadu can be discussed under three headings as against Kulasekara Pandyan in 1170 A.D. used this ancient period, transition period and modern road for transport. Sundara Pandyan conquered period. Chola country through this road only.The inscriptions of this Pandyan are seen in this KEYWORDS: National Highways,vadis, peruvali , highway, particularly in Velankudi and Mangammal Salai , The Surplus Pagoda Funds, Ponamaravathi. Malik Kafur who robbed off Postal Communication, Indian Road Congress Madurai in 1311 reached Madurai through this road (IRC) and Nagpur Plan. from Trichy. Through todays’ Kasi-Rameswaram th highway he reached Rameswaram.The 14 century INTRODUCTION: Muslim scholar Amir Kusuru also mentioned about this road. Tamil Nadu (then Madras Presidency), Pallava Period one of the most urbanised states of the country also The travelogue of Hiuen-Tsang, a Chinese had a long history towards the development of traveller who paid visit to India during the first part th roads. From Sangam age to Colonial period, the of the 7 century B.C., when Harsha in the north roads of Tamil Nadu had travelled a long distance and Pallavas in the south were reigning, leaves a to enhance the socio economic status of the people. vivid account of the ancient highways in South The history of Tamil Nadu reveals that road India. As accounted by him, the major routes of building was given importance during the period of these periods were almost the same as they were Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas and later by the Nayaks. during the earlier centuries. The major routes when Significant progress has been made during the formed underwent little change with the passage of reign of Rani Mangamma. The history of time. From Hiuen Tsang’s account it is evident roadways of Tamil Nadu can be discussed under that the roads during that time were maintained in three headings as ancient period, transition period good condition and were safe. Pilgrims were able and modern period. to move about freely all over the country. Chola Period ANCIENT PERIOD Cholas who are the great builders of temples are also the excellent road makers. The Cholas from 10th to 14th century extended many roads to improve trade and commerce of the Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 260 Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-3 , 2016 ISSN : 2454-1362 , http://www.onlinejournal.in country. Roads are mentioned in several they diverted their abundant treasures for erecting inscriptions of the Chola period from all parts of temples and mahals. The Queen then decided that the country. To maintain these roads, great and roads with avenue trees, where passers-by can rest small, in good repair were part of the duty of local in the shade during the fierce heat of the day may authorities and the villagers were often expected to be an atonemnet for the misdeed. These roads were give freely the labour (vetti, amanji) required for it. lined by trees on either side. Many miles of such Two classes of roads may be distinguished avenues or salais are still extent in southern - vadis and peruvali; the vadis were only slightly districts of Tamil Nadu and they go by the name better than footpaths and apparently not suited to Mangammal Salai. wheeled traffic. One such vadi in Uttarmerur was But the roads constructed by Mangammal washed away by the floods and the path became in Madurai and Dindigul Districts were good unfit for use even by cattle; in remaking the path, enough for wheeled traffic and that they were being the sabha decided to widen it and purchased the constantly used by country bullock carts for adjoining lands from the ryots to whom they conveying merchandize from place to place. belonged. The better class of roads is called Mangammal salai are still seen in some peruvali, the great road, in the inscriptions. districts of the State. There is one such salai which Pandyas Period occasionally breaks connecting Tirunelveli with In Fahien’s (a Chinese traveller) account, Srivilliputtur. Another salai runs along the side of mention has been made about the roads in the modern road from Cheranmahadevi to Kalakad Chengalpattu district. This account which was (the ancient counterpart of the present National made in 1845, may be the earliest mention of the Highways) and then from Alwarkuruchi to roads in the district. Fahien’s records provide even Sivasailam; the old route from Tirunelveli through the minutest details of the route and locations of the Vaippar to Rameshwaram was one such salai. places he visited. Albeit he did not pay any visit to Poligars Period South India, he has made reference to The Poligars who ruled the southern districts of Kancheepuram, which was then the capital of Tamil Nadu under the auspices of the Nayaks who Tondaimandalam and stated that it was well linked were under the authority of the Nawabs (1529- by roads to the north as far as Prathisthana, the 1802) did not spend any money on public works, capital town of Satavahana Empire. not to mention roads. It was a continuous period of Thus in the ancient period, Tamil Nadu strife; strife among themselves and strife against had good communication facilities, especially road the paramount. networks were fit for carts and animal transport. Tipu Sultan The pilgrims and merchants were the major Tipu Sultan was considered to be a passengers of the ancient period. These good roads pioneer in the construction of roads. The primary only paved the way for the entry of British into purpose of the roads connecting Madras to Calcutta India as traders. in the north and the kingdom of Travancore in the south was to serve as lines of communication TRANSITION PERIOD during wars. The best known road ran through the wild With the decline of the ancient kings, the broken country on the left bank of the Cauvery to Tamil territories were parcelled out among several the west of Hosur and Dharmapuri taluks. The petty kings such as the Nayaks of Madurai and route lay from Denkanikottai via Anchetti and Thanjavur and Poligars who declared themselves Geratti to Pennagaram, thence via Morasarahalli independent. This period was termed as transition and Donnakuttahalli to the Toppur River. period as this was a period of political, economic Thus in the transition period, the good and social instability which enabled the British to roads of the ancient period got degraded because of take full advantage. Because of political the non-maintenance of existing roads by the instability, there was no promotion in the Nayaks and Poligars except by one or two. development of roads during Nayaks and Poligars period. MODERN PERIOD Nayaks Period With the arrival of the East India Existence of good roads during the early Company at Madras in 1639, a new chapter was days, very particularly before the advent of the opened in the history of South India and very soon, English was rare. The Nayaks who ruled over the most of South India came under the hegemony of southern part of Tamil Nadu for quite a number of the British. During the next two centuries, the East years neither spent their money nor applied their India Company gradually extended its influence mind on the need for road construction, despite and obtained possession of the entire area from Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 261 Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-3 , 2016 ISSN : 2454-1362 , http://www.onlinejournal.in Cape Comorin to the Northern circars, the Danish latter being paid for by government and the former station of Tranquebar, the French settlements at from the surplus temples funds of Tinnevelly. Pondicherry and the territories of the five native Tanjore contained several large and States all of which together came to be called celebrated temples richly endowed by the former Madras Presidency with its capital city at Madras.