Let's Shine Together
History
Brief History:
Nagapattinam (aka Negapatam previously) is a coastal town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Nagapattinam District. The town came to prominence during the period of Medieval Cholas (9th-12th century CE) (aka Chulias) and served as their important port for commerce and east-bound naval expeditions.
The Chudamani Vihara ( a Buddhist Monastery) in Nagapattinam was constructed by the Srivijayan king Sri Mara Vijayattunga Varman of the Sailendra dynastry with the help of Rajaraja Chola on 1006 CE. It was an important Buddhist structure in those times. Since 1856 about 350 Buddha Bronze idols were found in this place which were of the period from 11th to 16th Century and kept at the Museum in Chennai. A dilapidated Buddhist tower was razed down 200 years ago.
Nagapattinam was settled by the Portuguese and, later, the Dutch under whom it served as the capital of Dutch Coromandel from 1660 to 1781. In November 1781, In November 1781, the town was conquered by the British East India Company. It served as the capital of Tanjore district from 1799 to 1845 under Madras Presidency of the British. It continued to be a part of Thanjavur district in Independent India. In 1991, it was made the headquarters of the newly created Nagapattinam District.
Nagapattinam and Singapore:
Since the period of Chola Kingdom, Nagapattinam served as a port and centre of sea trade between many countries across the globe. The British, during their colonial rule, started passenger ferry service transport, connecting Nagapattinam with many East Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
Ancestors from Nagapattinam were among the early settlers in Singapore since 17th Century. People from all walks of life travelled to East Asia and many of them made Singapore their home.
The Plan of the Town of Singapore map originally drawn circa 1823 by Lieutenant Philip Jackson, appointed by Sir Stamford Raffles included a road named Negapatam Street in Singapore. Negapatam was the other name of Nagapattinam widely used during the colonial period.
As association of Muslims from Nagapattinam, known as Muslim Jamaat Nagapattinam, was seems to be engaged in social activities in Singapore during 1960s.
The following are some of the grassroots leaders:
Mr. Shaik Aziz PBM, BBM, BBM(L)
Mr. Nizamudeen JP, BBM, PBM
Mr. Mohamed Irshad Abbas Ali, Former Nominated MP