Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi

Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi (9 November 1909 – 4 March 1967) or Naganatha Sethupathi was an Indian politician of the Justice Party and later, the Indian National Congress and head of the zamindari of Ramnad or Ramnad kingdom from 1929 to 1967. He was a member of the Madras Legislative Assembly from 1951 to 1967 and served as a minister in C. Rajagopalachari and K. Kamaraj's cabinets. He was popular as the main political opponent of U. Muthuramalingam Thevar.

His Highness Raja
Shanmugha Rajeswara
Sethupathi
Minister of Public Works (Madras state)
In office
13 September 1953  13 March 1957
PremierC. Rajagopalachari,
K. Kamaraj
Preceded byN. Ranga Reddi
Succeeded byP. Kakkan
Minister of House Rent Control (Madras state)
In office
10 April 1952  13 September 1953
PremierC. Rajagopalachari
Preceded byNone
Personal details
Born(1909-11-09)9 November 1909
Ramanathapuram,
Madura District,
Madras Presidency,
British India
Died4 March 1967(1967-03-04) (aged 57)
Madras,
India
NationalityBritish subject (1909-1947), Indian (1947-1967)
Political partyJustice Party (1929-1946)
Indian National Congress (1946-1967)
ChildrenRamanatha Sethupathi, Latha
Alma materMadras Law College
Cricket information
RoleBatsman
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1941/42–1943/44Madras
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 4
Runs scored 129
Batting average 21.50
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 31*
Catches/stumpings 0/–
Source: Cricinfo, 1 March 2022

Sethupathi had a passionate liking for horses and was a fine sportsman. He represented the Madras cricket team in four first-class matches.

Early life

Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi was born to Raja Rajeswara Sethupathi or Muthuramalinga Sethupathi who ruled the estate of Ramnad [1] on 9 November 1909.[2] Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi had an English education and graduated in law.[1] He succeeded to the throne on the death of his father in 1929.[1]

As soon as Shanmugha took over the administration of the estate, the land became embroiled in a number of disputes and lengthy court cases. Between 1935 and 1945, the estate was administered by the Court of Wards.[1]

Politics

Electoral records

He served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu. He was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as an Indian National Congress candidate from Ramanathapuram constituency in 1952 and 1962 elections[3][4] and as an Independent candidate in 1957 election.[5]

Justice Party

Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi joined politics at an early age. He was elected to the Madras Legislative Council as a candidate of the Justice Party and served as a member of the Madras Legislative Council until 1937 when he lost to Pasumpon Muthuramalingam Thevar of the Indian National Congress. During his period of service with the Justice Party, he served in the Economic Depression Enquiry Committee which enquired into the causes and impact of the Great Depression in Madras Presidency.[6]

Indian National Congress

Shanmugha Rajeswara joined the Indian National Congress in 1946 and was elected again to the Madras Legislative Council as an Indian National Congress candidate. He stood in the 1951 elections from Ramanathapuram assembly constituency and was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly.[7] He served as the Minister of House Rent Control from 10 April 1952 to 13 September 1953 and as the Minister of Public Works from 13 September 1953 to 31 March 1957.[8]

Other interests

Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi had a passionate liking for horses. He owned a stable of over 50 horses in Calcutta.[9] He also owned an extensive car collection including Rolls Royces and Bentleys.[9] The Raja owned extensive land in different parts of Madras city. Hotel Woodlands is located on the exact spot where the Raja's official residence in the city had earlier stood.[9] The Shanmugha Sethupathi Cup for horse racing has been instituted in his memory.[10]

Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi was also a fine cricketer. He played four first class matches during the 1941/42 and 1943/44 seasons for the Madras cricket team scoring 129 runs at an average of 21.50.[11] He also played for the Indians against the Europeans.[12][13]

Death

Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi died on 4 March 1967 and was succeeded as the titular Raja of Ramnad by his son.[14]

References

  1. N. Subrahmanian (1977). History of Tamilnad. Koodal Publishers. p. 87.
  2. N. Vanamamalai Pillai (1929). The Setu and Rameswaram. V. Narayanan & Bror. pp. ix.
  3. 1951/52 Madras State Election Results, Election Commission of India Archived 20 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  4. 1962 Madras State Election Results, Election Commission of India Archived 7 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  5. 1957 Madras State Election Results, Election Commission of India Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  6. Manikumar, K. A. (2003). A Colonial Economy in the Great Depression, Madras (1929–1937). Orient Blackswan. p. 142. ISBN 8125024565, ISBN 978-81-250-2456-9.
  7. "Statistical report on General Election 1951 to the Legislative Assembly of Madras" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 February 2007.
  8. "Council of Ministers and their Portfolios (1952-1957)" (PDF). A Review of the Madras Legislative Assembly (1952-1957). Government of Tamil Nadu. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2013.
  9. "When the postman knocked". The Hindu. 29 December 2003. Archived from the original on 2 May 2008.
  10. "Star Phoenix wins feature". The Hindu. 20 February 2009. Archived from the original on 24 February 2009.
  11. "Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Raja of Ramnad". Cricinfo.
  12. "First Class Match: Indians v Europeans at Madras, 26-27 Dec 1942". Scorecards from Cricinfo. Cricinfo.
  13. "First Class Match: Indians v Europeans at Madras, 25-26 Dec 1943". Scorecards from Cricinfo. Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 7 January 2013.
  14. "Obituary Reference" (PDF). The Madras Legislative Assembly, Fourth Assembly - First Session, March 15–30, 1967 Resume. Government of Madras. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 September 2011.
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