India - Tamil Nadu - Chettinad, Village Clusters of the Tamil Merchants

The property comprises series of 3 clusters of total 11 villages. Cluster I (4 settlements): Kanadukathan: N10° 10’ 29,17’’; E78° 46’41,64’’; Pallathur : N10° 8’ 42,61’’; E78° 47’ 58,21’’; Kothamangalam: N10° 11’ 32,58’’; E78° 48’ 24,49’’ ; Kottaiyur: N10° 6’ 42,78’’; E78° 47’ 44,91’’. Cluster II (4 settlements): Athangudi : N10° 9’ 21,63’’; E78° 43’ 41,73’’; Chokalingampudur: N10° 9’ 0,93’’; E78° 44’ 48,91’’; Karaikkudi : N10° 4’ 2,32’’; E78° 45’ 55,59’’; Kandanur: N10°6’20”E78°49’35”. Cluster III (3 settlements): Rayavaram : N10° 14’ 56,62’’; E78° 48’ 45,16’; Arimalam : N10° 15’ 28,62’’; E78° 53’ 22,4’’; Kadiapatti- Ramachandrapuram: N10° 14’ 0,95’’; E78° 47’ 20,33’’ Chettinad comprises of a network of 73 villages and 2 towns forming clusters spread over a territory of 1,550 km2 in the Districts of Sivagangai and Pudukottai in the State of Tamil Nadu. The Natukottai Chettiars belong to a lineage of wealthy traders and financiers who made their fortunes by extending their business to the whole of Southeast Asia, particularly during the second half of 19th and early 20th century when they were at the peak of their economic power. Vital component in the south Indian economy, the Natukottai Chettiars represented the major banking Hindu community of South India. Their vast influence and richness allowed the community to build a dense network of 96 villages among which 73 remain, according to the Maniyadi Sastram[1] texts, the traditional planning and lifecycle precincts.