Migration-A Nebulous story sans evidence

Migration leaves behind ghost towns and builds vibrant cities.Was there a Chennai-a Madras,by which name it was known till recently,300 yrs back?We do know however,a clutter of hamlets existed,which unified,expanded to become the Chennai,we see today. Saivite literature mentions Mylapore,Thruvanmiyur and Thiruvottiyur. Santhome and St.Thomas Mount tell a different story as does Royapetta. Migrant population bring with them tonnes of energy for prosperity for themselves and the city blooming around them.

Rajapalayam,where I live is witness to such a buoyancy,drawing people to it like a magnet.There is a rural to urban shift, villagers abandoning farm labour for factory work.The origin of Rajapalayam itself is rooted in migration-that of the migrant population of the Telugu speaking community of Rajus from Andhra-after whom the place takes its name.

Just when did this migration take place,from where?What were the pressures behind this migration?A wild guess made by all Telugu communities living in Tamil Nadu is that their ancestors must have fled southward to escape the atrocities of   muslim invasion.In other words,they were refugees! . Rajapalayam has a very different story to tell.The settlers claim to have been sent by no less a person than Krishna Devaraya; by the rulers of the Vijayanagaram empire after they were routed in the battle of Talikotta; invited by the last of the Madurai Nayaks to control the law and order situation.Well,the three events span over 200 yrs, through five generations!!Which of these is right?

Krishna Devaraya wrote Godha Charitha on the presiding deity of Srivilliputtur.Thirumalai Nayak was a devotee of Andal and had a palace in Srivilliputtur.Rani Mangammal,the legendary regent,who ruled on behalf of the last king,and suffered at his hands,had roads laid,choultries built in the entire region.But no mention is made of a Rajapalayam or its Mandaleshwar,( a title that would rank him along with Thirumalai Nayak himself!! )during their period!

The Polyger wars were fought in this vicinity:The first ever freedom fighter Puli Thevan fought the East India Company against Yussuf Khan,in several pitched battles,enlisting all the polygers of the region from 1755 to 1761 when he is captured.Kattabomman is hanged in the next war in 1799,soon followed by his brothers.And there is no mention of the warlords of Rajapalayam or its Mandaleshwar administering the region,controlling riots!

The Tinnevelly guezeteer1917 by H.R.Pate makes no mention of Rajapalayam. However,a Revathy submits a thesis on Palayams,listing Rajapalayam as one of the 72 palayams of the Nayak kingdom.I visit a few of the descendants of the Palayams to enquire. They respond with a polite snigger! So much for academic credibility! Have I kicked a hornest's  nest?

When there is no evidence in document,inscription,or literature,history becomes mired in mystery,distorted by vested interests!Will historians clarify?