S. Ramaswami Mudaliar

Ramaswami Mudaliar was born in 1840 to a building contractor in a Sengunthar family from Pondicherry. His father had been declared insolvent and moved to Madras in order to escape creditors. Ramaswami Mudaliar joined Dymes and Co. and soon rose to become its dubash, amassing a huge fortune. == Philanthropy ==

Mudaliar was known for his philanthropic activities in the Madras Presidency. He was reported to have spent over Rs.44,000/- to feed starving people flocking into Madras during the famine of 1876-78. He established various choultries in memory of his first wife, Ranee Thyal Nayagi Ammal, as well as hospitals in Madras, Royapuram, Thirukazhgukundram, Cuddalore, and Kanchipuram. He built a child-care hospital in Cuddalore which is presently being maintained by the municipality. In 1902, Mudaliar was chosen to represent the city of Madras at the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra scheduled for June that year. The coronation was postponed when the king fell ill, and Mudaliar returned to India in July, missing the rescheduled coronation the following month. == Indian Independence Movement ==

Mudaliar was associated with the Indian National Union and was a part of its 1885 three-member delegation to England. He was also associated with the Indian National Congress in its early stages. Mudaliar participated in the third session of the Indian National Congress held at Madras in 1887. He was a part of the welcoming committee. A resolution was moved demanding more representation for Indians in the administration. Mudaliar endorsed the resolution and spoke: On the third day of the Madras session, Mudaliar moved an amendment suggesting that the question of establishing a Public Service Commission be postponed to the next session. Mudaliar also participated in the fifth session of the Indian National Congress held in 1889. He participated in subsequent sessions of the Indian National Congress. In the 1894 Congress, he proposed Alfred Webb for the presidency of the Congress and he was duly elected. == Death ==

Mudaliar died in 1911 at the age of 71 and was buried at his private burial ground at Kilpauk Garden Road Kilpauk, Chennai. His statue was erected by his friends and is kept in the Choultry. == Legacy and honours ==

Ramaswami Mudaliar was made a Companion of the Order (C.I.E) of the Indian Empire on 6 June 1885. He was also awarded the title of "Rao Bahadur". The title of Raja was conferred upon him as a personal distinction, i.e. it was not hereditary since he was a non-royal, by Her Most Gracious Majesty. It was conferred on 1 January 1891 at Fort William by the Marquess of Lansdowne, Viceroy and Governor General of India Mudaliar's birthday is celebrated each year through a public function at his choultry opposite Central Railway station . The function is organised by Ramaswamy Mudaliar charities which are managed by AGOT of Madras High Court and Co-Trustee S.V.R.Ramprasad, great-grandson of Mudaliar. == Notes ==