THE MANY NAMES OF MELVISHARAM
THE MANY NAMES OF
VISHARAM - AN
HISTORICAL AND TOPONYMICAL STUDY
Introduction
The name of a village or a town
or a city or a geographical feature, plays a crucial role in the study of its
history and the heritage of its people. Place names often carry linguistic,
cultural, and historical meanings that offer valuable insights into the origin,
development, and transformation of a region over time. A toponymical study (the
systematic study of place names) can therefore aid researchers in uncovering
new historical findings and deepen our understanding of social, cultural, and
geographical evolution. Melvisharam a second-grade town municipality on the
Chennai-Bangalore Highway surrounded by the Palar on the North, Javadhu Hills
on the south, Arcot on the East and Vellore in the west is a historical town
known by different names in the historical past. The town today generally
called Melvisharam consists of two parts Melvisharam and Kilvisharam. The town
is adjacent to Arcot and its history is intricately connected with the history
of Arcot.
1. Melvisharam as Hirasatpur
1. 1 Local Records by Early
Native Scholar
Mr. M. J. Sayeed Sahib, former headmaster
(1934–1947) of Islamiah High School, in one of his Urdu articles named Sanhaye
Guftani, written in 1944, had recorded:
“Visharam
is a small town with a population of about fifteen thousand. It is located at a
distance of ten miles from Vellore and three miles from Arcot. It is mostly
inhabited by Muslims who are generally engaged in trade. It is said that a
small population existed in Visharam even before the Carnatic Nawabs. The
natives of Visharam were involved in supplying provisions (food and grains) and
other necessities to the army. Still, there are monuments of the Nawabs of
Carnatic. One is Hirasatpur, which is a small part of Visharam known as
Kilvisharam. Secondly, the ablution pool of the Jamia Masjid (Big Mosque of
Melvisharam) of this town which is watered by the Palar River. The third is the
mosque built by the Nawabs, which is a model of its own today in Hirasatpur. It
is known from earlier times that these people were fond of knowledge and always
strived to spread it.”
1.2 Later Scholars
As mentioned
above, during the reign of the Nawabs of Arcot, Kilvisharam was known as Hirasatpur.
According to renowned scholar Hafiz Abdur Razzaq Baqwi Sahib, “The area once
housed a prison where accused individuals were detained”.
Similarly, noted
native historian and poet Kottur Abdul Latheef Sahib, offered two perspectives
on the origin of the name Hirasatpur: one suggests it was named after
Hirasat Ali, while the other attributes to the prisoners jailed in the area.
However, the
presence of a prison is denied by noted local historian Moulana Malak Gulzar Ahmed
Sahib. He argues that there is no concrete evidence supporting
the existence of a prison in this place. Instead, he supports the first opinion
that the name Hirasatpur
originates from Hirasat Khan. Moulana Gulzar Ahmed Sahib
further says that the Persian word ‘Hiraasat’
has two meanings one is to detain or to imprison and the other one is
agriculture or cultivation. And suggests that the name may have originated because the region was
once known for its extensive cultivation of betel leaves and paddy.
1.3 Dr. Rahi Fidai’s Argument
Dr. Rahi Fidai, a distinguished
historian and scholar, offers a compelling argument concerning the nomenclature
of Visharam as Hirasatpur in his article “Visharam Mein Urdu Ki
Irtiqa”, He contends that the locality derived its name from Hirasat Khan.
Dr. Rahi Fidai reports that
during a face-to-face conversation, Prof. Mahbub Pasha Madrasi (Mahboob Basha
Mahboob 1922-2001, was a famous Urdu poet of Madras. His brief biography is
recorded in History of Urdu Literature in Tamilnadu by Dr. Aleem Saba Naveedi
Sahib) shared his view that prisoners were
detained in this area during the reign of the Nawabs of Arcot, which is why the
settlement came to be known as Hirasatpur. However, Dr. Fidai emphasizes
that there is no historical or documentary evidence to support this claim.
Furthermore, there are no visible ruins or physical remnants that could
substantiate such an assertion.
Further he states that it appears
more reasonable that the name Hirasatpur is derived from Nawab Hirasat
Khan, a prominent figure in the court of the Nawab of Arcot, who also served as
the governor of Satgadh Fort near Pernambut. He had great influence in the
court of Nawab of Arcot.
To validate this information, Dr.
Rahi Fidai refers a poem composed by Hazrat Vali Vellori, a close associate of
Hirasat Khan and a court poet whom he sent to the Miyana Nawab Abdul Majeed
Khan of Kadapa city with a recommendation letter. This poem was written in
Dakkani Urdu, the poem offers a heartfelt tribute to Hirasat Khan, reflecting
both the poet’s admiration and the noble character of the ruler. The translated
excerpt reads:
“Hirasat
Khan Amir was a famous man,
His peace and residence was in Satgadh.
He was a man of pain (one who carried the pain of humanity) and good deeds,
I was happy in his company.
I was the one who was relieved by fate
So I came to Kadapa to seek refuge of Nawab Abdul Majeed son of Abdul Hameed,
A prominent and fortunate Governor of the province
This poetic testimony, along with
the biographical and spiritual references, further strengthens the conclusion
that the town of Hirasatpur was indeed named in honour of Nawab Hirasat Khan, a
figure of considerable historical and moral stature.
Dr. Rahi Fidai further cites a
biography of Nawab Hirasat Khan of Sathgadh titled Insha’i Hirasath al-Sanai,
(The book is available in the library of Syed Ahmed Basha Qadiri, retired
police constable Sidhoot, Kadapa District) a rare manuscript authored by Lala
Bal Chand (son of Nihal Chand), who
wrote under the pen name "Niazi." Although the author was a
non-Muslim, he began this work with Hamd (hymns in praise of Allah) and Naat
(poetry in praise of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him), demonstrating
deep reverence. The manuscript also contains extensive praise for his spiritual
mentor, Hazrat Shah Fazlullah Qadiri, whose grave still stands opposite to C.
Abdul Hakeem College and remains a visible landmark to this day.
Dr. Rahi Fidai concludes that the
historical references presented in this discourse provide sufficient evidence
to support the claim that the town was named after Hirasat Khan, a significant
and influential ruler who was also a disciple of the renowned Sufi saint Hazrat
Sha Zainuddin Sibghatullah Bijapuri buried in Arcot. Given his stature and
legacy, there is nothing surprising about a town being named in his honour.
1.4 A brief Biography of Hirasat
Khan
The intriguing
historical details concerning Hirasath Khan sparked a deeper interest in
further investigation, the findings of which are outlined below.
Hirasat Khan was a very
intelligent and prominent nobleman who served under Nawab Sadathullah Khan I
(1710–1732), Dost Ali Khan (1732-1740) and Nawab Safdar Ali Khan (1740–1742).
When Nawab Dost Ali Khan was murdered in a battle with Marathas at Damalcheruvu
pass in 1740, Hirasat Khan and Bangaru Yachama Nayak (Raja of Venkatagiri) were
taken as war prisoners by the Marathas.
Later, Hirasat khan was released
by the Marathas. This was a time when Safdar Ali Khan (son of Dost Ali Khan)
had not taken charge of the Carnatic as its Nawab. Hirasat Khan was authorised
by the Mughals to seize all the Jagirs in the province. During this critical
situation Hirasat Khan raised an army and build a ‘platform’ before the Arcot
fort.
In 1740, Safdar Ali Khan became
the Nawab of Arcot and poisoned to death by his own family members in 1744. Hirasat
Khan took charge of the two youthful sons of Safdar Ali Khan and sent a
faithful accounts of the events took place at Arcot and Vellore to Asaf Jah and
deplored the forlorn condition of faujdari of the Carnatic. Also played a
crucial role in promoting Muhammad Sa’eed II (1742–1744) ( also known as Sadathullah
Khan II, the elder and minor son of Safdar Ali Khan) to succeed the throne of
Arcot with Asaf Jah’s intervention.
In 1744, during a marriage function in Arcot,
Hirasat Khan along with other nobles accompanied Muhammad Sa’eed II. The rebel Pathan soldiers stabbed the young Nawab
Muhammed Sa’eed to death. Hirasat Khan sustained over forty wounds in the
encounter and was ultimately unsuccessful in preventing the assassination.
Later when Murtuza Ali Khan claimed the throne of Arcot in 1744, Hirasat Khan
extended his support and also offered gifts during the swearing in ceremony.
The above content clearly express the elite position of Hirasat Khan in the
Carnatic.
Hirasath Khan served as the Nawab of Sathgadh. (Correct
pronunciation in Urdu is Satgurh or Satgarh which refers to Mausambi in
Persian, in English Sweet lime or oranges. The Manila oranges of this place was
very famous.). As per the available records, from 1740 until his death in 1754
he remained as the Nawab of Satgadh. He was also the son-in-law of Chanda
Sahib, a notable figure in the history of South India. One of the sisters of Hirasat
Khan was given in marriage to Nawab Muhammed Ali Walajah. Hirasat Khan had four
daughters and two sons namely Sa’adatmund Khan (Qilledar of Kaveripakkam) and
Jafar Ali Khan. Ananda Pillai had recorded that on 19th December
1747 marriage ceremony of Sa’adatmund Khan with Chanda Sahib’s daughter was
conducted with much grandeur at Pondicherry. One of the daughters of Hirasat
Khan was married to Khan Bahadur Rahim Zafar Ali Khan, the Qilledar of Karunguzhi
palaiyam (a place in Chengulpet district)
In 1749, he held the position of
Qiledar (Fort Governor) of Arcot Fort, Hirasat Khan died in
December, 1754 and buried at Tajpura Arcot. This short biography further
affirms his influential personality and administrative responsibilities within
the region.
Given the geographical vicinity
of Visharam to Arcot and the fact that a gate to Arcot was historically located on the Eastern side of Visharam.
Beside the road near C. Abdul Hakeem College, where a rock pillar stood
as a ruin until 2010 (I
have personally seen this round stone pillar, which measured approximately 3.5
metres in height from ground level and about 1 metre in circumference.) it is plausible to suggest that
the nearby town of Visharam must have been named in honour of Hirasat Khan. As
a distinguished Governor of Arcot, such a naming would be consistent with
historical traditions of commemorating influential regional leaders.
1.5 Supplementary Discussion
Additional support for the historical
significance of Hirasat Khan and the possible naming of a town in his honour can
be found in the early 19th century source titled Bahar-i-Azam-Jahi,
authored by Ghulam Abdul Qadir Nazir. This travelogue, translated into English
by Prof. Dr. S. Muhammad Husayn Nainar, then Head of the Department of Arabic,
Persian, and Urdu at the University of Madras, was published in 1950. The work
chronicles the journey of Nawab Azam Jah (WalaJah IV, 1820–1825) from Madras to
Nagore through a round-about route in 1823.
During this journey, the Nawab
had visited Hirasatpur in May 1823. The chronicler provides specific
demographic and structural details of the settlement, noting:
“Hirasatpur
has one hundred and twelve houses, six shops, and three baghs (gardens).”
As the chronicler was meticulous in recording
the presence of key public structures such as tanks, mosques, tombs, and
gardens throughout the journey. Significantly, there is no mention of a prison
or jail in the description.
This absence suggests that Hirasatpur was not
associated with detention or penal institutions, as assumed due to the
similarity of its name to the Urdu word hirasat
(meaning custody or detention). Instead, the town's name more plausibly derives
from Hirasat Khan, the former Governor of Arcot.
1.6 Hirasat Khan’s Visit to Hirasatpur: A Historical Validation
The earliest available reference
to Hirasatpur can be traced to 18th-century British archival records. A
significant mention appears in two documented instances of Hirasat Khan’s visit
to this village.
It states,
On October 15, 1742 Murtuza Ali Khan set
out from Vellore with Hirasat Khan etc. and after resting at Hirasatpur entered
in Arcot state. After praying at Tippu Sahib’s tomb Murtuza Ali Khan was
seated on the Musnad in ‘the King’s palace’.
Another source,
provides a similar account with slight elaboration and includes additional
information regarding the location of Hirasatpur.
On Friday
the 15th October about nine O’ clock in the morning, Nabob (Nawab)
Gulam Mortez Ali Khan set out from Vellore in a palankeen (palanquin),
accompanied by Nabob Herasut Khan, and
other great men. They first encamped at Herasatpore, (Hirasatpur) a place very
near Arcot in the way from Vellore; where they had rested themselves, a little
time, they mounted their elephant (The rest of the information is same as
the first one)
1.7 Not a Prison, But a Person (Hypothesis)
Let me further
clarify: the association of Visharam’s old name, Hirasatpur, with a prison or
prisoners is the result of a misinterpretation of the word ‘Hirasat’ in recent times—an explanation that does not appear in old
and contemporary records but has become widespread.
Dr. Rahi Fidai’s argument, the
documented visit of the Nawab in the travelogue by Gulam Abdul Qadir Nazir,
early eighteenth-century primary records from H. Dodwell and J. Talboys
Wheeler, and the later account of M. J. Sayeed Sahib strengthen the town’s
historical significance and support the conclusion
that Hirasatpur, coinciding with today’s Kilvisharam, was named to honour
Hirasat Khan and not due to any prison.
2. Melvisharam as Uppupettai
Historically, the town of Melvisharam
was known by the name Uppupettai. In Tamil, "Pettai"
denotes a settlement adjacent to a market, while "Uppu"
translates to salt—implying that the area may have once functioned as a hub for
salt trading or storage. Uppupettai
comprised the areas of Big Mosque Street, Big Street, and Dargah Street, collectively
regarded as the town’s oldest settlement.
Additionally, the travelogue Bahar-i-Azam
Jahi by Ghulam Abdul Qadir Nazir describes Uppupettai as:
“Namakpeta (translation of
Uppupettai in Persian) has a big mosque (referring to the Big Mosque in
Melvisharam) a gunbad (referring to
the Dargah of Hazrath Syed Shah Valiullah interred within) and a chathar. “Namakpeta has two hundred and
fifty-six houses, fifteen shops, and four baghs (gardens).” The word Namak
is of Persian and Urdu origin, meaning "salt”
According to Abdul Latheef Sahib, the inner
section of the Melvisharam Big Mosque was constructed by the residents of
Uppupettai. Both Hafiz Baqwi Sahib and Abdul Latheef Sahib had documented that
the early inhabitants of the area were predominantly agriculturists, primarily
engaged in the cultivation of betel leaves and indigo. Abdul Latheef Sahib further
noted that indigo fields were a significant aspect of the town’s agrarian
economy, and that the locals were involved in its trade. He also pointed out a
location called Appapillai Bagh, which housed an indigo furnace highlighting
the town's involvement in dye production.
While neither source mentions the
presence of formal leather tanneries during this period, the combination of
salt storage, indigo processing (an important component in traditional dyeing
practices), and the availability of water from the Palar River created favourable
conditions for basic forms of leather tanning. These environmental and economic
factors suggest that small-scale or traditional tanning activities might have
been taking place traditionally in Uppupettai during the early 19th
century. Such practices likely laid the groundwork for the development of a
strong leather economy in subsequent generations, eventually enabling the local
population to establish a significant presence in the leather trade. To further
support the above argument, let me quote Arthur F. Cox, who noted that
“Tanning was in the hands of the Labbais, who chiefly resided in a large
village named Visharam, located west of Arcot. A great quantity of tanned hides
was exported to Madras by rail.”
This further supports the claim
that Uppupettai had an established presence of tanning activities. The mention
of Hirasatpur and Uppupettai as distinct localities suggests that, although
Kilvisharam and Melvisharam are collectively referred to as Melvisharam today,
they were historically two separate neighbouring suburbs of Arcot town.
3. Melvisharam as
Visharadh
The
town of Visharam has long been recognized for its commitment to education. In
1969, during the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Melvisharam Muslim
Educational Society, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr. M. Karunanidhi
praised the people of Melvisharam for their high regard for education and
scholars. He remarked that the residents earned a reputation for wisdom and
learning, which led to them being affectionately referred to as the people of “Visharadh” a term that in the long run
evolved into “Visharam.” Today, the
town is home to numerous educational institutions and attracts students from
surrounding areas seeking knowledge and academic growth. The former Chief Minister’s statement further
reinforces the statement made by M. J. Sayeed Sahib and other scholars that the
people of this town have a deep appreciation for knowledge. Janab
Cafiyar Zafrullah Sahib said, 'I was in the audience at the Golden Jubilee
event, and I heard an interpretation by Dr. Kalainjar, who described this town
as a town of education, and its people as very generous.
4. Melvisharam as
Gulistan
Janab Hafiz Abdur Razzaq Baqwi, in his work Mukhaiyar
Aazam, records that “As the town expanded, a new area called Gulistan
was established to the west of the Big Mosque.”
To explore deeper into this
information, I approached Janab Akbar Ali Sahib, a long-time resident of the
Big Mosque area, known for his deep interest in local history. Drawing from
oral traditions passed down by his elders, he recounted the words of Sowcar
Qamruddin Sahib, who had stated that between the Muslim Orphanage and the
Muslim Graveyard, there once existed two small gardens—Gulistan and Bostan.
The name Gulistan, derived
from Persian, translates to “garden of roses” or “flower garden,” while Bostan
refers to an orchard or a cultivated plot of land for fruit trees. These names
also suggest the green nature of the area at that time. (Note: Gulistan and Bostan are the two books
featuring Persian literary works of Shaik Sa’di shirazi)
There is considerable historical
evidence supporting this, including the writings of Ghulam Abdul Qadir Nazir in
Bahar-i-Azam Jahi, which mentions that this part of the town once featured
four well-known baghs (gardens).
Janab Akbar Ali Sahib further
notes that the town’s elders used to spent their leisure time in the calm
environment of these gardens. The most renowned and expansive garden in the
area was the Naulakh Garden, believed to have contained nine lakh trees,
established by one of the Nawabs of Arcot in the early 18th century on the
northern banks of the Palar River, parallel to Visharam.
5. Melvisharam as Visaalam
According to local
oral traditions, the name “Visharam” is believed to have evolved from
the Tamil word “விசாலம்”
(Visaalam),
which means “wide,” “spacious,” or “expansive.” This nomenclature likely
reflects the region’s distinctive geographical features—particularly the union
of the Ponnai and Palar rivers, which together form a vast riverbed. In this
area, especially near Thengal and Naulakh, located on the far side of the town,
the Palar River spreads out to create a beach-like landscape. Over time, the term Visaalam gradually
transformed into Visharam due to colloquial use.
Upon further investigation using
Google Maps, it becomes evident that the river is significantly wider in the
Melvisharam area. During the devastating Palar flood of 1903, which severely
affected many regions, Melvisharam was comparatively less impacted by the grace
of Almighty Allah.
He noted that one possible reason
for this could be that the Palar River in this region is slightly wider,
allowing it to better accommodate the floodwaters. At the time, the floodwaters
reached up to Kosa Street, which was then adjacent to paddy fields situated
next to the Palar River.
It is worth noting that the
Palar, the largest river in the district which drains into the Bay of Bengal,
remains dry for most of the year. However, during the rainy season, it flows.
Until the early 19th century, it had served as a vital route for the safe and
rapid transport of essential commodities to the settlements along its banks.
Obviously, people who transported through this portion of the river or the
local inhabitants adjacent to the river Palar might have termed this place as ‘Visaalam’
which later became Visharam.
6.
Local Landmarks
Melvisharam and Kilvisharam together are commonly
known by the unified name Visharam. Specifically, Melvisharam
(Western Visharam) refers to the area stretching from the Eidgah to Khyoom
Nagar, located opposite the Government Hospital. From there up to the Big
Mosque lies Kilvisharam, (Eastern
Visharam) which is also referred to as Choti Visharam by Urdu-speaking
residents, meaning “Small Visharam.” In
recent past the natives named a part of this region as Rasathipuram.
Additionally, the local Muslim
community traditionally divides Melvisharam into two regions: From the Eidgah
to the Dargah area it
is known as Uparaate, meaning the Upward Region, while the
stretch from the Dargah to the Government Hospital is called Talleaatey,
or the Downward Region. In Tamil, elderly residents refer to these
divisions as Melandey (the western part) and Keelandey
(the eastern part) respectively.
Conclusion
The research clearly indicates
that the areas now known as Melvisharam and Kilvisharam were historically
referred to as Uppupettai (Tamil Muslim Settlement) and Hirasatpur (Urdu Muslim
Setllement), respectively. Over time, these regions came to be collectively
known as Visharam—a name believed to have evolved from the Tamil word Visaalam,
meaning "spacious" or "vast." Additionally, the prefixes
‘Mel’ (meaning west) and ‘Keel’ (meaning east) in Tamil were later added to
distinguish the western and eastern parts of the town, resulting in the names
Melvisharam and Kilvisharam.
It is important to note that
these divisions are informal landmarks established by local residents for ease
of identification and reference. They do not imply any sense of superiority of
one region over another. Despite these internal distinctions, the entire area
is collectively known as Melvisharam.
The name "Melvisharam"
appears in some of the earliest government records, dating back to 12.11.1808,
which include an order issued by the district collector prohibiting the sale
and production of liquor in the village.
The objective of this research is
to trace and understand the historical evolution of the town’s name over the
centuries. Place names are typically derived from various sources—such as the
names of rulers or influential figures, significant geographical features,
local flora and fauna, or the primary occupation of the community. Accordingly,
I have systematically documented my findings to present a clear and accurate account
of the origin and development of the name "Melvisharam."
Acknowledgement
Alhamdulillah, The author gratefully acknowledges the Melvisharam Muslim Educational Society for its valuable library resources, and sincerely thanks Dr. Abul Fazal Sahib and Dr. Rahi Fidai Sahib for their guidance. Special thanks are also due to Janab Moulana Hafiz Mohammed Gulzar Sahib, Janab Hasanpura Akbar Ali Sahi
S. MD SADATHULLAH,
B. T. Asst.
Islamiah Boys Hr. Sec. Schol
MMelvisharam
(2.06.2025)
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