Vijaya Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman I was the second sovereign ruler or Raja of Pudukkottai kingdom, who ruled over the territory from April 1730 to December 1769. The reign of the prominent Indian ruler was notable for ceaseless wars with the Thanjavur Maratha kingdom and the Nawab of the Carnatic, Chanda Sahib. He also had several conflicts against the French East India Company.

Early Life of Vijaya Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman I
Vijaya Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman I was born on August 25, 1713 to father Thirumalai Raya Tondaiman Sahib, who was the heir apparent of Pudukkottai and mother Nallayi Ayi Sahib. During his early years, Vijaya Raghunatha received private educations. After the demise of his father Thirumalai Raya Tondaiman Sahib in the year 1729, his grandfather Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman, who was the then Raja of Pudukkottai, made him heir apparent.

Rule of Vijaya Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman I
After the death of the Raja Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman of Pudukkottai, his grandfather, in the year 1730, Vijaya Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman I succeeded him and was crowned as the new sovereign at Kudumiyanmalai in the same year. After he ascended the throne of the kingdom of Pudukkottai, a severe civil war took place and the new ruler had to clash with his uncles and other relatives, in order to protect and secure his royal throne from them. Pudukkottai kingdom was invaded in the year 1733 by Ananda Rao, the Thanjavur Maratha General, who besieged Raja Vijaya Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman I at the fort of Thirumayam. For almost one year, Ananda Rao ravaged the territory and destroyed the defensive system of the kingdom and eventually went back.

During the break out of the Second Carnatic War in the year 1750, Vijaya Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman I associated with the British East India Company, as well as the Marathas, in order to conflict against the French forces and Chanda Sahib. The ruler of Pudukkottai supported the British administration by supplying vital reinforcements during the siege of Trichinopoly. Later in May 1754, the French targeted Vijaya Raghunatha and invaded his kingdom, which was ravaged and destroyed by the enemy forces.

Personal Life of Vijaya Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman I
Vijaya Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman I was married to Rani Nallakatti Ayi Sahib and the couple had a son Raya Raghunatha Tondaiman. The renowned ruler died on 28th December 1769, at the age of 56 in Pudukkottai. He was succeeded by his son Raya Raghunatha Tondaiman, who ascended the throne as the ruler of Pudukkottai kingdom.