“Nilakottai was a very fine palayam, consisting mainly of arable lands.” For his military help to the emperor of Vijayanagar in repelling a invasion, Makkala Nayaka, of the Kambala caste, was rewarded with lands west of Madura where, with the Raya’s permission, he built the mud fort of Nilakkottai. He ruled for 12 years and was succeeded by his son Kulappa Nayaka. Along with the Pandya king of Madura, Kulappa was dispossessed by a Chola prince, and both defeated rulers appealed to the Raya for help. When Visvanatha was appointed Nayaka of Madura, Nilakkottai and nine neighboring villages were restored to Kulappa, who was also granted kaval rights over several other villages. Tanda Kulappa Nayaka, the 12th polegar, helped the Nayaka of Madura capture the Setupati of Ramnad. Nagama Nayaka, the 13th polegar, replaced the old mud fort of Nilakkottai with a stone structure. Chindama Nayaka, the 15th polegar, came under the rule of Hyder Ali when Dindigul was conquered by Mysore. At the time Dindigul was ceded to the Company, the palaiyam’s borders were being contested by its neighbors. McLeod, who became Collecor of Dindigul during the rule of the 17th polegar, was sympathetic to the polegar. He restored the two villages confiscated by Hyder Ali, which were, however, confiscated again by his successor, Mr Wynch. Mr Hardis, the next collector, learned that the polegars had kept some weapons in violation of the Company ban and confiscated the palaiyam by force of arms and stationed a garrison in Nilakkottai. In 1797, after sending his family to Dobinayanakanur, the polegar gathered forces in Kallarnadu, joined the revolt, and tried unsuccessfully to expel the British garrison from his fort. He was defeated and three years later, “dressed as a mendicant, … thre himself at the feet [of the Collector], and besought the protection of the Company.” The palayam was resumed for arrears in 1799, but since the “poligar had not the same claims [as the polegars of other resumed palaiyams] on the consideration of Government, and might be treated differently,” only one of his estates, Minnalkottai, was restored to him. He was granted a Rs. 50 pension by Mr. Hardis

Anjaneyar Temple
Anjaneyar temple in Anapatti is 5 kilometers from Nilakottai Taluk is quite popular among residents of this area. Nilakottai is 11 kilomteres from Batlagundu bus stand. This is said to be 300 year old temple built by Queen of Madurai Rani Mangamma. The idol will be half buried when the water is in full flow here. This temple is near the Peranai bridge (see site below) and regulator constructed by the British.