On the conclusion of the war and Rama's success in it, he appointed a Sethupathi or "lord of the bridge" to guard the way to the island.

[citation needed] In the late 12th and early 13th centuries, this province was ruled by Hazrat Sulthan Syed Ibrahim shaheed of Ervadi.

[citation needed] During the 14th and 15th centuries, the traditional chieftain of the region who belonged to the Maravar caste was officially recognized as Sethupathi by the Nayak king of Madurai.

The chieftain of Ramnad, in return, recognized the sovereignty of the Nayak king over his lands.

When the power of the Nayak kings of Madurai began to decline in the late 17th century, the chieftains of Ramnad asserted their independence.

At the beginning of the 18th century, family disputes over succession resulted in the division of Ramanathapuram.

This paved the way for a series of conflicts in the southern part of the continent also called Carnatic Wars.

After the death of the Queen Velu Nachiyar, the Maruthu brothers took charge by paying regular revenue to the East India company.

[citation needed] According to 2011 census, Ramanathapuram had a population of 61,440 with a sex-ratio of 988 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.

The river Vaigai enters the Big Tank (periya kanmaai) and the water is collected for the purpose of agriculture.

The town is located in south east Tamil Nadu and connected by NH 49 (also called as AH 43) to Madurai from Rameswaram.

Ramanathapuram is close to Rameswaram, Devipattinam, Thiruppullani, and Uthirakosamangai which are very important ancient pilgrimage centres.

Periyapattinam, Athiyuthu, Panaikulam, Alagankulam, Puduvalasai, Chittarkottai, Valoor beaches are other popular in Ramnad region.