Diwan Bahadur Agaram Subbarayalu Reddiar (b. 15 October 1855 – d. November 1921) was a

landlord A landlord is the owner of property such as a house, apartment, condominium, land, or real estate that is rented or leased to an individual or business, known as a tenant (also called a ''lessee'' or ''renter''). The term landlord appli ...

and the inaugural

First Minister A first minister is any of a variety of leaders of government cabinets. The term literally has the same meaning as "prime minister" but is typically chosen to distinguish the office-holder from a superior prime minister. Currently the title of ' ...

Madras Presidency The Madras Presidency or Madras Province, officially called the Presidency of Fort St. George until 1937, was an administrative subdivision (province) of British India and later the Dominion of India. At its greatest extent, the presidency i ...

from 17 December 1920 to 11 July 1921. Subbarayalu Reddiar was born in a Reddiar family of South Arcot in 1855. He studied law in the West. On his return to India, Subbarayalu Reddiar involved himself in district politics of South Arcot and served as a district board president. Initially, he joined the

Indian National Congress The Indian National Congress (INC), colloquially the Congress Party, or simply the Congress, is a political parties in India, political party in India with deep roots in most regions of India. Founded on 28 December 1885, it was the first mo ...

but left the party in 1916 to join the Justice Party. When the Justice Party was elected to power in the Madras Presidency in the first general elections in November 1920, Subbarayalu Reddiar was chosen as the First Minister. Thus, Subbarayalu Reddiar is the inaugural First Minister of Madras Presidency. Subbarayalu Reddiar served as First Minister till 11 July 1921 when he resigned on grounds of health. He died soon afterwards.

Early life

Agaram Subbarayalu Reddiar was born in a rich

family domiciled in South Arcot district of

on 15 October 1855. He studied in Presidency College, Chennai, along with Theagaroya Chetty. Later he studied law in the United Kingdom.

Early political career

Subbarayalu Reddiar served as the President of Cuddalore taluk Board in 1912. In 1917 he became the chair of South Arcot District Board. He later became the first First Minister of

, present-day state of

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...

.Rulers.org – Provinces of British India
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First Minister of Madras

At the end of November 1920, the first general elections were held to the Madras Legislative Assembly as per the Montford Reforms. Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 180 The

, a part of its policy during the Non-Cooperation Movement boycotted the elections. As a result, the Justice Party swept to power winning 63 of the 98 Assembly seats to which elections were conducted. Among the nominated members, it had a strength of 18 adding up to a total of 81 members in a chamber of 127. Following the success of the Justice Party in the 1920 elections, Lord Willingdon invited Sir Theagaroya Chetty to form the Government. Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 181 However, he passed on the mantle to Subbarayalu Reddiar. Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 182 Subbarayalu Reddiar assumed office as First Minister on 17 December 1920 and held the portfolios of education, public works, excise and registration in the new government. The first session of the assembly was inaugurated by Duke of Connaught on 13 January 1921. On 14 February 1921, three new Council Secretaries were appointed by the Justice party Government. However, Subbarayalu Reddiar resigned soon afterwards on grounds of health.

Death

Subbarayalu Reddiar died in November 1921.

Notes

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Subbarayalu, A. 1855 births 1921 deaths Telugu politicians Chief ministers of Tamil Nadu Presidency College, Chennai alumni Dewan Bahadurs People from the Madras Presidency Tamil people of Telugu descent