A. Subbarayalu Reddiar
1855 – 1921
South Arcot lawyer and landlord who became the first First Minister of the Madras Presidency after the Justice Party's 1920 victory.
Diwan Bahadur Agaram Subbarayalu Reddiar (15 October 1855 – November 1921) was born in Malayaperumal Agaram in South Arcot. He studied law and, on his return to India, entered district politics, serving as a district board president.
He was first a member of the Indian National Congress but left it in 1916 to join the Justice movement. When the party won the first elections under dyarchy in November 1920, he was chosen as First Minister, taking office on 17 December 1920. He resigned on 11 July 1921 because of failing health and was succeeded by the Raja of Panagal. He died a few months later.
The portrait shown here is the one the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly uses for him in its list of Chief Ministers since 1920.
Key contributions
- First First Minister of the Madras Presidency, 17 December 1920 – 11 July 1921
- Led the first elected ministry under the Montagu–Chelmsford reforms
- District board president in South Arcot