| Veera Mangai Velunachiyar
Veera Mangai Velunachiyar
was one of the queens in the 18th century in South India. She rebelled
against the British Empire and fought for the freedom of India. She
was born in 1730 AD to the Mannar Sellamuthu Sethupathy and to Rani Sakandhimuthal
of Ramnad Kingdom. She was the only daughter of this Royal
family. The Royal couple had no male heir. The royal family brought
up the Princess, Velunachiyar, like Prince of Ramnad due to this
reason.
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She was trained in the
skills of using weapons and also in martial arts like Valari, stick fighting
etc. She learnt horse riding and archery earlier. The Royal couple had
engaged teachers to teach her many languages like French, English and Urdu.
Thus this young brave Princess had excellent training in all war techniques.
She was a scholar in many languages and was ready to rule the Ramnad Kingdom
. She married Sivagangai Mannar Muthuvaduganathar at the age of sixteen.
In the year 1772 , the English invaded her kingdom . Velu Nachiyar heard
that her husband Raja Muthu Vaduganathar and her daughter young Princess
Gowri Nachiyar were killed in Kalaiyar Koil war.
This war was held in Kalaiyar
Koil palace. British troops attacked the palace under the command of Lt.Col.
Bon Jour . She was very much worried and wanted to take revenge. Dalavay
Thandavaraya Pillai and Maruthu brothers sustained injuries. They promised
to recapture the samasthan to punish the English. Dalavay Thandavaraya
Pillai, an incredible and distinguished person was the most powerful administer
in Sivagangai samsthanam. |
Thandavaraya Pillai, the
loyalist served (1700-1773) as Palavay and also as Pirathani under the
three rulers of Sivagangai samsthanam. He was responsible for the development
of Sivagangai samsthanam . At first he served the King Sasivarna Periya
Udaiya Thevar during 1730-1750. Later he served under Muthu Vaduganatha
Thevar, the King during 1750-1772 . He also served as *Pirathani to the
queen Rani Velu Nachiyar.Here Dalavay means military chief and the
Pirathani means chief minister. Pirathani was responsible for
the improvement of Foreign affairs. Thus the two charges were the most
important and also powerful .
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(Thandavaraya Pillai
was the son of Kathavaraya Pillai who was an accountant and also as Karvar,
(administer) in this samsthan.He rendered his service with loyalty from
the beginning of this samsthanam. He administered well and helped in the
development. The King Udaiya Thevar was very much pleased because of his
good administration and granted him his hereditary management. It shows
the significance of loyalty of Dalavay Thandavaraya Pillai.
He advised Veera Mangal Velunachiar to move to different places often in
order to avoid British invaders . Meanwhile Dalavay Thandavarayan Pillai
wrote a letter to Sultan Hyder Ali on behalf of Velu Nachiyar to provide
5000 infantry and 5000 cavalry to defeat the British army. But unfortunately
he passed away due to old age. She decided to meet Hyder Ali after the
demise of Dalavay
Thandavarayan Pillai
at Mysore with the help of his son. She could explain in detail in
Urdu all her problems with East India Company. She explained him her strong
opposition of British regime. Hyder Ali was very much pleased and promised
to help her in this conflict… He accepted her request with sympathy and
provided the necessary military assistance. He orderd Syed Karki of Dindigul
fort gladar to provide the required military equipments to Rani Velu Nachiyar.
He released 5000 infantry and 5000 cavalry to Rani Velu Nachiyar immediately.
Her troops advanced to Sivaganga with the help provided by Maruthu brothers.
The Nawab of Arcot put so many hindrances to avoid the advancement of Rani
Velu Nachiyar’s combined troops. The queen and Maruthu brothers overcame
all hurdles.
They geared up the troops
and entered Sivaganga. She defeated the Nawab of Arcot and took him as
a captivator. She re-captured her Sivaganga samsthan with the help of Hyder
Ali and crowned as queen of the Sivagangai seemai. Velu Nachiyar is only
the first queen who raised the revolt against the British emperor.
According to historians. Prof.Sanjeevi mentioned in his ‘ Maruthiruvar’
book that ‘ the bravery queen Velu Nachiyar raised revolt against English
emperor and fought for the freedom of India 85 years before Jhansi Rani’s
freedom struggle in North . Venkatam further stated that Velu Nachiyar
is India’s Joan of Arc. |
source Senthil Rajan
<senthilrajan.u@gmail.com> |
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