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. 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 .
(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.
