Theerthagiri (aka Theeran Chinnamalai) was born in the year 1756 in Kangeyam near Erode. He was the chieftain of Kongu region from Sangagiri Fort and was putting up a brave fight against the tyranny of moghuls like Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, while simultaneously fighting against British tyranny.
During one of his routine administrative visits to areas, he noticed that the soldiers of Tipu Sultan were returning to Mysore through his jurisdiction after collecting taxes from neighbouring place. Theerthagiri intercepted them and refused further entry to the soldiers with the tax money they collected. While questioning them, the soldiers replied back stating that “British have empowered us to collect taxes in this area”. This infuriated Theerthagiri, who rubbished the claim of “empowerment by British” and took back the money from them to be re-distributed to the subjects from whom this was collected. When the soldiers asked for his identity to report to Tipu Sultan, Theerthagiri said that “You tell your king that a Chinnamalai, standing in between Chenni Malai and Sivan Malai took back the money.” From that day onwards, Theerthagiri was fondly called and known as Chinnamalai and befitting his bravery, he is called Theeran Chinnamalai.
Theeran Chinnamalai was a nightmare to Tipu Sultan and British. However, when Tipu Sultan was attacked by British, he approached Theeran Chinnamalai for help. Though he was opposing the double barrel tyranny of moghuls and British, he decided to join hands with Tipu Sultan to fight British. Tipu Sultan was killed by British in the battle and hence Theeran Chinnamalai returned to Kongu region with his army. But, one of his loyal commander Velappan was captured by British in that encounter.
Theeran Chinnamalai’s support to Tipu Sultan has irked the British further. Additionally, Theeran Chinnamalai was blocking British supplies form Palakkad to Salem. This posed a huge logistical challenge to British and hence they decided to take on Theeran Chinnamalai head-on. The appeal made by British to surrender was outrightly rejected by Theeran Chinnamalai and hence British attacked Kongu region only to be defeated badly.
On hearing about the humiliating defeat, General Harris led the British army himself and decided to attack Theeran Chinnamalai unannounced, but Theeran Chinnamalai escaped. Harris understood that Velappan was providing tip to Theeran Chinnamalai and hence killed Velappan.
Having realized that Theeran Chinnamalai cannot be defeated in a direct war, British resorted to deceit as is done by them against various freedom fighters. They bribed the cook Nallaan and coerced him to invite Theeran Chinnamalai for lunch to his place in the forest. Trusting Nallaan, Theeran Chinnamalai visited his place alongwith his brother only to understand that it was a trap. Immediately, Theeran Chinnamalai strangulated Nallaan and was caught by British forces.
Theeran Chinnamalai and his brother were hanged in front of Sangagiri fort on 31st July 1805. It has to be noted that Aadi Perukku fell on that day in 1805. Inspite of repeated request from various locals not to hang Theeran Chinnamalai on the day of Aadi Perukku, British intentionally hanged him on that day to diffuse the festive mood in Kongu region.
There were a few freedom fighters, whose contributed was blacked out by British and the British inspired historians later. There were a few freedom fighters, whose entire life history was blacked out. Theeran Chinnamalai was one of those, whose life history was blacked out. During the mid of the previous century, Pulavar Kuzhandai collected information about Theeran Chinnamalai from folklore and documented his life history and valour.
Theeran Chinnamalai was another brave Hindu king who made supreme sacrifice for this country and continue to inspire us.
