The freedom movement saw a lot of Women revolutionaries taking up arms and fighting British tyranny.
One such brave woman revolutionary is Velu Nachiyar. She was born in 1730 CE to King Sellamuthu Sethupathy and Queen Sakandhimuthal in Ramanathapuram. Velu Nachiyar was the only daughter to her parents and hence they grew her up by teaching her martial arts and warfare in addition to the academic education. She was adept in horse riding and archery as specialization. In addition to Tamizh language, she also learnt French, English and Urdu. She was married to King Muthu Vaduganathar of Sivagangai in 1746. Both of them ruled Sivagangai ably. As Velu Nachiyar was also skilled in warfare and martial arts, she was actively involved in training their army and devising war strategy to protect their Samasthanam from enemies.
After the power equation changed in 1757, the British unleashed tyranny, which was resisted tooth and nail by Hindu Kings across the length and breadth of the country. In 1772, British cast their evil eye on Sivagangai samasthanam and killed Muthu Vaduganathar by deceit when he was inside the Kalaiyar Koil temple. British launched an attack on Sivagangai under the command of Lt.Col.Bon Jour. Velu Nachiyar and her daughter Vellachi, alongwith Dalavay Thandavaraya Pillai and Marudu Brothers sustained injuries and retreated to Dindigul to plan a counter attack. She was given safe haven in Virupachi near Dindigul by Gopala Nayaker. Velu Nachiyar promised to recapture the lost kingdom from British and Marudu Brothers stood by her in this noble cause. Gopala Nayaker also promised to support Velu Nachiyar by giving his army.
Hyder Ali and Arcot Nawab were at loggerheads at that time and were awaiting an opportunity to attack each other. In 1780, Dalavay Thandavaraya Pillai wrote to Hyder Ali for his support to fight British. As Dalavay Thandavaraya Pillai died immediately after writing this letter, Velu Nachiyar decided to meet Hyder Ali herself. She met Hyder Ali and explained her strategy to him in Urdu. As British joined hands with Arcot Nawab, Hyder Ali took this opportunity to show his might to Arcot Nawab and hence agreed to support Velu Nachiyar with 5000 infantry and 5000 cavalry.
Velu Nachiyar ordered a large scale counter attack under the command of Marudu Brothers against British and marched towards Sivagangai. Arcot Nawab posed many challenges and hinderances to the troops advancement, however the determination of Velu Nachiyar and Marudu Brothers crushed all hurdles and reach the border of Sivaganai.
As they were planning their war strategy for the next day, they discussed with concern about the weaponry might of British. Though armed with a combined military strength, Velu Nachiyar and Marudu Brothers were worried tackling guns, grenades and canons. These advanced weapons (at that time) could prove to be catastrophic for the joint forces.
Kuyili, the personal bodyguard and commander of Women regiment in the army of Velu Nachiyar devised a plan to preempt the usage of these weapons by the British in the next day’s war. Clad in a saree soaked in Ghee, Kuyili sneaked inside the British ammunition store and set herself on fire before jumping into the ammunition store. This caused all the weapons to explode and literally rendered British weaponless, thanks to the bravery and supreme sacrifice made by Kuyili.
Velu Nachiyar and Marudu Brothers led their joint forces to capture Kalaiyar Koil and Sivagangai to the rousing welcome given by common public.
Sivagangai was ruled ably and safety by Velu Nachiyar from 1780 to 1790. Marudu Brothers were given key administrative positions and also were made as Commanders of her army.
In 1790 CE, Velu Nachiyar crowned her daughter Vellachi as Queen of Sivagangai and recused herself from administrative duties of the kingdom, owing to health reasons. She passed away in 1796 in Sivagangai.
Rani Velu Nachiyar was the only ruler at that time to recapture the lost kingdom from British. As long as Velu Nachiyar was in throne, British dare not to attempt to capture Sivagangai and would not plan any misadventure. Such is the bravery and valour of Rani Velu Nachiyar.
Velu Nachiyar, Kuyili, Dalavai Thandavaraya Pillai, Gopala Nayaker, Marudu Brothers and all others who fought against British would be etched in our memory and souls forever and will continue to inspire us in our service to motherland.
