Princess of Ramanathapuram, queen of Sivagangai, trained in warfare and martial arts like Silambattam, a linguist fluent in Tamil, Urdu, French and many more languages - Rani Velu Nachiyar stands tall as a symbol of Indian resistance to British rule.

Rani Velu Nachiyar was among the earliest Indian rulers to defeat the the British East India Company (EIC) in 1780. The Rani was a woman ahead of her times, in her intellectual abilities, her progressive outlook and her exceptional abilities to govern. Very much impressed, and foreseeing her immense contribution to the welfare of his kingdom, Muthuvaduganatha Periyavudaya Thevar, the king of Sivagangai (a district in present day Tamil Nadu) married her.

They had a daughter Vellachi Ammal, and lived peacefully until Mohammed Ali Khan Wallajah, the Nawab of Arcot, joined hands with the EIC and tried to wrest control over many small kingdoms by force. One of these kingdoms was Sivagangai. Muthuvaduganatha Thevar refused to accept vassal status and bow to the Nawab. On 25^th June 1772, the EIC soldiers, led by Colonel Joseph Smitt and the inappropriately named Captain Bonjour (French for ‘good morning’), attacked Kalaiyar Koil, a town famous for the ancient Shiva temple known as the Kaleeshwarar temple. Despite a fierce resistance, the king was killed and the temple gold and jewels were looted.

Kaleeshwarar Temple, Sivagangai; Wiki Commons

Mohammed Ali Khan Wallajah, Nawab of Arcot; Wiki Commons

Rani Velu Nachiyar had inducted women into the Sivagangai army. One of them, a Dalit woman, was her bodyguard Udaiyaal. The Rani had great affection for Udaiyaal and treated her almost like a daughter.

After the king’s death, the Rani fled Sivagangai with her daughter while her bodyguard stayed back to distract the British. The Nawab brutally tortured the loyal Udaiyaal to reveal the location of the Rani and her daughter (the Nawab wanted to wipe out all potential competition), and ultimately beheaded her when she refused to give in.

In one day, the Rani lost her husband, her close companion and bodyguard, and her kingdom. With great strength of mind, the Rani spent her eight years of exile in Dindigul strategizing and planning to defeat the EIC. With the help of many feudal chieftains such as Thandavarayan Pillai, Gopala Nayakkar, the Marudhu Pandyan brothers and more, she raised an army with three divisions– the Valari Padai, led by Periya Marudhu; the Vaal Padai, led by Chinna Marudhu; and the Udaiyaal Padai, or Udaiyaal’s Army, a division of female warriors.

The Rani was stronger than before, but she needed more arms and ammunition to win over the EIC forces with their superior machinery. Hyder Ali of Mysore, and the Nawab of Arcot (in Arcot district of present day Tamil Nadu) had fallen out as the Nawab refused to cede to him Trichinopoly or Trichy.

Hyder Ali; Territories under his Control ; Wiki Commons

Polygars or Palayakkarars, Tamil Nadu & Kerala; Wiki Commons

‘My enemy’s enemy is my friend’, decided the Rani. She reached out to Hyder Ali of Mysore, for help with arms and ammunition. Impressed by her command of the Urdu language, and her exceptional bravery, Hyder Ali promised his support and gave her additional troops as well. After Hyder Ali’s death, his son Tipu Sultan continued to support Rani Velu Nachiyar. Slowly the Rani re-conquered small parcels of land, and pushed deeper into the Sivagangai kingdom.

In 1780, Hyder Ali attacked the EIC forces. The Rani decided that this was the perfect opportunity to defeat the Nawab and the British

After Udaiyaal’s death, Kuyili, a Dalit, had become the queen’s bodyguard. Her father, Periyamuthan was a spy, and so had access to the Rani. Velu Nachiyar noticed the young girl’s courage, intelligence and presence of mind, and trained her in warfare. Kuyili soon grew to be Velu Nachiyar’s closest confidante and saved the Rani’s life on several occasions. When Kuyili found out that their martial arts trainer, Vetrivel, whom she admired and considered a mentor, was in fact a spy for the British, she killed him without a moment’s thought. Kuyili was appointed the Commander –in –Chief of the Udaiyaal Padai.

Disguised as an old flower seller, Kuyili discovered that the EIC stored all their ammunition in the Raja Rajeshwari temple. The British had forbidden access to the temple except on special occasions, and even then only women could enter. In British eyes, women were too weak to pose any threat. Here, the British made the same mistake as Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed demon of yore.

Goddess Rajarajeshwari; Goddess Durga killing Mahishasura; Wiki Commons

The Rani set up camp in the forest surrounding the Raja Rajeshwari temple, the abode of the Mother Goddess Shakti. Along with the Marudhu Pandyan brothers, the Rani and Kuyili drew up a brilliant plan to strike at the heart of British power – their superior arms. Did Velu Nachiyar know that Kuyili had her own plan to ensure victory for her beloved Rani? We don’t know for sure, but Kuyili’s heroism earned her the respect and admiration of women for ages to come.

The day of Vijayadashami dawned bright and clear. On this day, after nine long days and nights, the Goddess Durga had finally defeated and killed the evil Mahishasura. On this day would Kuyili and her Udaiyaal Padai fight to their death and vanquish the EIC.

British East India Company Coat of Arms, Wiki Commons

The Raja Rajeshwari temple was beautifully decorated for the festival. Disguised as devotees, the women of the Udaiyaal Padai entered the temple, carrying fruits and flowers, small pots of ghee and swords. Once inside the temple, the women drew out their weapons and charged at the confused, unsuspecting British. In the chaos that ensued, Kuyili located what they had come for – the ammunition depot. She quickly collected the ghee that her soldiers had brought and poured it on herself. Kuyili, daughter of the Rani, Commander-in-Chief of the army, brave warrior of Sivagangai, walked to the depot, set herself on fire, and blew up the entire British stock of arms and ammunition.

Kuyili, Commander-in-Chief of the Udaiyaal Padai

Then the Padai opened the gates to the waiting army outside. Velu Nachiyar swept in with her troops. Still in shock, and left with nothing to defend themselves with, the British forces caved.

Velu Nachiyar won a decisive victory over the Nawab of Arcot and the East India Company. She regained her kingdom and ruled till 1790, passing on the mantle to her daughter Vellachi and the Marudhu brothers. In 1796, the Rani passed away, the undisputed leader of her people till the very end.

Veeramangai Velu Nachiyar (Brave Woman) and Veerathai Kuyili (Courageous Mother) have been remembered with a memorial and a monument dedicated to them in Sivagangai, but their story has not travelled much beyond the boundaries of the district.

The courage and the determination of these women who fought for their land and their freedom transcends borders, and someday, all of India will know about them too.

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