DEMOCRATIC RULER- VELU NACHIAAR (1730-1796)

DEMOCRATIC RULER- VELU NACHIAAR (1730-1796)

INTRODUCTION

     The entire history of the freedom movement is replete with the saga of bravery, sacrifice and political sagacity of not only great men but also great women of the country. Many prominent women played a leading role in the freedom movement. Woman’s participation in India’s freedom struggle began as early as 1772 when Veera Mangai Velu Naachiyar fought bravely against the British.¹ She was the First Indian Woman Freedom Fighter, who belongs to Tamil country to take part in the open war with the British and restored Sivaganga Samasthanam, where she ruled for a decade as a democratic ruler.

EARLY LIFE

     Velu Nachiaar  was born in 1730.² Her parents were Sakkanthi³ Muththaththal Nachiaar  and Chellamuthu @ Ragunatha sethupathi⁴ of Ramanathapuram.  By birth itself she was a warrior community i.e. Maravar, she was a great sovereign ,  Sagacious, just, beneficent, the patron of the learned, a dispenser of justice, the Cherisher of her subjects and of warlike talent, democratic ruler and was endowed with all the admirable attributes and qualifications necessary for a king; but as she did not attain the destiny in her creation, of being  computed among men, of what advantage were all these excellent qualifications to her. She learned all martial art from the Guru Vetrivelu at the age of thirteen and won the competition with her Guru Vetrivelu.⁵   At once she demanded an Arabian horse and ride at its back without fear and won the appreciation of her father and the people of Ramnathapuram in 18^th Century itself.  She breaks the gender disparities at her early age.   In those days , royal women  were permitted to learn, she also learned many languages like Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Urdu, French and English,⁶ by which she break all linguistic disparities among the people.  At once she used her Urdu language and promotes brotherhood relations with Hyder Ali, which   (Urdu) helped her at the time of seeking help from Hyder Ali.  She was married Muthu Vaduganatha Thevar in 1746.  He was assented the throne on 14.05. 1750  as the Second ruler of Sivaganga ⁷ after his father’s death. Muthu Vaduganatha Thevar and Velu Nachiaar decided to strengthen the force against Nawab of Carnatic. Unfortunately,  Muthu Vaduga Natha Thevar and his second wife Gowri Nachiaar were assassinated at Kalayarkoil by General Benjour on 25.6. 1772,⁸  At this moment the First Tamil Queen Velu Nachiaar decided to take revenge on  General  Benjour and restore her territory and driven out the British from Sivaganga and proved herself as a freedom fighter. At this juncture, her decision and role was remarkable not only in the History of Tamilnadu but also in the History of India.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

 Aim of this study is to highlight the role played by the First Tamil Queen Velu Nachiaar in the Freedom Struggle of India. She was the Pioneer Indian Queen, who fought bravely against the British in India. The Historical evidences shows that she was the first queen , who won the battle  and restore the Sivaganga Samasthanam ( Kingdom) after eight  years ( in 1780-1790) and ruled for more than a decade in a democratic way. Unfortunately, her  history was compared with her follower Jansi Rani Lakshmi Bai (1857).⁹ Tamil Queen Velu Nachiaar, took part in the open war with British 77 Years earlier than Jansi Rani Lakshmi Bai, i.e. 1780 at Sivaganga.¹⁰  So, historical facts should be written in the Chronological order, and enlightened the historians and readers to understand and write the historical facts in a chronological order. Hence forth, Queen Jansi Rani Lakshmi Bai should be compared with the Tamil Queen Velu Nachiaar as Velu Nachiaar of North India and not vice verse.  She followed democratic principles of equality, fraternity, brotherhood and so on. 

            CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO BECOME THE QUEEN OF SIVAGANGA

      When the Poligar risings convulsed Tirunelveli the neighbouring areas, Ramanathapuram was also affected.  The Company forces that were dispatched under Col. Smith to reduce Ramanathapuram in 1772, marched towards Sivaganga after reducing Ramanathapuram,¹¹ the ruler of Sivaganga at this period was Muthu Vaduganatha Thevar.  Having received a fore warning about the Company’s scheme,  Muthu Vaduganathar prepared for the defence of Kalaiyarkoil as his headquarter.  On 21^st of June the detachment of Smith and Benjour affected a junction and occupied the town of Sivaganga, which was already vacated by Muthu Vaduganathar.  The next day, the forces marched to Kalayarkoil, and captured the posts of Keeranoor and Sholaveram. Now Tandavaraya Pillai the Minister of Sivaganga, sent messages to Umdut - ul - Umara (Nawab of Carnatic) expressing his readiness for an accommodation.  Therefore, Smith wrote a letter in English directing Benjour to halt his advance until the result of negotiations was made known.  But the troops of Sivaganga intercepted the letter and detained it without understanding the situation,  Benjour, continuing the operations, came into conflict with the main body of the troops of Sivaganga on the 25^th  June 1772.   Muthu Vaduganathar, his second wife Gowri Nachiaar with many of his followers fell dead in the battle.¹² But his legal Queen Velu Nachiaar and daughter Vellachi Nachiaar  fled to Virupakshi in Dindugal, where they were joined by their two able servants Vella Marudu, the dog keeper and Chinna Marudu, the betal bearer.¹³  The invading forces plundered the town and collected jewels worth 50,000 pagodas,¹⁴ which was created discontentment among the white people on Benjour, so he apologized that  it would happened due to lack of understanding the information send by Smith.¹⁵

ROLE OF VELU NACHIAAR IN RESTORATION OF SIVAGANGA  (1780-90)

     After the slaughter and assassination of the king Muthu Vaduganathar and  his followers, Tandavaraya Pillai, the versatile Dewan of Sivaganga  with the concern of Queen he organized opposition against the Nawab of Carnatic. He was mobilizing the Marava rebels to give considerable resistance to the Nawab administration and there to re-establish the Marava rule with one of the members of the Muthu Vaduganatha Thevar family as head of state. So, he sought the aid of Hyder Ali for the restoration of the State to the house of the former ruler.¹⁶

Hence Queen Velu Nachiaar, accompanied by  Tandavaraya Pillai and Marudu Brothers decided to sought the military aid of Hyder Ali. Initially, he hesitated to assist them. At that juncture,  Velu Nachiaar dressed in the attire of men and transacting business in the court of Hyder Ali ,and won his favour by her efficient language skill.  The Mysore  Chief promised aid for the liberation of the Marava States.¹⁷

MARATHI PADAI OR UDAIYAL PADAI

        As Velu Nachiaar, was an able general  and well trained in Martial Art , she decided to organize Marathi Padai.¹⁸  She herself trained all women everyday, who joined the forces.  They were courageous to sacrifice their soul for the restoration of Sivaganga Samasthanam from the British.

          REASON FOR THE NAME OF THE FORCE

          When she and her daughter accompanied by the loyal servants  narrowly escaped through the dense jungle  near Kalayarkoil after the death rituals for her husband Muthu Vaduganatha Thevar,¹⁹  The young herd ( cattle rearing girl), Udaiyal, who identify the royal queen. But, Benjour and his forces searching for the royal queen Velu Nachiaar and her daughter, they could not find the way to chase and kill them.  Benjour enquired about the queen Velu Nachiaar to Udaiyal.  Though she knew the way, she refused to direct them. The British force threatened to slaughter her. However, she was very stubborn to answer. So, the British force, slaughtered her in the same place.²⁰ Hence, She sacrificed her life to save the queen and the Sivaganga  Samasthanam.  In order to honour  martyr Udayal,  Velu Nachiaar named her Marathi Padai (padai means force) as  Udaiyal Padai.²¹  She erected  Veera Kal and Temple (at present  that Veera Kal in Udaiyal  temple is worshipped by the people of that area)  where Udaiyal sacrificed her life for the country. Still people of that area worshipped her as Goddess Udaiyal.²²   Velu Nachiaar offered her diamond sacred tie to the temple, after capturing Kalaiyarkoil.²³

RESTORATION OF SIVAGANGA (1780)

         Udaiyal Padai was ably trained by Queen Velu Nachiaar and Udayal Padai Captain Quili and Adappakari Irrulayei24 and many others. This force had formed on the basis of Marava community, as Sivaganga Samasthanam was a Marava Kingdom.  Marava community women were well known for valour, courage and warrior in nature was an added advantage for the Marathi or Udaiyal Padai. However, courageous women were admitted in this force without community disparities and also placed the efficient women Quili as its captain of Marathi Padai.

       The Marathi / Udaiyal Padai, was played a vital role to capture Kalaiyarkoil. Next attempt in 1780, Velu Nachiaar decided  to attack by using guerrilla warfare inside the Sivaganga palace on the Vijayadasami day. On the previous day of Vijayadasamy, they made a plot against the British force stationed inside the Rajarajeswari temple, which  is located inside the Sivaganga palace.²⁵ Because, on that day the British allowed the women’s to perform pooja to the Goddess Rajarajeswari without security check up.  But, Benjour, made a plot  to attack after the pooja .  The British forces waiting for the order.²⁶ Fortunately, Captain Quili  came to know the plot against them just few minutes earlier. So, She decided to shattered the plot, by fired herself and jumped into the garrison and arsenal room, and  damaged the entire  arsenals  kept inside the temple. It was not expected by the British general Benjour, but nothing to do. They were ravaged by the Tamil Queen Velu Nachiaar, who came out into the front and gallantly played the role of a defender with able assistance of Udaiyal padai and restore Sivaganga Samasthanam in 1780. Ultimately Velu Nachiaar, wife of Muthu Vaduganatha Thevar victory over the British force and proclaimed the queen of Sivaganga after eight years²⁷and the Marudhu brothers assumed the charge of Ministers.

          In 1785, the Company surrendered the ‘Assignment’ to the Nawab, by utilizing the chance; the Nawab increased his demand on the Marava State of Sivaganga. ²⁸ If they failed to pay the tribute, he decided to annex the territory. Moreover, the political situation of Sivaganga offered a favourable situation to the Nawab.  The Queen Velu Nachiaar who was relegated to the background by the Marudhus felt insulted and wanted to reassert herself and control the administration. In 1788s, the rift widened and the queen sought to curtail the authority of the Marudhu.  The Nawab came forward to the assistance of the Queen Velu Nachiaar in her conflict with the Marudhus and promised assistance.²⁹ This precipitated a clash between the supporters of the Queen Velu Nachiaar and the Marudhus, in consequence of which the Queen was forced to seek shelter in the fort of Sivaganga.  Mohammed Ali dispatched a body of troops for the rescue of the queen. Initially there was a set back for Mohammed Ali, but  he appealed to the Madras Council for aid on the 10^th March 1789 and as a result John Holland, the successor of Sir Archbold Campell in the Presidency provided an army.³⁰ Ultimately, the combined forces scored a victory on the 14^th May 1789.  It is clear that, Velu Nachiaar was not handed over the territory to Marudhus.  Till 1790 she is the only queen who ruled the Sivaganga Samasthanam.  If she had an illegal conduct or married Marudhu means she never seeking the help of the Nawab against Marudhus. Moreover, Marava community women never allowed to marry Serveikaran,* they regard them as their servants. It is clear that the traditional caste system* had its stronghold in the District throughout the ages before Independence and it was observed with rigidity.  According to Dr. S. Kadhirvel, explained clearly and stated that  in Royal houses the question of rights to the Kingdom does arise when there was a remarriage for the woman. In any case the Queen Velu Nachiaar fell a prey to Marudhu setting apart a legal propriety.  Evidence is not available regarding her remarriage*. Due to her age factor, and inexperienced daughter to become the queen of Sivaganga, she herself   allowed the Marudhu brothers to rule Sivaganga from 1793 to 1801.  During her reign, Velu Nachiaar only adorn the administration, the royal orders were carried out by the Marudhu brothers as a Ministers and won the heart of the people. In all records clearly mentioned them as Servaikaran, not as King. But they were loyal royal servants of Sivaganga till 1801.                                                                      

CONCLUSION

       The researcher concludes that The First Tamil Queen Velu Nachiaar, who fought bravely against the British in 1780, and restore Sivaganga Samasthanam, where she ruled for more than  a decade efficiently. So she was the Pioneer Women Freedom Fighter against the British in India.  She was took part in open war with British,  77 years earlier than the historically famous queen Jansi Rani Lakshmi Bai.  Infact, Lakmi Bai’s heroic attitude should be comparing with Velu Nachiaar.   Hence, Lakshmi Bai is rightly described as Velu Nachiaar of North India.   Because chronologically, Velu Nacchiaar was the forerunner queen who fought bravely against the British, which was later followed by Jansi Rani Lakshmi Bai.  Velu Nachiaar’s achievement should be recorded in the Indian History prior to Jansi Rani Lakshmi Bai and enrich South Indian History to worldwide familiarity, and fulfill the desire of historians all over the world.

       In all her way Marudhu brothers rendered their co-operation for all her success.  But no way is her talent inferior to Maruthu Brothers. When she became aged, she proclaimed her daughter Vellachi Nachiaar as legal heir for Sivaganga Samasthanam in 1793.  As Vellachi Nachiaar was ineffiencet administrator of Sivaganga, Marudhu brothers were acted as the de facto rulers of Sivaganga.  Thus, Sivaganga ruling house was gradually slipping from the Maravas to the Agambadias.³²  As a royal woman( queen), who organized women forces  and led an army. The  Captain  Quili, proved herself as martyrdom and reflect the policy adopted by the members of  Marathi Padai.  Moreover, she proved her dedication, loyalty and patriotism by acted as a Human Bomb against the enemies. Historically it is the first attempt of a woman, sacrificed herself as Human Bomb to save her Queen and Country from foreign force. [Japan used Human bomb attack during World War II). In such a way Velu Nachiaar won the hearts of Sivaganga people.  No women ruler was achieved like Velu Nachiaar i.e. restored her country from the British (Sivaganga Samasthanam) and ruled for more than a decade in India.  Moreover, dog keepers and Betal bearers became the Ministers under her rule due to her democratic way of appointment.  Efficient and able person could occupy the highest order of the State. She treated Muslims as brothers and built Mosque at Sarugani whereas Hyder Ali built Rajarajeswari temple at Dindigal for Velu Nachiaar.  Hence, Velu Nachiaar was the Pioneer Tamil Queen Freedom Fighter in the History of Tamil Nadu and in India as well as a democratic ruler.

           NOTES and References

1.Rasaiah .N., Rasaiah Aaivukkalanchiyam,(Tamil) Edited by R. Narendrakumar, Kaavya Publishers, 2008,p197; Punnagai Ulagam – Educational monthly 2009, Vol.3,p.50.

2. Rasaiah.N., op. cit., p.197; Natarajan.M., Viduthalai Poril Velu Nachiaar,Tamilarasi   Publishers,Chennai ,2005, p.17.

3. Sakkanthi is  one of the Palayam located near Ramnad, where Muthththal was born. It is well known for  bravery and valour. Natarajan. M.(Dr.), op. cit., p.1.

4.Muthu Thevar.P., Moovendarkula Thevamar Samooga Varalaru (Tamil), Kakkaveeran Publishers ,Karumathur, 1976, p. 47-54.

5.Royal Guru or Teacher of Velu Nachiaar, whom she learned all martial art. His native place is Siruvayal. Natarajan.M., Op. cit. pp.4-6.

  6.Rasaiah.N., Maaveeran Pulithevan, Kaavya Publishers, Chennai, 2007, p.36.

7. Kamal , Dr. S.M., Sethupathy Charitiram, Editor. Kaavya Shanmuga sundaram, 1^st edition, Chennai,2008,p.237;Natarajan. M., op. cit., p.17.

8.Kathirvelu. Dr. S., History of Maravas, Madurai Publishing House, Madurai, 1977, p.163; Kamal,Dr. S.M., Op. cit., p.237.

9.Rasiah.N., Rasaiah Aaivukkalanchiyam, Dec. 2008 p.197; Manisekaran.Dr. K., Muthal Urimai Puratchi, 1982, p.5.

10.See Sasi Bhoshan Chaudri.S.B., Disturbances in India, 1765-1857; Manisekaran Dr. K ., op.cit., p.5.

11.Raja Rama Rao, Ramnad Manual, Tamilnadu Govt. press, p.252.                   

12.Military Country Correspondence, Vol.21 (1772), pp.282-83; Caldwell, History of Tinnevelly, 1881,p.211; Kamal Dr. S.M. , op. cit., 1^st edition, 1987, p.162 & See Vertizes of Old Madras (1640-1800); Henry Davids On Love, Vol.III,p.71.

13. Josias  Du Pre and Council 13^th July, 1772; Military Consultations,26^th June 1772, Vol. 42, p.607; Narigudi Chatram Records Unpublished; TamilNadu District Gazetteers, Ramanathpuram, p.100; Sanjeevi.N., Marudiruvar (Tamil) 1968, pp.41-45; Kathirvel ,Dr.S., op.cit., p.166.

.                14. Josias Du Pre and Council, 13^th July, 1772; Military Consultations 13^th July,1772,Vol.     42,p.607.

15. Rajayyan.Dr.K., Rise and Fall of the Poligars of Tamilnadu, Avvai Achukkoodam,     Madras, 1974,pp.65-66.

16. Military Country Correspondence, Vol. 21 (1772), p. 282.

17. Kama;.Dr.S.M., Op.cit., p.26.

18 Military Country Correspondence, Vol. 21 (1772), p. 282-83; Munshi Venkatram, 12^th December,1772, Letter to the Nawab of Arcot; Natarajan.M., Op.cit., pp.46-47.

19.Natarajan.M., Op. cit., p.49.

20. Ibid., p.63.         21.Ibid.,p.64.        22. Ibid.

23.Ibid. Udaivayal, Kollungudi, Ariyakurichi villages assigned  for performing daily pooja.

24.Ibid.     25.Ibid., p. 94.    26. Ibid. p.68.     27. Ibid., p.69.

   28.Ramanathapuram District Gazetteers, p. 100.

29. Ibid.,p.69-72; Kamal. Dr.S.M., Viduthalai Poril Sethu Manaar,(Tamil) pp. 28,162-63; Correspondence on the Permanent Settlement of the Southern Pollams and Ramnad and Sivaganga Zamindaries, 1799-1803, p.28.

30.Revenue Accounts of Ramnad Samasthanam for the year 1785-86 show that the tax rates for the agriculturists were raised to meet the increased demand of the Nawab.

30. John Holland in Council, 26^th May 1789, ; Military Country Correspondence Vol.129,p.1459;Natarajan.M., Op.cit., p.92.John Holland in Council, 17^th march 1789;& 5^th May 1789; Military Country Correspondence. Vol.12, p.783; Military Country Correspondence. Vol.129,p.1336&1345.

31.*See for Traditional  Caste practices of  Maravas of Sivaganga & Ramanathapuram;  ; Military Country Correspondence Vol.129,C,9.5.1789,1461;  ; Military Country Correspondence Vol.155,24.1.1792,p.414; ; Military Country Correspondence Vol.128,17.3.1789,p.283,p.1459;  John Holland in Council, 26^th May,1789; Kamal.S.M.,Op.cit. p.238.

32.Copper-plate grants to Narigudi Chatram and the Chatram records speak of the division of the counry into administrative units, grant of facilities to agricultirsts etc. during the ministership of the Marudhu Brothers mention is made about the various gifts and grants to chatram for affording facilities to Pilgrims to Ramesvaram. See. Sk’s Report to RCSHR , 30^th June, 1965.