VeeraMangai VeluNachiyar: Bravest Queen of India

VeluNachiyaar : Bravest Queen of India

Velu Nachiyar was a queen of Sivaganga principality in India in the late 18th century. She is known for leading a successful

rebellion against the British East India Company in 1780 and for being one of the first female rulers to fight against British colonialism in India.

She was trained in warfare and administration by her father

and was a skilled warrior herself. She was also known for her intelligence and political awareness.

History of VeluNachiyar

Velu Nachiyar was born in 1730 to Raja Muthu Vaduganatha Thevar, the ruler of Sivaganga principality in present-day Tamil Nadu, India. She was trained in warfare and administration by her father, and was a skilled warrior herself.

In 1765, the British East India Company captured Sivaganga and exiled Raja Muthu Vaduganatha Thevar. Velu Nachiyar, who was then the queen of Sivaganga, escaped capture and began planning a rebellion against the British.

In 1780, Velu Nachiyar led a successful rebellion against the British East India Company and regained control of Sivaganga. She was aided by her trusted general, Kuyili, and the Maruthu brothers, who were leaders of a local militia.

Velu Nachiyar was known for her intelligence and political acumen, and she was able to rally support from the local population, who were discontent with British rule. She also formed alliances with other Indian rulers who were also fighting against the British.

After her successful rebellion, Velu Nachiyar ruled Sivaganga for several years, during which time she implemented a number of progressive policies and reforms, such as increasing the rights of women and lower castes.

Hyder Ali's Surprise Support

Nachiyar was trained in many methods of combat, including war match weapons usage, martial arts like Valari, Silambam, horse riding, and archery.

She was a scholar in many languages and was proficient in languages like French, English, and Urdu.

She conversed with Hyder Ali in Urdu and highly impressed him with her courage and perseverance.

This led to her garnering unwavering support not just from Gopala Nayaker, but also from Hyder Ali, who pledged to be her ally in her fight against

the British East India Company in 1780. When Velu Nachiyar found the place where the Company stored some of their ammunition,

she arranged a suicide attack on the location, blowing it up.

Kuyili On Fire

Kuyili was Velu Nachiyar's trusted general and one of the key figures in her rebellion against the British East India Company.

Kuyili was a brave warrior and a skilled strategist, and she played a crucial role in Velu Nachiyar's rebellion. She was able to organize and lead troops effectively and was able to rally support from the local population.

Kuyili was also known for her loyalty to Velu Nachiyar. She was captured by the British during the rebellion, but instead of revealing Velu Nachiyar's whereabouts, she chose to set herself on fire in order to protect her queen's safety.

Kuyili's sacrifice was considered heroic and is still remembered and celebrated in Tamil Nadu today as an act of bravery and loyalty.

The story of Velu Nachiyar and Kuyili is still remembered and celebrated in Tamil Nadu today as a symbol of resistance against British colonialism in India,

and for their powerful female leadership.

Indian History failed to glorify Velu Nachiyar, even though her time was well ahead of Jhansi Rani's Era.

Velu Nachiyar died in 1796, but her legacy lives on as a symbol of resistance against British colonialism in India.

She was one of the first female rulers to fight against British colonialism in India and her story is still remembered and celebrated in Tamil Nadu today.