Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | History
Why in News?
Prime Minister pays tribute to Rani Velu Nachiyar on her birth anniversary.
Rani Velu Nachiyar was the 1st queen to fight against the British colonial power in India.
Birth – She was born on 3rd January 1730, as the only child of Raja Chellamuthu Vijayaragunatha Sethupathy and Rani Sakandhimuthal of the Ramnad kingdom.
Training – She was trained in war match weapons usage, martial arts like Valari, Silambam (fighting using a stick), horse riding and archery.
Skills – She was a scholar in many languages, and she had proficiency with languages like French, English and Urdu.
Marriage & Conflict –She married Muthuvaduganathaperiya Udaiyathevar, king of Sivagangai, who was killed by British soldiers and the Nawab of Arcot’s son.
Exile – She escaped with her daughter, Vellachi, and lived under the protection of Palayakaarar Kopaala Naayakkar in Dindigul for 8 years.
Alliance – At Dindigul, she met Haider Ali of Mysore, won his support, and he admired her intellect and Urdu skills.
Return to Power –In 1780, with allied forces, she attacked Sivaganga Fort, reclaimed her kingdom.
She gave administrative powers to the Marudhu Brothers.
Title – She is known by Tamils as Veeramangai (brave woman).
Succession – Vellachi, Velu Nachiyar’s daughter, succeeded her to the throne and ruled from 1790 to 1793.
She died on 25th December 1796 in Sivagangai.
Legacy
Udaiyaal Unit – She established one of the first all-women army units, named after her adoptive daughter Udaiyaal.
She constructed a mosque and church to honour Haider Ali’s support and maintained ties with Tipu Sultan.
She was honoured with a postage stamp (2008), a memorial statue in Sivagangai (2014), and an annual celebration of her birth anniversary on January 3.
Quick Fact
Kuyuili
She was Velu Nachiyar’s trusted military commander.
Historic Act – On Vijayadashami, Kuyuili drenched herself in ghee, entered the British armoury, and set herself ablaze—destroying all weapons stored inside.
Legacy – She is remembered as India’s first suicide bomber in the context of resistance against colonial rule.
