Rani Velu Nachiyar, born on 3 January
1730, was an 18th-century warrior, remembered for her “resistance against
colonialism and her works for the welfare of society”. She belonged to the Sivagangai estate in present-day Tamil Nadu -
was the only daughter of the royal couple of the Sethupathi dynasty. Trained in
martial arts, archery, and horseback riding, she also knew several languages,
including French.
5 points about the life of celebrated warrior Rani Velu
Nachiyar:
1. The government archive says she was raised as the royal
heir; 'the turning point in Velu’s life was when the British - led by the son
of the Nawab of Arcot - killed her husband Muthu Vaduganatha Thevar in the
Kalaiyar Koil War'. Following this event, Velu and her daughter were forced to
flee from their land.
2. After fleeing, she reached Dindigul - where she spent
eight years under its ruler Gopal Naicker. There she also met Haider Ali, the
Sultan of Mysore, and earned his favour 'as she had impressed him with her
fluent Urdu and intellect', the government archives said.
3. With the support of Naicker and Sultan's forces, Velu
set out to regain control over her kingdom in 1780. This historic event is also
believed to have given India 'the first-ever instance of suicide bombing'
devised by Velu and her military commander, Kuyuili.
4. They located the armoury chambers in the fort captured by
the British. On Vijayadashmi, a team of women under Kuyuili reached the fort
where 'they poured ghee on Kuyuili on her command, who then set herself on fire
and walked into the chamber', in a bid to destroy the British weapons.
5. Kuyuili’s sacrifice helped pave the way for Velu to launch an attack and win her kingdom back. She fought the British, the Nawab of Arcot, and earned the title 'Veeramangai', or 'the brave one'.
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