The Tamils were the most valiant but the British enslaved even them. They ruled India for almost 200 years and then they left because of India’s freedom war. There are many Indian freedom fighters who fought for independence against the British but Puli thevar from Tirunelveli was the first freedom fighter to speak out against the British above all else. And the biography of the Puli thevar will amaze you.
Birth and Rise of Puli Thevar
Puli thevar was born in 1715, the son of Chitraputra Theva and Sivagnana Nachiyar. In 1715, the Nayaks ruled Tamil Nadu. History has it that one of the Nayaks Puli thevar was born near Sankarankoil, a part of Tirunelveli. Puli thevar, who became a hero at an early age, began his education at the age of six. He learned the ethics of righteousness and grammar from Subramaniam Pillai of Ilanchi.
Then from the age of 12, he started learning war education. Puli thevar learned horsemanship, wrestling, elephant riding, swordsmanship, archery, and martial arts. Some Tamil mythological songs and texts tell about his body composition. He is said to have been six feet tall and had a large chest with a radiant face and thin skin.
Became a King at the age of 12
The real name of Puli thevar is Poolithevar. He had a passion for killing and playing with the Tigers, and he had been killing the Tigers since he was a child and wearing their skin as dress, hence the name Puli thevar. Thus he was so talented to this extent at capturing the Tigers at an early age that his parents crowned him at the age of twelve.
The Nayaks at that time divided the Pandya country into 6 zones and 72 camps, of which Poolithevar ruled over a place called Nerkattumseval in Sankarankoil.
His marriage arrangement began after he became king. Puli thevar married Lakshmi Nachiyar alias Kayalkanni, who was his cousin. His reign was going very well. He was doing what the people needed with the tax money coming to his country. Not only this but he has also rendered services to many temples.
Rebellion against British
The British East India Company, which entered India, carried out a number of repressions against the Indian people. Puli Thevar was who first to start the rebellion against the British East India Company. It was a time when the land grabbing of the East India Company was in full swing. Then Pulithevar stood up against the Nawab and refused to pay the taxes they were asking for, especially the rice offering.
Freedom Fighting
In 1751, Puli thevar began its first liberation fight. In 1750 Robert Clive came to Trichy and hoisted the English flag and challenged the settlers there. In a scriptural text that Puli thevar then went to Trichy and he won the war against Rober Clive. That was the beginning of his freedom fight.
Then in 1755 Alexander Heran besieged the fort of Puli thevar's and tried to force them to pay tribute. But he could not, and Puli thevar chased him away and beat him. In the same year, he won the battle against Maposakan at Sevalkottai. Then Puli thevar won the battle against Yusuf Khan at Sevalkottai in 1760 and the battle against Captain Boudson at Vasudevanallur Fort in 1766. Both of them tried and failed to attack the Puli thevar's kingdom.
Meanwhile, the British killed and killed Moodemi, a close friend of Puli thevar. The incident has left Puli thevar mentally broken. And in 1767 he was defeated by Kanzaki. It is said in the scriptures that after this Puli thevar got disappeared. Thus ended his sixteen-year freedom struggle.
Fall in unity
Puli thevar united all the Palaiyars and make the war plan against the British, the Mohammedans, and the Nayaks. His plan was successful and the regime of the Mohammedans and Nayaks collapsed. Then the Nayaks sought the Mohammedans and the Mohammedans sought the British and the British went straight to the field and began to fight against the Puli thevar. When the war came, the unity of the Palaiyars disappeared and Puli thevar alone opposed the English men.
After the first victory against the British, the Puli Thevar again tried to unite all the Palaiyar. Knowing that the British would attack him again, so he tried to unite them all. But the Palaiyars refused to unite and his thought was failing. The reason the Palaiyars refused to unite was their fear of the British.
Since his reign was the period of the demise of the Pandyas and the fall of the Nayaks, the reign of the kings of Tamil Nadu came to an end and thus necessitated the end of his rule. Then Puli thevar got disappeared.
Mystery in his death
His death remains a mystery after his defeat in the war. There are two opinions about Puli thevar's death. In the first view, it is said that the British ordered him to be captured after his disappearance and that the British soldiers went in search of him in accordance with this order and then he entered the Shiva temple and joined Sivanadiar. Another view is Puli thevar got arrested by English soldiers and he has executed.
Whatever his 16 years of freedom struggle came to an end. His rule was fulfilled of justice and fairness. People will always cherish his legacy as a great warrior and a great leader.
Annotations :
- Puli Thevar was born in 1715 in Sangarankovil, Tirunelveli.
- Puli Thevar becomes king at 12.
- Puli Thevar's death has two conspiracy theories.
- Puli Thevar was defeated by Kanzaki in 1767.
- Pulit Thevar wife's name is Lakshmi Nachiyar alias Kayalkanni.
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