The first name that comes to mind when talking about heroism, freedom struggle, war, etc. is Veerapandiya Kattabomman. He has lived such a meaningful, classic life. Lovingly known as Kattabomman, was an eighteenth-century king. He was one of the Palayar who ruled the Tirunelveli district at that time. He built a fort at Thoothukudi and ruled. His castle is still in that place.
Following Puli Thevar Veerapandiya Kattbomman was a great fighter who raised his voice against the British. When all the kings in India were afraid to speak out against the British, it was Veerapandiya Kattabomman who raised his voice against the British and proved that the Tamils were heroes. The selfless fighter who lost his life said that it is okay to lose a life, not to lose dignity. Lastly, he was hanged and killed by the British.
This is the story that is often told among the people about the puppet. This story has been written in many books and notes. But apart from this, there is another story and vision about the Veerapandiya Kattabomman. It is said that he ruled very cruelly, stole from the people, and was not a freedom fighter.
Birth and Early Life
Veerapandiya Kattabomman was born on January 3, 1760, the son of Jegaveera Kattabomman and Arumugathammal. Information about his hometown is not in history. Jegaveera Kattabomman has two other sons, Talawai Kumaraswamy, and Durai Singam who are brothers of Kattabomman. Veerapandiya Kattabomman was affectionately known as the Black Prince and the brothers as the White Prince by his parents. Durai Singam was a good speaker and was known as an "Oomai Durai".
Polygar
Veerapandiya Kattabomman was a Polygar(Palayan). The Polygars built forts in the Tirunelveli district in the 1700s. During the rule of Madurai Nayak, there were a total of 72 Palyam in Tamil Nadu. One of the Palayam is Panchalakurichi which is close to the Ettayapuram Palayam. It was in this Palayam that the Kattabomman dynasty began to rule. The first king was Jegaveerapandiya Kattabomman father of the Veerapandiya Kattabomman.
Become a King
Jegaveerapandian was the king of today's Ottapidaram in the Thoothukudi district. During that time it was known as the Alagiya Veerapandiyapuram. His son Veerapandiya Kattabomman went to the forest and hunted many animals and established his fighting ability. Veerapandiya Kattabomman, a warrior and a brave man, ascends the throne without any problems after Jegaveerapandiyan. In 1790, Veerapandiya Kattabomman became the 47th king of Panchalankurichi.
Panchalakurichi Fort
Legend has it that Kattabomman once went hunting in the Salikulam forest near Alagiyapandiyapuram and saw a rabbit chasing seven hounds. Kattabomman was astonished to see this, and bought the land, believing that it could give him many powers and courage, and built his fort there and ruled. He also named the fort Panchalankurichi.
Fall of Nayak
The Nayaks also ruled Tamil Nadu during the same period of the Kattabomman dynasty in the 1600s and 1700s. The rule of the Nayaks who ruled Tamil Nadu for two centuries came to an abrupt end in 1736. Chanda Sahib of Arcot conquered Madurai from the last Nayak Queen of Madurai. After this, the whole of Tamil Nadu came under the rule of the Nawab of Arcot. But only the Palayars (Polygor) did not submit to the rule of the Nawab of Arcot and did their rule without recognizing them. It was none other than the Kattabomman dynasty who were not subject to the rule of the Nawab. They were built forts at Panchalankurichi in Ettayapuram and began to rule in opposition to the Nawab.
British East India Company
In the mid-1700s the British East India Company came to do business in India. The Nawab of Arcot borrowed large sums from them. The biggest confusion in the English Parliament erupted when the Nawab was unable to repay the loan properly. The Nawab then gave them the right to collect taxes from southern Tamil Nadu instead of repaying the loan. The British East India Company levied the most severe taxes in Tamil Nadu and collected property from the people.
Refused to pay taxes
Everyone paid tax for the fear of the British East India Company. Many settlers surrendered to them. They killed those who opposed them. Veerapandiya Kattabomman was the only settler who fought against them. Veerapandiya Kattabomman flatly denied that he would not pay taxes to them. Thus the English East India Company ordered the companies Collector to meet Veerapandiya Kattabomman in person and collect the tax.
Jackson vs Kattabomman
Veerapandiya Kattabomman continuously refused to meet Collector Jackson Durai. But due to constant pressure, Kattabomman finally met Jackson Durai at Ramanathapuram Sethupathi's palace, Ramalinga Vilas. There was an argument between them. On that argument, Veerapandiay Kattabomman asked one famous question to Jackson Durai. That famous verse of his is still spoken among the people today. "வானம் பொழிகிறது பூமி விளைகிறது உனக்கு ஏன் கொடுத்து கிஸ்தி?". This is the verse he said. This means the sky is raining and the earth is yielding which is why we have to tax you.
The argument then erupted into violence. Clark, the commander of the East India Company, was killed in the fighting on both sides. And Kattabomman and his supporters began to fight for freedom and security after this incident. But after a while, Kattabomman's secretary Dhanapathipillai was imprisoned
War
Following the incident, the East India Company removed Jackson Durai from the position and appointed a new collector. On March 16, 1799, the Tirunelveli Collector wrote a letter of invitation to Kattabomman. Kattabomman wrote a reply letter saying that there was a severe drought here and that you should give back everything you looted in Ramanathapuram.
Thus the English East India Company decided to wage war on Veerapandiya Kattabomman as he had committed many acts against them. Troops under the command of Major Bannerman invaded the fort of Panchalankurichi and blocked the four entrances to the fort. Kattabomman's troops at the southern gate of the fort attacked Lieutenant Collins and his army. His commander, Lieutenant Collins, was killed.
Most of the British forces were destroyed in the attack and due to weakness the British went to Palayankottai and waited for the rescue troops. Troops with heavy artillery were ready to attack the Panchalankurichi fort along with the troops at Palayankottai. Knowing that his fort walls could not withstand the onslaught of heavy artillery, Veerapandiya Kattabomman fled the Panchalankurichi fort that night.
But Kattabomman Secretary Ganapathipillai and 16 others were taken prisoner along with him. Ganapati Pillai was arrested and hanged. His head was lowered and hung in front of the people. Seeing this, the hopes of the people of the village were completely shattered.
Capture of Kattabomman
Veerapandiya Kattabomman who escaped from the fort was hiding in many places including Thirumayam, Virachchilai. Kattabomman, who had been hiding in many places, was finally staying at the house of Raja Gopala Nayak of Kolarpatti when he was surrounded by troops. Kattabomman and his aides fled from them and entered the jungles of Tirukalampur.
Major Bannerman, with the help of the King of Pudukkottai, captured Kattabomman on October 16, 1799. After a brief interrogation, Veerapandiya Kattabomman was hanged on October 16, 1799, on the same day. After the death of Kattabomman, his fort was looted by the British, and all his resources were plundered by the army.
Criticism
All of the above has been mentioned in many places as the history of Kattabomman. This story is still believed by many people today. But it is said by some people that Kattabomman was a thief and a tyrant and that there is another story of their descent and that it was changed by the Dravidians. It is not clear which of these is true. The above has been believed by many people throughout history. However, this is not to say for sure that this is what happened.
Post a Comment