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| {{Short description|Character in Indian fiction}} | |||
| {{pp|small=yes}} | |||
| {{in-universe|date=January 2025}} | |||
| {{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}} | {{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}} | ||
| {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}} | ||
| {{Infobox royalty | {{Infobox royalty | ||
| | name = Dheeran Chinnamalai | | Story character name = Dheeran Chinnamalai | ||
| | title = |
| title = | ||
| | image = Dheeran Chinnamalai1.jpg | | image = Dheeran Chinnamalai1.jpg | ||
| | caption = Statue of Dheeran Chinnamalai at Odanilai | | caption = Statue of Dheeran Chinnamalai at Odanilai | ||
| Line 9: | Line 12: | ||
| | predecessor = | | predecessor = | ||
| | successor = ] | | successor = ] | ||
| | father = Rathnasamy |
| father = Rathnasamy/ | ||
| Karuppasami Chakkili (acc. to some sources) | |||
| | mother = Periyatha | | mother = Periyatha | ||
| | birth_date = {{birth date|1756|04|17|df=yes}} | | birth_date = {{birth date|1756|04|17|df=yes}} | ||
| | birth_place = |
| birth_place = Kangeyam (present day ]) | ||
| | death_date = {{death date and age|1805|07|31|1756|04|17|df=yes}} | | death_date = {{death date and age|1805|07|31|1756|04|17|df=yes}} | ||
| | death_place = ], ] (present day ], ]) | | death_place = ], ] (present day ], ]) | ||
| | date of burial = |
| date of burial = 03 August 1805 | ||
| | place of burial = Odanilai, ] (present day ], Tamil Nadu) | | place of burial = Odanilai, ] (present day ], Tamil Nadu) | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| ⚫ | '''Dheeran Chinnamalai''' (17 April 1756 – 3 August 1805) is the protagonist of the "Dheeran Chinnamalai Udukkai Kadhaigal" and Kongu Mandala Sadhagam stories written by Kaarmega Konar, he is depicted as a ] who ruled the Odanilai region of the present day western ]. In the Udukkai Kadhai story he fights against the ], and is later captured and hanged by the British. | ||
| ⚫ | '''Dheeran Chinnamalai''' (17 April 1756 – |
||
| ==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
| Dheeran Chinnamalai |
In the Udukkai story popular in the Kongu region, Dheeran Chinnamalai is first born as Theerthagiri Sarkarai Manradiar on 17 April 1756 near present-day ], ] in a ] clan.But some versions of the Udukkai story cite that he was the illegitimate son of an ] cobbler and a ] woman named Periyatha.<ref name="History">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/10/stories/2007071051470300.htm|title=Dheeran Chinnamalai statue to be installed in Odanilai soon|date=10 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201093126/http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/10/stories/2007071051470300.htm|archive-date=1 December 2007|url-status=dead|work=]|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | ==Reign== | ||
| His grandfather Kottravel Sarkkarai Mandraadiaar was one of the larger land owners, and his father looked after their lands in Melyapalam. While Kulandhaisamy and Kuttisamy, were involved in farming, Theerthagiri along with Thambi and Kilothar took care of administration and safety of the villages under their jurisdiction. Along with his brothers he was well trained in the martial arts, archery, horse riding. They also took part in village panchayats, and learnt how to settle family and land disputes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sadasyula |first1=Ratnakar |title=Dheeran Chinnamalai: A Kongu hero who outwitted the British |url=https://www.indiachapter.in/index.php?/user/article/2/37/23}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | In the Udukkai story Chinnamalai then fights against the ] who was collecting taxes in the ].<ref>{{Cite news|date=18 April 2016|title=Celebrating Dheeran Chinnamalai: Saluting his ideals or inciting casteist passions?|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/celebrating-dheeran-chinnamalai-saluting-his-ideals-or-inciting-casteist-passions-41796|access-date=27 June 2021|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref> He later allies himself with ] to fight against the ]. After initial successes in repelling the British at ], he goes back to Odanilai and builds a fortress.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/dheeran-chinnamalai-remembered/article28809609.ece|title=Dheeran Chinnamalai remembered|newspaper=]|date=3 August 2019|access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref> After the deaths of ] and ], Chinnamalai becomes one of the commanders in the ] in 1801 in the story. He then engages in ] and wins battles at ] in 1801, Odanilai in 1802 and ] in 1804.<ref name="History"/> Later, his army gets defeated in 1805 and he escapes from the British forces.In the story, Dheeran Chinnamalai is also revealed to have had a brief illicit romantic relationship with the wife of Jackson Durai, the erstwhile collector of ] district.<ref name="Life"/> | ||
| ==Death of the character== | |||
| ⚫ | At the climax of the Udukkai story Chinnamalai is revealed to be hanged at ] by the British on 2 August 1805 along with his two brothers. Some versions of the story note the date of his death as July 31.<ref name="Life">{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/Chinnamalai-a-lesser-known-freedom-fighter-of-Kongu-soil/article15270841.ece|title=Chinnamalai, a lesser-known freedom fighter of Kongu soil|work=]|date=2 August 2008|access-date=7 September 2008}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | Chinnamalai |
||
| '''Resistance against Hyder Ali''' | |||
| The Kongu region, then was part of the Mysore kingdom under Hyder Ali, during the later half of the 18th century. The diwan Muhammad Ali who was in charge of tax collection, followed rather unfair practices, sometimes even grabbing lands. Theerthagiri and his brother confronted Muhammad Ali between Sennimalai and Shivanmalai, and recovered the taxes he had forcibly collected. A furious Muhammad Ali, threatened them that Kongu being under Hyder Ali, the consequences would be severe. Theerthagiri shot back, saying Kongu would not accept Hyder’s rule, and it was capable of governing itself. And this was when he got the name of Chinnamalai, when it’s believed he stated to the Diwan- “I am Chinnamalai who reigns between Sennimalia and Shivanmalai”. | |||
| Hyder Ali, as expected struck back, sending an army to Kongu to attack Chinnamalai. However Chinnamalai, routed Hyder’s army on the banks of the Noyyal river. This only enraged Muhammad Ali even more, and vowed to wreak vengenance. Knowing Ali’s intentions, Chinnamalai himself began to build up his army. However Hyder was more preoccupied with the Nizam, British and Marathas, with whom he was in constant conflict, and so that attack never took place. | |||
| '''Resistance against British rule in India''' | |||
| When Tipu Sultan took over in 1782, he adopted an even more aggressive policy towards the British. And in order to fight against the British, he requested the Tamils of Kongu, to help him out. Dheeran and his brothers responded to that, as also their trusted commanders, Velappan and Karuppan. Chinnamalai himself was the commander of the Kongu regiment in the Mysore Army, and took active part in the 3rd and 4th Mysore Wars. However with the death of Tipu in 1799, Chinnamalai returned to Kongu along with Karuppan. Velappan however was captured by the British and he later became their agent. Chinnamalai had the benefit of receiving French training during his stint with Tipu Sultan. | |||
| On his return to Kongu, Chinnamalai built a fortress at Odaanillai and settled there along with his army, waiting for the right time to strike. He also reached out to the rulers of Malabar and Salem, hoping for a larger alliance against the British. Recognizing that Chinnamalai was a grave danger, the British tried to get him to sign a pact, where he was promised favors in return for accepting their sovereignty. He however refused to sign the pact, fully knowing it would result in war. | |||
| '''Victory at Noyall against Colonel Maxwell''' | |||
| Chinnamalai’s defiance annoyed the British, a man with no title, technically not a ruler, yet refusing to accept their sovereignty, this when most of the Rajahs had surrendered to them. In 1801, they sent a troop of soldiers under Colonel Maxwell, however Chinnamalai, having got advance news of the attack, defeated the British on the banks of the Noyyal. Maxwell returned again in 1802, and a long siege of Odaanillai fort, ended in total defeat for the British, and Maxwell himself was beheaded. | |||
| The British though furious, waited for the right opportunity and they got it in 1804, when during a particular day, Chinnamalai and his entire army would be attending the Arasalur Amman temple festivities. They felt this was the best chance and sent an army to capture Odaanilai under General Harris, who had led the campaigns in Mysore. Chinnamalai however got the news, and stayed back at the fort, with his contingent, while some went to the temple. Harris was taken by surprise when he attacked the fort, and Chinnamalai stormed out, throwing hand grenades, forcing Harris to retreat. | |||
| The British were now more determined than ever, and built up a huge army to take down Chinnamalai, with men from Kallikudi and cannons from Madras. With 140 cannons and 30,000 men, Harris attacked Odanilai, and surrounded the fort, demanding Chinnamalai to surrender. However, they found that the fort was abandoned, and also found a note from Velappan, whom they had captured. The fact is Velappan was acting as a double agent for Chinnamalai, while on the British side. Harris executed Velappan, and also razed the fort to the ground using cannons.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sadasyula |first1=Ratnakar |title=Dheeran Chinnamalai: A Kongu hero who outwitted the British |url=https://www.indiachapter.in/index.php?/user/article/2/37/23}}</ref> | |||
| ==Death== | |||
| Chinnamalai and his brothers now lived in exile, at a place called Karumalai near Palani, often using disguises to venture into the towns. One of the persons they would often meet was Nallappan, a cook, who gave them refuge and food too. It was this very Nallappan who would betray them to the British, informing them of their whereabouts. And one night when Chinnamalai and his brothers were having dinner, Nallapan signalled the British, who stormed the house from all sides. | |||
| An enraged Chinnamalai strangled Nallapan, to death before the British captured him, his brothers and their commander Karuppan. He was taken to the Sankagiri fort, and a 4 person tribunal demanded that he pay taxes, accepting British sovereignty. With Chinnamalai refusing to do so, he was sentenced to death. https://www.indiachapter.in/index.php?/user/article/2/37/23 | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| {{multiple image | {{multiple image | ||
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| ==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
| Despite the fact that Dheeran Chinnamalai was merely an imaginary character and the protagonist of Kongu Mandala Udukkai Kadhaigal - he is considered as a god by the ] caste and is worshipped by them. No evidence of Dheeran Chinnamalai exists in contemporary British records, yet he was glorified by the ] and made into a hero on the likes of ] and ] for the sake of political mileage. | |||
| Statues and memorials commemorating Chinnamalai exist in ], ], ] and ].<ref name="History"/><ref name="Times">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Memorial-of-Dheeran-Chinnamalai-set-for-a-facelift/articleshow/19607361.cms|title=Memorial of Dheeran Chinnamalai set for face lift|date=18 April 2013|work=The Times of India}}</ref> | Statues and memorials commemorating Chinnamalai exist in ], ], ] and ].<ref name="History"/><ref name="Times">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Memorial-of-Dheeran-Chinnamalai-set-for-a-facelift/articleshow/19607361.cms|title=Memorial of Dheeran Chinnamalai set for face lift|date=18 April 2013|work=The Times of India}}</ref> | ||
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| Until 1997, ] division of ] was known as Dheeran Chinnamalai Transport Corporation.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8As_ndJ17jcC&pg=PA143|title=State Transport undertakings|author=P. Jegadish Gandhi|publisher=Deep and Deep|year=1998|isbn=978-8-1762-9084-5|page=143}}</ref> | Until 1997, ] division of ] was known as Dheeran Chinnamalai Transport Corporation.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8As_ndJ17jcC&pg=PA143|title=State Transport undertakings|author=P. Jegadish Gandhi|publisher=Deep and Deep|year=1998|isbn=978-8-1762-9084-5|page=143}}</ref> | ||
| The headquarters of ] collectorate and the ] are named after him.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/In-memory-of-a-valiant-Kongu-Chieftain/articleshow/12540624.cms|title=In memory of a valiant Kongu Chieftain|date=5 April 2012| |
The headquarters of ] collectorate and the ] are named after him.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/In-memory-of-a-valiant-Kongu-Chieftain/articleshow/12540624.cms|title=In memory of a valiant Kongu Chieftain|date=5 April 2012|work=]|access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref> | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 19:22, 7 January 2025
Character in Indian fiction
 | This article describes a work or element of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. Please help rewrite it to explain the fiction more clearly and provide non-fictional perspective. (January 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Dheeran Chinnamalai | |
|---|---|
 Statue of Dheeran Chinnamalai at Odanilai | |
| Successor | British Rule |
| Born | Theerthagiri Sarkarai Uthama Kaminda Manradiar (1756-04-17)17 April 1756 Kangeyam (present day Tamil Nadu) |
| Died | 31 July 1805(1805-07-31) (aged 49) Sankagiri, Madras Presidency (present day Salem district, Tamil Nadu) |
| Burial | 03 August 1805 Odanilai, Madras Presidency (present day Erode district, Tamil Nadu) |
| Father | Rathnasamy/ Karuppasami Chakkili (acc. to some sources) |
| Mother | Periyatha |
Dheeran Chinnamalai (17 April 1756 – 3 August 1805) is the protagonist of the "Dheeran Chinnamalai Udukkai Kadhaigal" and Kongu Mandala Sadhagam stories written by Kaarmega Konar, he is depicted as a Poligar who ruled the Odanilai region of the present day western Tamil Nadu. In the Udukkai Kadhai story he fights against the British East India Company, and is later captured and hanged by the British.
Early life
In the Udukkai story popular in the Kongu region, Dheeran Chinnamalai is first born as Theerthagiri Sarkarai Manradiar on 17 April 1756 near present-day Kangeyam, Tiruppur district in a Kongu Vellalar clan.But some versions of the Udukkai story cite that he was the illegitimate son of an Arunthathiyar cobbler and a Kongu Vellalar woman named Periyatha.
Reign
In the Udukkai story Chinnamalai then fights against the Kingdom of Mysore who was collecting taxes in the Kongu region. He later allies himself with Tipu Sultan to fight against the British East India Company. After initial successes in repelling the British at Srirangapatna, he goes back to Odanilai and builds a fortress. After the deaths of Kattabomman and Tipu Sultan, Chinnamalai becomes one of the commanders in the Second Polygar War in 1801 in the story. He then engages in guerrilla warfare and wins battles at Cauvery in 1801, Odanilai in 1802 and Arachalur in 1804. Later, his army gets defeated in 1805 and he escapes from the British forces.In the story, Dheeran Chinnamalai is also revealed to have had a brief illicit romantic relationship with the wife of Jackson Durai, the erstwhile collector of Tinnevelly district.
Death of the character
At the climax of the Udukkai story Chinnamalai is revealed to be hanged at Sankagiri Fort by the British on 2 August 1805 along with his two brothers. Some versions of the story note the date of his death as July 31.
Dheeran Chinnamalai memorial at Sankagiri
Postage stamp released by India Post
Legacy
Despite the fact that Dheeran Chinnamalai was merely an imaginary character and the protagonist of Kongu Mandala Udukkai Kadhaigal - he is considered as a god by the Kongu Vellalar caste and is worshipped by them. No evidence of Dheeran Chinnamalai exists in contemporary British records, yet he was glorified by the Kongu Vellalars and made into a hero on the likes of Batman and Spider-Man for the sake of political mileage.
Statues and memorials commemorating Chinnamalai exist in Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Erode and Odanilai.
On 31 July 2005, a commemorative postage stamp was released by India Post.
Until 1997, Tiruchirapalli division of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation was known as Dheeran Chinnamalai Transport Corporation.
The headquarters of Erode district collectorate and the Erode Municipal Corporation are named after him.
References
- ^ "Dheeran Chinnamalai statue to be installed in Odanilai soon". The Hindu. 10 July 2007. Archived from the original on 1 December 2007.
- "Celebrating Dheeran Chinnamalai: Saluting his ideals or inciting casteist passions?". The News Minute. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- "Dheeran Chinnamalai remembered". The Hindu. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ "Chinnamalai, a lesser-known freedom fighter of Kongu soil". The Hindu. 2 August 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2008.
- "Memorial of Dheeran Chinnamalai set for face lift". The Times of India. 18 April 2013.
- "Postage Stamps". India Post. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
- P. Jegadish Gandhi (1998). State Transport undertakings. Deep and Deep. p. 143. ISBN 978-8-1762-9084-5.
- "In memory of a valiant Kongu Chieftain". The Times of India. 5 April 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2023.