Dheeran Chinnamalai - Misplaced Pages

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Maaveran Dheeran Chinnamalai (Template:Lang-ta born as Theerthagiri Gounder on April 17, 1756) was a Kongu chieftain and Palayakkarar from Tamil Nadu who rose up in revolt against the British East India Company in the Kongu Nadu, Southern India. He was born in Melapalayam, near Erode in the South Indian state of Tamilnadu.

He was one of the main leaders in the Polygar Wars and commanded a vast army made up of Kongu youths, notably during the Second Polygar War that took place in 1801-1802. A thousand-strong Kongu army under him took French Military training in modern warfare alongside Tipu's Mysore forces to fight against the British East India company. They helped Tipu Sultan in his war against the British and were instrumental in victories at Chitheswaram, Mazahavalli and Srirangapatna. After Tipu's death, Chinnamalai settled down at Odanilai in Kongu Nadu and constructed a fort there and defeated the British in battles at Cauvery in 1801, Odanilai in 1802 and Arachalur in 1804. Later, Chinnamalai left his fort to avoid cannon attack and engaged in guerrilla warfare while he was stationed at Karumalai in the Palani region. He was betrayed by his cook and was captured by the British who hanged him at Sankagiri Fort on Adiperukku day.

Early life

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Maveeran Dheeran Chinnamalai comes from the Royal House of Palayakottai Pattakarar family of Kangeyam. Dheeran was born into the "Payiran kootam". The Palayakottai Pattakarar family had the title of Mandradiar and controlled large tracts of land from their royal palace at Palayakottai. Dheeran Chinnmalai's grandfather "Kotravel Sarkarai Mandradiar" was issueless. He adopted two sons; the first son, Senapathy, was groomed by his first wife and the second, named Rathnaswamy, was groomed by the second wife. Both the adopted sons were educated at the palace as it was the custom those days for the people of Royal families. In course of time, the brothers got married. As per the tradition, the first son Senapathi took the titles of "Mandradiar" in the year 1731 and continued to control the lands from Palayakottai. The second son Rathnaswamy moved to nearby village named Melapalayam and took care of the farming of the lands that belonged to the Palayakottai Pattakkarar family.

Rathanaswamy and his wife Periyathal had six children in all – five sons and one daughter. The first son was Kulandaiswamy, the second was Theerthagiri, the third was Thambi, fourth was Kirlother and the fifth was Kuttiswamy. Their only daughter was named Parvatham. Theerthagiri Gounder who later became Maveeran Dheeran Chinnamalai was born in the English month of April, 1756.

The eldest son Kulandaiswamy and the last son Kuttiswamy mainly attended to farming and took care of the vast tracts of lands of the family. However, the three brothers Theerthagiri, Kilothar and Thambi soon devoted their attention to the administration and safety of the villages they ruled. They always rode on their horses throughout their jurisdiction and dispensed impartial and fair justice to all as Politics and Justice was the duty of Kshatriyas. They learnt the native martial arts of Silambam, archery and others from a very young age. They formed Kongu youth organizations for the betterment and welfare of Kongu region and its people. They also trained the Kongu youth in their native martial arts. They protected their areas from robbers, thieves and other evil doers. They conducted Village Panchayats which were the popular and speedy form of judicial systems in those days to resolve disputes arising out of land and civic nature between individuals and families.

In course of time, they got their sister Parvatham married to Ulagapuram Muthi Thirumalai Gounder. As they were rich, they conducted the marriage lavishly and made their sister happy by giving generous marriage presents in the form of jewellery, ornaments and vessels.

Dispute with Hyder Ali

When Mysore came under a Muslim king Hyder Ali, he soon started casting his spell on Kongunadu too. Hyder Ali started taxing and troubling the Kongu people. A Diwan of Hyder Ali, named Mohammed Ali, and a tax collector were troubling the farmers in the collection of the taxes in the Kongu area. They humiliated the farmers by confiscating their land – their only means of livelihood – away from them. Hearing the atrocity committed by the Mysore King's Diwan, Theerthagiri and his two brothers mounted on their horses to stop them and save the farmers from humiliation and get them back their lost rights. As they were searching for the Diwan, the Diwan and his party were returning to their tents with taxes. Theerthagiri met them on a road between Sivan Malai and Chenni Malai. They recovered all the taxes from the Diwan and asked him to go and report to the Mysore King that a "Chinnamalai" between Sivan Malai and Chenni Malai took what rightfully belonged to Kongu. Diwan became envious and said that Theerthagiri would face severe consequences for this action. When Diwan replied him that Kongunadu is under Hyder Ali, Theerthagiri told the Diwan that Kongus know how to rule themselves and that they do not need a Mysore King and asked the Diwan to tell Hyder Ali to better look after Mysore. He distributed the land and taxes back to the farmers. The story of this encounter with Mysore King's Diwan spread like wild fire and soon people named him as "Chinnamalai" for his show of bravery.

Mysore Diwan wanted to take revenge against Chinnamalai for standing up to the Mysore King for Kongu's rights. The Diwan sent a contingent of soldiers from Sankagiri. Theerthagiri and his soldiers met them on their way to Kangeyam at the Noyyal River and defeated them. This was the first battlefield experience for Chinnamalai and his young troop. Knowing that he has to meet Mysore King in the battle sooner or later, Chinnamalai collected an army of soldiers from all the Kongu villages. He gave the young Kongu soldiers training in warfare. Soon Chinnamalai and his young army's daring exploits earned the love and respect of the people in the Kongu region.

Tippu Sultan joining forces with Dheeran Chinnamalai

The palatial residence of Palayakottai Mandradiar in Kangeyam is popularly known as "அரண்மனை" (Aranmanai - Royal Palace) became a guest house for the all Kongu freedom and national activities. The Kongus are known for their friendliness and hospitality, the eldest brother Kulandaiswamy and his wife Kempayammal lived up to their reputation and took good care of the all the guests who visited them by providing food and shelter.

Hyder Ali died on 12 July 1782 and his son Tippu Sultan became the Mysore King. After Tippu became Mysore King, hostilities broke out between British and Tippu Sultan, as Tippu claimed sovereignty to his kingdom and refused to pay taxes to the British. Tippu Sultan wanted to raise a big army of soldiers to fight the British and invited the Kongus to join him to fight against the British who were left unchecked and unchallenged by the petty Kings who ruled India at that time and the allies of the British East India Company. Chinnamalai, and his brothers Kilother, Thambi decided to join with Tippu Sultan keeping in mind the larger national interest. They also took with them their loyal friend Karuppan and Velappan. Chinnamalai was made chief of Kongu Regiment. About thousand young Kongus joined the Kongu Regiment. They were given military training by French in modern warfare who were ready to help anyone in their global hegemony with the British. The war between Mysore King and the British are known as Mysore Wars. The fourth and crucial battle between Tippu took place in the year 1799. Chinnamalai's soldiers battled against the British at Malavalli front and caused severe damage to the British and their large number of allied forces. The Srirangapatnam war front was led by Tippu himself. In the battle that took place, Tippu was killed on 5 April 1799.

Battles against the British

After death of Tippu Sultan, Chinnamalai led all his soldiers through Kaveri River into Kongunadu. However, their loyal friend Velappan was captured by the British and remained in their custody. Velappan promised the British that he would act as their agent. Believing his words, they gave him a position in their army. However, Velappan remained loyal to Chinnamalai and sent notes concerning British activities and helped Chinnamalai in many ways.

After his return from the Mysore War to Kongu, Chinnamalai built a palace in a village called Odanilai. He advocated to all Kongus and the neighboring Palayakarars that they should all unite together and fight the British. At that time, Salem and Malabar areas were under the control of British. But, British could not control the Kongunadu due to opposition by Chinnamalai and his alliance. If the British wanted to travel to Malabar from Salem, they had to take a circuitous route through Mysore. Kongu soldiers were guarding Kongunadu and were preventing the entry of British through Kaveri River. The British wanted to take over the control of Kongunadu without a fight. They sent a messenger to inform Chinnamalai to accept the British Control of Kongunadu and pay the taxes. Chinnamalai refused the offer and challenged the British for the sovereignty of Kongunadu.

Although Velappan was serving the British, he informed Chinnamalai and warned him in advance of the British activities through some secret messengers. Chinnamalai knew that British would enter Kongunadu in course of time. He made preparations to the eventual fight with the British. During this time he built an ordinance factory at Odanilai to make war preparations to face the British.

During this time, Theeran Chinnamalai was generous to poets and learned men under his rule. He made Arunachala Kavi the poet of his kingdom. He also rewarded poet Punthurai Ambikapathi with large sums of gold coins and honored him in his kingdom. He punished the infiltrators sent out by the British into his Kingdom and made his kingdom safer for its subjects. In all, people lived a peaceful and happy life under his rule.

The British were very much annoyed that Theeran Chinnamalai was still being an independent King and soverign monarch in Southern India when most of the petty Indian kings who ruled at that time have sided with the British but him able to run his kingdom independently without yielding and subjugating to the British East India company's demands. The British decided to eliminate him and take the land by force. Initially, they sent out a troop of soldiers under the leadership of Colonel Makiskan to arrest Chinnamalai. Velappan who was in serving the British informed Chinnamalai of the British plan through his informers. As Chinnamalai was forewarned, he met Makiskan and his soldiers on the banks of Noyyal River and defeated them in the battle thoroughly. Makiskan was beheaded in the battle and it is said that this head was paraded in the villages of Kongu.

Hearing what had happened to Makiskan, the British sent a cavalry unit under Captain Harris to capture Chinnamalai. When Harris was approaching Arachalur, he heard the Puja sounds from the Arachalur Amman Temple. Thinking that Chinnmalai might be in the temple, Captain Harris entered the temple in search of Chnnamalai. As he could nor find him, he was greatly disappointed and proceeded to Odanilai where Chinnamalai's palace is located.

A sentry at the top of the palace noticed the movement of the troop led by Harris and immediately informed Chinnamalai what he saw. Chinnamalai planned to attack them alone with a hand grenade first. He advised his soldiers to attack them after he had a chance to throw the grenade at them. Chinnamalai mounted a horse and sped towards Harris and his troop. As Harris was still wondering why a single person was approaching him, Chinnamalai swiftly threw his grenade at his horse's side. The horse became bewildered and started running away from the bomb and the smoke. Harris lost control of his horse and pandemonium ensued. Meanwhile Chnnamalai's troop joined him. Harris and his troop had to withdraw . Chinnamalai and his troop drove all the way to Kaveri River in the north. This battle took place in the year 1802.

Hearing what has happened to Harris, the British decided to send in a troop carrying Cannons. As soon as Velappan knew of the British plan, he sent a word through the informers about the impending British attack on Odanilai. Chinnamalai used to wear a new pair of shoes every day. The informer wrote the news in a chit and left it in his shoes. When Chinnamalai was about the wear the shoes, he found the note from Velappan. After reading the note, he left in there by mistake which cost him dear later.

Chinnamalai consulted with his brothers for a plan of action. They decided to leave Karuppan in Melapalayam in a hiding. Chinnamalai and two of his brothers and the cook Nallappan decided to hide in the Karumalai area that is adjacent to well known Palani Malai. Karumalai area was full of thick forests and provided cover for the brothers to cover from the British attack.

The British came to Odanilai with their cannons and found that all had vacated the palace. When they were searching the palace area they found the note sent out by Velappan. The moment British came to know that Velappan was still being loyal only to his master Chinnamalai they shot him dead. They demolished the entire palace with cannon shots. They decided to search and eliminate Chinnamalai and his brothers.

Meanwhile, Chinnamalai and his brothers stayed during the day time in the Karumalai area and returned in the night to a house at the foot of the hills for dinner and little nap. They ate the food prepared by the cook Nallappan. They always carried guns for in the event of ever present danger.

Cook Nallapan was an informer and traitor. He was tempted to accept company's bribe and inform Chinnamalai and his brothers whereabouts. He secretly informed a British agent about Chinnamalai and his brothers and their daily routine of eating food in the house at the foot of the hills. The British dug an underground trench leading to the house and waited for Chinnamalai and his brothers.

As usual when the brothers were entering the house he served them food. That day, he cunningly asked the brothers to leave their guns on the floor, as there was no danger when they were eating food. The brothers believed his words and left their guns on the floor, as they did not know about his plans nor about who was acting behind the scenes.

When they were about to eat, Nallapan opened the secret door leading to the underground trench and allowed the British soldiers inside the kitchen. The British soldiers surrounded Chinnamalai and his brothers. With all the fury, Chinnamalai hit the traitor and killed him on the spot.

The British arrested Chinnamalai and his brothers and kept them in Sankagiri prison. A four person tribunal consisting of Genaman, Marvul, Horse and Backy Hart was formed. Their loyal servant Karuppan who was in hiding at Melapalayam also surrendered to the British. That tribunal asked Chinnamalai to accept the British rule over his Kingdom and pay taxes to the British. They also offered him amnesty if he tendered an apology. Chinnamalai refused the British offer and informed his decision to face the consequences.

Preparations were made to hang them by rope tied to a Tamarind tree located at the top of the Sankagiri fort. Chinnamalai, his two brothers and Karuppan were brought to the tree on the day of the hanging. They asked the surrounding soldiers to move away from them. Then each one tied the rope around his neck and jumped down. The British saw to that that Chinnamalai name did not become household name by banning books or any literature on Chinnamalai for a long period of time fearing their reputation among the people. Theeran Chinnamalai and his brothers was hanged on 31 July 1805.

The story of Theeran Chinnamalai and his brothers historical battles with the British and the eventual sacrifice would have been completely consigned to oblivion but for the heritage of oral story telling that existed in our culture. The singular credit goes to Puzhavar Kulanthai who heard this story from his grand father during early 1900s. However, during the British rule it was not possible to write about the freedom fighters as the those literature was banned. Puzhavar Kulandai could write about Chinnamalai only after independence from the colonial British rule. However, by the time he was about to write, he could not recollect everything his grand father told him. However he was able to create the first account of the story of Theeran Chinnamalai and in course of time not just the Kongus but also people of India understood Theeran Chinnamalai's role in their independence from the British.

Remembering Theeran Chinnamalai

The Tamil Nadu government earlier named a Transport corporation in the honour of Dheeran Chinnamalai. A "Mani Mandapam" (memorial) for Dheeran Chinnamalai was constructed in Arachalur, Erode district by the Tamilnadu government at a cost of about 30 lakhs. Tamil Nadu government recently placed a statue of Dheeran Chinnamalai in Chennai city.

References

Theeran Chinnamalai Gounder by Pulavar S. Rasu, Samba Publications, 152 Peters Road, Chennai, India 600 086, 1996.

Kongu Nattu Lion - Singham Theeran Chinnamalai by Kavignar Magudam Manickam, Sakunthla Publications, Rangoli Graphics, 329 E.V.N.Road, Erode, TH, India 638 009, year 2001.

http://kongu-usa.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=74

on Hindu newspaper

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