| Veeramangai Kuyili | |
|---|---|
 Picture of Kuyili by Fathima Ismail | |
| Born | 1700s, Kudanchavadi, Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu |
| Died | 1780, Sivagangai |
Kuyili was an army commander of queen Velu Nachiyar who participated in campaigns against the East India Company in the 18th century. She is considered the first suicide bomber and "first woman martyr" in Indian history. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Kuyili was born in the 18th century at Kudanchavadi, near Sivagangai district. Her father was a shoemaker Her mother was also known for her bravery and is said to have died while fighting with a wild bull to save her fields from being destroyed. Kuyili was a devout commander of Velu Nachiyar and repeatedly saved her life. On one such occasion, when she discovered that her Silambam teacher was actually a spy, she took action to save the queen immediately. On another occasion, when the queen was attacked during her sleep, she attacked the enemy and injured herself in the process. Seeing her loyalty and bravery, she was made the commander-in-chief of the women's wing of her army. Kuyili later played an important role in the Sivaganga expedition of the queen. [5] [6]
Kuyili is known for her suicide attack in 1780. While attacking a fort of East India Company, she applied ghee on her body, set herself ablaze and jumped into the armoury of the East India Company, securing victory for Velu Nachiyar. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] The Tamil Nadu government erected a memorial to Kuyili in the Sivagangai district. [13]
Meena Durairaj, known professionally as Meena, is an Indian actress who predominantly works in South Indian films as well as Hindi cinema. She is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. Meena has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi films She is one of the most sought after actresses in the South Indian film industry. In addition to acting, Meena is also a playback singer, TV judge, and occasional dubbing artist. She has received numerous accolades, including two Filmfare Awards South, three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, two Nandi Award for Best Actress and Cinema Express Awards. In 1998, she was honoured with the Kalaimamani Award by Government of Tamil Nadu.
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Rani Velu Nachiyar was a queen of Sivaganga estate from c. 1780–1790. She was the first Indian queen to wage war with the East India Company in India. She is known by Tamils as Veeramangai. With the support of Hyder Ali's army, feudal lords, the Maruthu Brothers, Dalit commanders, and Thandavarayan Pillai, she fought the East India company.
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Puli Thevan was a Tamil Palaiyakkarar who ruled Nerkattumseval, situated in the Sankarankoil taluk, Tenkasi, formerly Tirunelveli Tamil Nadu. He is notable for fighting against East India Company from May 22, 1752 - 1767 in India. his son in law vadakarai king are the generals of Thevar's army, to fight against the East India Company. He is known for the Polygars revolt against the British. He maintained a good relationship with the Kingdom of Travancore though the allegiance was later on broken as the Kingdom of Travancore sided with the English East India company.
Sivaganga Palace is a palace in Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu, southern India, about 40 kilometres (25 mi) from Madurai. It is an old royal palace, with many historical connections. The palace was used as residence by queens Velu Nachiyar (1780–90), Vellacci Nachiyar (1790–93) and Rani Kaathama Nachiar (1864–77). No remains of the original Sivaganga Palace exist, but a new palace, known as "Gowri Vilasam", was built by Padamathur Gowry Vallabha Thevar (1801-1829) in the year 19th century. A heritage site of Chettinad, it was the property of Rani Velu Nachiar.
Vellacci or Vellachi Nachiyar (1770-1793) was the second ruling queen of Sivaganga estate in 1790–1793. She is the daughter of Muthu Vaduganatha Periyavudaya Thevar and Velu Nachiyar. She was made the heir to the throne of Sivagangai by her mother Velu Nachiyar after the recapture of Sivagangai from the East India Company.
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