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Puli Thevan | |
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Palaiyakkarar of Nerkattumseval | |
Reign | 1 September 1715 – 16 October 1767 |
Born | 1 September 1715 [1] Nerkattumseval, Madurai Nayak kingdom (Modern Day Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, India) |
Died | 16 October 1767 Tenkasi, Arcot (Modern Day Tamil Nadu, India) |
Spouse | Kayalkani Nachiyar |
Father | Chitraputra Thevan |
Mother | Sivagnanam Nachiyar |
Puli Thevar was a Tamil Palaiyakkarar who ruled Nerkattumseval, situated in the Sankarankoil taluk, Tenkasi, formerly Tirunelveli Tamil Nadu. [2] [3] He is notable for fighting against East India Company from May 22, 1752 - 1767 in India. [4] [5] [6] his son in law vadakarai king are the generals of Thevar's army, to fight against the East India Company. [7] He is known for the Polygars revolt against the British. He maintained a good relationship with the Kingdom of Travancore .
Pulithevan (1715–1767) was a fearless and influential chieftain in the kingdom of Nerkattancherry. He emerged as a valiant warrior in 1755, making him one of the earliest freedom fighters in Indian history. His bravery and leadership are considered instrumental in India's Struggle for independence, even before the significant Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.
Pulithevan Nadu was one of the regions among the aganadus (administrative divisions) in the Pandyan Kingdom. It existed during the Sangam Age and later became part of the Pandyan rule in the year 1378. A Pandyan ruler named Varaguna Raman was responsible for the foundation of Pulithevan Nadu, and he appointed a chieftain named Pulithevan to govern it.
What is the pride of the valiant chieftain of Nerkattancheval It is surpassed only by Pulithevan, who crossed the boundaries of fear.
By considering the song from the native land, one can understand his greatness.
Pulithevan, also known as Pulithevar, was a brave and capable leader who hailed from the town of Appanadu in the Kongottai region. Initially, Pulithevan Nadu's capital was Avudaiyapura. However, during the reign of Nayakkar dynasty (1529–64), the region was divided into 72 palayams (small territories) after the fall of the Pandyan Kingdom. Subsequently, over time, the capital was shifted to Nerkattancherry.
During the Nayakkar dynasty's decline, the palayams gained more autonomy and began to function independently. Pulithevar's tenth-generation descendant, Mannan Sithira Puthirathar, was a renowned chieftain who played a significant role in the region's history.
It is important to note that Pulithevan Nadu's history is deeply rooted in the ancient Tamil kingdoms and has evolved over the centuries with the rise and fall of different dynasties.
Please keep in mind that the information provided is based on historical records and research available up to September 2021, and there may have been developments or additional findings beyond that date.
The name 'Pulithevan' is associated with various attributes and qualities. It is believed that Pulithevan was adept at taming and controlling elephants in his region. He could subdue and pacify the rogue elephants that posed a threat to the local inhabitants or caused damage to their farmlands. Moreover, he displayed exceptional leadership skills, demonstrated great courage, and was known for his benevolence and generosity towards the people.
Due to these remarkable qualities, Pulithevan earned several titles, such as 'Panaiyarko' (one who tames elephants), 'Adhikam Seluthum Penname' (a lady who can control elephants), 'Maelvaaram Thanmaiyo' (incomparable magnanimity), and 'Vari' (meaning gem). His reputation was such that people compared him to a shining gem that catches everyone's eye, just like a radiant single pearl in a garland of pearls. All these attributes led to the name 'Aavudaiyapuran Nerkattunjchevval' or 'Aavudaiyapuran, the chieftain of Nerkattancherry.'
These titles and attributes exemplify the exceptional character and leadership qualities of Pulithevan, making him a revered figure in the region of Aavudaiyapuran Nerkattancherry.
The Pandya dynasty, also referred to as the Pandyas of Madurai, was an ancient Tamil dynasty of South India, and among the four great kingdoms of Tamilakam, the other three being the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Cheras. Existing since at least the 4th to 3rd centuries BCE, the dynasty passed through two periods of imperial dominance, the 6th to 10th centuries CE, and under the 'Later Pandyas'. Under Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I and Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I, the Pandyas ruled extensive territories including regions of present-day South India and northern Sri Lanka through vassal states subject to Madurai. The Pandya dynasty is the longest ruling dynasty in the world.
The Polygar Wars or Palaiyakkarar Wars were wars fought between the Polygars (Palaiyakkarars) of the former Tirunelveli Kingdom in Tamil Nadu, India and the British East India Company forces between March 1799 to May 1802 or July 1805. The British finally won after carrying out gruelling protracted jungle campaigns against the Polygar armies. Many people died on both sides and the victory over the Polygars brought large parts of the territories of Tamil Nadu under British control, enabling them to get a strong hold in Southern India.
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Jatavarman Sundara I, also known as Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan, was an emperor of the Pandyan dynasty who ruled regions of Tamilakam, Northern Sri Lanka, and Southern Andhra between 1250–1268 CE. He is remembered for his patronage of the arts and Dravidian architecture, along with refurbishment and decoration of many Kovils (temple) in the Tamil continent. He oversaw a massive economic growth of the Pandyan empire. On the eve of his death in 1268 CE, the second Pandyan empire's power and territorial extent had risen to its zenith till Nellore and Kadapa by defeating Telugu Chola rulers Vijaya Gandagopala, Manumasiddhi III of Nellore Cholas and Ganapatideva of Kakatiyas.
Pandya Nadu or Pandi Nadu is a geographical region comprising the southern part of the present day state of Tamil Nadu. The region is bounded on its West by the Venad/Ay Nadu, Northeast by the Chola Nadu and Northwest by the Kongu Nadu. It comprises the present-day districts of Madurai, Theni, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Kanniyakumari, parts of Pudukkottai and Dindigul.
Chola Nadu is an ancient region spanning on the current state of Tamil Nadu and union territory of Puducherry in southern India. It encompasses the lower reaches of the Kaveri River and its delta, and formed the cultural homeland and political base of the Chola Dynasty which ruled large parts of India and Sri Lanka between the 9th and 13th centuries CE. Uraiyur served as the early Chola capital, then medieval Cholas shifted to Thanjavur and later cholas king Rajendra Chola I moved the capital to Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Ariyalur district in the 11th century CE. Chola Nadu is therefore larger than the Tanjore region or the Cauvery delta in the strict sense. Although it essentially corresponds to these two overlapping areas.
Mushika dynasty, also spelled Mushaka, was a minor dynastic power that held sway over the region in and around Mount Ezhi (Ezhimala) in present-day North Malabar, Kerala, India. The country of the Mushikas, ruled by an ancient lineage of the Hehaya clan of the same name, appears in early historic (pre-Pallava) south India The dynasty claimed descent from the legendary Heheyas. Early Tamil poems contain several references to the exploits of Nannan of Ezhimalai. Nannan was known as a great enemy of the pre-Pallava Chera chieftains. The clan also had matrimonial alliances with the Chera, Pandya and Chola chieftains. The Kolathunadu (Kannur) Kingdom, which was the descendant of Mushika dynasty, at the peak of its power, reportedly extended from Netravati River (Mangalore) in the north to Korapuzha (Kozhikode) in the south with Arabian Sea on the west and Kodagu hills on the eastern boundary, also including the isolated islands of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea.
The region of Tamil Nadu in the southeast of modern India, shows evidence of having had continuous human habitation from 15,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE. Throughout its history, spanning the early Upper Paleolithic age to modern times, this region has coexisted with various external cultures.
Chandrabhanu or Chandrabhanu Sridhamaraja was the King of Tambralinga Kingdom in present-day Thailand, Malaysia and Sumatra and the Jaffna Kingdom in northern Sri Lanka. A Javaka, he was known to have ruled from during the period of 1230 until 1262. He was also known for building a well-known Buddhist stupa in southern Thailand. He spent more than 30 years in his attempt to conquer Sri Lanka. He was eventually defeated by the forces of the Pandyan Dynasty from Tamil Nadu in 1262 and was killed by the brother of the south Indian Emperor Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan.
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The Madurai Nayaks were a Telugu dynasty who ruled most of modern-day Tamil Nadu, India, with Madurai as their capital. The Madurai Nayaks had their origins in the Balija warrior clans of present-day Andhra Pradesh. The Nayak reign which lasted for over two centuries from around 1529 to 1736 was noted for its achievements in arts, cultural and administrative reforms, revitalization of temples previously ransacked by the Delhi Sultans, and the inauguration of a unique architectural style.
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The Sethupathis are a Tamil clan of the Maravar community native to the Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu, India. They were from the 12th century considered independent kings in 16th century who ruled the Ramnad kingdom, also known as Maravar country. The male rulers of Ramnathapuram also bore the title of "Sethupathi" or "protector of the bridge", the bridge here referring to the legendary sacred Rama's Bridge, while female rulers bore the title "Nachiyar". Among the 72 poligars of the region, the Sethupathi stood first. This special position was conferred not based upon the revenue that his kingdom generated but because of his military prowess. Back in the beginning of the 18th century, the Sethupathi ruler could mobilize a considerable army, about 30,000 to 40,000 strong at short notice.
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Devarattam is a Tamil Word derived from the words "Devar" or Thevar and "Attam". Traditionally, it was performed by the kings and warriors after a successful battle particularly in pandyan dynasty, Later it was danced by the group of peoples of Maravar clan belonging to mukkulathor community, who are referred to as Devar in present Madurai and nearby regions, believe they are related to the Pandya dynasty, parallelly devarattam was also performed by the kings and warriors of the chola dynasty in ancient days as a joy of victory, still it was followed by some group of peoples of Kallar clan belongs to mukkulathor community who claim descent from the Chola dynasty and also refereed as Devar in present Thanjavur and nearby regions of south-east Tamil Nadu, After the fall of both chola and pandya dynasties both clans not celebrates the joy of victory by devarattam. In the period following Indian independence, devarattam is performed mostly by the Rajakambalathu Nayakkar a Telugu origin community those believes they are migrants from Andhra Pradesh Vijayanagar dynasty of South India and settled in Tamil Nadu for many generations and upkeep Tamil traditions and religious practices also socially friendship with Mukkulathor Devar as well as all communities of Tamil Nadu, at present devarattam was mostly performed only by the professional dancers of the same community during the temple festivals and other functions in Tamil Nadu
When to date the start of the history of the Jaffna kingdom is debated among historians.
Toṇḍaimaṇḍalam, also known as Toṇḍai Nāḍu, is a historical region located in the northernmost part of Tamil Nadu and southernmost part of Andhra Pradesh. The region comprises the districts which formed a part of the legendary kingdom of Athondai Chakravarti. The boundaries of Tondaimandalam are ambiguous – between the river basins of Penna River and Ponnaiyar River. During the reign of Rajaraja I, this region was called as Jayankonda Cholamandalam.
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