It is an undeniable fact that people of almost every state and province of India fought tooth and nail against the oppression and brutality of foreign rulers. But our textbooks grossly ignore the brave feats of many valorous countrymen who laid down their lives fighting foreign rulers. At the national level, only a few are glorified while many remain in oblivion. Even in regional history books, not much importance is given to these forgotten heroes. As we celebrate our Republic Day this month, we must remember one such name whose courageous saga does not make it to the mainstream narrative, yet whose great sacrifice lives through local folklore, theatre performances and stray records that chronicled her time and activities.
The name of this brave soul is Veeramangai Kuyili, the army commander of Rani Velu Nachiyar who participated in campaigns against the East India Company in the 18th century. Rani Velu was also the first ruler in Indian history to wage a war against the British colonizers in 1780, about 77 years before what we believe to be the First War of Independence or the Sepoy Mutiny. Confronted with a challenging task, Kuyili displayed matchless courage and ingenuity that has kept her saga immortal. She did not carry any bomb, but set herself ablaze at the guns and ammunition storehouse of the British. As a result of her action, the warehouse exploded and all guns and ammunitions stored there were destroyed. Her daring act helped Velu Nachiyar easily defeat the British in a battle.
This braveheart is known to very few people and her name is rarely found in textbooks and public discourse. This Tamil lady Kuyili, fondly addressed by some as ‘ Veerthalapathy’ or the ‘Brave Commander’, was in charge of the Udayal Padai contingent of the women’s army of Velu Nachiyar, the queen of Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu. A warrior to the core, she displayed true valour and unconditional love for the motherland for which she was ready to lay down her life. There is little information available about Kuyili’s birth and childhood. She was born in Kudanchavadi near Sivagangai. Her father Periyamuthan was a cobbler and her mother Raku was a brave lady who died while fighting a wild bull to save her fields from being destroyed. Kuyili was a ‘sevaki’ (local aide) of Rani Velu and saved her life on multiple occasions. On one such occasion, when the queen was attacked during her sleep, she attacked the enemy and was injured in the process. On witnessing this, the queen instantly tore a piece of her saree to bandage Kuyili’s wounds.
We also get the fact that Kuyili belonged to the ‘Sambavar’ community of Tamil Nadu. The term ‘Sambavar’ draws its origin from the followers of Mahadev or Lord Shiva and Sambavars are believed to be the ancient priests of Lord Shiva. They find mention in history and other records as priests, warriors, agriculturists, poets, writers, dancers, and musicians. Velu Nacchiyar, of whose army Kuyili was a commander, lost her husband in a battle against the combined forces of the British and the Nawab of Arcot on 25 June 1772. The invading British army plundered Kalaiyar Koil and collected jewels worth 50,000 pagodas. Although the queen fled to a neighbouring kingdom and remained in hiding for eight years, she was determined to take revenge. During the span of eight years in hiding, the queen managed to raise a huge army which included a big contingent of women warriors under the banner of Udayal Padai in memory of Padai who sacrificed her life for the queen.
This wing was commandeered by Kuyili and was trained by the queen herself. Kuyili was a beauty with brains and was one of the ablest of the queen’s commanders. Forming an alliance with two neighbouring rulers in 1780, Velu planned an ambitious battle against the British to recapture her kingdom. They marched towards Sivagangai and decimated the enemy forces at three places. The queen and her army were now on their way to take back the fort and drive away the British from the city. But the British were in possession of heavy guns and ammunition including cannon barrels at several places in and around Sivagangai.
Velu was advised by her spies not to move ahead at that moment as that would mean heavy losses and casualties. Spies also told her that the British stored the guns and ammunition at a warehouse inside Rajarajeshwari Amman temple at Sivagangai palace. The queen held a meeting with the commanders including Kuyili and discussed the future course of action. At that time Kuyili saw a group of women at a distance walking barefoot towards Sivagangai. They seemed to be devotees. She rushed towards them and asked them where they were heading to. They replied that the following day was Vijayadashami or the 10th day of Navaratri and therefore they were moving towards Rajarajeshwari temple dedicated to Maa Shakti and Mahadev. The temple was located within the Sivagangai palace premises. It was only on Vijayadashami day that the British allowed entry of women to the Raja Rajeswari temple for worship. Kuyili walked back towards the camp. An idea struck her.
Time was ripe, so she immediately devised a plan and discussed it with the queen. She undertook complete responsibility by volunteering for the task. As per her plan, Kuyili divided the Udayal Padai wing into groups. She instructed all the women soldiers to disguise themselves as worshippers and hide weapons under their sarees. Velu Nachiyar, also disguised, mingled in the group. And the groups, one after another, headed towards Raja Rajeswari temple. Three rounds of worship were to be carried out at the temple which the queen and her women warriors were familiar with. They decided to strike when the general devotees would leave after the third round.
As planned, Velu, Kuyili and the women fighters attacked the British soldiers after the third round taking them unawares. Within a short period, a great number of British soldiers were slain. The remaining soldiers rushed towards the warehouse in the temple to bring ammunition. The need of the hour was the destruction of the warehouse. Kuyili, realizing the urgency, immediately rushed towards the deity where ghee and oil were kept in pots for lighting lamps. Two British soldiers shot at her. The wounded Kuyili rushed forward. The brave woman commander managed to empty ghee and oil from one pot over herself. Holding an oil lamp, she rushed towards the warehouse.
British sepoys rushing towards the warehouse stopped as they realized what was going to happen. In no time, the warehouse exploded. Kuyili had lit herself in the warehouse turning herself into a human bomb. She died and turned into ashes in no time. But her supreme sacrifice led to the destruction of the warehouse loaded with guns and ammunition. After the warehouse explosion, a fierce battle ensued between the British and Rani Velu Nachiyar’s forces. The British stood no chance before the brave and mighty warriors of the queen. Captain Benjour surrendered. He pleaded for his life while promising that the British would never interfere in the affairs of Sivagangai kingdom in the future. Velu Nachiyar spared the captain’s life and let him free.
The matchless sacrifice of Kuyili helped the queen regain her kingdom from the clutches of the British rulers. But not much has been done to preserve her name. A memorial was erected in Sivaganga district a few years ago by the Tamil Nadu government. Though our history books have failed to recognise the selfless acts of Kuyili, her gallant saga of genuine courage, sacrifice and unwavering love for the motherland is bound to inspire and ignite a fire of patriotism in every Indian’s heart.
(The writer, a Ph D in English from Calcutta University, teaches English at the Govt.-sponsored Sailendra Sircar Vidyalaya, Shyambazar, Kolkata.)