Revolt of Palayakkars and Vellore Mutiny | Tamil Nadu State PSC (TNPSC): Preparation - TNPSC (Tamil Nadu) PDF Download

 Page 1


In Tamilnadu, as in other parts of India , the earliest expressions of
opposition to English rule took the form of localised rebellions and
uprisings.   Chief among them was the revolt of Palayakkars against
the East India Company in 1799.
The Palayakkars originated in T amilnadu during the V ijayanagar rule,
in the reign of Visvanatha  Nayak of  Madurai. Palayakkar was the
holder of a territory or a Palayam.  It was granted to him in return for
his military service as a tribute.  During the 17
th
 and 18
th
 centuries the
Palayakkars played a vital role in the politics of Tamilnadu.   They
regarded themselves as independent.   The Palayakkars who resided
to the west of Tirunelveli were the Maravas, and the east were the
Nayaks.   The western Palayakkars were under the control of Pulithevan
while the others were under the control of Kattabomman.
The East India company eager for revenue opposed the manner
and scale in which the Palayakkars collected taxes from the people.
Page 2


In Tamilnadu, as in other parts of India , the earliest expressions of
opposition to English rule took the form of localised rebellions and
uprisings.   Chief among them was the revolt of Palayakkars against
the East India Company in 1799.
The Palayakkars originated in T amilnadu during the V ijayanagar rule,
in the reign of Visvanatha  Nayak of  Madurai. Palayakkar was the
holder of a territory or a Palayam.  It was granted to him in return for
his military service as a tribute.  During the 17
th
 and 18
th
 centuries the
Palayakkars played a vital role in the politics of Tamilnadu.   They
regarded themselves as independent.   The Palayakkars who resided
to the west of Tirunelveli were the Maravas, and the east were the
Nayaks.   The western Palayakkars were under the control of Pulithevan
while the others were under the control of Kattabomman.
The East India company eager for revenue opposed the manner
and scale in which the Palayakkars collected taxes from the people.
By the Carnatic Treaty of 1792, the English gained control over the
Palayakkars.   The early struggle between the Palayakkars of South
and the East India company had a strong political dimension.   The
English treated the Palayakkars as a rival power.  The Palayakkars
disliked the overlordship of aliens.   The result was the outbreak of the
rebellion of  Palayakkars in 1799.
Causes for the rebellion:
1. The Treaty of the Carnatic and the Treaty of Srirangapatnam
in 1792 consolidated the English power over the Palayakkars.
The Palayakkars waited for an opportunity to drive away the
English from T amilnadu.
2. By the Treaty of Carnatic the English got the right to collect
taxes from the local powers.  Collectors were appointed for
the collection of taxes from the Palayakkars.
3. The Palayakkars were not prepared to serve under the English.
4. The English  followed  the policy  of  annexation.  Some of  the
Palayams annexed by them were Ramanathapuram, Manaparai,
Palani,Y errakottai  and Chennelgudi. This policy of annexation
by the English was not  liked by the them.
I. Pulithevan: Pulithevan was the pioneer fighter
in T amilnadu, to protest against the English rule in
India.  He was the Palayakkar of the
Nerkattumsevval, near Tirunelveli.   During his
tenure he refused to pay the tribute neither to
Mohammed Ali, the Nawab of Arcot nor to the
English.   Further he started opposing them.   The
forces of the Nawab and the English attacked
Pulithevan.  But  the combined forces were
defeated by Pulithevan at Tirunelveli. After this
victory Pulithevan attempted to form a league of
the Palayakkars to oppose the  British and the
Nawab. But the Palayakkars of Sivagiri,
Ettayapuram and Panjalamkurichi failed to support him.
Pulithevan
II. Vira Pandya Kattabomman:  Virapandya Kattabomman was
born in 1761,   He became a Palayakkar in 1790.  The collection of
tribute was the main cause for the rivalry between the English and,
Kattabomman.  In September 1798, the tribute from Panjalankurichi
fell into arrears.  As there was a severe drought, he found it difficult to
collect taxes for the payment of tribute.  The collector of
Ramanathapuram wrote several letters to Kattabomman asking him
to pay the arrears.   But Kattabomman denied the demand of the
collector.
Colin Jackson, the British Collector directed Kattabomman to meet
him at Ramanathapuram. When Kattabomman wanted to meet the
Collector with money at Tirukuthalam, the collector refused to meet
him.  Kattabomman again followed the Collector to Sivagiri, Sattur
and then to Srivilliputur for about 23 days.  Then he was ordered to
meet the Collector at Ramnad. On 19
th
 September 1798
Kattabomman and his minister SivaSubramaniya Pillai  met the
Collector at Ramalinga Vilas in Ramanathapuram.  The Collector
insulted them and tried to arrest Kattabomman and his minister.
Kattabomman escaped with the help of his brother Oomathurai, but
his minister Pillai was arrested by Jackson.
The career and struggle of Pulithevan is an example of a chieftain
against the superior powers.
In 1759, Nerkattumsevval was attacked by the forces of Nawab of
Arcot under the leadership of Y usuf Khan otherwise known as Khan
Sahib.   Pulithevan was defeated at Anthanallur and the Nawabs forces
captured  Panayur , V asudhevanallur and Nerkattumsevval.  Pulithevan
who lived in exile recaptured Nerkattumsevval in 1764 after the death
of Khan Sahib. However he was defeated by Captain Campell in
1767.   The whereabouts of Pulithevan still remains a  mystery.
Page 3


In Tamilnadu, as in other parts of India , the earliest expressions of
opposition to English rule took the form of localised rebellions and
uprisings.   Chief among them was the revolt of Palayakkars against
the East India Company in 1799.
The Palayakkars originated in T amilnadu during the V ijayanagar rule,
in the reign of Visvanatha  Nayak of  Madurai. Palayakkar was the
holder of a territory or a Palayam.  It was granted to him in return for
his military service as a tribute.  During the 17
th
 and 18
th
 centuries the
Palayakkars played a vital role in the politics of Tamilnadu.   They
regarded themselves as independent.   The Palayakkars who resided
to the west of Tirunelveli were the Maravas, and the east were the
Nayaks.   The western Palayakkars were under the control of Pulithevan
while the others were under the control of Kattabomman.
The East India company eager for revenue opposed the manner
and scale in which the Palayakkars collected taxes from the people.
By the Carnatic Treaty of 1792, the English gained control over the
Palayakkars.   The early struggle between the Palayakkars of South
and the East India company had a strong political dimension.   The
English treated the Palayakkars as a rival power.  The Palayakkars
disliked the overlordship of aliens.   The result was the outbreak of the
rebellion of  Palayakkars in 1799.
Causes for the rebellion:
1. The Treaty of the Carnatic and the Treaty of Srirangapatnam
in 1792 consolidated the English power over the Palayakkars.
The Palayakkars waited for an opportunity to drive away the
English from T amilnadu.
2. By the Treaty of Carnatic the English got the right to collect
taxes from the local powers.  Collectors were appointed for
the collection of taxes from the Palayakkars.
3. The Palayakkars were not prepared to serve under the English.
4. The English  followed  the policy  of  annexation.  Some of  the
Palayams annexed by them were Ramanathapuram, Manaparai,
Palani,Y errakottai  and Chennelgudi. This policy of annexation
by the English was not  liked by the them.
I. Pulithevan: Pulithevan was the pioneer fighter
in T amilnadu, to protest against the English rule in
India.  He was the Palayakkar of the
Nerkattumsevval, near Tirunelveli.   During his
tenure he refused to pay the tribute neither to
Mohammed Ali, the Nawab of Arcot nor to the
English.   Further he started opposing them.   The
forces of the Nawab and the English attacked
Pulithevan.  But  the combined forces were
defeated by Pulithevan at Tirunelveli. After this
victory Pulithevan attempted to form a league of
the Palayakkars to oppose the  British and the
Nawab. But the Palayakkars of Sivagiri,
Ettayapuram and Panjalamkurichi failed to support him.
Pulithevan
II. Vira Pandya Kattabomman:  Virapandya Kattabomman was
born in 1761,   He became a Palayakkar in 1790.  The collection of
tribute was the main cause for the rivalry between the English and,
Kattabomman.  In September 1798, the tribute from Panjalankurichi
fell into arrears.  As there was a severe drought, he found it difficult to
collect taxes for the payment of tribute.  The collector of
Ramanathapuram wrote several letters to Kattabomman asking him
to pay the arrears.   But Kattabomman denied the demand of the
collector.
Colin Jackson, the British Collector directed Kattabomman to meet
him at Ramanathapuram. When Kattabomman wanted to meet the
Collector with money at Tirukuthalam, the collector refused to meet
him.  Kattabomman again followed the Collector to Sivagiri, Sattur
and then to Srivilliputur for about 23 days.  Then he was ordered to
meet the Collector at Ramnad. On 19
th
 September 1798
Kattabomman and his minister SivaSubramaniya Pillai  met the
Collector at Ramalinga Vilas in Ramanathapuram.  The Collector
insulted them and tried to arrest Kattabomman and his minister.
Kattabomman escaped with the help of his brother Oomathurai, but
his minister Pillai was arrested by Jackson.
The career and struggle of Pulithevan is an example of a chieftain
against the superior powers.
In 1759, Nerkattumsevval was attacked by the forces of Nawab of
Arcot under the leadership of Y usuf Khan otherwise known as Khan
Sahib.   Pulithevan was defeated at Anthanallur and the Nawabs forces
captured  Panayur , V asudhevanallur and Nerkattumsevval.  Pulithevan
who lived in exile recaptured Nerkattumsevval in 1764 after the death
of Khan Sahib. However he was defeated by Captain Campell in
1767.   The whereabouts of Pulithevan still remains a  mystery.
By the Carnatic Treaty of 1792, the English gained control over the
Palayakkars.   The early struggle between the Palayakkars of South
and the East India company had a strong political dimension.   The
English treated the Palayakkars as a rival power.  The Palayakkars
disliked the overlordship of aliens.   The result was the outbreak of the
rebellion of  Palayakkars in 1799.
Causes for the rebellion:
1. The Treaty of the Carnatic and the Treaty of Srirangapatnam
in 1792 consolidated the English power over the Palayakkars.
The Palayakkars waited for an opportunity to drive away the
English from T amilnadu.
2. By the Treaty of Carnatic the English got the right to collect
taxes from the local powers.  Collectors were appointed for
the collection of taxes from the Palayakkars.
3. The Palayakkars were not prepared to serve under the English.
4. The English  followed  the policy  of  annexation.  Some of  the
Palayams annexed by them were Ramanathapuram, Manaparai,
Palani,Y errakottai  and Chennelgudi. This policy of annexation
by the English was not  liked by the them.
I. Pulithevan: Pulithevan was the pioneer fighter
in T amilnadu, to protest against the English rule in
India.  He was the Palayakkar of the
Nerkattumsevval, near Tirunelveli.   During his
tenure he refused to pay the tribute neither to
Mohammed Ali, the Nawab of Arcot nor to the
English.   Further he started opposing them.   The
forces of the Nawab and the English attacked
Pulithevan.  But  the combined forces were
defeated by Pulithevan at Tirunelveli. After this
victory Pulithevan attempted to form a league of
the Palayakkars to oppose the  British and the
Nawab. But the Palayakkars of Sivagiri,
Ettayapuram and Panjalamkurichi failed to support him.
Pulithevan
II. Vira Pandya Kattabomman:  Virapandya Kattabomman was
born in 1761,   He became a Palayakkar in 1790.  The collection of
tribute was the main cause for the rivalry between the English and,
Kattabomman.  In September 1798, the tribute from Panjalankurichi
fell into arrears.  As there was a severe drought, he found it difficult to
collect taxes for the payment of tribute.  The collector of
Ramanathapuram wrote several letters to Kattabomman asking him
to pay the arrears.   But Kattabomman denied the demand of the
collector.
Colin Jackson, the British Collector directed Kattabomman to meet
him at Ramanathapuram. When Kattabomman wanted to meet the
Collector with money at Tirukuthalam, the collector refused to meet
him.  Kattabomman again followed the Collector to Sivagiri, Sattur
and then to Srivilliputur for about 23 days.  Then he was ordered to
meet the Collector at Ramnad. On 19
th
 September 1798
Kattabomman and his minister SivaSubramaniya Pillai  met the
Collector at Ramalinga Vilas in Ramanathapuram.  The Collector
insulted them and tried to arrest Kattabomman and his minister.
Kattabomman escaped with the help of his brother Oomathurai, but
his minister Pillai was arrested by Jackson.
The career and struggle of Pulithevan is an example of a chieftain
against the superior powers.
In 1759, Nerkattumsevval was attacked by the forces of Nawab of
Arcot under the leadership of Y usuf Khan otherwise known as Khan
Sahib.   Pulithevan was defeated at Anthanallur and the Nawabs forces
captured  Panayur , V asudhevanallur and Nerkattumsevval.  Pulithevan
who lived in exile recaptured Nerkattumsevval in 1764 after the death
of Khan Sahib. However he was defeated by Captain Campell in
1767.   The whereabouts of Pulithevan still remains a  mystery.
Page 4


In Tamilnadu, as in other parts of India , the earliest expressions of
opposition to English rule took the form of localised rebellions and
uprisings.   Chief among them was the revolt of Palayakkars against
the East India Company in 1799.
The Palayakkars originated in T amilnadu during the V ijayanagar rule,
in the reign of Visvanatha  Nayak of  Madurai. Palayakkar was the
holder of a territory or a Palayam.  It was granted to him in return for
his military service as a tribute.  During the 17
th
 and 18
th
 centuries the
Palayakkars played a vital role in the politics of Tamilnadu.   They
regarded themselves as independent.   The Palayakkars who resided
to the west of Tirunelveli were the Maravas, and the east were the
Nayaks.   The western Palayakkars were under the control of Pulithevan
while the others were under the control of Kattabomman.
The East India company eager for revenue opposed the manner
and scale in which the Palayakkars collected taxes from the people.
By the Carnatic Treaty of 1792, the English gained control over the
Palayakkars.   The early struggle between the Palayakkars of South
and the East India company had a strong political dimension.   The
English treated the Palayakkars as a rival power.  The Palayakkars
disliked the overlordship of aliens.   The result was the outbreak of the
rebellion of  Palayakkars in 1799.
Causes for the rebellion:
1. The Treaty of the Carnatic and the Treaty of Srirangapatnam
in 1792 consolidated the English power over the Palayakkars.
The Palayakkars waited for an opportunity to drive away the
English from T amilnadu.
2. By the Treaty of Carnatic the English got the right to collect
taxes from the local powers.  Collectors were appointed for
the collection of taxes from the Palayakkars.
3. The Palayakkars were not prepared to serve under the English.
4. The English  followed  the policy  of  annexation.  Some of  the
Palayams annexed by them were Ramanathapuram, Manaparai,
Palani,Y errakottai  and Chennelgudi. This policy of annexation
by the English was not  liked by the them.
I. Pulithevan: Pulithevan was the pioneer fighter
in T amilnadu, to protest against the English rule in
India.  He was the Palayakkar of the
Nerkattumsevval, near Tirunelveli.   During his
tenure he refused to pay the tribute neither to
Mohammed Ali, the Nawab of Arcot nor to the
English.   Further he started opposing them.   The
forces of the Nawab and the English attacked
Pulithevan.  But  the combined forces were
defeated by Pulithevan at Tirunelveli. After this
victory Pulithevan attempted to form a league of
the Palayakkars to oppose the  British and the
Nawab. But the Palayakkars of Sivagiri,
Ettayapuram and Panjalamkurichi failed to support him.
Pulithevan
II. Vira Pandya Kattabomman:  Virapandya Kattabomman was
born in 1761,   He became a Palayakkar in 1790.  The collection of
tribute was the main cause for the rivalry between the English and,
Kattabomman.  In September 1798, the tribute from Panjalankurichi
fell into arrears.  As there was a severe drought, he found it difficult to
collect taxes for the payment of tribute.  The collector of
Ramanathapuram wrote several letters to Kattabomman asking him
to pay the arrears.   But Kattabomman denied the demand of the
collector.
Colin Jackson, the British Collector directed Kattabomman to meet
him at Ramanathapuram. When Kattabomman wanted to meet the
Collector with money at Tirukuthalam, the collector refused to meet
him.  Kattabomman again followed the Collector to Sivagiri, Sattur
and then to Srivilliputur for about 23 days.  Then he was ordered to
meet the Collector at Ramnad. On 19
th
 September 1798
Kattabomman and his minister SivaSubramaniya Pillai  met the
Collector at Ramalinga Vilas in Ramanathapuram.  The Collector
insulted them and tried to arrest Kattabomman and his minister.
Kattabomman escaped with the help of his brother Oomathurai, but
his minister Pillai was arrested by Jackson.
The career and struggle of Pulithevan is an example of a chieftain
against the superior powers.
In 1759, Nerkattumsevval was attacked by the forces of Nawab of
Arcot under the leadership of Y usuf Khan otherwise known as Khan
Sahib.   Pulithevan was defeated at Anthanallur and the Nawabs forces
captured  Panayur , V asudhevanallur and Nerkattumsevval.  Pulithevan
who lived in exile recaptured Nerkattumsevval in 1764 after the death
of Khan Sahib. However he was defeated by Captain Campell in
1767.   The whereabouts of Pulithevan still remains a  mystery.
By the Carnatic Treaty of 1792, the English gained control over the
Palayakkars.   The early struggle between the Palayakkars of South
and the East India company had a strong political dimension.   The
English treated the Palayakkars as a rival power.  The Palayakkars
disliked the overlordship of aliens.   The result was the outbreak of the
rebellion of  Palayakkars in 1799.
Causes for the rebellion:
1. The Treaty of the Carnatic and the Treaty of Srirangapatnam
in 1792 consolidated the English power over the Palayakkars.
The Palayakkars waited for an opportunity to drive away the
English from T amilnadu.
2. By the Treaty of Carnatic the English got the right to collect
taxes from the local powers.  Collectors were appointed for
the collection of taxes from the Palayakkars.
3. The Palayakkars were not prepared to serve under the English.
4. The English  followed  the policy  of  annexation.  Some of  the
Palayams annexed by them were Ramanathapuram, Manaparai,
Palani,Y errakottai  and Chennelgudi. This policy of annexation
by the English was not  liked by the them.
I. Pulithevan: Pulithevan was the pioneer fighter
in T amilnadu, to protest against the English rule in
India.  He was the Palayakkar of the
Nerkattumsevval, near Tirunelveli.   During his
tenure he refused to pay the tribute neither to
Mohammed Ali, the Nawab of Arcot nor to the
English.   Further he started opposing them.   The
forces of the Nawab and the English attacked
Pulithevan.  But  the combined forces were
defeated by Pulithevan at Tirunelveli. After this
victory Pulithevan attempted to form a league of
the Palayakkars to oppose the  British and the
Nawab. But the Palayakkars of Sivagiri,
Ettayapuram and Panjalamkurichi failed to support him.
Pulithevan
II. Vira Pandya Kattabomman:  Virapandya Kattabomman was
born in 1761,   He became a Palayakkar in 1790.  The collection of
tribute was the main cause for the rivalry between the English and,
Kattabomman.  In September 1798, the tribute from Panjalankurichi
fell into arrears.  As there was a severe drought, he found it difficult to
collect taxes for the payment of tribute.  The collector of
Ramanathapuram wrote several letters to Kattabomman asking him
to pay the arrears.   But Kattabomman denied the demand of the
collector.
Colin Jackson, the British Collector directed Kattabomman to meet
him at Ramanathapuram. When Kattabomman wanted to meet the
Collector with money at Tirukuthalam, the collector refused to meet
him.  Kattabomman again followed the Collector to Sivagiri, Sattur
and then to Srivilliputur for about 23 days.  Then he was ordered to
meet the Collector at Ramnad. On 19
th
 September 1798
Kattabomman and his minister SivaSubramaniya Pillai  met the
Collector at Ramalinga Vilas in Ramanathapuram.  The Collector
insulted them and tried to arrest Kattabomman and his minister.
Kattabomman escaped with the help of his brother Oomathurai, but
his minister Pillai was arrested by Jackson.
The career and struggle of Pulithevan is an example of a chieftain
against the superior powers.
In 1759, Nerkattumsevval was attacked by the forces of Nawab of
Arcot under the leadership of Y usuf Khan otherwise known as Khan
Sahib.   Pulithevan was defeated at Anthanallur and the Nawabs forces
captured  Panayur , V asudhevanallur and Nerkattumsevval.  Pulithevan
who lived in exile recaptured Nerkattumsevval in 1764 after the death
of Khan Sahib. However he was defeated by Captain Campell in
1767.   The whereabouts of Pulithevan still remains a  mystery.
Kattabomman sent a letter to the Madras Council narrating the
behaviour of the Collector Jackson.   Kattabomman wanted his minister
to be released.  Edward Clive, the Governor of Madras Council
ordered Kattabomman to surrender..  Edward Clive also dismissed
the Collector for his misbehaviour and released Siva Subramaniya
Pillai.  Kattabomman decided to submit.  So Edward Clive appointed
a Commission and Kattabomman appeared before it  on 15
th
December 1798.
Kattabomman and the league: Marudu Pandya of Sivaganga
formed a League with the neighbouring Palayakkars..  Kattabomman
was interested in this league.   The Collector Lushington prevented
Kattabomman from meeting Marudu brothers.   But Marudu Brothers
and V ira Pandya Kattabomman plotted out a plan for the conflict with
the British.  Kattabomman tried to establish his influence with Sivagiri,
who refused to join the alliance of the rebels.  Kattabomman advanced
towards Sivagiri.  But the Palayakkar of Sivagiri was a tribute to the
Company.   So the Company considered the expedition of
Kattabomman as a challenge to their authority .  The Company ordered
the army to march to Tirunelveli.
Advance of  the British army:  Lord W ellesly sent an army under
Major Bannerman on May 1799 to fight against Kattabomman.  The
Major served a letter directing Kattabomman to attend on him at
Palayamkottai on 4
th
 September , Kattabomman refused due to lack
of time.
Fall of Panjalamkurichi: Bannerman moved his army to
Panjalamkurichi on 5
th
 September .  They cut of all the communications
to the Fort.  Bannerman deputed Ramalinga Mudaliar to send a message
asking Kattabomman to surrender, which Kattabomman refused.
Mudaliar gathered all the secrets of the Fort and on the basis of the
report, Bannerman decided the strategy of the operation.  In a clash
at Kallarpatti, Siva Subramaniya Pillai was taken as a prisoner.  Raja
of Pudukottai captured Kattabomman from the jungles of Kalapore
and handed him over to the Company.
 Execution of Kattabomman: After the fall of Panjalamkuruchi,
Bannerman brought the prisoners to an assembly of the Palayakkars
and after trial sentenced them to death.  On 16
th
 October 1799,
Kattabomman was hanged near Kayathar Fort, close to the town of
Tirunelveli, in front of the fellow Palayakkars.
III. Marudu Brothers: In the later half of the eighteenth century
the rebellion against the British was carried by Marudu Brothers in
South India.  Marudu brothers were the sons of Mookiah Palaniappan
and Ponnathal.  The elder brother was called Periya Marudu and the
younger brother Chinna Marudu. Chinna Marudu was more popular
and was called Marudu Pandiyan.
Chinna Marudu was called “Lion of  Sivaganga”
who were responsible for the death of his brother.  It was at this time
that Marudu brothers gave shelter to Oomathurai and supported him.
Chinna Marudu served under
Muthuvaduga Natha Devar of Sivaganga.
In 1772 the Nawab of Arcot laid seige of
Sivaganga and captured it.  However after
a few months Sivaganga was re-captured
by Marudu Brothers and Periya Marudu
was made the ruler.  After the death of
Kattabomman his brother Oomathurai left
Panjalamkuruchi and took shelter elsewhere.
He wanted to take revenge on the English
This act of Marudu brothers enraged the English.  They prepared
for an attack on Sivaganga.  Marudu brothers were also prepared to
meet the challenge.  The English accused Chinna Marudu for capturing
Sivaganga.  This action of the English forced Chinna Marudu to start
his operations against them.  In June 1801 he issued a proclamation
against the British.
Chinna Marudu
Page 5


In Tamilnadu, as in other parts of India , the earliest expressions of
opposition to English rule took the form of localised rebellions and
uprisings.   Chief among them was the revolt of Palayakkars against
the East India Company in 1799.
The Palayakkars originated in T amilnadu during the V ijayanagar rule,
in the reign of Visvanatha  Nayak of  Madurai. Palayakkar was the
holder of a territory or a Palayam.  It was granted to him in return for
his military service as a tribute.  During the 17
th
 and 18
th
 centuries the
Palayakkars played a vital role in the politics of Tamilnadu.   They
regarded themselves as independent.   The Palayakkars who resided
to the west of Tirunelveli were the Maravas, and the east were the
Nayaks.   The western Palayakkars were under the control of Pulithevan
while the others were under the control of Kattabomman.
The East India company eager for revenue opposed the manner
and scale in which the Palayakkars collected taxes from the people.
By the Carnatic Treaty of 1792, the English gained control over the
Palayakkars.   The early struggle between the Palayakkars of South
and the East India company had a strong political dimension.   The
English treated the Palayakkars as a rival power.  The Palayakkars
disliked the overlordship of aliens.   The result was the outbreak of the
rebellion of  Palayakkars in 1799.
Causes for the rebellion:
1. The Treaty of the Carnatic and the Treaty of Srirangapatnam
in 1792 consolidated the English power over the Palayakkars.
The Palayakkars waited for an opportunity to drive away the
English from T amilnadu.
2. By the Treaty of Carnatic the English got the right to collect
taxes from the local powers.  Collectors were appointed for
the collection of taxes from the Palayakkars.
3. The Palayakkars were not prepared to serve under the English.
4. The English  followed  the policy  of  annexation.  Some of  the
Palayams annexed by them were Ramanathapuram, Manaparai,
Palani,Y errakottai  and Chennelgudi. This policy of annexation
by the English was not  liked by the them.
I. Pulithevan: Pulithevan was the pioneer fighter
in T amilnadu, to protest against the English rule in
India.  He was the Palayakkar of the
Nerkattumsevval, near Tirunelveli.   During his
tenure he refused to pay the tribute neither to
Mohammed Ali, the Nawab of Arcot nor to the
English.   Further he started opposing them.   The
forces of the Nawab and the English attacked
Pulithevan.  But  the combined forces were
defeated by Pulithevan at Tirunelveli. After this
victory Pulithevan attempted to form a league of
the Palayakkars to oppose the  British and the
Nawab. But the Palayakkars of Sivagiri,
Ettayapuram and Panjalamkurichi failed to support him.
Pulithevan
II. Vira Pandya Kattabomman:  Virapandya Kattabomman was
born in 1761,   He became a Palayakkar in 1790.  The collection of
tribute was the main cause for the rivalry between the English and,
Kattabomman.  In September 1798, the tribute from Panjalankurichi
fell into arrears.  As there was a severe drought, he found it difficult to
collect taxes for the payment of tribute.  The collector of
Ramanathapuram wrote several letters to Kattabomman asking him
to pay the arrears.   But Kattabomman denied the demand of the
collector.
Colin Jackson, the British Collector directed Kattabomman to meet
him at Ramanathapuram. When Kattabomman wanted to meet the
Collector with money at Tirukuthalam, the collector refused to meet
him.  Kattabomman again followed the Collector to Sivagiri, Sattur
and then to Srivilliputur for about 23 days.  Then he was ordered to
meet the Collector at Ramnad. On 19
th
 September 1798
Kattabomman and his minister SivaSubramaniya Pillai  met the
Collector at Ramalinga Vilas in Ramanathapuram.  The Collector
insulted them and tried to arrest Kattabomman and his minister.
Kattabomman escaped with the help of his brother Oomathurai, but
his minister Pillai was arrested by Jackson.
The career and struggle of Pulithevan is an example of a chieftain
against the superior powers.
In 1759, Nerkattumsevval was attacked by the forces of Nawab of
Arcot under the leadership of Y usuf Khan otherwise known as Khan
Sahib.   Pulithevan was defeated at Anthanallur and the Nawabs forces
captured  Panayur , V asudhevanallur and Nerkattumsevval.  Pulithevan
who lived in exile recaptured Nerkattumsevval in 1764 after the death
of Khan Sahib. However he was defeated by Captain Campell in
1767.   The whereabouts of Pulithevan still remains a  mystery.
By the Carnatic Treaty of 1792, the English gained control over the
Palayakkars.   The early struggle between the Palayakkars of South
and the East India company had a strong political dimension.   The
English treated the Palayakkars as a rival power.  The Palayakkars
disliked the overlordship of aliens.   The result was the outbreak of the
rebellion of  Palayakkars in 1799.
Causes for the rebellion:
1. The Treaty of the Carnatic and the Treaty of Srirangapatnam
in 1792 consolidated the English power over the Palayakkars.
The Palayakkars waited for an opportunity to drive away the
English from T amilnadu.
2. By the Treaty of Carnatic the English got the right to collect
taxes from the local powers.  Collectors were appointed for
the collection of taxes from the Palayakkars.
3. The Palayakkars were not prepared to serve under the English.
4. The English  followed  the policy  of  annexation.  Some of  the
Palayams annexed by them were Ramanathapuram, Manaparai,
Palani,Y errakottai  and Chennelgudi. This policy of annexation
by the English was not  liked by the them.
I. Pulithevan: Pulithevan was the pioneer fighter
in T amilnadu, to protest against the English rule in
India.  He was the Palayakkar of the
Nerkattumsevval, near Tirunelveli.   During his
tenure he refused to pay the tribute neither to
Mohammed Ali, the Nawab of Arcot nor to the
English.   Further he started opposing them.   The
forces of the Nawab and the English attacked
Pulithevan.  But  the combined forces were
defeated by Pulithevan at Tirunelveli. After this
victory Pulithevan attempted to form a league of
the Palayakkars to oppose the  British and the
Nawab. But the Palayakkars of Sivagiri,
Ettayapuram and Panjalamkurichi failed to support him.
Pulithevan
II. Vira Pandya Kattabomman:  Virapandya Kattabomman was
born in 1761,   He became a Palayakkar in 1790.  The collection of
tribute was the main cause for the rivalry between the English and,
Kattabomman.  In September 1798, the tribute from Panjalankurichi
fell into arrears.  As there was a severe drought, he found it difficult to
collect taxes for the payment of tribute.  The collector of
Ramanathapuram wrote several letters to Kattabomman asking him
to pay the arrears.   But Kattabomman denied the demand of the
collector.
Colin Jackson, the British Collector directed Kattabomman to meet
him at Ramanathapuram. When Kattabomman wanted to meet the
Collector with money at Tirukuthalam, the collector refused to meet
him.  Kattabomman again followed the Collector to Sivagiri, Sattur
and then to Srivilliputur for about 23 days.  Then he was ordered to
meet the Collector at Ramnad. On 19
th
 September 1798
Kattabomman and his minister SivaSubramaniya Pillai  met the
Collector at Ramalinga Vilas in Ramanathapuram.  The Collector
insulted them and tried to arrest Kattabomman and his minister.
Kattabomman escaped with the help of his brother Oomathurai, but
his minister Pillai was arrested by Jackson.
The career and struggle of Pulithevan is an example of a chieftain
against the superior powers.
In 1759, Nerkattumsevval was attacked by the forces of Nawab of
Arcot under the leadership of Y usuf Khan otherwise known as Khan
Sahib.   Pulithevan was defeated at Anthanallur and the Nawabs forces
captured  Panayur , V asudhevanallur and Nerkattumsevval.  Pulithevan
who lived in exile recaptured Nerkattumsevval in 1764 after the death
of Khan Sahib. However he was defeated by Captain Campell in
1767.   The whereabouts of Pulithevan still remains a  mystery.
Kattabomman sent a letter to the Madras Council narrating the
behaviour of the Collector Jackson.   Kattabomman wanted his minister
to be released.  Edward Clive, the Governor of Madras Council
ordered Kattabomman to surrender..  Edward Clive also dismissed
the Collector for his misbehaviour and released Siva Subramaniya
Pillai.  Kattabomman decided to submit.  So Edward Clive appointed
a Commission and Kattabomman appeared before it  on 15
th
December 1798.
Kattabomman and the league: Marudu Pandya of Sivaganga
formed a League with the neighbouring Palayakkars..  Kattabomman
was interested in this league.   The Collector Lushington prevented
Kattabomman from meeting Marudu brothers.   But Marudu Brothers
and V ira Pandya Kattabomman plotted out a plan for the conflict with
the British.  Kattabomman tried to establish his influence with Sivagiri,
who refused to join the alliance of the rebels.  Kattabomman advanced
towards Sivagiri.  But the Palayakkar of Sivagiri was a tribute to the
Company.   So the Company considered the expedition of
Kattabomman as a challenge to their authority .  The Company ordered
the army to march to Tirunelveli.
Advance of  the British army:  Lord W ellesly sent an army under
Major Bannerman on May 1799 to fight against Kattabomman.  The
Major served a letter directing Kattabomman to attend on him at
Palayamkottai on 4
th
 September , Kattabomman refused due to lack
of time.
Fall of Panjalamkurichi: Bannerman moved his army to
Panjalamkurichi on 5
th
 September .  They cut of all the communications
to the Fort.  Bannerman deputed Ramalinga Mudaliar to send a message
asking Kattabomman to surrender, which Kattabomman refused.
Mudaliar gathered all the secrets of the Fort and on the basis of the
report, Bannerman decided the strategy of the operation.  In a clash
at Kallarpatti, Siva Subramaniya Pillai was taken as a prisoner.  Raja
of Pudukottai captured Kattabomman from the jungles of Kalapore
and handed him over to the Company.
 Execution of Kattabomman: After the fall of Panjalamkuruchi,
Bannerman brought the prisoners to an assembly of the Palayakkars
and after trial sentenced them to death.  On 16
th
 October 1799,
Kattabomman was hanged near Kayathar Fort, close to the town of
Tirunelveli, in front of the fellow Palayakkars.
III. Marudu Brothers: In the later half of the eighteenth century
the rebellion against the British was carried by Marudu Brothers in
South India.  Marudu brothers were the sons of Mookiah Palaniappan
and Ponnathal.  The elder brother was called Periya Marudu and the
younger brother Chinna Marudu. Chinna Marudu was more popular
and was called Marudu Pandiyan.
Chinna Marudu was called “Lion of  Sivaganga”
who were responsible for the death of his brother.  It was at this time
that Marudu brothers gave shelter to Oomathurai and supported him.
Chinna Marudu served under
Muthuvaduga Natha Devar of Sivaganga.
In 1772 the Nawab of Arcot laid seige of
Sivaganga and captured it.  However after
a few months Sivaganga was re-captured
by Marudu Brothers and Periya Marudu
was made the ruler.  After the death of
Kattabomman his brother Oomathurai left
Panjalamkuruchi and took shelter elsewhere.
He wanted to take revenge on the English
This act of Marudu brothers enraged the English.  They prepared
for an attack on Sivaganga.  Marudu brothers were also prepared to
meet the challenge.  The English accused Chinna Marudu for capturing
Sivaganga.  This action of the English forced Chinna Marudu to start
his operations against them.  In June 1801 he issued a proclamation
against the British.
Chinna Marudu
Kattabomman sent a letter to the Madras Council narrating the
behaviour of the Collector Jackson.   Kattabomman wanted his minister
to be released.  Edward Clive, the Governor of Madras Council
ordered Kattabomman to surrender..  Edward Clive also dismissed
the Collector for his misbehaviour and released Siva Subramaniya
Pillai.  Kattabomman decided to submit.  So Edward Clive appointed
a Commission and Kattabomman appeared before it  on 15
th
December 1798.
Kattabomman and the league: Marudu Pandya of Sivaganga
formed a League with the neighbouring Palayakkars..  Kattabomman
was interested in this league.   The Collector Lushington prevented
Kattabomman from meeting Marudu brothers.   But Marudu Brothers
and V ira Pandya Kattabomman plotted out a plan for the conflict with
the British.  Kattabomman tried to establish his influence with Sivagiri,
who refused to join the alliance of the rebels.  Kattabomman advanced
towards Sivagiri.  But the Palayakkar of Sivagiri was a tribute to the
Company.   So the Company considered the expedition of
Kattabomman as a challenge to their authority .  The Company ordered
the army to march to Tirunelveli.
Advance of  the British army:  Lord W ellesly sent an army under
Major Bannerman on May 1799 to fight against Kattabomman.  The
Major served a letter directing Kattabomman to attend on him at
Palayamkottai on 4
th
 September , Kattabomman refused due to lack
of time.
Fall of Panjalamkurichi: Bannerman moved his army to
Panjalamkurichi on 5
th
 September .  They cut of all the communications
to the Fort.  Bannerman deputed Ramalinga Mudaliar to send a message
asking Kattabomman to surrender, which Kattabomman refused.
Mudaliar gathered all the secrets of the Fort and on the basis of the
report, Bannerman decided the strategy of the operation.  In a clash
at Kallarpatti, Siva Subramaniya Pillai was taken as a prisoner.  Raja
of Pudukottai captured Kattabomman from the jungles of Kalapore
and handed him over to the Company.
 Execution of Kattabomman: After the fall of Panjalamkuruchi,
Bannerman brought the prisoners to an assembly of the Palayakkars
and after trial sentenced them to death.  On 16
th
 October 1799,
Kattabomman was hanged near Kayathar Fort, close to the town of
Tirunelveli, in front of the fellow Palayakkars.
III. Marudu Brothers: In the later half of the eighteenth century
the rebellion against the British was carried by Marudu Brothers in
South India.  Marudu brothers were the sons of Mookiah Palaniappan
and Ponnathal.  The elder brother was called Periya Marudu and the
younger brother Chinna Marudu. Chinna Marudu was more popular
and was called Marudu Pandiyan.
Chinna Marudu was called “Lion of  Sivaganga”
who were responsible for the death of his brother.  It was at this time
that Marudu brothers gave shelter to Oomathurai and supported him.
Chinna Marudu served under
Muthuvaduga Natha Devar of Sivaganga.
In 1772 the Nawab of Arcot laid seige of
Sivaganga and captured it.  However after
a few months Sivaganga was re-captured
by Marudu Brothers and Periya Marudu
was made the ruler.  After the death of
Kattabomman his brother Oomathurai left
Panjalamkuruchi and took shelter elsewhere.
He wanted to take revenge on the English
This act of Marudu brothers enraged the English.  They prepared
for an attack on Sivaganga.  Marudu brothers were also prepared to
meet the challenge.  The English accused Chinna Marudu for capturing
Sivaganga.  This action of the English forced Chinna Marudu to start
his operations against them.  In June 1801 he issued a proclamation
against the British.
Chinna Marudu