The Role of South India in the Freedom Movement

Veerapandya Kattabomman

It is often believed that the National Movement was more subdued in the South than in other parts of India. However, this mildness and moderation cannot belie the fact that the seeds of the National Movement first sprouted on the soil of the South. The Indian resistance to the advent of the British as a political power on the soil of India starts well before the Indian Mutiny (1857), by more than half a century: Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Poligar of Panchalankurichi (in Tinnevelly), was the first Indian hero to reject the British claims of suzerainty in India, refuse to pay tribute to them, defy their injunctions, confront them on the battlefield and succumb to their sentence of death. He was hanged on 17 October 1799 at the age of thirty-nine. He was the first martyr in the as yet amorphous form of Indian nationalism. Thus, the very first resistance to the British at the political level which eventually transformed itself into a definite movement for Indian independence has had its major origins in the Madras Presidency. And Kattabomman, a mere chieftain was the first Indian to perceive the anomaly of an alien government imposing its rule on the sons of the soil. It is an irony of history that nearly a century later, the Moderates in the Congress Party meekly accepted the arrogance of the British that they were born to rule and that they would not submit themselves to the jurisdiction of competent Indian Judges

.

It was this arrogance of the British that obstructed the passing of the 'Ilbert Bill' in 1883. This bill involved a 'fundamental principle of justice and fair play to the children of soil'. It was a modest proposal of Ripon's Government seeking to establish racial equality. But the very idea of conferring on a few experienced Indian judges criminal jurisdiction over resident Europeans was anathema to the 'earthly Gods' in the India of 1883. The cherished conviction that 'he belongs to a race whom God has destined to govern and subdue' was shared by every Englishman in India, said W. S. Seton Kerr, Foreign Secretary to the Government of India (C. S. Ranga Iyer, Father India, Reply to Mother India, p. 90). Had India as a whole been less moderate and more aggressive, then it would doubtless have obstructed the triumph of a handful of Europeans in India.

Who was Veerapandyan Kattobamman?

He was a hero of Tamilnadu who fought against the British, who were gradually gaining sway over India. He fell into their hands because of his own friends' treachery. To the end he remained brave as a lion and, even on the gallows offered homage to his motherland.

Around the end of the 18th century the greater part of South India was ruled by the Nawab of Arcot. The Nayak rule in Madurai which controlled the entire West Tamil Nadu after two centuries came to an abrupt end in 1736 when Chanda Sahib of Arcot seized the Madurai throne from the last queen of Madurai in an act of treason. Chanda Sahib was later killed after the Carnatic Wars and the territory came under the Nawab of Arcot. The Palayakarrars of the old Madurai country refused to recognise the new Muslim rulers, driving the Nawab of Arcot to bankruptcy, who indulged in lavish spending like building palaces even before sustaining his authority in the region.

Finally the Nawab resorted to borrowing huge sums from the British East India Company, erupting as a scandal in the British Parliament. The East India Company took advantage of the situation and plundered the wealth of the people in the name of tax collection.

Page 35

In 1792 the Nawab entered into an agreement with the East India Company in which he delegated to them the authority to collect tribute from the Indian princes. The Company started collecting tributes and most of them unable to bear the harassment bowed to them. But one ruler among them did not care for the white man's threat. He refused to pay tribute to them saying: 'We ourselves receive tribute from other kings; should we pay tribute to these foreigners who have come for trade and commerce?'

The ancestors of Kattabommu belonged to Andhra. He was born on the 3rd of January 1760. Bommu was a general under the Pandyan king Jagaveera. Heroic and adventurous right from his childhood, Bommu had become the favourite of Jagaveera. The king had boundless affection for him and great faith in him. When he was dying, he called Bommu and said, 'Bommu, my end is near, hereafter you are the only hope of the kingdom. Protect this land as I protected you.' He thus entrusted the kingdom to Bommu's care.

Bommu lived at Panchalamkurucchi of Ramanathapuram District in Tamil Nadu and built a massive fort around the city. He also beautified it and provided several facilities so that people could live in greater comfort. On 2nd February 1790, he was crowned king by the people. Bommu won the people's affection and would not tolerate anything unjust or immoral. He would find criminals and punish or advise them.

There is a well-known story about Bommu. It is said that one young man in the kingdom claiming that he was as strong as Bommu, challenged him to a wrestling bout. Bommu accepted the challenge. However, he invited him for lunch and suggested that after some rest they could fight it out in the evening. As the lunch was being served on banana leaves, the young man noticed something strange. After the eatables were served on the banana leaf, the lady put some sesame seeds in the corner of the leaf. He was surprised and wanted to know what it meant. Bommu asked him to wait a little. He took these seeds in his fist and clenched it and, lo and behold, oil from the seeds began to drip on the leaf. The young man immediately recognised the superior strength of Bommu and the fight was called off.

Maxwell who was at that time the Company's officer in charge of the region around Panchalamkurucchi asked Bommu to pay tribute. Bommu made it clear that he would pay no tribute and sent word that no foreigner was permitted to enter his kingdom. For six years he defied them and thus became a problem to the British. They then decided to send a messenger by the name of Allen asking Bommu to make at least a token payment. Bommu replied: 'Just because all the feudal chiefs have become cowards, should I bow down? This Pandyan won't bow down to you foreigners, so long as there is a single drop of blood in his body. Enough, get out', roared Bommu. The British puzzled at the heroic defiance of Bommu, tempted other chiefs with money and won them over to their side.

A new officer called Jackson was appointed by the Company to collect the tribute from Bommu. Jackson invited Bommu to meet him alone with the intention of capturing him. Bommu, seeing through the game went along with his brother and with one of his ministers. Jackson was waiting at Ramalingavilasa, as a guest of Raja Setupati. Bommu entered the huge mansion alone, while his companions hid themselves in secret places. Jackson, who was drunk, entered into an argument with Bommu and asked him to pay the tribute. There followed an altercation and Jackson commanded his secretary Clark to capture Bommu. Bommu waved his sword at the soldiers who rushed to capture him and in a moment Clark,s head rolled to the ground. A small battle ensued and Bommu escaped with most of his men.

Page 36

Another officer, Lushington was appointed in place of Jackson. Lushington asked Bommu to pay the tribute and also pay compensation to the family of Clark who was killed by Bommu. On his refusal, the Company decided to march with their army and capture the territory of Panchalamkurucchi. On the 14th of August 1799, the British Army began its march under the command of Major John Bannerman. The army reached Palayamlittai and camped there. Lushington decided to make another appeal to Bommu but it was in vain. Bommu spurned the offer and refused to pay the tribute.

Jakkamma was the guardian deity of Panchalamkuricchi; she was the source of inspiration to the gallant warriors. That was the day of Jakkamma's fair at Tiruchendur and all the reliable friends of Bommu were at the fair. A spy informed Bommu that the Company's army was marching to attack the fort. Bommu organised his troops and prayed to Goddess Jakkamma before the battle began.

There was no comparison between Bommu's army and the Company's army which was led by Bannerman. Bommu had only swords and shields, while the enemy had cannons and explosives. But any foe trembled before the heroism of Veerapandya.

The battle began; it was a grim trial of strength. The brave warriors, with their swords drawn, threw themselves into the battle with fervour. Many Englishmen were killed by the spears and daggers pouring down from the fort. Near the southern gate, a fierce battle was raging between Collin's battalion and Udaimore, Bommu's brother. Udaimore was a man of great daring and Collin fell prey to his sword. His body was cut into two. Bannerman was in a frenzy and sent word to the Company to send more military help. The northern part of the fort was attacked by Lt. Dallas. There was continuous fighting and soon all the four gates of the fort were destroyed by the cannon. The Company's army rushed inside while Bommu was engaged in a gallant fight. Bommu wanted to continue fighting, but his officers persuaded him to flee. They said: 'There is no way to fight the British and drive them out of this land now, let us organise our people again.' So Bommu managed to escape with his intimate friends. On the 7th of September 1799 he left Panchalamkuricchi. The following day, Bommu along with his associates reached Kolarpatti and stayed with its feudal chief Rajagopala Nayaka.

In the meanwhile, Panchalamkuricchi fell into the hands of Bannerman; however, he was furious that Bommu had escaped and announced a big reward for whoever could capture Bommu. Bannerman plundered Bommu's territory and kept his wife and children in prison.

Bommu soon moved from Kolarpatti and reached Pudukottai where he believed that Tondaiman would help him. He was waiting for a chance to organise all the feudal chiefs again and drive out the British. Tondaiman received him well and Bommu was feeling secure. However, on the 24th of September, Tondaiman had written to Bannerman, that Bommu had been found and that he was staying with him. On the 1st of October, after a hearty meal, Bommu went to sleep in a room upstairs. He was rudely woken up and found the Company's soldiers surrounding his bed. He was handcuffed and taken prisoner; Bannerman had decided that Bommu should be hanged. A trial was conducted and Bommu was asked to confess his crime and beg forgiveness. Bommu refused and insulted Bannerman with a fiery reply. Bannerman seeing that he was dealing with a great warrior decided that Bommu must be hanged.

On the 16th of October, at Kayattaru a rope was suspended from a branch of a tamarind tree. At the end of the rope was a noose. A footstool was placed below. It had been decided to hang Bommu there. Bannerman had issued orders that all the feudal chiefs were to assemble there that day. 'Let them all see the plight of Kattabommu and be afraid of the white man's power', he thought.

Bommu walked up to the tamarind tree. The British soldiers untied Bommu. At once Bommu bent down, took a little earth and said, 'Mother! I yearned to see you free. But

Page 37

that could not be, because of a few traitors. But I will be born again in the same soil. I will free you from this bondage.'

His last words were: 'Feudal chiefs, I am not angry with you. I have pardoned those that exposed me to the enemy. I will die in few seconds. But I could not realise my dream. No matter how many times I may be born again, I shall be born only in the soil of Panchalamkuricchi. I shall see a liberated country. These are my last words.'

The hour fixed for the execution came. A British soldier came forward to put the noose around Bommu's neck. Bommu sent him back. He held the rope, kissed it and put it round his neck. The people's sobs reached the skies. Bommu closed his eyes in perfect calmness and prayed to the deity Jakkamma. Then he kicked away the footstool. The rope swung from side to side. The branch of the tree bent down. Fate had finished its work. Bommu had sacrificed his life for his motherland.

Kattabomman became thus the pivot of the emerging feeling of Tamil nationhood. His story is celebrated in many legends and epic poetry in Tamil. Kattabomman is today recognised by the government as one of the earliest independence fighters opposing the British and has been hailed as the inspiration behind the first battle of Independence of 1857, which the British called the Sepoy Mutiny.

In 1974, the Government of Tamil Nadu constructed a new Memorial fort. The Memorial Hall has beautiful paintings on the walls depicting the heroic deeds of the saga which give a good idea about the history of the period. A cemetery of British soldiers is also seen near the fort.

The remnants of the old fort are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. At Kayathar, near Tirunelveli on the present-day NH7, the place where he was hanged, there is another memorial to Kattabomman.

To commemorate the bicentenary of Kattabomman's hanging, on 16 October 1999 the Government of India issued a postal stamp in his honour.

India's premier communication nerve centre of the Indian Navy, at Vijayanarayanam, about 40 km from Tirunelveli, is named INS Kattabomman.1

Page 38

HOME