Veerapandiya Kattabomman History – Fearless Warrior

by Aug 19, 2020

Hello everyone, welcome to another piece of content which would get you dive in to incredible Veerapandiya Kattabomman History.

FactorsInformation
IdentityTamil Palayakarrar or Polygar
ReignEnded 16 October 1799
BirthJanuary 3, 1760 at Panchalankurichi fort, India
ParentsMother: Arumugathammal, Father: Jagaveera Kattabomman
WifeJakkammal
SuccessorBritish Rule
DeathOctober 16, 1799 at age of 39 years at Kayathar, India

Introduction

The Great Veerapandiya Kattabomman was born at Panchalankurichi on January 3, 1760. He was from southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. He refused to pay taxes therefore, East India company officer named Alan try to invade his fort.

Panchalankurichi Fort
Image Credits: Redmanored

Before I start who was the Veerapandia Kattabomman, let’s understand what is meant by Polygars:

Palayakarrar or Polygars

The persons were designated as administrative governors and military chieftains. These persons also called as feudal lords and named as Palayakarrar during the period of Vijayanagara Empire.

In Vijayanagara Empire was at peak at time Maharaj Sri Krishnadevaraya. In this Empire, feudal lords had given charge group of villages. These group of villages are called Palayam, therefore the in charge named as Palayakarrar.

Periodically people changed name to Polygars, which is easier to pronounce as compared to Palayakarrar. These Polygars are responsible to accumulate taxes from country peoples within certain period of time. They have full control over their region and acts as independent chieftains.

Veerapandiya Kattabomman History

In 18th century, when East India company started to invade the southern region. Britishers clashed with Polygars. East India company always wanted to control those Polygars and area to collect taxes from their territory. The Kattabomman completely refused the British rule over their region. As a result, Veerapandiya Kattabomman started war against British East India Company which called as “First Polygar War” of 1799.

Kattabomman managed to escaped from the British trap but later Britishers put reward for whoever bought him. The greedy polygars bewitched for rewards and become ready to betrayed Kattabomman. As a result of the bounty, Pudukottai Raja Ettappan betrayed Kattabomman and get captured.

After captured one of Kattabomman’s associates was Soundara Pandian brutally killed. Soundara Pandian’s head bashed over wall until he died. Second associate Subramania Pillai also hanged and to spread fear in the people, his head display at Panchalankurichi fort. Brother of Kattabomman named Oomaithurai was put to prison. Himself Kattabomman also hanged at place Kayatharu in public on October 16, 1799.

The Poligar conflict with East India Company doesn’t end after the death of Kattabomman. As in 1800, Poligars again rebel against the company and the war lasts for a year.

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Stamp in honor of Veerapandiya Kattabomman
Image credits: Author India Post, Government of India, Source: Wikimedia

Featured image credits: Manikandan.J, Source: Wikimedia

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