Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister, MK Stalin, has revealed a statue honouring the freedom fighter Queen Velu Nachiyar, often celebrated as 'Veera mangai' (the valorous lady) and widely regarded as India’s first female freedom fighter. The statue is located at the Gandhi Mandapam Complex in Guindy.
Queen Velu Nachiyar led her army against British forces, successfully reclaiming her kingdom of Sivaganga after an eight-year exile. According to a government statement, she challenged the British a century before the heroic Rani of Jhansi (1835 – 1858 AD), who also fought them in northern India.
Born on 3 January 1730, and passing away on 25 December 1796, Velu Nachiyar was supported by her female commander, Kuyili, who destroyed a British armoury in a suicide attack. This pivotal action enabled the 'Veera mangai' to recapture the throne of Sivaganga in 1780. Her commander, Kuyili, is also noted for leading the first all-women army regiment.
In the fight against the East India Company, she received help from Gopal Nayak, the ruler of the former Kingdom of Mysore, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. The queen governed for a decade before her death in 1796.
A princess of Ramanathapuram, she was the daughter of King Chellamuthu Vijayaragunatha Sethupathy and Rani Sakandhimuthal. She was drawn into the conflict after her husband, Muthuvaduganatha Periya Udaiyathevar, was killed by British soldiers and the son of the Nawab of Arcot.
During her reign, she introduced numerous reforms for public welfare, which include initiatives related to land, taxes, agriculture, education, and women's safety. She eventually passed the throne to her daughter, Vellachi Nachiyar.
A government release stated that the statue was installed by the state's Information and Public Relations department at a cost of ₹50 lakh, following a directive from the Chief Minister.
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