Forbidden history: Theeran Chinnamalai
Among the many freedom fighters of South India who were written out of history by the historians of India, Theeran Chinnamalai is one of the most important. His dispute with the British began when he tried to help the farmers on whom heavy taxes were imposed by the British. The dispute grew over the years and it ended when he was put to death by the British. This article is a small biography of his life.
Chapter 1: Early years
Theeran Chinnamalai was born as Theerthagiri on April 17, 1756. He was the second of the six children of Rathina Sarkkarai and Periyaatha. He had an elder brother-Kulandhaisamy, three younger brothers-Thambi, Kilothar and Kuttisamy, and a younger sister-Parvatham.
His grandfather, Kottravel Sarkkarai Mandraadiaar (மன்றாடியார்), belonged to the Palayakottai pattakkaarar family that controlled large tracts of land around Paalayankottai. Kottravel Sarkkarai was still childless after two marriages and adopted two sons to take over the control of the lands after him. The eldest of the two brothers, Senapathi, assumed the title of Mandraadiaar and continued to control the lands around Paalayamnkottai after the death of his father. The second son, Rathinasamy, moved to Melapaalayam and assumed control over the lands there that belonged to the family.
While Rathinasamy's eldest and youngest, Kulandhaisamy and Kuttisamy, were mainly involved in farming the lands, Theerthagiri, Thambi, and Kilothar took care of administration and safety of the villages under their control.
Theerthagiri and his brothers trained in various martial arts, archery, and horse riding in their younger years. They travelled around their territory and protected the villagers and their farms from robbers. They also took part in Village panchayats, which then was one of the most important arms of judiciary, and settled family and land disputes. For his part in public services, Theerthagiri was highly respected and regarded.
Chapter 2: Theerthagiri becomes Chinnamalai
During the later half of 18th century, the kingdom of Mysore was entitled to collect taxes from the regions around present-day Coimbatore(which is known Kongunaadu). Hyder Ali, the then king of Mysore, had charged a diwan named Mohammad Ali and another man with the task of collecting taxes. It is believed that the duo followed unfair tax practices and sometimes even confiscated lands from the owners. It is also said that
the duo beat up anyone who questioned them.g On hearing the atrocities committed against the farmers, Theerthagiri and his brothers rode out to confront Mohammad Ali. They met him on the road between Sennimalai and Shivanmalai, and recovered the taxes he had collected. Mohammad Ali was angered by it and threatened serious consequences. He warned them that Kongunaadu was under the reign of the king of Mysore and it was the king's right to collected taxes. To this, Theerthagiri refused to accept Hyder Ali as his king and informed the diwan that Kongunaadu was capable of ruling itself. He also distributed the tax money back to the farmers who were rejoiced.
Since that incident, Theerthagiri came to be known as Chinnamalai, owing to a statement he made when he introduced himself to the diwan - சென்னிமலைக்கும் சிவன்மலைக்கும் நடுவில் ஒரு சின்னமலை(I'm Chinnamalai who reigns between Sennimalai and Shivanmalai).
Chapter 3: Dispute with the Mysore kingdom
When Mohammad Ali complained about this incident to Hyder Ali, the latter agreed to dispatch an army. A few days later, a contingent from Sangagiri was sent to attack Chinnamalai. Chinnamalai with a small band of soldiers marched north to confront this army. The two armies encountered each other at Kangayam near river Noyyal. Chinnamalai and his soldiers quickly defeated the king's army.
This enraged Mohammad Ali who swore revenge. Knowing that a war with a mightier army was imminent, Chinnamalai began expanding his army too. However, that war never happened. Hyder Ali was in constant dispute with the Marathas and the British. He also knew that the nizams of Hyderabad were eyeing his kingdom and he did not want to split his army. So, the dreaded war never really took place.
Chapter 4: Foes turn friends
After the death of Hyder Ali in 1782, Tipu Sultan ascended the throne of the Kingdom of Mysore. Tipu Sultan's approach towards the British was much more aggressive that that of his father. He never accepted the sovereignty of British and did not pay taxes imposed by them. He was also committed to overthrow the British. To do so, he needed an even bigger than his own. So, he invited the Tamils from Kongunaadu to fight alongside him. Chinnamalai and his two brothers responded to that invite. They also took with them their trusted commanders, Velappan and Karuppan.
Chinnamalai was made the commander of Kongunaadu regiment. He and the regiment took part in the third and the fourth Anglo-mysore war. They were largely trained by French personnel who were collaborating with Tipu to overthrow the British. Though Tipu's army fought bravely, both the campaigns were lost and Tipu himself was killed in 1799. After Tipu's death, Chinnamalai returned to Kongunaadu with Karuppan and a part of their regiment that survived the wars. The British captured Vellapan and convinced him to be their agent.
Chapter 5: Battling the British
At the end of Mysore wars, Chinnamalai returned back from Mysore to Kongunaadu. He built for himself and his army a fort in a place called Odaanilai and waited for the right time to strike. In the meantime, he tried to strengthen his bonds with the chieftains of the neighbouring states of Malabar and Salem. During those times, Malabar and Salem were under the direct control of the British. So was Kongunaadu, given that the Kingdom of Mysore was under the control of British. However, the British knew that Chinnamalai was a threat. They wanted to bring Kongunaadu under their control without a fight with him. So, they tried to sign a pact. They promised Chinnamalai favours in exchange for taxes and sovereignty. They also wanted to station one of their cavalry units near Noyyal river. Chinnamalai did not agree to the pact even though he knew that it would bring war to his territory. He had a reliable source of information in the British court and he hoped it would play to his advantage.
Chapter 6: Odaanilai siege
The British were annoyed by Chinnamalai's defiance. Here was a man who had no real title or claim to the land, yet he ruled his own independent kingdom like a king, neither accepting their right to govern the area nor willing to co-operate with them. After much consideration, they decided to strike. In 1801, they sent a troop of soldiers under the command of Colonel Maxwell (some say he was called Makiskan). Chinnamalai was forewarned of this attack and he was able to defeat the British troops near Noyyal river. Colonel Maxwell retreated, but returned back in 1802 and laid siege to the Odaanilai fort. The battle continued for three days, at the end of which Colonel Maxwell was beheaded. It is said that his head was paraded around Odaanilai while his torso was tied to a horseback and sent to Sangagiri fort which was then under the British.
Chapter 7: Second battle of Odaanilai
Chapter 8: Life in exile
Chapter 9: Capture and Execution
While they roamed the forest in the mornings, strategizing and regrouping, the brothers arrived at the foothills to the house of a man named Nallappan every night. This man was a cook who agreed to offer them refuge and dinner. He also plans to betray them. He informed British about the whereabouts of Chinnamalai and with this help, the British decided to set up a trap. They dug an underground trench that connected Nallapan's house with a camp they had set a few miles away.
On one night, when Chinnamalai and his brothers were having dinner, Nallapan requested them to set their weapons aside when eating. The brothers trusted this man and agreed to his request. Once their weapons were taken away from them, Nallapan signalled the British who stormed the house both from outside and underground. A total of two hundred soldiers surrounded the house. Disgusted by his actions, Chinnamalai or one of his brothers strangled Nallappan before they were all captured by the British. Karuppan, one of their trusted commanders, who was in hiding in Melapalayam also surrendered.
Chinnamalai and the other prisoners were taken to the Sangagiri fort and held at a prison there. A four person tribunal was formed to investigate the events. At the end of the investigation, the tribunal demanded Chinnamalai to pay taxes to the British and accept their sovereignty. Chinnamalai refused it. So he was charged with conspiracy and sentenced to death.
On July 31 1805, Chinnamalai and his brothers, along with Karuppan, were hung by their necks till death at the Sangagiri fort. It is not known for sure what happened to their mortal remains.
Chapter 10: The end
The life of Theeran Chinnamalai would have been lost to the pages of history if not for one man. His oral accounts were the source of a great deal of information about Theeran Chinnamalai and he himself acknowledged that he did not have memory of the all incidents of that time. So, Theeran Chinnamalai's life story will still be shrouded by darkness and his glory under wraps till more evidence is unearthed. Hope that happens in the near future and hope the man gets the respect he deserves.
Chapter 1: Early years
Theeran Chinnamalai was born as Theerthagiri on April 17, 1756. He was the second of the six children of Rathina Sarkkarai and Periyaatha. He had an elder brother-Kulandhaisamy, three younger brothers-Thambi, Kilothar and Kuttisamy, and a younger sister-Parvatham.
His grandfather, Kottravel Sarkkarai Mandraadiaar (மன்றாடியார்), belonged to the Palayakottai pattakkaarar family that controlled large tracts of land around Paalayankottai. Kottravel Sarkkarai was still childless after two marriages and adopted two sons to take over the control of the lands after him. The eldest of the two brothers, Senapathi, assumed the title of Mandraadiaar and continued to control the lands around Paalayamnkottai after the death of his father. The second son, Rathinasamy, moved to Melapaalayam and assumed control over the lands there that belonged to the family.
While Rathinasamy's eldest and youngest, Kulandhaisamy and Kuttisamy, were mainly involved in farming the lands, Theerthagiri, Thambi, and Kilothar took care of administration and safety of the villages under their control.
Theerthagiri and his brothers trained in various martial arts, archery, and horse riding in their younger years. They travelled around their territory and protected the villagers and their farms from robbers. They also took part in Village panchayats, which then was one of the most important arms of judiciary, and settled family and land disputes. For his part in public services, Theerthagiri was highly respected and regarded.
Chapter 2: Theerthagiri becomes Chinnamalai
During the later half of 18th century, the kingdom of Mysore was entitled to collect taxes from the regions around present-day Coimbatore(which is known Kongunaadu). Hyder Ali, the then king of Mysore, had charged a diwan named Mohammad Ali and another man with the task of collecting taxes. It is believed that the duo followed unfair tax practices and sometimes even confiscated lands from the owners. It is also said that
Since that incident, Theerthagiri came to be known as Chinnamalai, owing to a statement he made when he introduced himself to the diwan - சென்னிமலைக்கும் சிவன்மலைக்கும் நடுவில் ஒரு சின்னமலை(I'm Chinnamalai who reigns between Sennimalai and Shivanmalai).
Chapter 3: Dispute with the Mysore kingdom
When Mohammad Ali complained about this incident to Hyder Ali, the latter agreed to dispatch an army. A few days later, a contingent from Sangagiri was sent to attack Chinnamalai. Chinnamalai with a small band of soldiers marched north to confront this army. The two armies encountered each other at Kangayam near river Noyyal. Chinnamalai and his soldiers quickly defeated the king's army.
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| Theeran Chinnamalai's statue |
This enraged Mohammad Ali who swore revenge. Knowing that a war with a mightier army was imminent, Chinnamalai began expanding his army too. However, that war never happened. Hyder Ali was in constant dispute with the Marathas and the British. He also knew that the nizams of Hyderabad were eyeing his kingdom and he did not want to split his army. So, the dreaded war never really took place.
Chapter 4: Foes turn friends
After the death of Hyder Ali in 1782, Tipu Sultan ascended the throne of the Kingdom of Mysore. Tipu Sultan's approach towards the British was much more aggressive that that of his father. He never accepted the sovereignty of British and did not pay taxes imposed by them. He was also committed to overthrow the British. To do so, he needed an even bigger than his own. So, he invited the Tamils from Kongunaadu to fight alongside him. Chinnamalai and his two brothers responded to that invite. They also took with them their trusted commanders, Velappan and Karuppan.
Chinnamalai was made the commander of Kongunaadu regiment. He and the regiment took part in the third and the fourth Anglo-mysore war. They were largely trained by French personnel who were collaborating with Tipu to overthrow the British. Though Tipu's army fought bravely, both the campaigns were lost and Tipu himself was killed in 1799. After Tipu's death, Chinnamalai returned to Kongunaadu with Karuppan and a part of their regiment that survived the wars. The British captured Vellapan and convinced him to be their agent.
Chapter 5: Battling the British
At the end of Mysore wars, Chinnamalai returned back from Mysore to Kongunaadu. He built for himself and his army a fort in a place called Odaanilai and waited for the right time to strike. In the meantime, he tried to strengthen his bonds with the chieftains of the neighbouring states of Malabar and Salem. During those times, Malabar and Salem were under the direct control of the British. So was Kongunaadu, given that the Kingdom of Mysore was under the control of British. However, the British knew that Chinnamalai was a threat. They wanted to bring Kongunaadu under their control without a fight with him. So, they tried to sign a pact. They promised Chinnamalai favours in exchange for taxes and sovereignty. They also wanted to station one of their cavalry units near Noyyal river. Chinnamalai did not agree to the pact even though he knew that it would bring war to his territory. He had a reliable source of information in the British court and he hoped it would play to his advantage. Chapter 6: Odaanilai siege
The British were annoyed by Chinnamalai's defiance. Here was a man who had no real title or claim to the land, yet he ruled his own independent kingdom like a king, neither accepting their right to govern the area nor willing to co-operate with them. After much consideration, they decided to strike. In 1801, they sent a troop of soldiers under the command of Colonel Maxwell (some say he was called Makiskan). Chinnamalai was forewarned of this attack and he was able to defeat the British troops near Noyyal river. Colonel Maxwell retreated, but returned back in 1802 and laid siege to the Odaanilai fort. The battle continued for three days, at the end of which Colonel Maxwell was beheaded. It is said that his head was paraded around Odaanilai while his torso was tied to a horseback and sent to Sangagiri fort which was then under the British.
Chapter 7: Second battle of Odaanilai
The British were furious on hearing what had happened to Colonel Maxwell. However, they waited for the opportune moment to strike back. Once such moment presented itself in 1804. The British learnt that on one particular day, all the men from Chinnamalai's army and Chinnamalai himself would be attending the Arasalur Amman temple festival a few miles away from Odaanilai. They decided to take down the fort during the festival and sent a cavalry unit under the command of General Harris (of Mysore war fame). Once again, Chinnamalai was forewarned and he made up his mind to take on the General himself. On the day of the festival, he sent a few of his men to the temple while he and the rest of his contingent stayed back at the fort.
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| Odaanilai manimandapam |
On the concerned day, General Harris arrived at the temple, noticed Chinnamalai's soldiers' presence there and believed that Chinnamalai was with them. So he bravely marched towards Odaanilai fort, but was caught by surprise when Chinnamalai stormed out of the fort on a horse and started hurling hand grenades (Knowing the strengths of the British, Chinnamalai issued orders to manufacture gun powder, grenades and even canons in the fort) at them. General Harris was forced to withdraw.
After facing repeated failures, the British decided to reinforce their army. Men were brought in from Kallikudi and canons arrived from Madras. With about 140 canons and thirty thousand men, general Harris marched to Odaanilai. His men surrounded the fort and demanded Chinnamalai to surrender and threatened to destroy the fort. But after repeated cries, there was no response. So, Harris decided to storm the fort and he did. Only to find that the fort was empty. As he wondered what had happened, he noticed a abandoned shoe. In the heel of that shoe was a chit. It read: General Harris will arrive at the fort within eight days. He has many canons. Empty the fort. And it was signed Velappan. When the British realised that Velappan whom they had captured during fourth Mysore war had been working for Chinnamalai they shot him dead. They also razed Odaanilai fort to the ground using the canons.
Chapter 8: Life in exile
After abandoning their fort, Chinnamalai and his brothers, lived in hiding in a place called Karumalai near Palani. It is said that whenever they had to venture into civilization they used disguise or darkness because the British were constantly on the lookout for them. Chinnamalai himself disguised once as an old muslim man and another time as a muslim woman with burqha to attend the engagement and wedding of a friends(one Sheikh Hussain) daughter.
Chapter 9: Capture and Execution
While they roamed the forest in the mornings, strategizing and regrouping, the brothers arrived at the foothills to the house of a man named Nallappan every night. This man was a cook who agreed to offer them refuge and dinner. He also plans to betray them. He informed British about the whereabouts of Chinnamalai and with this help, the British decided to set up a trap. They dug an underground trench that connected Nallapan's house with a camp they had set a few miles away.
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| Sangagiri fort |
On one night, when Chinnamalai and his brothers were having dinner, Nallapan requested them to set their weapons aside when eating. The brothers trusted this man and agreed to his request. Once their weapons were taken away from them, Nallapan signalled the British who stormed the house both from outside and underground. A total of two hundred soldiers surrounded the house. Disgusted by his actions, Chinnamalai or one of his brothers strangled Nallappan before they were all captured by the British. Karuppan, one of their trusted commanders, who was in hiding in Melapalayam also surrendered.
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| Chinnamalai's statue |
Chinnamalai and the other prisoners were taken to the Sangagiri fort and held at a prison there. A four person tribunal was formed to investigate the events. At the end of the investigation, the tribunal demanded Chinnamalai to pay taxes to the British and accept their sovereignty. Chinnamalai refused it. So he was charged with conspiracy and sentenced to death.
On July 31 1805, Chinnamalai and his brothers, along with Karuppan, were hung by their necks till death at the Sangagiri fort. It is not known for sure what happened to their mortal remains.
Chapter 10: The end
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| Commemorative stamp |
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