Tamil Nadu Freedom Struggle — TNPSC Group II/IIA History
Overview
Tamil Nadu had a rich and distinct history of resistance to British rule. While the national movement provides the broad context, Tamil Nadu produced its own heroes — V.O.C. (Kappaleottiya Tamizhan), Subramania Bharati (the poet-patriot), and later Periyar. The Tirunelveli region was particularly active. For TNPSC Group 2/2A candidates in Tamil Nadu, this topic is extremely important as it relates directly to Tamil history.
Early Resistance in Tamil Nadu
Velu Thampi Dalawa (1765–1809) — Kerala/Tamil Connection
- Divan of Travancore kingdom
- Led rebellion against the British (1808–1809)
- Issued the famous Kundara Proclamation calling for uprising
- Committed suicide to avoid capture
- Regarded as an early patriot of south India
Puli Thevar — First Resistance in Tamil Nadu (18th century)
- Polygar (Palayakkarar) of Nerkattumseval, Tirunelveli
- Fought against the East India Company in 1750s–1760s
- Allied with Hyder Ali of Mysore
- One of the earliest resisters to British rule in Tamil Nadu
Kattabomman (Veerapandya Kattabomman, 1760–1799)
- Palayakkarar (feudal chief) of Panchalamkurichi, Tirunelveli
- Refused to pay tribute to the East India Company
- Fought the British in a series of engagements
- Captured and hanged at Kayathar on October 16, 1799
- Tamil Nadu celebrates him as a symbol of early resistance
- Maruthu Pandiyar brothers of Sivagangai also fought British around the same period
V.O. Chidambaram Pillai (VOC, 1872–1936) — "Kappaleottiya Tamizhan"
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | September 5, 1872, Ottapidaram, Tirunelveli |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Organisation | Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company (1906) |
| Newspaper | India (co-edited with Subramania Siva) |
| Imprisonment | 1908 — sedition and hard labour |
Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company (1906)
- VOC launched the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company in 1906 from Tuticorin (Thoothukudi)
- Direct challenge to the British India Steam Navigation Company — British monopoly on coastal shipping
- Routes: Tuticorin ↔ Colombo (Sri Lanka)
- Nationalistic symbolism: First Indian shipping company
- British pressure forced the company to close within a year
VOC's Arrest and Imprisonment
- Arrested in 1908 on charges of sedition
- Sentenced to rigorous imprisonment — forced to work the grinding mill (chakki pesuvadhu) in jail
- "Chekku" (oil press) labour became a symbol of British oppression
- Popularly remembered as "Kappalottiya Tamizhan" — "The Tamil who steered the ship"
- Later released; continued political and legal work but never reached national prominence again
Subramania Bharati (1882–1921) — "Bharatiyar"
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | December 11, 1882, Ettayapuram, Tirunelveli |
| Pen name | Bharati, Bharatiyar |
| Occupation | Poet, journalist, nationalist |
| Exile | French Pondicherry (1908–1918) |
| Newspapers | Swadesamitran, India |
Contributions to Freedom Struggle
Patriotic Poetry:
- Composed powerful patriotic songs that became rallying cries of the freedom movement
- Famous song: "Vande Mataram" in Tamil, "Acham Thavir" (Abandon Fear), "Enthan Naadum" (My Country)
- His songs were sung at public meetings and protests
Political Activities:
- Met Bipin Chandra Pal and was influenced by Extremist ideology
- Attended 1907 Surat Congress — sided with Tilak-led Extremists
- Wrote fiery articles in Swadesamitran and India newspapers
Exile in Pondicherry (1908–1918):
- Fled to French Pondicherry (outside British jurisdiction) to avoid arrest
- Met Sri Aurobindo in Pondicherry
- Continued writing poems and nationalist articles
- Returned to British India in 1918; kept under surveillance
Social Reforms:
- Championed women's rights and opposed purdah
- Opposed untouchability — famously dined with a Dalit girl (Kanamma)
- Promoted women's education in his poems
Famous Works:
- Panchali Sabatham (epic poem)
- Kuyil Pattu (Cuckoo Song)
- Kannan Pattu (Song of Krishna)
- Translations of Bhagavad Gita into Tamil verse
Death: September 11, 1921, Madras — trampled by a temple elephant; died at 39
Tirunelveli (Thoothukudi) Uprising and Related Events
Background
- Tirunelveli district was the centre of Tamil Nadu's Swadeshi movement
- V.O.C. and Subramania Siva led mass mobilisation
Ashe Murder Case (1911)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Robert William d'Escourt Ashe — British Collector of Tirunelveli |
| Date | June 17, 1911 |
| Assassin | Vanchi Iyer (also known as Vanchinad) |
| Background | Tamil nationalist; influenced by Bharati's writings and Siva's speeches |
| Outcome | Vanchi Iyer shot Ashe at Maniyachi Junction; immediately shot himself |
- Regarded as an act of nationalist extremism
- British cracked down on Tamil nationalist movement
Subramania Siva
- Close associate of V.O. Chidambaram Pillai
- Powerful orator; mobilised masses in Tirunelveli
- Arrested after VOC's imprisonment
- Underwent rigorous imprisonment
Vaikom Satyagraha (1924–1925) — Kerala but Tamil Connection
Background
- Vaikom (in present-day Kerala) — Vaikom Mahadeva Temple
- Lower-caste Hindus (Ezhavas, Dalits, Nairs) forbidden from using roads near the temple
The Satyagraha
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Launched | March 30, 1924 |
| Led by | T.K. Madhavan (Ezhava leader from Kerala) |
| Periyar's role | Led Tamil volunteers from Tamil Nadu; was twice arrested |
| Gandhi's visit | November 1925 — negotiated with Travancore authorities |
| Resolution | April 1925 — lower castes allowed on three of four roads |
| Full resolution | 1936 — Travancore Temple Entry Proclamation |
Periyar's role:
- Periyar took Tamil volunteers to Vaikom to participate in the Satyagraha
- Was arrested twice
- Vaikom Satyagraha cemented Periyar's reputation as a fighter against caste discrimination
C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji, 1878–1972) — Tamil Nadu's National Leader
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | December 10, 1878, Thorapalli, Salem District |
| Role in Congress | Close associate of Gandhi; participated in all major movements |
| Governor-General | Last Governor-General of India (1948–1950) |
| Chief Minister | First CM of Madras State (1952) |
| Founded | Swatantra Party (1959) — pro-free market alternative |
| Book | Chakravarti Thirumagal (Tamil Mahabharata) |
- Participated in Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement
- Led Vedaranyam Salt March (Tamil Nadu version of Dandi March, 1930)
- Vedaranyam in Nagapatnam district — Rajaji made salt from sea
- Known as "C.R." or "Rajaji"
Women in Tamil Nadu's Freedom Struggle
| Leader | Role |
|---|---|
| Bharati Dasan | Poet inspired by Bharati; nationalist verse |
| Ammu Swaminathan | First woman from Madras to be elected to Central Legislature (1926) |
| Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy | Social reformer; first woman legislator in Asia (1927); fought devadasi system |
| Subbalakshmi | Nationalist; Salt Satyagraha |
Key Facts for TNPSC Group II/IIA
- Kattabomman hanged at Kayathar on October 16, 1799 — earliest symbol of Tamil resistance
- V.O. Chidambaram Pillai (VOC): Founded Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company (1906) from Tuticorin; "Kappaleottiya Tamizhan"
- VOC imprisoned 1908 — forced to work grinding mill (chakki); became symbol of British oppression
- Subramania Bharati born December 11, 1882, Ettayapuram; died September 11, 1921 at age 39
- Bharati's Pondicherry exile: 1908–1918 to avoid British arrest; met Sri Aurobindo
- Vanchi Iyer assassinated British Collector Ashe at Maniyachi Junction on June 17, 1911
- Vaikom Satyagraha (1924): For lower-caste road access; Periyar led Tamil volunteers; Gandhi visited
- C. Rajagopalachari led Vedaranyam Salt March (1930) — Tamil Nadu's Dandi March
- Rajaji was the last Governor-General and first Chief Minister of Madras State
- Muthulakshmi Reddy: First woman legislator in Asia (1927 Madras Legislature); fought devadasi system
Previous Year MCQ Patterns
Q: V.O. Chidambaram Pillai is called "Kappaleottiya Tamizhan" because: a) He was a great Tamil swimmer b) He founded a Swadeshi shipping company c) He was a fisherman d) He wrote books about ships
Q: The Vedaranyam Salt March (Tamil Nadu's version of Dandi March) was led by: a) Subramania Bharati b) V.O. Chidambaram Pillai c) C. Rajagopalachari d) Periyar
Q: Who among the following was the first woman legislator in Asia? a) Sarojini Naidu b) Ammu Swaminathan c) Muthulakshmi Reddy d) Annie Besant
Frequently Asked Questions
V.O. Chidambaram Pillai (VOC, 1872–1936) was a Tamil nationalist leader from Tuticorin. He founded the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company in 1906 to challenge the British shipping monopoly. He was imprisoned for sedition and subjected to hard labour (working the grinding mill — Vanchi Natham). He is called 'Kappaleottiya Tamizhan' (The Tamil who steered the ship).