Born on Januray 3rd 1730, to King Chellamuthu Vijayaragunatha Sethupathy and Queen Sakandhimuthathal of the Ramnad Kingdom, Velu Nachiyar is popularly known as ‘Veeramangai’ amongst Tamilians. True to this moniker, Velu Nachiyar was only fond of valour and art forms that portray valour, ever since her childhood days. As a child, she learnt all martial arts, including, swordsmanship, archery, javelin throw, horse riding and elephant riding.
In 1746, she married the Sivagangai king, Muthu Vadakunathar, with whom she also had a daughter. When Muthu Vadakunathar refused to pay tax to the Britishers. The Nawab of Arcot, with the aid of British troops, and with the help of modern weapons, conspired to attack Sivagangai and bring it under his control.
Once, when King Muthu Vadakunathar visited the Kalaiyar temple for worship, the Nawab and his troops along with the British troops, surrounded the temple. He was attacked brutally and succumbed to a sword attack. Velu Nachiyar was angered and was eager to avenge her husband’s death.
After 8 years of waiting and consolidation of troops, Velu Nachiyar went into war. She first took the Kalaiya temple back into her control. After this, she seperated her troops into two, one led by Chinna Marudhu and another under the commandership of Periya Marudhu, and took control of both troops.
The troops under the commandership of Chinna Marudhu, defeated the British troops at Tirupathoor. There is a tradition in Sivagangai where, every Vijayadasami women flock together to worship the Goddess Rajarajeshwari inside the palace. Velu Nachiyar, entered the palace with her troop of women, disguised as devotees, hiding their weapons inside their attires. At an unexpected moment, they launched an attack on the British troops who were guarding the palace.
The British troops that did not expect this attack, were slayed brutally by Nachiyar’s troops. Those who managed to survive, ran for their lives, away from the state. The British flag that was flying on top of the Palace was pulled down, hoisting Velu Nachiyar’s Hanuman flag. Thus, she avenged her husband’s death.
She went onto rule Sivagangai for ten more years, after which she passed it on to her daughter. On 25th December, 1796, Velu Nachiyar breathed her last. Tamil history has seen many brave and valourous women, but only called Velu Nachiyar as a Veeramangai.
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