Vijay TVK conference: Who is Velu Nachiyar, Tamil Queen mentioned by 'Thalapathy' at Vikravandi alongside Ambedkar?

Tamil superstar 'Thalapathy' Vijay was at his rhetorical best on Sunday during the first conference of his political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) at Vikravandi. Addressing the huge crowd in Villupuram district, Vijay attacked forces dividing the country on various lines and corrupt politicians who hide behind masks. 

Vijay honours Tamil icons

In his maiden public speech eight months after announcing the launch of TVK, the actor, fondly called 'Thalapathy' by his fans, confirmed that he will fight the upcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and added that he was open to forming alliances with like-minded powers.

Talking about his party's ideological affiliations, Vijay said that TVK was based on secular social justice ideologies which consider leaders like Periyar and K Kamaraj as its guiding lights. His party won't adopt atheism but will stand for rationalism, he said. "Our guiding spirits are the great ones who lived here. We won't adopt his atheism, we aren't against anyone's beliefs. But social justice, rationalism, women empowerment, we will adopt all other ideas that Periyar propounded.," DT Next quoted the actor-politician as saying.

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Vijay then went on to add Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's allegiance to Baba Saheb Ambedkar and two other iconic personalities -- Velu Nachiyar and Anjalai Ammal. He said, "We are proudly proclaiming Ambedkar as a guiding spirit for reservation and for striving to end caste discrimination. Then braveheart Velu Nachiyar. Then comes Anjalai Ammal."

Who was Velu Nachiyar?

Not many outside would have heard the name Velu Nachiyar although she holds a unique place in India's history of colonial struggle.

Many historians believe that Tamil Nadu's "Veera Mangai" Velu Nachiyar could definitely be the first woman Indian ruler to take arms against the British East India Company. Although Abbakka Chowta, another iconic anti-colonial figure, predates Nachiyar, her conflict was with the Portuguese and not the British.

Born to the Ramanathapuram dynasty in 1730, Velu Nachiyar was the only child of Raja Chellamuthu Vjayaragunatha Sethupathy and Rani Sakandhimuthal of the Ramnad kingdom. Young Nachiyar learnt martial arts and horse riding before her marriage to Muthu Vaduganatha Thevar -- the second king of Sivaganga. 

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Nachiyar was fluent in French, English and Urdu, historical records state. Her anti-colonial struggle began after her husband was killed by British soldiers and the son of the Nawab of Arcot, government data show.

The Queen was forced to flee with her baby daughter when Sivaganga fell in 1772 and spent several years in exile before overthrowing the invaders decisively in 1780. She was protected by Palayakaarar Kopaala Naayakkar at Virupachi near Dindigul for eight years. Velu Nachiyar was assisted by the forces of Mysore in her campaign after she entered an alliance with Hyder Ali during her exile. The Mysore army under Syed Karki helped her successfully siege the fort of Sivaganga. 

"Veera Mangai" Velu Nachiyar triumphantly ruled for a decade before stepping down after granting powers to the Marudu brothers who served her as well as her husband before her. The valiant queen passed away on 25 December 1796.