IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

RANI VELU NACHIYAR

4th January, 2023 Culture

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Context:  Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Rani Velu Nachiyar on her birth anniversary.

Details:

  • Rani Velu Nachiyar was a queen of Sivaganga estatefrom c. 1780–1790. 
  • She was the first Indian queen to wage war with the East India Company in India. 
  • She is known by Tamils as Veeramangai (“brave woman”).
  • During this period, she formed an army and sought an alliance with Hyder Ali with the aim of launching a campaign against the East India Company in 1780.

  • Acquired Skills: She was trained in war match weapons usage, martial arts like Valari, Silambam (fighting using the stick), horse riding and archery.
    • She was a scholar in many languages and she had proficiency with languages like French, English and Urdu.
  • War against the British: In collaboration with Hyder Ali and Gopala Nayaker, she waged a war against the British and emerged victoriously.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1888220