Em TN His Part 3 Final

TNPSC GROUP 2&2A SYLLABUS Prepared By www.winmeen.
com
WHERE TO STUDY?
SYLLABUS : UNIT- VIII : History, Culture, Heritage and Socio -
Political Movements in Tamil Nadu
Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle - Early agitations against British Rule
- Role of women in freedom struggle. Evolution of 19th and 20th Century
Socio-Political movements in Tamil Nadu - Justice Party, Growth of
Rationalism - Self Respect Movement, Dravidian movement and Principles
underlying both these movements, Contributions of Thanthai
Periyar and Perarignar Anna.
OLD BOOK
STD 8 – VELLORE MUTINY (1806) (Term-3)

STD 10 – ROLE OF TAMIL NADU IN FREEDOM MOVEMENT
STD 10 – SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS REFORM MOVEMENTS IN THE 19TH CENTURY.
STD 10 – SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION IN TAMIL NADU
STD 12 – PALAYAKKARAR REBELLION
STD 12 – VELLORE MUTINY
STD 12 – SOCIO – RELIGIOUS REFORM MOVEMENTS
STD 12 – ROLE OF TAMIL NADU IN INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT
STD 12 – THE JUSTICE PARTY RULE
NEW BOOK
STD 8 – PEOPLE’S REVOLT (Term-1)

STD 11 – EARLY RESISTANCE TO BRITISH RULE.
STD 10 - SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS REFORM MOVEMENT IN THE 19TH CENTURY.
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.tntextbooks.in
www.facebook.com/groups/abwf4india Facebook Group: Indian Administrative Service ( Raz Kr) RazKr [Live] - https://telegram.me/RazKrLive
LESSON 9
PALAYAKKARAR REBELLION
Learning Objectives
Students will come to know
1. The Palayakkarar system in Tamil Nadu.

2. The role of Puli Thevar in the anti-British rebellion.
3. The rise of Kattabomman and his fight against the British.
4. The second rebellion led by the Marudu Brothers.
In Tamil Nadu, as in other parts of India, the earliest

expressions of opposition to British rule took the form of localized
rebellions and uprisings. Chief among these was the revolt of the
Palayakkarars (Poligars) against the East India Company.
The Palayakkarar system had evolved with the extension of
Vijayanagar rule into Tamil Nadu. Each Palayakkarar was the holder
of a territory or Palayam (usually consisting of a few villages), granted
to him in return for military service and tribute. In most cases, the
Palayakkarars gave little attention to perform their duties and were
interested in increasing their own powers. With their numerical
strength, extensive resources, local influence and independent attitude,
the Palayakkarars came to constitute a powerful force in the political
system of south India. They regarded themselves as independent,
sovereign authorities within their respective Palayams, arguing that
their lands had been handed down to them across a span of sixty
generations. Such claims were brushed aside by the East India
Company.
86
Puli Thevar
Among the Palayakkarars, there were two blocs, namely the
Western and the Eastern blocs. The Western bloc had Marava
Palayakkarars and the Eastern bloc had Telugu Palayakkarars. Puli
Thevar of Nerkkattumseval headed the former and Kattabomman of
Panchalamkuruchi led the latter. These two Palayakkarars refused
to pay the kist (tribute) to the Nawab and rebelled.
Many of the neighbouring Palayakkarars put up certain pretexts
and did not pay the tribute. Mahfuz Khan, with the assistance of the
British army under Col. Heron undertook an expedition to suppress
the revolt in March 1755. Puli Thevar and the Marava Palayakkarars
of the Western bloc stood firm against the British. Col. Heron decided
to deal with the Maravas firmly.
Col. Heron tried to change the mind of Puli Thevar by diplomatic
moves and by show of force. But he failed in his attempts. Puli Thevar
proceeded to consolidate his position by organising the Marava
Palayakkarars of the West into a strong confederacy. He also attemp-
ted to get the support of Haider Ali of Mysore and the French against
the British. The British approached Ramnad, Pudukottai and the Dutch
for help. Haider Ali couldn’t help Puli Thevar due to a Mysore-
Maratha struggle. Yusuf Khan (Khan Sahib) was entrusted by the
British with the duty of tackling Puli Thevar and his allies.
Puli Thevar attacked Madurai and captured it from Mahfuz
Khan. Puli Thevar’s military success had no parallel. The native ruler
triumphed against the British. It is a clear demonstration of the Marava
might and the heroism of the patriots. But Yusuf Khan recaptured
Madurai. With the help of the Palayakkarars of the Eastern bloc and
the king of Travancore, Yusuf Khan had many victories. After fierce
battles, Nerkkattumseval was attacked in 1759. In 1767, this city
was captured by Col. Campbell. Puli Thevar escaped and died in
87
exile without finally fulfilling his purpose of checking the growth of

the British influence. Although his attempt ended in failure, he leaves
a valiant trail of a struggle for independence in the history of South
India.
Vira Pandya Kattabomman
Vira Pandya Kattabomman became the Palayakkarar of
Panchalamkuruchi at the age of thirty on the death of his father,
Jagavira Pandya Kattabomman. The Company’s
administrators, James London and Colin Jackson
had considered him as a man without education but
of peaceful disposition. Yet, several events led to
the conflict between Kattabomman and East India
Company. During this period the collection of tribute
served as a cause of friction. The Nawab of Arcot
who had this right surrendered it to the English under
the provisions of the Karnatac Treaty of 1792.
KATTABOMMAN Therefore, the chief of Panchalamkuruchi,
Kattabomman had to pay tribute to the English. In
September 1798, the tribute from Kattabomman fell into arrears.
Collector Jackson in his characteristic arrogance and rashness
wrote letters to Kattabomman in a threatening language. There is a
tradition to indicate that Kattabomman declared : “ It rains, the land
yields, why should we pay tax to the English?” By the 31 May 1789,
the total arrears of tribute from Kattabomman amounted to 3310
pagodas. Though Jackson wanted to send an army against
Kattabomman, the Madras Government did not give permission.
Hence, on the 18 August 1798 Jackson sent an order to
Kattabomman to meet him at Ramanathapuram within two weeks.
In the meantime, Kattabomman went with arrears of tribute to meet
Jackson. Kattabomman was humiliated twice by Jackson when the
88
former wanted to meet him at Tirukuttalam and Srivilliputttur. But he

was told that he could meet the collector only at Ramanathapuram.
Despite this humiliation, Kattabomman followed Jackson for twenty
three days in a journey of 400 miles through the latter’s route and
reached Ramanathapuram on the 19 September.
An interview was granted by Jackson and Kattabomman
cleared most of the arrears leaving only 1090 pagodas as balance.
During this interview Kattabomman and his Minister, Sivasubramania
Pillai, had to stand before the arrogant collector for three hours
together. Still he did not permit them to leave the place, but directed
them to stay inside the fort. Kattabomman suspected the intensions
of Jackson. Hence, he tried to escape with his minister and brother
Oomathurai. At the gate of the fort there followed a clash, in which
some people including Lieutenant Clarke were killed. Sivasubramania
Pillai was taken prisoner. But Kattabomman escaped.
After his return to Panchalamkuruchi, Kattabomman appealed
to the Madras Council submitting the facts. The Madras Government
directed Kattabomman to appear before a Committee. Meanwhile,
the government released Sivasubramania Pillai and suspended the
Collector, Jackson. In response Kattabomman decided to submit. He
appeared before the Committee, with William Brown, William Oram
and John Casmayor as members. The Committee found Kattabomman
not guilty. S. R. Lushington was now appointed Collector in the place
of Jackson, latter was eventually dismissed from service.
League of the Palayakkarars
Thus the English removed the source of grievance to
Kattabomman. Yet, the humiliation suffered by Kattabomman
affected his self-respect. During this time, Marudu Pandyan of
Sivaganga organized the South Indian Confederacy of rebels against
the British. The Tiruchirappalli Proclamation was made. He sent
89
missions Panchalamkuruchi. Thus a close association between

Kattabomman and Marudu Pandyan established. The events now
moved to a crisis. In August 1798 the son of the Palayakkarar of
Sivagiri and his adviser visited Panchalamkuruchi and held
consultations. Kattabomman decided to establish his influence in
Sivagiri with the aid of the son of the Palayakkarar. As the
Palayakkarar of Sivagiri was a tributary to the Company, the Madras
Council considered this move as a challenge to its own authority and
ordered war against Kattabomman.
Expedition to Panchalamkuruchi
In May 1799, Lord Wellesley issued orders from Madras for
the advance of forces from Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur and Madurai
to Tirunelveli. Major Bannerman, armed with extensive powers,
assumed the command of the expedition. On the 1 September, 1799
the Major served an ultimatum directing Kattabomman to surrender
and attend on him at Palayamkottai on the 4th. Kattabomman replied
that he would submit on a lucky day.
Bannerman considered this reply as evasive and decided on
military action. On 5 September Kattabomman’s fort was attacked.
On the 16th reinforcements reached from Palayamkottai. In a clash
at Kolarpatti the Palayakkarar troops suffered heavy casualty and
Sivasubramania Pillai was taken prisoner. Kattabomman escaped to
Pudukkottai. The ruler of Pudukkottai captured Kattabomman from
the jungles of Kalapore and handed him over to the British.
Fall of Kattabomman
Bannerman brought the prisoners to an assembly of the
Palayakkarars and after a mockery of trial sentenced them
to death. Sivasubramania Pillai was executed at Nagalapuram
on the 13th of September. On the 16th of October Vira Pandyan
was tried before an assembly of Palayakkarars, summoned at
90
Kayattar. In an assertive tone and with contempt for death

he admitted the charges levelled against him. Thereupon, Bennerman
announced death penalty. On the 17th of October
Kattabomman was hanged to death at a conspicuous spot near
the old fort of Kayattar. Vira Pandyan faced the last moments of
his life with the pride of a hero.
Marudu Brothers
Despite the exemplary repression of Palayakkarars in 1799,
rebellion broke out again in 1800, this time in a more cohesive and
united manner. Although the 1800-1801 rebellion was to be
categorized in the British records as the Second Palayakkarar War,
it assumed a much broader character than its predecessor. It was
directed by a confederacy consisting of Marudu Pandian of Sivaganga,
Gopala Nayak of Dindugal, Kerala Verma of Malabar and Krishnappa
Nayak and Dhoondaji of Mysore.
The insurrection, which broke out in Coimbatore in June 1800,
soon spread to Ramanathapuram and Madurai. By May 1801, it had
reached the northern provinces, where Marudu Pandian and
Melappan provided the leadership. Oomathurai, the brother of
Kattabomman emerged as a key leader. In February 1801, Oomathurai
and two hundred men by a cleverly move took control of
Panchalamkuruchi Fort.
The fort now re-occupied and reconstructed by rebel forces,
Panchalamkuruchi became the centre of the uprising. Three thousand
armed men of Madurai and Ramanathapuram, despatched by Marudu
Pandian, joined up with the Panchalamkuruchi forces. However,
British forces quickly asserted itself. The Palayakkarar forces based
at Panchalamkuruchi were crushed. By the orders of the government,
the site of the captured fort was ploughed up and sowed with castor
oil and salt so that it should never again be inhabited.
91
The British forces quickly overpowered the remaining

insurgents. The Marudu brothers and their sons were put to death.
Oomathurai and Sevatiah were beheaded at Panchalamkuruchi on
16 November, 1801. Seventy-three of the principal rebels were
sentenced to transportation. So savage and extensive was the death
and destruction wrought by the English that the entire region was
left in a state of terror.
The suppression of the Palayakkarar rebellions of 1799 and
1800-1801 resulted in the liquidation of the influence of the chieftains.
Under the terms of the Karnatac Treaty (31 July, 1801), the British
assumed direct control over Tamil Nadu. The Palayakkararr system
came to a violent end and the Company introduced the Zamindari
settlement in its place.
Learning Outcome
After studying this lesson the student is able to explain
1. The functioning of Palayakkarar system in Tamil
Nadu.
2. Their relations with the British as tributaries.
3. The rise and fall of Puli Thevar against the British
dominance.
4. Vira Pandya Kattabomman and the valiant struggle
against the British arrogance.
5. The Rebellion led by Marudu Brothers and their
failure against the mighty British.
92
MODEL QUESTIONS
I. Choose the correct answer.
1. Nerkattumseval was captured by
(a) Col. Heron (b) Col. Campbell
(c) Colin Jackson (d) Puli Thevar
2. Collector Jackson sent an order to Kattabomman to
meet him at
(a) Madurai (b) Panchalamkurichi
(c) Ramanathapuram (d) Srivilliputtur
II. Fill in the blanks.
1. Virpandiya Kattabomman was the son of …..
2. Kattabomman was hanged to death at ….
3. The expedition to Panchalamkurichi was commanded by ……
III. Match the following.
1. Marudu Pandiyan a. Nerkattumseval
2. Gopal Nayak b. Mysore
3. Kerala Varma c. Malabar
4. Krishnappa Nayak d. Dindigal
5. Puli Thevar e. Sivaganga
IV. Find out the correct statement. One statement alone is
right.
a) The Palayakkarars constitute a powerful force in the political
system of North India.
b) Yusuf Khan was also known as Khan Sahib.
93
c) Sivasubramania Pillai was the minister of Marupandiyan.

d) The South Indian confederacy was organized under the
leadership of Oomaithirai.
V. State whether the following statements are True or False.
1. The Palayakkarar system had evolved with the extension of
Vijayanagar rule into Tamil Nadu.
2. The Palayakkarar of Sivagiri was a tributary to the Company.
3. Oomathurai and Sevatiah were beheaded at Madurai.
VI. Write short notes (Any three points).
1. Puli Thevar
2. Palayakkarar system
3. Bannerman
VII. Answer briefly (100 words).
1. Write a note on South Indian Rebellion of 1801.
VIII. Answer in detail (200 words).
1. Estimate the valiant struggle of Kattabomman against the
British.
94
LESSON 10
VELLORE MUTINY
Learning Objectives
Students will understand
1. The Causes for the Vellore Mutiny.
2. The objectives of this Mutiny.
3. The suppression of the Mutiny.
4. The nature of this anti-British uprising.
Vellore was the capital of erstwhile North Arcot district in Tamil

Nadu. At present, this district is named after its capital Vellore. It is
a well fortified and beautiful city.
Vellore Fort
With the expansion of the East India Company’s rule in India,

the native rulers and their dependents suffered. The native rulers
either submitted or rebelled. These rebellions had no clear vision or
ideal but purely motivated by the territorial interest of the native rulers
and their ambition to preserve the old feudal order. The heroism and
95
sacrifice of individuals like Puli Thevar, Kattabomman and Marudu

Brothers had no parallel. But all these leaders never organised the
common people for a unified and meaningful cause. The ideas of
nationalism, political consciousness and organized struggle came much
later.
In Vellore the native sepoys rose in revolt in 1806.This incident
differs from other previous rebellions in. The earlier rebellions were
those of the native rulers. The Vellore Mutiny was organized by
the sepoys. The earlier rebellions had only a regional interest.
Every prince wanted to safeguard his own kingdom at any cost.
But Vellore Mutiny was the result of spontaneous outflow of the
feelings of the sepoys who served under the Company. It was a
protest by the sepoys against the Company. This protest showed the
future possibilities.
Causes
Several causes are attributed to the Vellore Mutiny. Indian
sepoys had to experience numerous difficulties when they went to
serve in the Company’s army.
The sepoys were forced to serve under the Company since
their earlier patrons (the native chieftains) were all disappearing from
the scene. The strict discipline, practice, new weapons, new methods
and uniforms were all new to the sepoys. Anything new appears to
be difficult and wrong for a man who is well-settled in the old way of
life for a long-time.
Sir John Cradock, the commander-in-chief, with the -approval
of Lord-William Bentinck, the Governor of Madras, introduced a
new from of turban, resembling a European hat. Wearing ear rings
and caste marks were also prohibited.
The sepoys were asked to shave the chin and to trim the
moustache. The sepoys felt that these were designed to insult them
96
and their religious and social traditions. There was also a popular
belief that this was the beginning of a process by which all of them
would be converted to Christianity.
The English treated the Indian sepoys as their inferior. There
was the racial prejudice. This was the psychological base for the
sepoy mutinies in India during the Company’s rule.
The sepoys once served the local chieftains (either Hindu or
Muslim). The chieftains were their own kinsmen but now they served
under the foreigners. They can never forget their original loyalties.
The Vellore uprising was preceded by a series of protests by
the Indian troops. In May 1806, the 4th Regiment rose in revolt against
the new turban. The Commander-in-Chief took severe action the
sepoys who were found guilty were punished with 500 to 900 lashes.
Before the mutiny secret associations were formed and meetings
held in which Tipu’s family took part.
On June 17th 1806 a sepoy of the 1st Regiment named
Mustapha Beg, secretly informed his commanding officer, Colonel
Forbes, that a plot had been planned for the extermination of the
European officers and troops. But this was not taken seriously .
On the eve of the Mutiny at Vellore Fettah Hyder, the first
son of Tipu, tried to form an alliance against the English and sought
the help of the Marathas and the French.
Fettah Hyder received secret information through one
Mohommed Malick.Besides, princes Fettah Hyder and Moiz-ud-Deen
in particular were active in planning the execution of the Mutiny.
Thus, there was the desire to revive the old Muslim rule in this
region. The sepoys were aware of the tragic end of Puli Thevar, Khan
Sahib, Kattabomman, Marudu Brothers, Tipu Sultan and others. Hence
there were ill-feelings about the British in the minds of the sepoys.
All these led to the rebellion.
97
Course of the Mutiny

On July 10th in the early morning the native sepoys of the 1st
and 23 rd Regiments started the revolt . Colonel Fancourt, who
commanded the garrison, was their first victim. Colonel Me Kerras
of the 23rd Regiment, was shot down on the parade-ground. Major
Armstrong was the next officer to be killed during the mutiny. About
a dozen other officers were also killed.
Major Cootes who was outside the fort dashed to Ranipet, 14
miles away, and informed Colonel Gillespie at 7 am . Col. Gillespie
reached the Vellore fort at 9 A.M.
Meantime, the rebels proclaimed Futteh Hyder, Tipu’s first son,
as their new ruler and hoisted tiger-striped flag of Tipu Sultan. But
the uprising was swiftly crushed by Col. Gillespie. 800 Indian soldiers
were found dead in the fort alone. Six hundred soldiers were
imprisoned in Tiruchi and Vellore. Some rebels were hung, some shot
dead. The uprising was thus brought to a bloody end. Tipu’s son was
sent to Calcutta. The commander-in-chief and the governor were
recalled.
Vellore Mutiny failed. There was no proper leadership. The
rebellion was also not well organized. But it is the starting point of a
new era of the resistance of the sepoys to the British rule. The 18th
century was marked by the resistance of the local chieftains. The
first six decades of 19th century was marked by the resistance of
sepoys.
K.K. Pillai rejects the thesis that Vellore Mutiny led to the
1857 revolt. V.D. Savarkar calls the Vellore Mutiny of 1806 as the
prelude to the first War of Indian Independence in 1857. N. Sanjivi
proclaims that the Tamils had taken the real lead in the Indian freedom
struggle. K. Rajayyan argues that this mutiny was a continuation of
the Marudu Brothers’ resistance movement against the colonial rule.
98
Learning Outcome
The students have learnt
1. The multiple causes that led to this outbreak of Vellore

sepoy Mutiny.
2. The grievances of the sepoys such as new rules and customs

implemented by the British in the army.
3. The suppression of the revolt.
4. The nature of this anti-British rebellion.
99
MODEL QUESTIONS
1. Which among the following was one of the causes for the
Vellore Mutiny?
(a) Doctrine of lapse
(b) Collection of Tributes
(c) Introduction of new army regulations
(d) Economic exploitation of the British rule.
1 The Commander-in-Chief of the Vellore Fort was ————
——-
2. ———— who was outside the fort dashed to Ranipet to seek
help
III. Match the following
1. Fettah Hyder a. Governor of Madras
2. Colonel Fancourt b. suppressed the mutiny
3. William Bentinck c. Tipu’s son
4. Col. Gillespie b. killed in the mutiny
right.
a) New army regulations were mainly responsible for the Vellore
Mutiny.
b) Tipu’s family were not kept in the Vellore fort.
c) French help was not sought by Tipu’s son.
d) After the mutiny Tipu’s sons were sent to Penang.
100
V. State whether the following statements are True or False

1. Mustapha Beg Indian sepoy forewarned about the Vellore
Mutiny.
2. No British army officer was killed during the Vellore Mutiny.
1. Sir John Cradock
2. Col. Gillespie
VII. Answer briefly ( 100 words)
1. Explain the Course of the Vellore Mutiny.
1. Examine the causes for the outbreak of Vellore Mutiny of 1806.
101
LESSON 13
SOCIO-RELIGIOUS REFORM MOVEMENTS
Learning Objectives
Students will come to know
1. The Brahmo Samaj and its services.
2. The reforms of Arya Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission and similar
organizations.
3. The services rendered by social reformers like Raja
Rammohan Roy, Swami Dayanand Saraswathi and
Vivekananda.
4. Reform Movements among the Muslims in India.
5. Sikh and Parsi reform movements.
6. Socio-religious reforms in Tamil Nadu led by Saint
Ramalinga and Vaikunda swamigal.
In the history of modern India, the socio-religious reforms

occupy a significant place. Social reformars like Raja Rammohan
Roy, Swami Dayanand Sarawathi and Swami Vivekananda were
responsible for the social and cultural awakening in India. The spread
of liberal ideas of the west provided further stimulus for the emergence
of reform movements. These movements introduced important
changes in social and religious life of the people
of India.
Raja Rammohan Roy and the Brahmo Samaj
Raja Rammohan Roy established the
Brahmo Samaj at Calcutta in 1828 in order to
purify Hinduism and to preach monotheism. He
is considered as the first ‘modern man of India’.
He was a pioneer of socio-religious reform
movements in modern India.
RAMMOHAN ROY
125
Born in 1772 in the Hooghly district of Bengal, he inculcated a

brilliant freedom of thought and rationality. He studied the Bible as
well as Hindu and Muslim religious texts. He had excellent command
over many languages including English, Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic,
French, Latin, Greek and Hebrew.
In 1815, he established the Atmiya Sabha. Later, it was
developed into the Brahmo Sabha in August 1828. Through this
organisation, he preached that there is only one God. He combined
the teachings of the Upanishads, the Bible and the Koran in
developing unity among the people of different religions. The work
of the Atmiya Sabha was carried on by Maharishi Debendranath
Tagore (father of Rabindranath Tagore), who renamed it as Brahmo
Samaj. He turned the Brahmo Samaj into a leading social organisation
of India.
Raj Rammohan Roy is most remembered for helping Lord
William Bentinck to declare the practice of Sati a punishable offence
in 1829. He also protested against the child marriage and female
infanticide. He favored the remarriage of widows, female education
and women’s right to property. He felt that the caste system was the
greatest hurdle to Indian unity. He believed in the equality of mankind.
He did not believe in the supremacy of the Brahmin priests. He
favoured inter-caste marriages. He himself adopted a Muslim boy.
In 1817, he founded the Hindu College (now Presidency College,
Calcutta) along with David Hare, a missionary. He also set up schools
for girls.
Rammohan Roy started the first Bengali weekly Samvad
Kaumudi and edited a Persian weekly Mirat-ul-akhbar. He stood
for the freedom of the press. Rammohan died in Bristol in England in
1833.
126
Henry Vivian Derozio and the Young Bengal Movement

Henry Vivian Derozio was the founder of the Young Bengal
Movement. He was born in Calcutta in 1809 and
taught in the Hindu College, Calcutta. He died of
cholera in 1833. His followers were known as the
Derozians and their movement the Young Bengal
Movement. They attacked old traditions and
decadent customs. They also advocated women’s
V IV IA N D E R O Z IO
rights and their education. They founded
associations and organized debates against idol worship, casteism
and superstitions.
Swami Dayanand Saraswathi and the Arya Samaj
The Arya Samaj was founded by Swami Dayanand
Saraswathi at Bombay in 1875. Born in
Kathiawar in Gujarat, Swami Dayanand
(1824-83) was a scholar, a patriot, a social
reformer and a revivalist. He believed the
Vedas were the source of true knowledge.
His motto was “Back to the Vedas”. He was
against idol worship, child marriage and caste
Swami Dayanand system based on birth. He encouraged inter-
Saraswathi
caste marriages and widow remarriage. He
started the Suddhi movement to bring back those Hindus who had
converted to other religions to its fold. He wrote the book Satyartha
Prakash which contains his ideas.
The Arya Samaj, though founded in Bombay, became very
powerful in Punjab and spread its influence to other parts of India. It
has contributed very much to the spread of education. The first
Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) School was founded in 1886 at Lahore.
Many more schools came up in other parts of India in later years.
The Arya Samaj had also spread nationalism. Hundreds of Arya
127
Samaj patriots, including Lala Lajpat Rai, took part in the Indian
freedom struggle.
Prarthana Samaj
The Prarthana Samaj was founded in 1867
in Bombay by Dr. Atmaram Pandurang. It was
an off-shoot of Brahmo Samaj. It was a reform
movement within Hinduism and concentrated on
social reforms like inter-dining, inter-marriage,
widow remarriage and uplift of women and
depressed classes. Justice M.G. Ranade and
R.G. Bhandarkar joined it in 1870 and infused M.G. RANADE
new strength to it. Justice Ranade promoted the
Deccan Education Society.
Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Mission
The original name of Swami Vivekananda was Narendranath
Dutta (1863-1902) and he became the most
famous disciple of Shri Ramkrishna
Paramahamsa. He was born in a prosperous
Bengali family of Calcutta and educated in
Scottish Church College. In 1886 Narendranath
took the vow of Sanyasa and was given the name,
Vivekananda. He preached Vedantic Philosophy.
He condemned the caste system and the current
Hindu emphasis on rituals and ceremonies. SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
Swami Vivekananda participated at the
Parliament of Religions held in Chicago (USA) in September 1893
and raised the prestige of India and Hinduism very high.
Vivekananda preached the message of strength and self-
reliance. He asked the people to improve the lives of the poor and
depressed classes. He believed that service to mankind is service to
128
God. He founded the Ramkrishna Mission at Belur in Howrah in

1897. It is a social service and charitable society. The objectives of
this Mission are providing humanitarian relief and social work through
the establishment of schools, colleges, hospitals and orphanages.
Theosophical Society
The Theosophical Society was founded in New York (USA) in
1875 by Madam H.P. Blavatsky, a Russian lady, and Henry Steel
Olcott, an American colonel. Their main objectives
were to form a universal brotherhood of man without
any distinction of race, colour or creed and to promote
the study of ancient religions and philosophies. They
arrived in India and established their headquarters at
Adyar in Madras in 1882. Later in 1893, Mrs. Annie
Besant arrived in India and took over the leadership
MADAM BLAVATSKY of the Society after the death of Olcott. Mrs. Annie
Besant founded the Central Hindu School along with
Madan Mohan Malaviya at Benaras which later developed into the
Banaras Hindu University.
Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
Pandit Ishwar Chandra was a great
educator, humanist and social reformer.
He was born in 1820 in a village in
Midnapur, Bengal. He rose to be the Head
Pandit of the Bengali Department of Fort
William College. He firmly believed that
reform in Indian society could only come
about through education. Vidyasagar
founded many schools for girls. He
helped J.D. Bethune to establish the PANDIT VIDYASAGAR
Bethune School. He founded the Metropolitan Institution in Calcutta.
He protested against child marriage and favoured widow
129
remarriage which was legalised by the Widow Remarriage Act (1856).

It was due to his great support for the spread of education that he
was given the title of Vidyasagar.
Jyotiba Phule
Jyotiba Phule belonged to a low caste family in Maharashtra.
He waged a life-long struggle against upper caste domination and
Brahmanical supremacy. In 1873 he founded the Satyashodak Samaj
to fight against the caste system. He pioneered the widow remarriage
movement in Maharashtra and worked for the education for women.
Jyotiba Phule and his wife established the first girls’ school at Poona
in 1851.
Muslim Reform Movements
The Muslim reform movements started a little later because
they had avoided western education in the beginning. The first effort
was in 1863 when the Muhammad Literary Society was set up in
Calcutta. Its aim was to popularise the study of English and western
sciences. It established a number of schools in Bengal.
Aligarh Movement
The Aligarh Movement was started by Sir Syed Ahmad
Khan (1817-98) for the social and educational advancement of the
Muslims in India. He fought against the medieval backwardness and
advocated a rational approach towards religion.
In 1866, he started the Mohammadan Educational
Conference as a general forum for spreading liberal
ideas among the Muslims. In 1875, he founded a
modern school at Aligarh to promote English
education among the Muslims. This had later
grown into the Mohammadan Anglo Oriental
SYED AHMAD KHAN
College and then into the Aligarh Muslim
University.
130
The Deoband School

The orthodox section among the Muslim ulema organised the
Deoband Moovement. It was a revivalist movement whose twin
objectives were : (i) to propagate among the Muslims the pure
teachings of the Koran and the Hadis and (ii) to keep alive the spirit
of jihad aganist the foreign rulers. The new Deoband leader
Mahmud-ul-Hasan (1851-1920) sought to impart a political and
intellectual content to the religious ideas of the school. The liberal
interpretation of Islam created a political awakening among its
followers.
Sikh Reform Movement
Punjab also came under the spell of reforms. Baba Dayal Das
founded the Nirankari Movement. He insisted the worship of God
as nirankar (formless). The Namdhari Movement was founded by
Baba Ram Singh. His followers wore white clothes and gave up meat
eating. The Singh Sabhas started in Lahore and Amritsar in 1870
were aimed at reforming the Sikh society. They helped to set up the
Khalsa College at Amritsar in 1892.They also encouraged Gurmukhi
and Punjabi literature. In 1920, the Akalis started a movement to
remove the corrupt Mahants (priests) from the Sikh gurudwaras.
The British government was forced to make laws on this matter.
Later, the Akalis organised themselves into a political party.
Parsi Reform Movement
The Parsi Religious Reform Association was founded at
Bombay by Furdunji Naoroji and S.S. Bengalee in 1851. They
advocated the spread of women’s education. They also wanted to
reform their marriage customs. Naoroji published a monthly journal,
Jagat Mithra. The momentum gathered through these reform
movements and went a long way in uplifting the entire community.
By the middle of the twentieth century most of them were highly
131
Centres of Religious and

Social Movements
(Shiromani Gurudwara Amritsar

Prabandhak Committee)
Deoband School
(Ahmediya Movement)
Belur
Rajkot (Ramakrishna Mission)
(Arya Samaj) Calcutta
(Brahma Samaj), Young Bengal Movement)
I N D I A
Bombay
(Prarthana Samaji,
Satyashodhak Samaj) Pune
(Sarvajanik Sabha)
Rajahmundry Association
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Lakshadweep
Madras
(INDIA)
(Theosophical Society,
(INDIAN)
Veda Samaj)
Sivagiri Varkaka
(Sri Narayana Dharma Paripalan Yogam)
INDIAN OCEAN
132
placed in various capacities and have made a significant contribution

to India’s development.
Saint Ramalinga
Saint Ramalinga was one of the foremost saints
of Tamil Nadu in the nineteenth century. He was
born on October 5, 1823 at Marudhur, near
Chidambaram. He was the last son of his father,
Ramayya Pillai and mother, Chinnammayar.
Developing a deep interest in spiritual
life, Ramalinga moved to Karunguli in 1858, a place
SAINT RAMALINGA
near Vadalur where the Saint later settled down. His
divine powers came to be recognised at the early age of eleven. In
1865 he founded the Samarasa Suddha Sanmargha Sangha for the
promotion of his ideals of establishing a casteless society. He preached
love and compassion to the people. He composed Tiru Arutpa. His
other literay works include Manu Murai Kanda Vasagam and Jeeva
Karunyam. His language was so simple as to enable the illiterate
people to understand his teachings. In 1870 he moved to Mettukuppam,
a place three miles away from Vadalur. There he started constructing
the Satya Gnana Sabai in 1872. He introduced the principle that
God could be worshipped in the form of Light.
Sri Vaikunda Swamigal
Sri Vaikunda Swamigal was born in 1809 at Swamithoppu in
the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. His original name was
Mudichoodum Perumal but he was called Muthukkutty. He preached
against the caste system and untouchability. He also condemned
religious ceremonies. Many came to his place to worship him and
slowly his teachings came to be known as Ayyavazhi. By the mid-
nineteenth century, Ayyavazhi came to be recognized as a separate
religion and spread in the regions of South Travancore and South
133
Ramakrishna Mission
Swami Vivekananda
Prarthana Samaj
Dr. Atmaram
Pandurang
Thesophical Society
Madam H.P. Blavatsky
Col. H.S.Olcott
Arya Samaj
Swami Dayanand
Saraswathi
Brahmo Samaj
Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Tirunelveli. After his death, the religion was spread on the basis of
his teachings and the religious books Akilattirattu Ammanai and Arul
Nool. Hundreds of Nizhal Thangals (places of worship) were built
across the country.
134
Self-Respect Movement and Periyar E.V.R.

Periyar E.V. Ramaswamy was a great social reformer. In 1921,
during the anti-liquor campaign he cut down 1000 coconut trees in
his own farm. In 1924, he took an active part in the
Vaikam Satyagraha. The objective of the Satyagraha
was to secure for untouchables the right to use a
road near a temple at Vaikom in Kerala. E.V.R.
opposed the Varnashrama policy followed in the
V.V.S. Iyer’s Seranmadevi Gurugulam. During 1920-
1925 being in the Congrees Party he stressed that
PERIYAR E.V.R.
Congress should accept communal representation.
Subsequently in 1925, he started the “Self-Respect Movement”. The
aims of the ‘Self -Respect Movement’ were to uplift the
Dravidians and to expose the Brahminical tyrany and deceptive
methods by which they controlled all spheres of Hindu life. He
denounced the caste system, child marriage and enforced widowhood.
He encouraged inter-caste marriages. He himself conducted many
marriages without any rituals. Such a marriage was known as “Self-
Respect Marriage.” He gave secular names to new born babies.
He attacked the laws of Manu, which he called the basis
of the entire Hindu social fabric of caste. He founded the Tamil
journals Kudiarasu, Puratchi and Viduthalai to propagate his ideals.
In 1938 at Tamil Nadu Women’s Conference appreciatin the
noble service rendered by E.V.R. he was given the title “Periyar”.
On 27th June 1970 by the UNESCO organisation praised and adorned
with the title “Socrates of South Asia”.
135
Learning Outcome
After studying this lesson students would acquire knowledge about
1. Raja Rammohan Roy and the Brahmo Samaj.
2. Swami Dayanand and the services of Arya Samaj.
3. Swami Vivekananda’s life and ideals and also the social

services rendered by the Ramakrishna Mission
4. The Muslim Reform movements such as the Deoband School,

the Aligarh Movement.
5. The Nirankari and Namdari movements among the Sikhs

and the Parsi reform movement.
6. St. Ramalinga’s Samarasa Suddha Sanmarga,

Vaikuntaswami’s Ayyavazhi.
136
MODEL QUESTIONS
1. The Brahmo Samaj was established in the year
(a) 1827 (b) 1828
(c) 1829 (d) 1838
2. Who among the following started the Aligarh Movement?
(a) Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (b) Salimullah Khan
(c) Muhammad Ali Jinnah (d) Muhammad al Hasan
3. Satya Gnana Sabai was started at
(a) Madurai (b) Rameswaram
(c) Vadalur (d) Chidambaram
1. …… was the Bengali Weekly started by Raj Rammohan Roy.
2. Swami Dayanadha Saraswathi was the author of ……..
3. The Satya Shodak Samaj was founded by ……
1. Atmiya Sabha a. Olcott
2. Young Bengal Movement b. Raja Rammohan Roy
3. Prarthana Samaj c. Baba Dayal
4. Nirankari Movement d. Henry Vivian Derozio
5. Thesopical Society e. Atmaram Pandurang
right.
a) In 1815 Dayanand Saraswathi established the Atmiya Sabha.
137
b) Rammohan Roy started the first Bengali weekly Samvad

Kaumudi.
c) Rabindranath Tagore was the founder of the Young Bengal
Movement.
d) The Prarthana Samaj was founded in 1867 in Bombay
1. The motto of Swami Dayanand Saraswathi was ‘Back to the
Vedas’.
2. The original name of Shri Ramakrishna was Narendranath
Dutta.
3. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagara opposed the widow remarriage.
4. Saint Ramalinga composed Thiru Arutpa.
1. Arya Samaj
2. Swami Vivekananda
3. Jyotiba Phule
4. Sri Vaikunta Swamigal
1. Discuss the principles of Saint Ramalinga.
2. Examine the Islamic Reform movements.
1. “Raja Rammohan Roy was the father of Indian Renaissance”
– Discuss.
2. Examine the importance of the socio-religious reform
movements of 19 th century India.
138
LESSON 17
ROLE OF TAMIL NADU IN THE INDIAN
NATIONAL MOVEMENT
Learning Objectives
After studying this lesson students will come to understand
1. The early nationalist uprisings in Tamil Nadu.
2. Swadeshi Movement.
3. Home Rule Movement in Tamil Nadu.
4. Salt Satyagraha in Tamil Nadu.
5. Quit India Movement.
Tamil Nadu played an important role in the Indian National

Movement. Even prior to the Great Revolt of 1857, the rebellion in
Panchalam Kuruchi, the 1801 “South Indian Rebellion” of the Marudu
brothers and the Vellore Mutiny of 1806 were the early anti-colonial
struggles in Tamil Nadu. During the nationalist era Tamil Nadu
provided the leaders like G. Subramania Iyer, V.O.C. Chidambaram
Pillai, Subramania Bharathi, C. Rajagopalachari and K. Kamaraj to
the National Movement. Besides, the nationalist movement in Tamil
Nadu was as active as elsewhere.
Beginning of the National Movement in Tamil Nadu
The earliest political organisation, the Madras Native
Association was started in July 1852. Lakshminarasu Chetty and
Srinivasa Pillai were the founders of this organization. The Madras
Native Association was sharply critical of the policies of the East
India Company’s rule. Subsequently in 1884, the Madras Mahajana
Sabha was established by P. Anandacharlu and P. Rangaiya Naidu.
177
The Madras Native Association was ultimately merged with this

organization.
The Madras Mahajana Sabha strongly supported the activities
of the Indian National Congress. It had also initiated social reform.
G. Subramania Iyer performed the remarriage of his widowed
daughter in December 1889. He moved the first resolution in the
first session of the Indian National Congress in 1885. He started the
nationalist papers like The Hindu in English and Swadeshamitran
in Tamil. In 1892, the Madras Provincial Conference was started to
mobilize people in the rural areas of Tamil Nadu. The third session of
the Indian National Congress was held in Madras in 1887 under the
presidentship of Fakruddin Thyabji. Later a number of such annual
sessions were also held in the city of Madras.
Swadeshi Movement in Tamil Nadu
The Partition of Bengal in 1905 led to
the beginning of Swadeshi Movement in
Tamil Nadu. During this period the important
leaders of the National Movement were –
V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, Subramania Siva
and Subramania Bharathi. In May 1907
Bharathi brought Bipin Chandra Pal one of
the leaders of extremists in the Congress to
Madras city. After the Surat split in 1907,
SUBRAMANIA BHARATHI
V.O.C. and fellow nationalists started the
Chennai Jana Sangam. Subramania Bharathi was a non-conformist,
unorthodox and a revolutionary in social and political ideas. He edited
the Tamil Weekly India .He wrote nationalist songs called the
Swadesa Geethangal.
V.O. Chidambaram Pillai was a lawyer by profession and he
joined the nationalist movement in 1905. He was a follower of Bal
Ganghadar Tilak. He led the Coral Mill Strike in February 1908 in
178
Tuticorin. In 1906 he launched the Swadeshi

Steam Navigation Company in Tuticorin. Hence
he was called Kappalottiya Tamilan. There was
competition between Swadeshi Steam Navigation
Company and British India Steam Navigation
Company. V.O.C. advocated the boycott of the
British India Steam Navigation Company and this
had resulted in the Tirunelveli uprising in March
SUBRAMANIA SIVA
1908. He was ably assisted by Subramania Siva.
Both were arrested and imprisoned. They served six years rigorous
imprisonment. They were given harsh punishment inside the prison.
V.O.C. was asked to draw an oil press and hence he is known as
Chekkilutta Chemmal.
The arrest of the nationalist leaders,
harsh punishment for the nationalist leaders
inside the prison and the collapse of the
Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company led to
the formation of a revolutionary organization
in Tamil Nadu called the Bharathamatha
Association. Nilakanta Bramachari played a
V.O. CHIDAMBARAM
vital role in it. One of the followers of this
association Vanchi Nathan shot dead the
notorious British official Robert William Ashe at Maniyatchi junction
in June 1911.
Home Rule Movement in Tamil Nadu
The Home rule Movement in Madras was

organized by Mrs. Annie Besant between 1916
and 1918.The first indication of Annie Besant’s
decision to launch a Home Rule Movement
appeared in New India in September 1915.
ANNIE BESANT
179
Besant sought the support of the Indian National Congress at its

annual meeting at Bombay in December, 1915. She was supported
in her movement by Tilak. Home Rule Movement was vigorous during
the First World War.
Non-co-operation Movement
In Tamil Nadu the Non-co-operation Movement was strong
during the years 1921—23. Beginning in March 1921 there were
campaigns of Non-Cooperation against the foreign regulations. In
1921 and 1922 there were campaigns against the consumption of
liquor in many parts of the province. Temperance campaign was
particularly prominent in Madurai. Non- Cooperation had been a
success in Tamil Nadu. C. Rajagopalachari, S. Satyamurthi and E.
V. Ramaswami Naicker were the important leaders of the Non-
Cooperation Movement in Tamil Nadu. At that time E. V. Ramaswami
Naicker was the President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee.
C. Rajagopalachari stressed that the council boycott was a central
part of the Gandhian Programme. However, this view was not shared
by Kasturi Ranga Iyengar, Srinivasa Iyengar, Varadarajulu Naidu
and Vijayaraghavachari.
In the meantime, Periyar E.V.R. launched the Vaikom
Satyagraha in Kerala against the practice of social segregation. Later
he resigned from the Congress and came out on the social segregation
issue at Seramandevi Guru Kulam of V.V.S. Iyer. S. Satyamurthi of
Pudukkottai was one of the important freedom
fighters. He led the anti-Simon Campaign in 1929
when the Simon Commission visited Tamil Nadu.
The other important nationalist leader was
K. Kamaraj from Virudhunagar. He participated in
the Vaikom Satyagraha in 1924 and thus entered
nationalist movement. He was the vice-president
K. KAMARAJ
and treasurer of the Ramnad District Congress
180
Committee in 1929. From the beginning, Kamaraj was the man of

the masses. He spoke in simple and direct language. He had a
sound common sense and practical wisdom. He was fully
aware of the rural Tamil Nadu. He visited each and every
village and understood the different problems of the masses. He
always identified himself with the common man of Tamil Nadu.
Thus, he really brought the Congress movement to the villages in
Tamil Nadu,
Salt Satyagraha
As part of the Civil Disobedience Movement, Gandhi launched
the Salt Satyagraha. He undertook the Dandi March in 1930.
C. Rajagopalachari became the TNCC
president in April 1930. Authorized by TNCC
and AICC to direct the Salt Satyagraha in Tamil
Nadu Rajaji undertook the famous
Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha March. He
selected the route from Tiruchirappalli to
Vedaranyam in Thanjauvr district. The March
began on Tamil New Year’s Day (13th April).
The March reached Vedaranyam on 28 April C. Rajagopalachari
1930. Two days later Rajagopalachari was
arrested for breaking the salt laws. Some of the other important
leaders who participated in the Vedaranyam Salt
Satyagraha were T.S.S. Rajan, Mrs. Lakshmipathi
Sardar Vedaratnam Pillai, C. Swaminatha Chetty and
K. Santhanam.
Tiruppur Kumaran who led the flag march was
fatally beaten. Since he guarded the national flag in
his hands he was called Kodi Kaththa Kumaran.
Commemorating his sacrifice the Goverment of India
Tiruppur
Kumaran issued a postal stamp in his honour.
181
Similarly, the National Movement was encouraged by songs

composed by Namakkal Kavinjar Ramalingam Pillai. In his songs he
praised the Gandhian methods in the struggle for freedom. He sang
that “a war is coming without knife and blood”. This highlighted the
Gandhian principle of non-violent struggle against the British.
Quit India Movement
Later, in 1937 when elections were held in accordance with
the 1935 Act, Congress won the elections and formed the ministry in
Madras headed by C. Rajagopalachari. There were nine other
ministers in his cabinet. The ministry was in power from July 1937 to
October 1939. The ministry had resigned along with other Congress
ministries in the different provinces over the issue of the Indian
involvement in the Second World War.
During Second War, after the failure of the Cripps’s Proposals
Gandhi had launched the Quit India Movement. In Tamil Nadu Quit
India Movement drew the factory workers, students and common
people. It was a wide spread movement. The Buckingham & Carnatic
Mills, Port Trust and the Tramway workers joined the movement in
large numbers. Quit India Movement was launched in places like
North Arcot, Madurai and Coimbatore. There was police firing at
Rajapalayam, Karaikudi and Devakottai. Besides, Subhash Bose’s
INA had many men and women soldiers from Tamil Nadu.
Finally, when India attained independence on 15th August, 1947
the Madras Government under O.P. Ramaswami Reddiar passed a
resolution appreciating the Indian Independence Act.
182
Learning Outcome
After studying this lesson the student has understood that
1. Tamil Nadu played a significant role in the Indian Freedom

Struggle.
2. Those leaders who led the masses from Tamil Nadu in the
Swadeshi Movement.
3. The role of C. Rajagopalachari and others in the Salt

Satyagraha.
4. The nature of the Quit India Movement in Tamil Nadu.
5. Important places where people in large numbers

participated in this historic movement.
183
MODEL QUESTIONS
1 Who among the following moved the first resolution in the first
session of the Indian National Congress?
(a) Srinivasa Pillai (b) Lakshminarasu Chetty
(c) Rangaiya Naidu (d) G. Subramanya Iyer
2. The Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha was led by
(a) Gandhi (b) Rajaji
(c) V.O.C (d) Kamaraj
1. The Madras Native Association was started in ……
2. The Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company was launched by
……
1. Subramaniya Bharathi a. Swadesamithran
2. Mrs. Annie Besant b. Madras Mahajana Sabha
3. G. Subramanya Iyer c. India
4. P. Anandacharlu d. New India
IV. Find out the correct statement one statement alone is
correct.
a. Madras Native Association was started by G. Subramania Iyer.
b. The Third Session of the Indian National Congress was held in
Madras.
184
c. Periyar E.V.R. had never been the President of Tamil Nadu

Congress Committee.
d. Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha March begun on 1 January 1930
from Tiruchirappalli.
1. The Madras Mahajana Sabha severely opposed the Indian
National Congress.
2. The Bharathamatha Association was a revolutionary
organization in Tamil Nadu.
3. The Vaikom Satyagraha was launched by Periyar E.V.R.
4. In 1937, the Congress Ministry was formed in Madras under
Kamaraj.
1. G. Subramanya Iyer
2. Vedaranyam March
3. Subramaniya Bharathi
1. Write a note on Madras Mahajana Sabha.
2. Discuss the role of V.O.C in the Indian National Movement.
1. Examine the role of Tamil Nadu in the Indian Freedom Struggle.
185
Lesson 18
THE JUSTICE PARTY RULE
Learning Objectives
Students will come to understand
1. The factors that led to the rise of Non-Brahmin Movement

in Madras Presidency.
2. The genesis of the Justice Party.
3. The Justice Party in power.
4. Achievements of the Justice Party.
5. The end of the Justice rule in Madras Presidency.
The Justice Party rule in the Madras Presidency constitutes

an important chapter in the history of South India. The ideology and
objectives of the Justice Party had been unique and somewhat
different from those of the Congress Party. The Justice Party
represented the Non-Brahmin Movement and engineered a social
revolution against the domination of Brahmins in the sphere of public
services and education.
Birth of the Justice Party
Various factors had contributed to the formation of the Justice
Party, which represented the Non-Brahmin Movement. The social
dominance of the Brahmins was the main cause for the emergence
of the Non-Brahmin Movement. Their high proportion in the Civil
Service, educational institutions and also their predominance in the
Madras Legislative Council caused a great worry among the non-
Brahmins. The Brahmins had also monopolized the Press. The
186
rediscovery of the greatness of the Tamil language and literature

also provided a stimulus to the non-Brahmins. Particularly, the
publication of the book entitled A Comparative Grammar of the
Dravidian or South Indian Family of Languages by Rev. Robert
Caldwell in 1856 gave birth to the Dravidian concept. Later the ancient
Tamil literature had been rediscovered and printed by various Tamil
scholars including Arumuga Navalar, C.V. Damodaram Pillai and U.V.
Swaminatha Iyer. V. Kanakasabhai Pillai in his famous historical work,
The Tamils 1800 Years Ago pointed out that Tamils had attained a
high degree of civilization before the Advent of the Aryans. This led
to the growth of Dravidian feelings among the non-Brahmins. These
factors collectively contributed to the birth of the Non-Brahmin
Movement and the Justice Party.
The precursor of the Justice Party was the Madras United
League which was renamed as the Madras Dravidian Association
in November 1912. Dr. C. Natesa Mudaliar played a significant role
in nurturing this organization. In 1916 the South Indian Liberal
Federation was formed for the purpose of ‘promoting the political
interests of non-Brahmin caste Hindus’. The leaders who stood behind
the formation of this organization were Pitti Theagaraya Chetti, Dr.
T.M. Nair, P. Ramarayaninger (Raja of Panagal) and Dr. C. Natesa
Mudaliar. The South Indian Liberal Federation published an English
newspaper called Justice and hence this organization came to be
called the Justice Party. The other news paper which supported the
Justice Party was Dravidan (in Tamil). Besides, the Justice Party
organized a series of public meetings, conferences, lectures to
popularise Non-Brahmin movement. Similarly, the Justice Party
formed District Associations, the Non-Brahmin Youth League.
Justice Party Rule
The Justice Party came to power following the election of 1920
held according to the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms. The Justice
187
Party captured sixty three out of ninety eight elected seats in the
Madras Legislative Council. As Pitti Theagaraya Chetti declined to
lead the ministry, A. Subbarayalu Reddiar formed the ministry. In
the election of 1923 it fought against the Swarajya Party. The Justice
Party again won the majority and the ministry was formed by Raja
of Panagal. In the election of 1926 a divided Justice Party faced the
opposition of a united Congress. Therefore, an independent,
A. Subbarayan with the help of the Swarajya Party formed the
ministry. In 1930 when the next election was held the Justice Party
won the majority and formed a ministry with B. Muniswami Naidu
as the leader. In 1932 Raja of Bobbili replaced him as Prime Minister
of the Presidency. In 1934 Raja of Bobbili formed his second ministry,
which continued in power until the election of 1937.
Achievements of the Justice Party
The Justice Party remained in power for a period of thirteen
years. Its administration was noted for social justice and social reform.
Justice rule gave adequate representation to non-Brahman
communities in the public services. It improved the status of depressed
classes through education reforms. Justice Party introduced following
reforms in the field of Education :
1. Free and compulsory education was introduced for the first
time in Madras.
2. Nearly 3000 fisher boys and fisher girls were offered free
special instruction by the Department of Fisheries.
3. Midday Meals was given at selected corporation schools in
Madras.
4. The Madras Elementary Education Act was amended in 1934
and in 1935 to improve elementary education.
188
5. The Education of girls received encouragement during the

Justice rule in Madras.
6. Education of the Depressed Classes was entrusted with Labour
Department.
7. Encouragement was given to Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani
medical education.
The government took over the power of appointing district
munsiffs out of the control of the High Court. The Communal
G. O.s (Government Orders) of 1921 and 1922 provided for the
reservation of appointments in local bodies and educational institutions
for non-Brahmin communities in increased proportion.
The Staff Selection Board, created by the Panagal Ministry in
1924, was made the Pubic Service Commission in 1929. It was the
first of its kind in India. The women were granted the right to vote on
the same basis as was given to men. The Hindu Religious Endowment
Act of 1921, enacted by the Panagal Ministry, tried to eliminate
corruption in the management of temples. Justice Party Government
introduced economic reforms.
To assist the growth of industries State Aid to Industries Act,
1922 was passed. This led to the establishment of new industries
such as : sugar factories, engineering works, tanneries, aluminum
factories, cement factories and oil milling so on. This act provided
credits to industries, allotted land and water. This proved favourable
for industrial progress.)
Similarly, Justice Party Government introduced schemes for
rural development to help agrarian population, public health schemes
to prevent diseases. To improve village economy village road scheme
was introduced. In the city of Madras the Town Improvement
Committee of the Madras Corporation introduced Slum Clearance
189
and Housing Schemes. As a social welfare measures the Justice

Party Government gave waste lands in village to Depressed Classes.
The devadasi system, a disgrace to women, was abolished.
The Justice administration reorganized the working of the University
of Madras. During the administration of Justice Party, the Andhra
University was established in 1926 and Annamalai University in 1929.
End of Justice Party Rule
The Government of India Act of 1935 provided for provincial
autonomy and the electoral victory meant the assumption of a major
responsibility in the administration of the province. K. V. Reddi Naidu
led the Justice Party, while C. Rajagopalachari led the Congress in
the South. In the election of 1937, the Congress captured 152 out of
215 seats in the Legislative Assembly and 26 out of 46 in the
Legislative Council. In July 1937 the Congress formed its ministry
under C. Rajagopalachari. Thus, the rule of Justice Party which
introduced important social legislations came to an end. In 1944 the
Justice party conference was held in Salem. There Peraringar Anna
passed a resolution thereby the name of justice party was changed
as Dravidiar Kalagam.
190
Learning Outcome
After studying this lesson the student has understood that
1. The domination of Brahmin community in the sphere of civil

service and education led to the emergence of the Non-
Brahmin Movement.
2. The leaders of the Justice Movement.
3. The Justice ministries between 1920 and 1937.
4. The achievements of the Justice party administration such

as Communal G.O, Hindu Religious Endowment Act and
abolition of devadasi system.
5. The decline of the Justice Party.
191
MODEL QUESTIONS
1. The South Indian Liberal Foundation was formed in the year
(a) 1912 (b) 1914
(c) 1916 (d) 1917
2. Which of the following journal was not founded by Periyar
E.V.R?
(a) Kudi Arasu (b) Puratchi
(c) Viduthalai (d) Swarajya
1. The Hindu Religious Act was passed in the year ….
1. Communal G.O. a. 1929
2. Staff Selection Board b. 1922
3. Madras State Aid to Industries Act c. 1924
4. Annamalai University d. 1921
right.
a) C.V. Damodaram Pillai was the author of The Tamils 1800
Years Ago.
b) Madras Dravidian Association was started in November 1912.
c) In 1917 the South Indian Liberal Federation was formed.
d) Tamil newspaper called Justice supported the Justice Party.
192
V. State whether the following statements are True or False

1 The Justice Party remained in power for a period of thirteen
years.
2 Justice Party introduced Free and compulsory education.
1. Non Brahmin Movement
2. Communal G.O
1. Describe the educational reforms of the Justice Party.
2. Write a note on the end of Justice Party.
1. Examine the achievements of the Justice Party rule in Tamil
Nadu.
2. Estimate the role of Periyar E.V.R. in the promotion of social
justice.
193
Unit - 4
People’s Revolt
Learning Objectives
▶ To know the Palayakkarar (Poligar) system in Tamil Nadu
▶T
o understand the role of PuliThevar and Kattabomman in the anti-
British uprising
▶T
o know about the South Indian Rebellion
▶ To know the causes and effects of Vellore Mutiny
▶ To understand the causes and impacts of Revolt of 1857
Introduction with the consultation of his minister Ariyanatha

Mudaliyar, Viswanatha instituted Palayakkarar
The establishment of political and system in 1529. The whole country was divided
economic dominance by the British over many into 72 Palayams and each one was put under
parts of India after the Battle of Plassey, 1757 a Palayakkarar. Palayakkarar was the holder of
disrupted the political, social and economic a territory or a Palayam. These Palayams were
order of the country. This led to the divesting held in military tenure and extended their full
many landlords and chieftains of their power co-operation to be need of the Nayaks. The
and estates. Naturally, many of them revolted Palayakkarars collected taxes, of which one third
against the British. The English assumed the was given to the Nayak of Madurai another one
right of collecting the annual tribute from the third for the expenditure of the army and rest
Palayakkarar. The first resistance to the British was kept for themselves.
was offered by the Pulithevar. Since then there
had been rebellions by Palayakkarar such as Early revolts of South India
the Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Oomathurai,
Revolt of the Palayakkars
Marudu brothers and Dheeran Chinnamalai.
During the 17th and 18th centuries the
Origin of Palayam Palayakkarars played a vital role in the politics
of Tamil Nadu. They regarded themselves as
The Vijayanagar rulers appointed Nayaks
independent. Among the Palayakkarars, there
in their provinces. The Nayak of Madurai in
were two blocs, namely the Eastern and the
turn appointed Palayakkarar. Viswanatha
Western blocs. The Eastern Palayams were the
became the Nayak of Madurai in 1529. He
Nayaks ruled under the control of Kattabomman
noticed that he could not control the chieftain
and the Western palayams were the Maravas
who wanted more powers in their provinces. So
159
Unit-4_updated.indd 159 25-03-2019 10:09:04

THE REBEL CONFEDERACY 1799 - 1800 N
W E
S
Vellore Madras
Sangagiri
Erode
Chennimalai
Odanilai
Coimbatore
Tiruchirapalli
Dindigul
Virupakshi Nagore
Naam Pudukoai
Tiruppaur
Madurai Kalaiyar kovil
Sivagangai
Tondi
Ramnad
Sivagiri
Nerkaaanseval Kadalkudi
Eayapuram Nagalapuram
Kayaar
Panchalamkurichi
Nanguneri
Not to Scale
ruled under the control of Pulithevan. These Pulithevar

two palayakkarars refused to pay the kist Pulithevar was the pioneer in Tamil
(tribute) to the English and rebelled. Nadu, to protest against the English rule
The early struggle between the in India. He was the Palayakkarar of the
Palayakkaras and the East India Company had Nerkattumseval, near Tirunelveli. During his
a strong political dimension. By the Carnatic tenure he refused to pay the tribute neither
treaty of 1792, consolidated the English power to Mohammed Ali, the Nawab of Arcot nor
over the Palayakkars. The English got the right to the English. Further he started opposing
to collect taxes. The result was the outbreak of them. Hence, the forces of the Nawab of Arcot
the revolt of Palayakkars. and the English attacked Pulithevar. But the
160

combined forces were defeated by Pulithevar at Kattabomman met Jackson
Tirunelveli. Pulithevar was the first Indian king In 1798, Colin
to have fought and defeated the British in India. Jackson, the collector of
After this victory Pulithevan attempted to form Ramanathapuram wrote
a league of the Palayakkars to oppose the British letters to Kattabomman
and the Nawab. asking him to pay the tribute
In 1759, Nerkattumseval was attacked arrears. But Kattabomman
by the forces of Nawab of Arcot under the replied that he was not in
leadership of Yusuf Khan. Pulithevar was a position to remit the tribute due to the
defeated at Anthanallur and the Nawabs forces famine in the country. Colin Jackson got
captured Nerkattumsevval in 1761. Pulithevar angry and decided to send an expedition to
who lived in exile recaptured Nerkattumseval in punish Kattabomman. However, the Madras
1764. Later, he was defeated by Captain Campell government directed the collector to summon
in 1767. Pulithevar escaped and died in exile the Palayakkarar at Ramanathapuram and
without fulfilling his purpose, although his hold a discussion.
courageous trail of a struggle for independence
in the history of South India. In 1798, Kattabomman and his
minister Siva Subramaniam met the Collector
Virapandya Kattabomman at Ramanathapuram. Upon a verification of
The Ancestors of accounts, Colin Jackson was convinced that
Kattabomman belonged Kattabomman had cleared most of the arrears
to Andhra. They migrated leaving only 1080 pagodas as balance. During
to Tamil country during this interview Kattabomman and his Minister,
the 11th century. As a Sivasubramaniam, had to stand before the
feudatory under Pandyas, arrogant collector for three hours. The
Jagaveerapandiaya Collector insulted them and tried to arrest
Kattabomman ruled Kattabomman and his minister. Kattabomman
V i r a p a n d y a p u r a m . Virapandya Kattabomman tried to escape with his minister. Oomathurai
Panchalankurichi was suddenly entered the fort with his men and
its capital. He later became a Poligar during helped the escape of Kattabomman. But
the rule of Nayaks. He was succeeded by his unfortunately Sivasubramaniam was taken as
son Veerapandya Kattabomman. His wife was prisoner.
Jakkammal and his brothers were Oomathurai
Edward Clive and Kattabomman
and Sevathaiah.
After his return to Panchalamkuruchi,
Nawab of Arot
Kattabomman wrote a letter to the Madras
After the decline of the Vijayanagar Council narrating the behaviour of the Collector
empire, the mughals established their Colin Jackson. Edward Clive, the Governor
supremacy in the south. The Nawabs acted of Madras Council ordered Kattabomman
as their representatives in Karnataka. to surrender. The Madras Council directed
Panchalamkuruchi palayam was acted as an ally Kattabomman to appear before a Committee.
to the Nawab of Arcot. Hence it paid tribute to Meanwhile, Edward Clive dismissed the
the Nawabs. But in 1792, the political condition Collector for his misbehaviour and released
had completely changed. Based on the Carnatic SivaSubramania. Kattabomman appeared
treaty of 1792, the company gained the right before the Committee, and found Kattabomman
to collect taxes from Panchalamkuruchi. The was not guilty. S.R. Lushington was appointed
collection of tribute was the main cause for the collector in the place of Colin Jackson, who was
rivalry between the English and Kattabomman. eventually dismissed from service.
161

The confederacy of Palayakkarars near Dindigul. During
During that time, Marudu Pandyan of this period she organised
Sivaganga formed the South Indian Confederacy an army and employed her
of rebels against the British, along with the intelligent agents to find
neighbouring Palayakkarars. This confederacy where the British stored
declared a proclamation which came to be known their ammunition. She
as Tiruchirappalli Proclamation. Kattabomman arranged a suicide attack
was interested in this confederacy. He tried to by a faithfull follower
establish his influence over Sivagiri,who refused Kuyili, a commander Velu Nachiyar
to join with alliance of the rebels. Kattabomman of Velu Nachiar. She
recaptured Sivagangai and was again crowned
advanced towards Sivagiri. But the Palayakkar
as queen with the help of Marudu brothers. She
of Sivagiri was a tributory to the Company.
was the first queen to fight against the British
So the Company considered the expedition of
colonial power in India. She is known by Tamils
Kattabomman as a challenge to their authority.
as Veeramangai and also known as ‘Jhansi Rani
So the Company ordered the army to march to
of South India’.
Panchalamkuruchi.
Marudu Brothers
Fall of Panchalamkuruchi
Marudu brothers
Major Bannerman moved his army to were the sons of
Panchalamkuruchi on 5th September. They Mookiah Palaniappan
cut of all the communications to the Fort. In and Ponnathal. The elder
a clash at Kallarpatti, Siva Subramaniyam was brother was called Periya
taken as a prisoner. Kattabomman escaped to Marudu (Vella Marudhu)
Pudukottai. Vijaya Ragunatha Tondaiman, Raja and the younger brother
of Pudukottai, captured Kattabomman from Chinna Marudu. Chinna
the jungles of Kalapore and handed over to the Marudu was more
Company. After the fall of Panchalamkuruchi, Marudu Brothers
popular and was called
Bannerman brought the prisoners to an assembly Marudu Pandiyan. Chinna Marudu served
of the Palayakkarars and after trial sentenced under Muthu Vaduganatha Peria Udaya Devar
them to death. Sivasubramania was executed at (1750-1772) of Sivaganga. In 1772 the Nawab
Nagalapuram. On the 16th October ViraPandya of Arcot laid seige of Sivaganga and captured
Kattabomman was tried before an assembly of it. Muthu Vaduganatha Peria Udaya Devar,
Palayakkarar, summoned at Kayathar. On 17th died in battle. However after a few months
October 1799, Kattabomman was hanged at the Sivaganga was re-captured by Marudu Brothers
fort of Kayathar. Kattabomman’s heroic deeds and Periya Marudu was enthroned as the ruler.
were the subject of many folk ballads which Chinna Marudu acted as his adviser. Due to
kept his memory alive among the people. the terrorist activities against British, he was
called as “Lion of Sivaganga”. In the later half
Velu Nachiyar
of the eighteenth century the rebellion against
Velu Nachiyar was a queen of Sivagangai. the British was carried by Marudu Brothers in
At the age of 16, she was married to Muthu South India.
Vaduganathar, the Raja of Sivagangai. In 1772, the
Causes for the conflict
Nawab of Arcot and the British troops invaded
Sivagangai. They killed Muthu Vaduganathar in Kattabomman was hanged to death
Kalaiyar Koil battle. Velu Nachiyar escaped with and his brother Umaithurai and others
her daughter Vellachi Nachiyar and lived under fled to Sivaganga, where Marudu Pandya
the protection of Gopala Nayaker at Virupachi gave protection to them. The merchants of
162

Sivaganga did not like the interference of English annexed Sivagangai
the company in their internal politics. The In May 1801, English attacked the rebels
company waged war against Sivaganga for in Thanjavur and Tiruchi areas. The rebels
these two causes. went to Piranmalai and Kalayarkoil. They were
again defeated by the forces of the English. In
The South Indian Rebellion (1800-1801)
the end, the superior military strength and the
In February 1801 the brothers of able commanders of the British army won the
Kattabomman, Oomathurai and Sevathaiah battle. The rebellion failed and English annexed
escaped from Palayamkottai prison and reached Sivagangai in 1801. The Marudu brothers
Kamudhi. Chinna Marudu took them to were executed in the Fort of Tirupathur in
Siruvayal, his capital. They reconstructed their Ramanathapuram District on 24 October 1801.
ancestral fort at Panchalamkurichi. The British Oomathurai and Sevathaiah was captured
troops under Conlin Macaulay retook the fort and beheaded at Panchalamkuruchi on 16
in April and the Palayakkarar brothers sought November 1801. Seventy three rebels were
shelter in Sivaganga. The English demanded sentenced to Penang in Malaya, then called the
Marudu Pandyas to hand over the fugitives, the Prince of Wales Island. Though they fell before
latter refused. Conlonel Agnew and Colonel the English, they were the pioneers in sowing
Innes marched against them. the seeds of nationalism in the land of Tamil.
The Palayakkarar War assumed a much Thus the South Indian Rebellion is a land
broader character than its predecessor. It was mark in the history of Tamil Nadu. Although the
directed by a confederacy consisting of Marudu 1800-1801 rebellion was to be categorized in the
Pandiar of Sivaganga, Gopala Nayak of Dindugal, British records as the Second Palayakkarar War.
Kerala Varma of Malabar and Krishnappa Under the terms of the Karnataka Treaty on 31
Nayak and Dhoondaji of Mysore. The English July 1801, the British assumed direct control
declared war against the confederacy. over Tamil Nadu. The Palayakkarar system was
abolished.
The Tiruchirappalli Proclamation (1801)
The Marudu Pandyas issued a Dheeran Chinnamalai
proclamation of Independence called Dheeran Chinnamalai was born at
Tiruchirappalli Proclamation in June 1801. Melapalayam in Chennimalai near Erode.
The Proclamation of 1801 was the first call to His original name was Theerthagiri. He was a
the Indians to unite against the British. A copy palayakkarar of Kongu country who fought
of the proclamation was pasted on the walls of the British East India Company. The Kongu
the Nawab’s palace in the fort of Tiruchi and country comprising Salem, Coimbatore, Karur
another copy was placed on the walls of the and Dindigul formed a part of the Nayak
Vaishnava temple at Srirangam. Thus Marudu kingdom of Madurai but had been annexed by
brothers spread the spirit of opposition against the Wodayars of Mysore. After the fall of the
the English everywhere. As a result many Wodayars, these territories along with Mysore
Palayakkarars of Tamil Nadu went on a rally were controlled by the Mysore Sultans. After the
to fight against the English. Chinna Marudu third and fourth Mysore wars the entire Kongu
collected nearly 20,000 men to challenge the region passed into the hands of the English.
English army. British reinforcements were Dheeran Chinnamalai was trained by
rushed from Bengal, Ceylon and Malaya. French military in modern warfare. He was along
The rajas of Pudukkottai, Ettayapuram and the side Tippu Sultan to fight against the British
Thanjavur stood by the British. Divide and rule East India Company and got victories against the
policy followed by the English spilt the forces of British. After Tippu Sultan’s death Chinnamalai
the Palayakkarars. settled down at Odanilai and constructed a fort
163

there to continue his struggle against the British. Causes for the revolt
He sought the help of Marathas and Maruthu � The strict discipline, new weapons, new
Pandiyar to attack the British at Coimbatore in methods and uniforms were all new to the
1800. British forces managed to stop the armies sepoys.
of the allies and hence Chinnamalai was forced
� The sepoys were asked to shave the beard
to attack Coimbatore on his own. His army was
defeated and he escaped from the British forces. and to trim the moustache.
Chinnamalai engaged in guerrilla warfare � The wearing of religious mark on the
and defeated the British in battles at Cauvery, forehead and the use of ear-rings were also
Odanilai and Arachalur. During the final battle, banned.
Chinnamalai was betrayed by his cook Nallapan � The English treated the Indian sepoys as
and was hanged in Sankagiri Fort in 1805. their inferior. There was the racial prejudice.
Immediate Cause
Vellore Revolt (1806)
In June 1806, military General Agnew
The family members
introduced a new turban, resembling a
of Tippu were imprisoned at
European hat with a badge of cross on it. It
Vellore fort after the fourth
was popularly known as ‘Agnew’s turban’.
Mysore war. Some three
Both the Hindu and Muslim soldiers opposed
thousand ex-servants and
it. So the soldiers were severely punished by
soldiers of Hyder and Tippu
the English.
had also been moved to the
vicinity of Vellore and their property in Mysore Course of the Revolt
confiscated. It was quite natural that they were The Indian soldiers were waiting for
all unhappy and they hatred the English. an opportunity to attack the English officers.
Tippu’s family also took part. Fettah Hyder, the
elder son of Tippu, tried to form an alliance
against the English. On July 10th in the early
morning the native sepoys of the 1st and 23rd
Regiments started the revolt. Colonel Fancourt,
who commanded the garrison, was their first
Vellore Fort victim. The fort gates were closed. Meantime,
the rebels proclaimed Futteh Hyder, as their new
The Vellore fort consisted of large
ruler. The British flag in the fort was brought
majority of Indian troops, a good part of it
down. The tiger-striped flag of Tippu Sultan was
recently been raised in Tirunelveli after the
hoisted on the fort of Vellore.
Palayakarar uprising of 1800. Many of the
trained soldiers of the various Palayams were Suppression of the Revolt
admitted into the English army. Thus the Vellore Major Cootes who was outside the
fort became the meeting ground of the rebel fort rushed to Ranipet and informed Colonel
forces of South India. Gillespie. Col. Gillespie reached Vellore fort.
In 1803, William Cavendish Bentinck He made an attack on the rebel force. The revolt
became Governor of Madras. During his period was completely suppressed and failed. Peace
certain military regulations were introduced was restored in Vellore. On the whole, 113
in 1805-06 and were enforced by the Madras Europeans and about 350 sepoys were killed in
Commander-in-Chief Sir John Cradock. But the uprising. The revolt was suppressed within a
the sepoys felt that these were designed to insult short period. It was one of the significant events
them. in the history of Tamil Nadu.
164

Effects of the Vellore Revolt � The conversion activities of Christian
� The new methods and uniform regulations missionaries were looked upon with
were withdrawn. suspicion and fear. The priests and the
maulavis showed their discontent against
� The family of Tippu as a precautionary
the British rule.
measure was sent to Calcutta.
� Abolition of practices like sati, female
� William Cavendish Bentinck was removed
infanticide, support to widow remarriage
from his service.
and female education were seen by many as
Causes for the failure of the Revolt
interference in their Indian culture by the
� There was no proper leadership to guide the Europeans.
soldiers properly. � The Indian sepoys were looked upon as
� The rebellion was also not well organised. inferior beings and treated with contempt by
� Divide and Rule policy of the English, split their British officers. They were paid much
the unity of the Indians. less than the British soldiers. All avenues of
V.D. Savarkar calls the Vellore revolt of the promotion were closed to them as all
1806 as the prelude to the first War of Indian the higher army posts were reserved for the
Independence in 1857. British.
The Revolt of 1857 Immediate cause

The immediate cause was the
The early uprisings did
introduction of new Enfield Riffles in the army.
not succeed in threatening the
The top of the cartridge of this rifle was to be
British in India. It took the
removed by the mouth before loading it in the
Revolt of 1857 to bring home
rifle. The cartridges were greased by the fat of
to the Company and the
pig and the cow. The Indian sepoys believed
British thought that their rule
that the British were deliberately attempting to
was not accepted to a large
spoil the religion of both the Hindus and the
section of the population. The Revolt of 1857
Muslims because while the Hindus revered the
was a product of the character and the policies
cow, the Muslims hated the pig. The soldiers,
of colonial rule. The cumulative effect of British
therefore, determined to refuse their service
expansionist policies, economic exploitation
and, ultimately revolted. Thus, the primary and
and administrative innovations over the years
the immediate cause of the revolt was the use of
had adversely affected the positions of all rulers
the greased cartridges.
of Indian states.
Causes of the Revolt The Outbreak of the Revolt
� The most important cause of revolt 1857 was On 29 March
a popular discontent of the British policy of 1857 at Barrackpur
economically exploiting India. This hurt all (near Kolkata) Mangal
sections of society. The peasants suffered Pandey, a young Sepoy
due to high revenue demands and the strict from Bengal Regiment,
revenue collection policy. refused to use the greased
� Policies of doctrine of lapse, subsidiary cartridge, and shot
alliance and policy of Effective Control created down his sergeant. He
discontentment among people. Annexation of was arrested, tried and Mangal Pandey
Oudh proved that even the grovelling loyalty executed. When this
can't satisfy British greed for territories. news spread many sepoys revolted.
165

THE REVOLT OF 1857
N
W E
S
Meerut
Delhi
Bareiley
Agra
r
pu
ad
Gwalior Luknow
n
zab
Ka
Jagdispur
Jhansi Banaras
Fai
Kalpi
Barrackpore
Not to Scale
Course of the Revolt The revolt spread quickly. There were

On 10 May 1857, the Sepoys of the third mutinies at Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Bareilly,
cavalry at Meerut openly revolted by swarming Bihar, Faizabad, and many other places in
the prisons and releasing their comrades. They north India. Many of them found that it was
were immediately joined by the men of the 11th a good opportunity to burn the papers of
and 20th Native Infantries, and they murdered their landlords. Many others whose titles and
some English officers and then marched to pensions were abolished by the British who
Delhi. The arrival of Meerut sepoys at Delhi on participated in it, inorder to take revenge.
11th May and declared of Bahadur Shah II as the The Muslim leaders and Maulvis sought the
Emperor of India. Delhi became the centre of opportunity of establishing the Muslim rule in
the Great Revolt and Bahadur Shah, its symbol. India after turning out the British.
166

British Officials
In Central India the Places of
Indian Leaders who suppressed
revolt was guided Revolt
the revolt
by Rani Lakshmi
Delhi Bahadur Shah II John Nicholson
Bai of Jhansi. She
was one of the Lucknow Begum Hazrat Mahal Henry Lawrence
greatest patriots of India. Sir Hugh Rose Kanpur Nana Saheb Sir Colin Campbell
occupied Jhansi. Rani Lakshmi Bai fled from
Jhansi & Lakshmi Bai,
Jhansi and joined hands with Tantia Tope General Hugh Rose
Gwalior Tantia tope
who had assumed the leadership of the rebel
army at Gwalior. But the British captured Bareilly Khan Bahadur Khan Sir Colin Campbell
Gwalior in June 1858. Rani was killed in the Bihar Kunwar Singh William Taylor
battle. Tantia Tope fled away but was captured
and later executed. According to the British The Causes for the Failure of the Revolt
historians, present at the time of revolt, Rani
Lakshmi Bai was the best and the bravest Various causes were responsible for the
among the leaders of the Revolt of 1857. failure of the revolt.
� Lack of organisation, discipline, common
plan of action, centralised leadership,
Suppression of the Revolt modern weapons and techniques.
Lord Canning, the governor-general � The rebel leaders were no match to the
took immediate steps to suppress the revolt. British Generals. Rani Lakshmi Bai, Tantia
He collected the forces of Madras, Bombay, Sri Tope and Nana Saheb were courageous but
Lanka and Burma. On his own initiative, he they were not good generals.
called the British army which was deputed to � Non-participation of Bengal, Bombay,
China by Britain to Calcutta. He ordered the Madras, western Punjab and Rajputana.
loyal Sikh army to proceed to Delhi immediately. � The modern educated Indians did not
The British regained their lost positions very support the Revolts as they believed that
soon. only British rule could reform Indian society
and modernize it.
Delhi was recaptured by General
� The British managed to get the loyalty of the
John Nicholson on 20 September, 1857 and
Sikhs, Afghans and the Gurkha regiments.
deportation of Bahadur Shah II to Rangoon
The Gurkhas actually helped the British in
where he died in 1862. Military operations
suppressing the revolt.
with the recovery of Kanpur were closely
� The British had better weapons, better
associated with the recovery of Lucknow. Sir
generals, and good organisation.
Colin Campbell occupied Kanpur. Nana Saheb
was defeated at Kanpur and escaped to Nepal. Consequences of the Revolt
His close associate Tantia Tope escaped to � The Revolt of 1857 marked a turning point
central India, was captured and put to death in the history of India. It led to changes in
while asleep. The Rani of Jhansi had died in the system of administration and the policy
the battle-field. Kunwar Singh, Khan Bahadur of the Government.
Khan were all dead, while the Begum of Awadh � The administration of India was transferred
was compelled to hide in Nepal. The revolt was from the East India Company to the British
finally suppressed. By the end of 1859, British Crown through the ‘Queen’s Proclamation’
authority over India was fully re-established. in 1858.
167

� The governor general was given the title of Recap
viceroy.
� The Vijayanager ruers appointed Nayaks in
� The Board of Directors and the Board of
their provinces.
Control were replaced by the Council of 15
members headed by the Secretary of State to � The Nayak of Madurai in turn appointed
supervise Indian affairs. Palayakkarar.
� The Indian Army was thoroughly � The English got the right to collect taxes and
reorganised. More Britishers were employed the result was the outbreak of the revolt of
in the army. Palayakkarars.
� The British military policy came to be � The collection of tribute was the main cause
dominated by the idea of ‘divide and for the rivalry between the English and
counterpoise’. Kattabomman.
Infact, the Revolt of 1857 played an � Marudu brothers were the sons of Mookiah
important role in bringing the Indian people Palaniappan and Ponnathal.
together and imparting them the consciousness � Dheeran Chinnamalai was trained by
of belonging to one country. The Revolt paved French military in modern warfare.
the way for the rise of the modern national � Tippu Sultan fought against the British East
movement. It was at the beginning of the India Company.
twentieth century that the 1857 Revolt came
� Rani Lakshmi Bai was the best and the
to be interpreted as a “planned war of national
independence”, by V.D. Savarkar in his book, bravest among the leaders of the Revolt of
First War of Indian Independence. 1857.
GLOSSARY
Beheaded hanged to death துாக்கிலிடு
Betrayed give away information about somebody காட்டிக்கொடு
Cartridge bullet த�ோட்டா
Eventually in the end முடிவாக
Infantry an army unit consisting of soldiers who fight on foot காலாட்படை
Tribute payment made periodically by one state கப்பம்
Swarm crowd கூட்டம்
Evaluation 2. Which of the following Palayakkarar of

Tamil Nadu was the pioneer against the
English rule
I. Choose the correct a) Pulitevan
answer b) Yusuf Khan
1. The Palayakkarar c) Kattabomman
system was instituted d) Marudhu brothers
in
3. C olin Jackson was the collector of
a) 1519 b) 1520
a) Madurai b) Tirunelveli
c) 1529 d) 1530
c) Ramanathapuram d) Tuticorin
168

4.
Veera Pandiya Kattabomman was III Match the following
hanged at the fort of
1. Delhi Kunwar singh
a) Panchalamkurichi b) Sivagangai
2. Kanpur Khan Bahudar Khan
c) Tiruppathur d) Kayathar 3. Jhans Nana Saheb
5. Velu Nachiyar was a queen of 4. Bareilly Lakshmi Bai
5. Bihar Bahadur Shah II
a) Nagalapuram b) Sivagiri
c) Sivagangai d) Virupachi IV State true or false
6. Tiruchirapalli proclamation was issued by 1.

The Vijayanagar rulers appointed
Nayaks in their provinces.
a) Marudhu Pandiyars
2. Sivasubramania was the minister of
b) Krishnappa Nayak Marudhu pandiyas.
c) Velu Nachiyar 3. Kattabomman was hanged on 17th
October 1799.
d) Dheeran Chinnamalai
4. Fettah Hyder was the elder son of Tippu
7.
Which of the following place was Sultan.
associated with Dheeran chinnamalai
V.C onsider the following
a) Dindigul b) Nagalapuram statements and tick (✓) the
c) Pudukottai d) Odanilai appropriate answer
8. R ani Lakshmi Bai led the revolt at i) The Vellore revolt was held in 1801.
ii) The family members of Tippu were
a) Central India b) Kanpur imprisoned at Vellore fort after the
c) Delhi d) Bareilly fourth Mysore war.
iii) At the time of Vellore revolt, the
II Fill in the Blanks Governor of Madras was Lord William
Bentinck.
1. The Eastern Palayms were ruled under
the control of __________. iv) The victory of revolt of Vellore
against British was one of the significant
2.
Vishwanatha Nayakar instituted the event in the history of India.
Palayakarar system with the consultation
a) i & ii are Correct
of his minister ________.
b) ii & iv are Correct
3. The ancestors of Kattabomman belonged c) ii &iii are correct
to _______.
d) i, ii & iv are correct
4. _______ was known by Tamils as Veera
mangai and Jhansi Rani of south india. a) Find out the wrong pair
5.
__________ was called as ‘lion’ of 1. Marudu Pandiyar - Ettayapuram
sivagangai. 2. Gopala Nayak - Dindigul
6. _________ was described the revolt of 3. Kerala Varma - Malabar
1857 as First War of India Independence. 4. Dhoondaji - Mysore
169

b) Find out the odd one IX Map skill
Katt ab omman, O omait hurai, On the River map of India mark the
Sevathaiah, Tippu Sultan. following centres of the revolt of 1857.
VI A
nswer the following in one 1) Delhi 2) Lucknow
or two sentences 3) Meerut 4) Barrackpore
1. What you know about the Palayakarars? 5) Jhansi 6) Gwalior
Name some of them. 7) Kanpur
2. What was the part of Velu Nachiyar in
the Palayakkarar revolt? X Project and Activity
3. Who were the leaders of Palayakkarar collect pictures of Palayakkarars and
confederacy in the south Indian prepare an album.
rebellion?
4. W hat was the importance of
Tiruchirappalli proclamation? REFERENCE BOOKS
5. Bring out the effects of the Vellore revolt. 1. R ajayyan, K. - South Indian rebellion :
6. What was the immediate cause of the The First War of Independence 1800-
Revolt of 1857? 1801, Mysore : Rao and Raghavan,
VII A
nswer the following in detail. Mysore 1971
1. What do you know about the Pulithevar? 2. Bipan Chandra - History of Modern India,
Orient Blackswan Private Limited 2018
2. Explain the events that led to conflict
between Dheeran Chinnamalai and the 3. Ishita Banerjee-Dube - A History of
british. Modern India, Cambridge University
Press 2014
3. What were the causes for the Great
revolt of 1857?
4. What were the causes for the failure of INTERNET RESOURCES
the Revolt of 1857?
https://www.britannica.com
VIII HOTs
https://www.ducksters.com/
Prove that there was no common https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vellore_mutiny
purpose among the leaders of the Great
http s : / / e n . w i k ip e d i a . org / w i k i / In d i an _
revolt of 1857.
Rebellion_of_1857
170

www.tntextbooks.in
Lesson Early Resistance to

British Rule
18
Learning Objectives
To acquaint oneself with

The early resistance of Mysore Sultans to the British East India Company rule
The establishment of palayakkarar system in south India and the revolt of
southern palayakkarars
The revolt of Theeran Chinnamalai in the Kongu region and other displaced
rulers in Vellore.
The peasant and tribal uprisings against Company, Mahajan and Zamindars
The great rebellion of 1857, resulting in the final takeover of the Company by
the Crown
Introduction was not lacking. In this lesson we discuss

The conquest of territories and the the happenings of that time in south India
expansionist policy of the British East as well as the great rebellion of 1857.
India Company led to a series of rebellions
of deposed kings, or their descendants, 18.1 Mysore Sultans and
uprooted zamindars, and palayakarars. their Resistance
Historians describe this as primary
resistance. Independent of such revolts Rise of Haider Ali
were the uprisings of the dispossessed Mysore was a small feudatory kingdom
peasants and tribals. The rapid changes under the Vijayanagar Empire. After
introduced by the British in the agrarian Vijayanagar fell in 1565, the ruling dynasty
relations, land revenue system, and judicial of Wodeyars asserted their independence
administration, elaborated in the previous and the Raja Wodeyar ascended the throne
lesson, greatly disrupted the agrarian in 1578. The capital moved from Mysore
economy, resulting in widespread misery to Srirangapatnam in 1610. Wodeyar
among various sections of the society. dynasty continued to reign until 1760,
Therefore, when the aggrieved erstwhile when the real power changed hands to
ruling class raised a standard of revolt, the Haider Ali who was appointed Dalwai or
support of the mass of peasants and artisans prime minister.
126
www.tntextbooks.in
territories. As the Company was not

strong enough, it avoided interfering in
the internal affairs of the Indian states.
Warren Hastings maintained buffer
states to live within a “Ring Fence”. The
Company was, however, drawn towards
the affairs of the Carnatic, due to the
successive struggles for its Nawabship.
The English traders saw in this a great
opportunity to directly interfere in Indian
politics. However, there were threats from
two strong powers represented by Haider
Ali and the Nizam of Hyderabad.
First Mysore War (1767-69)

Haider Ali
Haider’s father Fateh Muhammad was the In the third Carnatic War Colonel Forde
Faujdar (garrison commander) of Kolar. while conducting the forces from Bengal
After his death Haider’s soldierly qualities captured Masulipatnam in 1759. This
helped him to rise through the military led to a treaty with Salabad Jung, who
ranks. By 1755 he had secured a powerful ceded the Northern Sarkars to the British
position, commanding 100 horsemen and (districts of Ganjam, Vizagapatnam,
2000 infantry men. Haider suppressed an Godavari, Krishna and Guntur). English
army mutiny in Mysore and restored the acquisition of the Northern Sarkars
places of the Mysore kingdom occupied was legalized by the Mughal emperor in
by Marathas. He received the title of 1765 by the treaty of Allahabad. In 1766,
“Fateh Haider Bahadur” or “the brave and trouble arose when the English occupied
victorious Lion”. In 1760 Haider allied those districts. Yet a treaty was signed
himself with the French at Pondicherry with Nizam Ali who acquiesced in the
against the English, but his position session. In return the English promised
at home was endangered by the plot to help out in case of any danger from
engineered by the Marathas. As Haider the enemies. This promise meant English
successfully handled the situation and help to the Nizam against Haider Ali.
thereafter he became not only Dalawai Here lay the genesis of the later Subsidiary
but the de facto ruler of Mysore. In System. Despite the treaty, Nizam came
1770 the Mysore king Nanjaraja was to an understanding with Haider in 1767
poisoned to death and Haider’s hand was and the British therefore declared a war
suspected. Thereafter Wodeyar kings against Haider. This is called First Anglo-
functioned only as nominal rulers. The Mysore War or First Mysore War.
real royal authority vested in Haider. An English army from Bombay
captured Mangalore and other
surrounding places on the West Coast.
Haider Ali and the British
But Haider succeeded in recovering both.
After obtaining Diwani right (right to The English made an attempt to capture
collect taxes on behalf of the Mughal Bangalore but to no avail. In 1768 Haider
emperor from Bengal, Bihar and Orissa), pounced on Baramahal (Salem district)
the Company had to safeguard its and marched on Karur and then Erode and
Early Resistance to British Rule 127

www.tntextbooks.in
took over both by defeating Captain Nixon. reached Porto Novo and won a decisive
Meanwhile, his general Fazalullah Khan victory over Haider. Haider narrowly
marched on Madurai and Tirunelveli. escaped capture. Colonel Braithwaite was
Haider advanced to Thanjavur and from thoroughly defeated near Kumbakonam
there to Cuddalore. Though Haider did not by Haider’s son Tipu and taken prisoner. In
want stop his offensive against the English, order to divert the attention of the Mysore
the threat of Maratha invasion forced him Sultan, an expedition was undertaken by
to negotiate peace with the English. The General Mathews to capture Mangalore.
terms of Treaty of Madras were as follows: Expectedly Tipu abandoned Karnataka
the conquered territories to be restored and moved to West Coast.
to each, excepting Karur which was to be The death of Haider due to cancer in
retained by Haider. Mutual assistance was 1782, the signing of Treaty of Paris (1783) at
to be rendered in wars of defence. This the end of American War of Independence,
meant the English were under obligation and the protracted siege of Mangalore
to help Haider against the Marathas. But enabled the English to be aggressive against
when assistance from English was not Tipu. Karur and Dindigul were captured
forthcoming, Haider turned against the by Colonel Lang, Colonel Fullerton seized
English. Palghat and Coimbatore but this advance
on Srirangapatnam was pre-empted by
Haider and the Second Tipu with his proposal for peace. The Treaty
Mysore War (1780) of Mangalore was signed in March 1784,
according to which both parties agreed
After the American War of Independence, to give up their conquests and release the
France had signed a treaty of friendship prisoners.
with America (1778) and so Britain
declared war against France. In a similar
Third Mysore War (1790-92)
context of Spain reaching an agreement
with America, and thereby being dragged In the meantime Lord Cornwallis had
into the war against England (1779) become governor general. Cornwallis
England remained isolated. In India wanted to deal with Tipu in a revengeful
the coming together of the Nizam and manner. The two great southern powers,
the Marathas, supported by the French the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Maratha
aggravated the situation further. Haider confederacy, supported the British as its
Ali wanted to turn England’s difficulty to allies. The Nizam of Hyderabad supplied
its advantage and marched on Karnataka. resources and even troops for the British.
Colonel Baillie, who was to join The Marathas, who had signed the Treaty
the force led by Hector Munro, was badly of Salbai with the English after the First
wounded in a sudden attack by Haider. Anglo-Maratha war in 1782, also joined
This forced Munro to move Madras. the British. The British position was thus
Haider captured Arcot (1780). Now on greatly strengthened.
request from Madras government Sir Tipu sent an embassy to
Eyre Coote, the victor of the Battle of Constantinople and another in 1787 to
Wandawashi, was sent from Calcutta to Paris. These diplomatic efforts of Tipu
besiege Madras by sea. Having scored a were intended to strengthen him against
victory against Haider, Coote proceeded the English. The French Monarch Louis
to Pondicherry. Haider in the meantime XVI was hospitable, but could give only
overran the kingdom of Thanjavur. Coote vague promises of support to the Sultan.
128 Early Resistance to British Rule
www.tntextbooks.in
Tipu’s attack on Travancore which According to the treaty of

was an ally of the British and his capture of Srirangapatnam, the Tipu was to give up
Cranganore was treated as a declaration of half of his dominions, pay three crores
war on the Company government. Hence of rupees as indemnity, and pledge two
the third Anglo-Mysore War broke out. of his sons as hostages. The allies were
given equal shares of the indemnity and
of the ceded territories. The English got
Malabar, Dindigul and Barmahal. Tipu
lost Coorg (Kudagu), whose raja became
a feudatory to the Company. Tipu’s power
was greatly reduced. And after their stay
at Madras as hostages the boys returned
to Srirangapatnam on 29 May 1794 when
their father had paid all the dues to the
English. Tipu could hardly forget his
humiliation and the heavy territorial and
monetary losses suffered.
The Mysore king Chamaraj
Tipu Sultan
IX died in 1796. Tipu resolved not to
observe the formality of appointing a
king. Synchronizing with this resolve
came the announcement of the French
colonial Governor of Mauritius General
Malartic that, after obtaining French help,
he would declare war on the English. In
July 1798 Tipu’s correspondence with the
French Directory and later with Napoleon
and his evasiveness in his correspondence
with Wellesley led to his declaration of
Srirangapatnam Fort
war against Tipu.
Colonel Hartley defeated Tipu’s
general Husain Ali at Calicut. In response Fourth Mysore War (1799)
Tipu captured Tiruvannamalai. His effort
to get the support of French Pondicherry Tipu made all out efforts to strengthen his
Governor did not materialise. Cornwallis military and financial resources. In 1796
himself marched from Vellore and Tipu sent emissaries to Paris again. In 1797
reached Bangalore. On his way he he received a French emissary to confirm
encountered Tipu and defeated him near French support from Mauritius. A Jacobin
Srirangapatnam. But lack of provisions club was started in Srirangapatinam and
compelled Cornwallis to retreat. At this the flag of the French Republic was hoisted
juncture the Marathas helped the British to mark the cordiality established between
in supplying the required provisions. The the French and the Sultan of Mysore.
reinforced army of the English marched Irked by Tipu’s alliance with the
on Srirangapatnam again and besieged French Wellesley, now the new Governor
it. Unable to withstand the onslaught of General, insisted on a standing army at
the British forces Tipu offered peace and Mysore under the Subsidiary System. Tipu
accepted the terms imposed by Cornwallis. turned down Wellesley’s proposal and the
www.tntextbooks.in
British declared the fourth Anglo-Mysore judicial powers and dispensed justice over
war in 1799. General David Baird stormed civil and criminal cases.
Srirangapatnam. Tipu’s offer of peace was
rejected and in the eventual battle Tipu The origin of the Palayakkarar (poligari)
was wounded and soon after shot dead by system dates back to the 1530s. It is
a European Soldier. believed that this system was practiced
The elimination of Tipu and the earlier in Kakatiya kingdom of Warangal.
restoration of the old Wodeyar dynasty The literal meaning of Palayakkarar is the
to the Mysore kingdom marked the real holder of a camp as well as the holder of
beginning of Company rule in south India. an estate on military tenure. Prior to the
The sons of the slain Tipu were interned enforcement of this system Servaikarars
first at Vellore, and later, after the Vellore and Talayaris collected fees for police
Revolt of 1806, shifted to Calcutta. Thus work. After the creation of palayams, the
ended the valiant fight of Mysore Sultans Servaikarars turned Palayakkarars and
against the British subordinated Talayaris to their authority.
Based on the topographical

18.2 Early Resistance distribution they are classified as western
of Southern palayams and eastern palayams. The
Palayakkarars against palayams held by Maravar chieftains were
mostly in the western parts of Tirunelveli.
the British The settlement of Telugu migrants in
Origin of Palayams and the black soil tracts, lying in the eastern
Palayakkarars
part of Tirunelveli, left those parts under
Nayak Palayakkarars.
After the decline of Vijayanagara Empire,
Nagama Nayak who arrived as a viceroy
Revolt of Palyakkarars
to Madurai and his son Viswanatha Nayak
asserted themselves as independent rulers The Nawab of Arcot, who had borrowed
of Madurai and Tirunelveli. Under the able heavily by pledging the villages in several
guidance of prime minister Ariyanayaga parts of Tamilnadu, entrusted the task
Mudaliyar, all the little kingdoms of the of collecting land revenue arrears to the
former Pandian Empire were classified and Company administration. Yusuf Khan,
converted into 72 palayams. Viswanatha remembered as Khan Sahib, had been
Nayak constructed a formidable fort employed as commander of the Company’s
around Madurai city, which consisted of Indian troops. He was entrusted not only
seventy two bastions. Each of them was with the command of the forces, but also with
placed under a chief. the collection of revenue. At the request of
A Palayakkarar was bound to pay the Nawab, a force of 500 Europeans and 200
a fixed annual tribute or supply troops to sepoys was (1755), ordered to proceed into
the king and to keep order and peace over the “countries of Madurai and Tirunelveli” to
a particular area. In order to enable him to assist him. The encroachment of East Indian
perform these duties and attend to other Company administration into palayakkarar’s
services, a certain number of villages authority aroused stiff resistance.
were granted for revenue collection. In Mafuzkhan (Arcot Nawab’s elder
addition he was presented with several brother) was appointed by the Nawab as
titles and privileges. Palayakkarars had his representative in those territories.
www.tntextbooks.in
Mafuskhan along with Colonel Heron

proceeded towards Tirunelveli. They easily Yusuf Khan was born as Maruthanayakam
took Madurai. An expedition was sent to Pillai. Originally he belonged to
reduce Kattabomman, the palayakkarar of Ramanathapuram district. When in
Panchalamkurichi but had to be recalled. Pondicherry he embraced Islam. He
While returning Colonel Heron was urged joined the company of sepoys under Clive
to storm the fort of Nel-Kattum-Seval. in 1752 and participated in the siege of
Its palayakkarar Puli Thevar wielded Tiruchirappalli during 1752-54. From 1756
enormous influence over the western to 1761 he was in charge of the districts of
palayakkarars. For want of cannon and of Madurai and Tirunelveli as Governor under
supplies and pay to soldiers, the attack of the Madras Government which had been
Colonel Heron had to be abandoned and controlling them though they belonged to
the force retired to Madurai. the Nawab of Arcot. He defeated Haider
Ali and captured Solavandan. At the time
Three Pathan officers, Nawab Lally’s siege of Madras (1758-59), he
Chanda Sahib’s agents, named rendered splendid service to the English. As
Mianah, Mudimiah and Nabikhan one in charge of administration of Madurai
Kattak, commanded the Madurai and and Tirunelveli regions he encouraged the
Tirunelveli regions. They supported weaving industry of Madurai. He gave a
Tamil palayakkarars against Arcot fixed amount for the conduct of worship
Nawab Mohamed Ali. Puli Thevar in the temples of Madurai and retrieved
had established close relationships the temple lands. Yusuf Khan rebelled
with them. The palayakkarars of because the English ordered him to serve
Uthumalai, Surandai, Thalaivankottai, the Nawab of Arcot.
Naduvakurichi, Singampatti, Urkad,
Seithur, Kollamkondan and Wadakarai
joined Puli Thevar’s confederacy. With From 1756 to 1763, aided frequently
the promise of restoring Kalakkadu, Puli by Travancore, the palyakkarars of
Thevar had already won over the ruler of Tirunelveli led by Puli Thevar were in
Tranvancore to his confederacy. a constant state of rebellion against the
authority of the Nawab. Yusuf Khan who
Nawab, on his side, sent an additional
had been sent by the Company would
contingent of sepoys to Mahfuzkhan and the
not venture to attack Puli Thevar unless
reinforced army proceeded to Tirunelveli.
the big guns and ammunition from
Besides the 1000 sepoys of the Company,
Tiruchirappalli arrived. As the English
Mahfuzkhan received 600 more sent by
were involved in a war with the French,
the Nawab. He also had the support of
as well as with Haider Ali and Marathas,
cavalry and foot soldiers from the Carnatic.
big guns arrived only in September
Before Mafuskhan could station his
1760. Yusuf Khan began to batter the
troops near Kalakadu, 2000 soldiers from
Nerkattumseval fort and this attack
Travancore joined the forces of Puli Thevar.
continued for about two months. On 16
In the battle of Kalakadu, Mahfuzkhan's
May 1761 Puli Thevar’s three major forts
troops were trounced.
namely Nerkattumseval, Vasudevanallur
The organized resistance of the and Panayur came under the control of
palayakkarars under Puli Thevar gave Yusuf Khan. After taking Pondicherry the
an opportunity to the British to interfere English commanded respect, as they had
directly in the affairs of Tirunelveli. eliminated the French from the picture.

www.tntextbooks.in
Consequently the unity of palyakkarars was killed by the Nawab’s forces, Velu
began to break up as French support was Nachiyar escaped with her daughter and
not forthcoming. Travancore, Seithur, lived under the protection of Haider
Uthumalai and Surandai switched their Ali at Virupachi near Dindigul for eight
loyalty. Yusuf Khan, who was negotiating years. During this period she organized
with the palayakkarars without informing an army and succeeded in securing an
the Company administration, was charged alliance with Gopala Nayaker and Haider
with treachery and hanged in 1764. Ali. In 1780 Rani Velu Nachiyar fought
Puli Thevar, who had taken the British with military assistance from
asylum elsewhere after the forts were Gopala Nayaker and Haider Ali and won
taken over by Yusuf Khan, returned and the battle.
began to organize against the British.
Captain Campbell who was sent this time
by the British, laid siege and captured Velu Nachiyar employed her intelligence
Nerkattumseval in 1767. Nothing is gathering agents to discover where the
definitely known about the last days of British stored their ammunition. One of
Puli Thevar. her followers Kuyili, doused herself in
oil, set herself alight, and walked into the
storehouse. She also employed another
Velu Nachiyar
agent, her adopted daughter Udaiyaal,
to detonate a British arsenal, blowing
herself up along with the barracks. Velu
Nachiyar formed a woman’s army.
The Nawab of Arcot placed many

obstacles to the advancement of the
Rani’s troops. However she overcame
all the hurdles and entered Sivagangai.
The Nawab of Arcot was defeated and
taken captive. Velu Nachiyar recaptured
Sivagangai and was again crowned queen
with the help of Marudu brothers.
After ascending the throne Velu
Nachiar appointed Chinna Marudu as her
adviser and Periya Marudu as commander. In
Velu Nachiyar 1783 the English forces invaded Sivaganagai
The Sethupathys ruled the area that again. This time the Marudu Pandiyan
covered Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai, saved the place by some diplomatic moves.
Virudhunagar, and Pudukkottai districts In 1790, Vellachi Nachiyar, daughter of Velu
of the present day. Velu Nachiyar was the Nachiyar who was married to Vengan Periya
daughter of Chellamuthu Sethupathy, the Udaya Thevar who became the king of
raja of Ramanathapuram. She married Sivagangai state due to compromise formula
Muthu Vadugar Periyaudayar, the Raja of the Englishmen, died under mysterious
of Sivagangai, and had a daughter named circumstances. Velu Nachiyar became sick
Vellachi Nachiar. When her husband and died in three years later in1796.

www.tntextbooks.in
Veera Pandiya Kattabomman

Pagoda was the dominant currency in use
at the time of arrival of European traders.
It was a gold coin of Vijayanagar descent.
It was called varagan in Tamil. During
the reign of Tipu Sultan, one pagoda was
the equivalent of three and half rupees in
Mysore. “Shaking the pagoda tree” was a
phrase used in England to describe the
opportunities for making quick fortunes
in India.
taxes. Collector Jackson wanted to send

an expedition to punish Veera Pandiyan
but the Madras administration did
not agree. The Company had already
withdrawn its forces from Tirunelveli
to be employed in the war against Tipu
Sultan of Mysore, and did not desire to risk
a conflict in the far south at this juncture.
It directed the collector to summon the
Veera Pandiya Kattabomman
Palayakkarar at Ramanathapuram and
While Velu Nachiyar was fighting the hold a discussion. Accordingly, on the
British and engaging their complete 18 August 1798 Jackson despatched an
attention on Ramanathapruam and order directing Veera Pandiyan to meet
Sivagangai, Veera Pandiya Kattabomman’s him at Ramanathapuram within two
resistance against the British was on weeks. After sending the summons, the
progress. Kattabomma Nayak was collector started on a tour of Tirunelveli.
the playakkarar of Panchalamkurichi. When Jackson halted at Chokkampatti,
Kattabomman Nayak was a family title. Sivagiri, Sattur and Srivilliputhur to
The chieftain of the Colonel Heron’s receive tribute from the Palayakkarars,
time was Jagaveera Kattabomman Veera Pandiyan sought an interview but
Nayak, the grandfather of Veera Pandiya was told that he could meet the collector
Kattabomman. This Veera Pandiya only at Ramanathapuram.
Kattabomman, born in 1761, became the
Despite this humiliation,
palayakkarar on the death of his father,
Kattabomman followed the Englishman
Jagaveera Pandiya Kattabomman. The
for twenty three days over 400 miles
collection of tribute continued to be a
through the latter’s route and reached
problem as there was a constant tussle
Ramanathapuram on 19 September. An
between the Company and the southern
interview was granted the same day and
palayakkarars. In September 1798 as the
the collector expressed his satisfaction that
tribute from Panchalamkuriuchi fell into
the Palayakkarar had behaved properly
arrears, Collector Jackson wrote to Veera
and thereby “saved himself from ruin”.
Pandiyan in his characteristic arrogance.
Upon a verification of accounts Jackson
The country experienced a severe was convinced that Kattabomman had
drought, in consequence of which the cleared most of the arrears, leaving only
palayakkarars found it difficult to collect 1080 pagodas as balance to be settled.
www.tntextbooks.in
Denied of courtesy, the palayakkarar and Thus in a bold attempt to strengthen

his minister Sivasubramania Pillai had his position an armed column consisting
to stand before the arrogant collector. of the followers of Veera Pandiyan, the son
Finally he directed them to stay inside of the Palayakkarar of Sivagiri and other
the Ramanathapuram fort. Now a few allied chiefs, led by Dalawai Kumaraswami
sepoys appeared, apparently to arrest Nayak, moved towards the west. As the
Kattabomman. But they escaped. At the Palayakkarar of Sivagiri was a tributary
gate of the fort a clash occurred, in which to the Company, the Madras Governor’s
some including Lieutenant Clarke were Council considered this as a challenge to
killed. Siva subramania Pilai was taken its own authority and ordered the march
prisoner but Kattabomman made his of the army.
escape. In May 1799 Lord Wellesley issued
After his return to Panchalamkurichi, orders from for the advance of forces from
Kattabomman wrote to the Madras Council Trichirapalli, Thanjavur and Madurai to
blaming the attitude of Jackson for the Tirunelveli. The Travancore troops joined
scuffle. In the meantime Governor Edward the British. Major Bannerman, armed with
Clive had issued a proclamation, inviting extensive powers, effectively commanded
the palayakkarar to submit to the authority the expedition.
of the Company. In the event of surrender On 1 June 1799 Kattabomman,
he assured a fair investigation into the attended by 500 men, proceeded to
Ramanathapuram incident. If he refused, Sivaganga. At Palayanur Kattabomman
he threatened Kattabomman with dire held deliberations with Marudu.
consequences. In response Kattabomman Subsequently, joined by 500 armed men
appeared before the committee which of Sivaganga, Kattabomman returned to
acquitted him of the charges of rebellion Panjalamkurichi.
and condemned the conduct of the collector.
S.R. Lushington was appointed collector in The Palayakkarars of Nagalapuram,
the place of Jackson, who was eventually Mannarkottai, Powalli, Kolarpatti
dismissed from service. and Chennulgudi had already formed
themselves into a combination due to the
However, Kattabomman remained efforts of Marudu brothers. They asserted
irreconciled. At this time Marudu their rights to collect taxes from certain
Pandiyan of Sivaganga along with Gopala villages in the Company’s territory.
Nayak of Dindigul and Yadul Nayak of Kattabomman proceeded to join this
Anamalai, was engaged in organising a league to take up its leadership by virtue
Confederacy against the British. In view of the influence that he wielded and the
of the identity of interests Kattabomman resources he possessed. Determined to
and Marudu Pandiyan came closer. strengthen this league, he persuaded the
Kattabomman also established chieftains of Satur, Yezhayirampannai,
contact with the Sivagiri palayakkarar. Kadalgudi and Kulathoor to join it.
While Panchalamkurichi was situated in On 1 September 1799 Major
an open plain and appeared vulnerable, Bannerman served an ultimatum directing
the strategic location of the fort of Sivagiri Kattabomman to see him at Palayamkottai.
at the foot of the Western Ghats and the As Kattabomman dodged Bannerman
formidable barriers around it rendered it decided on military action. The Company
eminently suited both for offensive and army reached Panchalamkurichi on
defensive operations. 5 September.
www.tntextbooks.in
Kattabomman’s fort, 500 feet long Marudu Brothers and the South
and 300 feet broad, was constructed Indian Rebellion of 1801
entirely of mud. The Company forces
cut off the communications of the fort.
Kattabomman’s forces fought gallantly
and successive attacks were repulsed.
Colonel Welsh recorded in his memoirs
the gallantry of Kattabomman's soldiers.
The English ordered for the arrival of more
troops. On 16 September reinforcements
arrived from Palayamkottai. As the broken
walls appeared vulnerable, the garrison
evacuated and reached Kadalgudi. In
a clash at Kalarpatti, Kattabomman’s Marudu Brothers
minister Sivasubramonia Pillai was taken
prisoner. The British forces followed By the treaty of 1772 the Arcot Nawab
up their victory with the reduction of had authorized the Company to collect
Nagalapuram and other strongholds the Stalam Kaval and Desakaval. This
of the defiant chiefs to submission. On affected the Kaval chiefs in both the
the appearance of the army the western Palayakkarar and non-palaykkarar
Palayakkarars too surrendered. territories. The aggrieved kavalkarars and
their chiefs had joined the palayakkarars
Vijaya Ragunatha Tondaiman, Raja in their fight against the Nawab and the
of Pudukottai, captured Kattabomman Company. In Sivagangai, Vella Marudu
from the jungles of Kalapore and handed and Chinna Marudu, who had taken over
him over to the enemy. Upon the fall of the administration from Periya Udaya
the Palayakkarar into the hands of the Tevar, who died in battle against the
enemy, his followers fled to Sivaganga Nawab’s forces, expelled the forces of the
and from there to the hills of Dindigul for Nawab and proclaimed Vellachi, daughter
taking service with Marudu Pandiyan and of Periya Udaya Tevar and Velu Nachiyar,
Gopala Nayak. as the queen of Sivagangai. The Marudus
assumed the charge of the ministers. The
Bannerman brought the prisoners
temple of Kalayarkoil in the heart of the
to an assembly of the Palayakkarars and
then Sivagangai forest became the rallying
after a mockery of trial sentenced them
point of the rebels. When Umathurai
to death. On 16 October Veera Pandiya
reached Kamudhi after the execution of
Kattabomman was tried before an assembly
his brother Veera Pandiya Kattabomman,
of Palayakkarars at Kayatar. Unmindful of
Chinna Marudu took him to Siruvayal, his
impending death Kattabomman admitted all
capital.
the charges levelled against him. He declared
that he did send his armed men against Now, Nawab Mohammad Ali
Sivagiri and that he did fight the British released Muthuramalinga Thevar from
troops in the battle at Panchalamkurichi. On jail and enthroned him as the Setupati
17 October Kattabomman was hanged to of Ramanathapuram. But the rebels
death at a conspicuous spot near the old fort proclaimed Muthu Karuppa Thevar as
of Kayatar. Kattabomman’s heroic exploits their ruler. They occupied the southern
were the subject of many folk ballads which and northern regions of the kingdom. The
kept his memory alive among the people. soldiers made their entry into Madurai
www.tntextbooks.in
too. In July Umathurai led his followers the able commanders of the British army
to Palayanad in Madurai and captured won the day. Following Umathurai’s arrest
it. In 1801 both the Sivagangai and Marudu brothers were captured from
Ramanathapuram forces joined together the Singampunary hills, and Shevathiah
under the command of Shevatha Thambi, from Batlagundu and Doraiswamy, the
the son of Chinna Marudu, and marched son of Vellai Marudu from a village
along the coast towards Thanjavur. near Madurai. Chinna Marudu and his
Thereupon the distressed peasants in brother Vellai Marudu were executed at
Thanjavur also joined the force of Shevatha the fort of Tiruppatthur on 24 October
Thambi. Captain William Blackburne, the 1801. Umathurai and Shevathiah, with
resident of Thanjaur collected a force and several of their followers, were taken to
defeated Shevatha Thambi near Mangudi. Panchalamkurichi and beheaded on 16
Serfoji, the raja of Thanjavur stood firmly November 1801. Seventy three rebels were
by the British. Yet the fighters could elude banished to Penang in Malaya in April
the pursuit of the British troops by rapid 1802.
movements, while laying the entire region
waste.
Theeran Chinnamalai
18.3 South Indian Rebellion

1801
The victory over Tipu and Kattabomman
had released British forces from several
fronts to target the fighting forces in
Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai.
Thondaiman of Pudukottai had already
joined the side of the Company. The
Company had also succeeded in
winning the support of the descendent
of the former ruler of Sivagangai named
Padmattur Woya Thevar. Woya Thevar
was recognised by the Company as the
legitimate ruler of Sivagangai. This Theeran Chinnamalai
divisive strategy split the royalist group,
eventually demoralizing the fighting The Kongu country comprising Salem,
forces against the British. Coimbatore, Karur and Dindigul formed
In May 1801 a strong detachment part of the Nayak kingdom of Madurai
under the command of P.A. Agnew but had been annexed by the Wodayars
commenced its operations. Marching of Mysore. After the fall of the Wodayars,
through Manamadurai and Partibanur these territories together with Mysore
the Company forces occupied the rebel were controlled by the Mysore Sultans. As
strongholds of Paramakudi. In the clashes a result of the Third and Fourth Mysore
that followed both sides suffered heavy wars the entire Kongu region passed into
losses. But the fighters’ stubborn resistance the hands of the English.
and the Marudu brothers’ heroic battles Theeran Chinnamalai was a
made the task of the British formidable. In palayakkarar of Kongu country who fought
the end the superior military strength and the British East India Company. He was
www.tntextbooks.in
trained by the French and Tipu. In his bid English. Thus the Vellore Fort became
to launch an attack on the Company’s fort the meeting ground of the rebel forces of
in Coimbatore (1800), Chinnamalai tried south India. The sepoys and the migrants
taking the help of the Marudu brothers to Vellore held frequent deliberations,
from Sivagangai. He also forged alliances attended by the representatives of the
with Gopal Nayak of Virupatchi; Appachi sons of Tipu.
Gounder of Paramathi Velur; Joni Jon
Kahan of Attur Salem; Kumaral Vellai of Immediate Cause
Perundurai and Varanavasi of Erode in
In the meantime, the English enforced
fighting the Company.
certain innovations in the administration
Chinnamalai’s plans did not of the sepoy establishments. They
succeed as the Company stopped the prohibited all markings on the forehead
reinforcements from the Marudu brothers. which were intended to denote caste
Also, Chinnamalai changed his plan and and religious, and directed the sepoys
attacked the fort a day earlier. This led to to cut their moustaches to a set pattern.
the Company army executing 49 people. Added to these, Adjutant General Agnew
However, Chinnamalai escaped. Between designed and introduced under his direct
1800 and July 31, 1805 when he was supervision a new model turban for the
hanged, Chinnamalai continued to fight sepoys.
against the Company. Three of his battles
The most obnoxious innovation
are important: the 1801 battle on Cauvery
in the new turban, from the Indian point
banks, the 1802 battle in Odanilai and the
of view, was the leather cockade. The
1804 battle in Arachalur. The last and the
cockade was made of animal skin. Pig
final one was in 1805. During the final
skin was anathema to Muslims, while
battle, Chinnamalai was betrayed by his
upper caste Hindus shunned anything to
cook Chinnamalai and was hanged in
do with the cow’s hide. To make matters
Sivagiri fort.
worse the front part of the uniform had
been converted into a cross.
Vellore Revolt (1806) The order regarding whiskers,
Vellore Revolt 1806 was the culmination caste marks and earrings, which infringed
of the attempts of the descendents of the the religious customs of both Hindu and
dethroned kings and chieftains in south Muslim soldiers, was justified on the
India to throw of the yoke of the British grounds that, although they had not been
rule. After the suppression of revolt of prohibited previously by any formal order,
Marudu brothers, they made Vellore the it had never been the practice in any well-
centre of their activity. The organizers of regulated corps for the men to appear with
an Anti-British Confederacy continued them on parade.
their secret moves, as a result of which The first incident occurred in
no fewer than 3,000 loyalists of Mysore May 1806. The men in the 2nd battalion
sultans had settled either in the town of of the 4th regiment at Vellore refused to
Vellore or in its vicinity. The garrison of wear the new turban. When the matter
Vellore itself consisted of many aggrieved was reported to the Governor by Col.
persons, who had been reduced to dire Fancourt, commandant of the garrison,
straits as a sequel to loss of positions or he ordered a band of the 19th Dragoons
whose properties had been confiscated (Cavalry) to escort the rebels, against
or whose relatives were slain by the whom charges had been framed, to the
www.tntextbooks.in
Presidency for a trial. The 2nd battalion Outbreak of Revolt

of the 4th regiment was replaced by the
2nd battalion of the 23rd regiment of
Wallajahbad. The Court Martial tried 21
privates (a soldier of lower military rank)–
10 Muslims and 11 Hindus–, for defiance.
In pursuance of the Court Martial order
two soldiers (a Muslim and a Hindu) were
sentenced to receive 900 lashes each and
to be discharged from service.
Despite signals of protest the
Vellore Fort
Government decided to go ahead with the
change, dismissing the grievance of Indian At 2:00 a.m. on 10 July, the sentry at the
soldiers. Governor William Bentinck also main guard informed Corporal Piercy
believed that the ‘disinclination to wear saying that a shot or two had been fired
the turban was becoming more feeble.’ somewhere near the English barracks.
Though it was initially claimed Before Piercy could respond, the sepoys
that the officers on duty observed made a near simultaneous attack on the
nothing unusual during the night of July British guards, the British barracks and
9, it was later known that the English the officers’ quarters in the Fort. In the
officer on duty did not go on his rounds European quarters the shutters were kept
and asked one of the Indian officers to open, as they were the only means of
do the duty and Jameder Sheik Kasim, ventilation from the summer heat. The
later one of the principal accused, had rebels could easily fire the gun ‘through
done it. The leaders of the regiment who the barred windows on the Europeans,
were scheduled to have a field day on the lying unprotected in their beds.’ Fire was
morning of 10 July, used it as a pretext to set to the European quarters. Detachments
sleep in the Fort on the night of 9 July. were posted to watch the dwellings of the
The Muslim native adjutant contrived to European officers, ready to shoot anyone
post as many of his followers as possible who came out. A part of the 1st regiment
as guards within the Fort. took possession of the magazines (place
where gun powder and ball cartridges
Jamal-ud-din, one of the twelve stored). A select band of 1st Regiment
princes of Tipu family, who was suspected was making their rounds to massacre the
to have played a key role in the revolt, European officers in their quarters.
kept telling them in secret parleys that
the prince only required them to keep the Thirteen officers were killed, in
fort for eight days before which time ten addition to several European conductors of
thousand would arrive to their support. ordnance. In the barracks, 82 privates died,
He disclosed to them that letters had been and 91 were wounded.
written to dispossessed palayakkarars Major Armstrong of the 16th native
seeking their assistance. He also informed infantry was passing outside the Fort
that there were several officers in the when he heard the firing. He advanced
service of Purniah (Tipu’s erstwhile to the glacis and asked what the firing
minister) who were formerly in the meant. He was answered by a volley from
Sultan’s service and would undoubtedly the ramparts, killing him instantly. Major
join the standard. Coates, an officer of the English regiment

www.tntextbooks.in
who was on duty outside the Fort, on the 19th dragoons under the direction of
hearing of the revolt tried to enter the Lieutenant Blakiston. The troops entered
Fort. As he was unable to make it, he sent the place, headed by a squadron of the
off an officer, Captain Stevenson of 23rd, cavalry under Captain Skelton.
to Arcot with a letter addressed to Colonel The Gillespie’s men were met by
Gillespie, who commanded the cavalry a severe crossfire. In the ensuing battle,
cantonment there. The letter reached Colonel Gillespie himself suffered bruises.
Arcot, some 25 km away, at 6 a.m. Colonel The sepoys retreated. Hundreds escaped
Gillespie set out immediately, taking over the walls of the Fort, or threw down
with him a squadron of the 19th dragoons their arms and pleaded for mercy. Then
under Captain Young, supported by a the cavalry regiment assembled on the
strong troop of the 7th cavalry under parade ground and resolved to pursue the
Lieutenant Woodhouse. He instructed fleeing soldiers, who were exiting towards
Colonel Kennedy to follow him with the the narrow passage of escape afforded by
rest of the cavalry, leaving a detachment the sally port. A troop of dragoons and
to protect the cantonment and to keep up some native horsemen were sent round
the communication. to intercept the fleeing soldiers. All the
When Colonel Gillespie arrived at buildings in the Fort were searched,
the Vellore Fort at 9 a.m., he thought it and mutineers found in them pitilessly
prudent to await the arrival of the guns, slaughtered. Gillespie’s men wanted to
since there was continuous firing. Soon enter the building and take revenge on the
the cavalry under Kennedy came from princes, the instigators of the plot; but Lt.
Arcot. It was about 10 o’Clock. The gate Colonel Marriott resisted the attempt of
was blown open with the galloper guns of the dragoons to kill Tipu’s sons.
According to J. Blakistan, an eyewitness to Gillespie's atrocity, more than 800 bodies were
carried out of the fort. In W.J. Wilson's estimate 378 were jailed for involvement in the revolt;
516 were considered implicated but not imprisoned. Based on depositions before the Court of
Enquiry, the Court Martial awarded death punishment and banishment to select individuals,
which were carried out by the commanding officer of Vellore on 23 September 1806.
1st battalion of 1st Regiment

Blown from a gun ... 1 Havildar, 1 Naik
Shot ... 1 Naik, 4 sepoys
Hanged ... 1 Jamedar, 4 sepoys
Transported ... 3 Havildars, 2 Naiks, 1 sepoy.
2nd battalion of 23rd Regiment

Blown from a gun ... 2 Subedars, 2 Lascars
Hanged ... 2 Havildars, 1 Naik
(Source: W.J. Wilson, History of the Madras Army, vol. III, 1888-89).

www.tntextbooks.in
Colonel Gillespie is said to have of revenue farming system, the peasantry

brought the Fort under the possession was oppressed by the revenue contractors
of the English in about 15 minutes. and company officials who imposed
Col. Harcourt (Commanding Officer high revenue demands and collected
at Wallajahbad) was appointed to the them forcibly. Initially the peasants sent
temporary command of Vellore on July a petition to the Company’s government
11. Harcourt assumed command of the asking for redress. But when their appeal
garrison on 13 July, 1806 and clamped for justice went unheeded, they organized
martial law. It was believed that the prompt themselves and resorted to direct action.
and decisive action of Gillespie put an end They attacked the local cutchery (revenue
to ‘the dangerous confederacy, and had collector’ office), looted gain stores and
the fort remained in the possession of refused to pay revenue.
the insurgents but a few days, they were A peasant movement of the 1840s
certain of being joined by fifty thousand and 1850s was the Malabar rebellion
men from Mysore.’ in present day Kerala. The Mappillas
But the obnoxious regulations were the descendents of Arab traders
to which the soldiers objected were who had settled in this region and had
withdrawn. The Mysore princes were married the Malabar women. Gradually
ordered to be sent to Calcutta, as according the Mappillais became dependent on
the Commission of Inquiry, their agriculture and turned into a community
complicity could not be established. They of cultivating tenants, landless labourers,
were removed from Vellore, on 20 August petty traders and fishermen. When the
1806. The higher tribunals of the Home British took over Malabar in 1792, they
Government held the chief authorities sought to revamp the land relations by
of Madras, namely the Governor, the creating individual ownership in land.
Commander-in-Chief, and the Deputy The traditional system provided for an
Adjutant General, responsible for the equal sharing of the net produce of the
bungling and ordered their recall. land by the janmi (holder of janmam
Vellore had its echoes in Hyderabad, tenure), the kanamdar (holder of kanam
Wallajahbad, Bangalore, Nandydurg, tenure), and the cultivator. The British
Palayamkottai, Bellary and Sankaridurg. system upset this arrangement by
Vellore Revolt had all the forebodings recognising the janmi as absolute owners
of Great Rebellion of 1857, if the word of land, with right to evict tenants, which
cartridge is substituted by cockade and did not exist earlier. Apart from that,
Bahadur Shah and Nana Sahib could be over-assessment, a huge burden of illegal
read for Mysore Princes. cesses and a pro-landlord attitude of the
judiciary and the police led the peasants
to live in conditions of extreme poverty.
18.4 Peasant and Tribal
Revolts A series of incidents therefore
occurred in Malabar throughout the
In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth nineteenth century. Three serious
centuries the land tenures and revenue incidents occurred in Manjeri in August
settlements of the Company’s government 1849, in Kulathur in August 1851 – both
had fundamentally disrupted the Indian in south Malabar – and in Mattannur in
rural society and affected the peasantry in the north in January 1852. British armed
an unprecedented manner. In the early days forces were deployed to suppress the

www.tntextbooks.in
revolt. The repressive measures restored Santhal Hool (rebellion),

peace for about twenty years, but then 1855-56
the Mappillas rose again in 1870 and the
events followed a similar course.
Some of the rebellions in pre-1857
India were of the tribals whose autonomy
and control over local resources were
threatened by the establishment of British
rule and the advent of its non-tribal
agents. The tribal people, spread over a
large part of India, rose up in hundreds
of insurrections during the 19th century.
These uprisings were marked by Santhal rebellion
immense courage on their part and brutal
suppression on the part of the rulers. Santhal, also called Manji, lived scattered
in various forest regions of Bengal, Bihar,
The Kol Uprising (1831-32) and Orissa. Driven from their homeland,
they cleared the area around the Rajmahal
Kols as tribals inhabited in Chotanagpur Hills and called it Damin-i-koh (land of
and Singbhum region of Bihar and Orissa. Santhals). They were gradually driven to
The immediate cause of their uprising a desperate situation as tribal lands were
was the action of the Raja of Chotanagpur leased out to non-Santhal zamindars and
in leasing several villages to the non- moneylenders. To this was added the
tribals. The Kols of Sonepur and Tamar oppression of the local police and the
took the initiative in organizing a revolt European officials engaged in railroad
against the thikadars (tax collectors). The construction. This penetration of dikus
forms of rebellion consisted of attacks on (outsiders) completely destroyed their
the properties of the outsiders, but not familiar world, and forced them into
their lives. Plunder and arson, were the action to take possession of their lost
chief modes of peasant protest. Sonepur territory.
pargana of Chotanagpur was raided,
plundered and burnt down by a body of In July 1855, when their ultimatum
seven hundred insurgents on 20 December to the zamindars and the government
1831. By 26 January 1832 the Kols had went unheeded, several thousand Santhals,
taken complete possession of the whole armed with bows and arrows, started an
of Chotanagpur. The revolt against the open insurrection “against the unholy
British had ended up in a war against the trinity of their oppressors-the zamindars,
Company government. Buddha Bhagat, the mahajans and the government.” At the
the leader of Kol insurrection was killed battle of Maheshpur, many of the Manjis
in a pitched battle. A sum of one thousand were dressed in red clothes. Later this
rupees was distributed among officers garment became an assertion of authority.
and soldiers as their reward for delivering In the first week of the rising a party of ten
Bhagat’s severed head to the authorities. men attacked and burnt down the village of
Bhindrai Manki who inspired the revolt Monkaparrah. The rebels included a number
surrendered on 19 March 1832 and with of women.
his surrender the revolt of Kols came to a Initially their leader was Sido. After
tragic end. his arrest the revolt was led by Kanoo. At

www.tntextbooks.in
the later stage of the revolt, the peasants Mirsa’s arrest and put up a reward for his
also joined. Several thousand peasants capture. Birsa became a martyr in Ranchi
raided on Charles Maseyk’s indigo jail (9 June 1900). His name continues to
factory and pillaged. This invited brutal inspire the tribals of the region.
counter-insurgency measures; the army
was mobilized and Santhal villages were
burnt one after another with vengeance. 18.5 Great Rebellion 1857
According to one calculation, out of
thirty to fifty thousand rebels, fifteen to Introduction
twenty thousand were killed before the 1857 has been a subject of much debate
insurrection was finally suppressed. among historians, both British and Indian.
British imperialist historians dismissed it a
Munda Rebellion mutiny, an outbreak among soldiers. Indian
historians who explored the role of the
people in converting a military outbreak into
a rebellion raised two questions to which the
imperial historians have had no answer. If it
was only a military outbreak how to explain
the revolt of the people even before the
sepoys at those stations mutinied? Why was it
necessary to punish the people with fine and
hanging for complicity in acts of rebellion?
Col. Mallesan, the Adjutant General of the
Bengal army in a pamphlet titled The Making
Munda Rebellion of the Bengal Army remarked, ‘a military
mutiny...speedily changed its character and
The rebellion (ulgulan) of the Munda became a national insurrection’.
tribesmen led by Birsa Munda, occurred The historian Keene attributed
during 1899-1900. Mundas were a the outbreak due to operation of variety
prominent tribe in the Bihar region. of factors: to the grievances of princes,
During the British rule their system of soldiers and the people, produced largely
common land holdings was destroyed. by the annexation and reforming zeal of
Jagirdars, thikadars (revenue farmers) and Dalhousie. The greased cartridge affair
moneylenders grabbed the land owned by merely ignited the combustible matter
them. Birsa, born in a poor share-cropper which had already accumulated. Edward
household in 1874, declared himself a John Thompson described the event
divine messenger to drive away the British ‘as largely a real war of independence’.
and establish Munda rule in the region. V.D. Savarkar, in his The War of Indian
Under his influence the Mundas strongly Independence, published in 1909, argued
opposed non-tribals occupying tribal that what the British had till then described
lands. He urged the Munda cultivators not as merely mutiny was, in fact, a war of
to pay rent to the zamindars. independence, much like the American
Birsa Munda led a revolt in the War of Independence. Despite the fact
Chotta Nagpur region. The indiscriminate that the English-educated middle class
slaughter of Munda women at Sail Rakab played no role in the rebellion, nationalist
did not deter the followers of Birsa. The historians championed this argument as
British authorities issued a warrant for the First War of Indian Independence.
www.tntextbooks.in
Causes of the Rebellion the first half of nineteenth century and in the
absence of any remission or relief from the
colonial state, small and marginal farmers
as well as cultivating tenants were subject to
untold misery.
Alienation of Muslim Aristocracy

and Intelligentsia
Muslims depended largely on public
1857 Great Rebellion
service. Before the Company’s rule, they
had filled the most honourable posts in
Territorial Aggrandisement former governments. As commandants
The annexation of Oudh and Jhansi by of cavalry some of them received high
Dalhousie employing the Doctrine of Lapse incomes. But under the Company’s
and the humiliating treatment meted out administration, they suffered. English
to Nana Sahib, the last Peshwa’s adopted language and western education
son produced much dissatisfaction. In pushed the Muslim intelligentsia into
the wake of the Inam Commission (1852) insignificance. The abolition of Persian
appointed by Bombay government to language in the law courts and admission
enquire into the cases of “land held rent-free into public service by examination
without authority,” more than 21,000 estates decreased the Muslim’s chances of official
were confiscated. The land settlement in employment.
the annexed territories, particularly in
Oudh, adversely affected the interests Religious Sentiments
of the talukdars, who turned against the
British. Moreover, in Oudh, thousands The Act of 1856 providing for enrolment
of inhabitants who depended on the royal of high caste men as sepoys in the Bengal
patronage and traders who were dealing army stipulated that future recruits give
in rich dresses and highly ornamented up martial careers or their caste scruples.
footwear and expensive jewellery lost their This apart, acts such as the abolition of
livelihood. Thus Dalhousie through his sati, legalization of remarriage of Hindu
expansionist policy created hardship to a widows, prohibition of infanticide were
number of people. viewed as interference in religious beliefs.
In 1850, to the repugnance of orthodox
Hindus, the Lex Loci Act was passed
Oppressive Land Revenue permitting converts to Christianity to
System retain their patrimony (right to inherit
The rate of land revenue was heavy when property from parents or ancestors).
compared with former settlements. Prior to Further the religious sentiments of
the British, Indian rulers collected revenue the sepoys – Hindus and Muslims – were
only when land was cultivated. The British outraged when information spread that
treated land revenue as a rent and not a the fat of cows and pigs was used in the
tax. This meant that revenue was extracted greased cartridges. The Indian sepoys
whether the land was cultivated or not, and were to bite them before loading the new
at the same rate. The prices of agricultural Enfield rifle. This was viewed as a measure
commodities continued to crash throughout to convert people to Christianity.

www.tntextbooks.in
In every sense, therefore, 1857 was Henry Havelock, who was sent to deal
a climatic year. The cartridge affair turned with the situation, defeated Nana Sahib
out to be a trigger factor for the rebellion. the day after the massacre. Neill, who was
The dispossessed, discontented rajas, left there, took terrible vengeance and
ranis, zamindars and tenants, artisans and those whom he regarded as guilty were
workers, the Muslim intelligentsia, priests, executed. Towards the close of November
and the Hindu pandits saw the eruption as Tantia Topi seized Kanpur but it was soon
an opportunity to redress their grievances. recovered by Campbell.
Course of the Revolt

The rebellion first began as a mutiny in
Barrackpore (near Calcutta). Mangal
Pandey murdered his officer in January
1857 and a mutiny broke out there. In
the following month, at Meerut, of the 90
sepoys who were to receive their cartridges
only five obeyed orders. On 10 May three
sepoy regiments revolted, killed their Jhansi Rani Laxmi Bai Nana Sahib
officers, and released those who had been The Lucknow residency, defended
imprisoned. The next day they reached by Henry Lawrence fell into the hands
Delhi, murdered Europeans, and seized of rebels. Havelock marched towards
that city. The rebels proclaimed Bahadur Lucknow after defeating Nana Sahib,
Shah II as emperor. but he had to retire. By the close of July
John Nicholson sent by John Lawrence
to capture Delhi succeeded in capturing
Delhi. The Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah
II now became a prisoner and his two sons
and grandson were shot dead after their
surrender.

Mangal Pandey Bahadur Shah II Resistance in Oudh was prolonged
because of the involvement of talukdars
By June the revolt had spread to as well as peasants in the revolt. Many of
Rohilkhand, where the whole countryside these taluqdars were loyal to the Nawab
was in rebellion. Khan Bahadur Khan of Awadh, and they joined Begum Hazrat
proclaimed himself the viceroy of Mahal (the wife of the NawabWajid Ali
the Emperor of India. Nearly all of Shah) in Lucknow to fight the British.
Bundelkhand and the entire Doab region Since a vast majority of the sepoys were
were up in arms against the British. At from peasant families in the villages of
Jhansi, Europeans were massacred and Oudh, the grievances of the peasants had
Laxmi Bai, aged 22, was enthroned. In affected them. Oudh was the nursery
Kanpur Nana Sahib led the rebels. About of the Bengal Army for a long time. The
125 English women and their children sepoys from Oudh complained of low
along with English officers were killed levels of pay and the difficulty of getting
and their bodies were thrown into a well. leave. They all rallied behind Begum
Termed as the Kanpur massacre, this Hazrat Mahal. Led by Raja Jailal Singh,
incident angered the British and General they fought against the British forces

www.tntextbooks.in
and seized control of Lucknow and she

declared her son, Birjis Qadra, as the
ruler (Wali) of Oudh. Neill who wreaked
terrible vengeance in Kanpur was shot
dead in the street fighting at Lucknow.
Lucknow could be finally captured only in
March 1858.
Neill’s statue on the Mount Road,

Madras angered the Indian nationalists.
The Congress Ministry of Rajaji (1937-39)
removed it and lodged it in the Madras
Museum.
Queen Victoria
Hereafter India would be governed by
Hugh Rose besieged Jhansi and
and in the name of the British Monarch
defeated Tantia Topi early in April.
through a Secretary of State. The
Yet Lakshmi Bai audaciously captured
Secretary of State was to be assisted
Gwalior forcing pro-British Scindia to flee.
by a Council of India consisting of
Rose with his army directly confronted
fifteen members. As a result, the
Lakshmi Bai. In this battle Lakshmi Bai
Court of Directors and the Board of
died fighting admirably. Rose described
Control of the East India Company
Lakshmi Bai as the best and bravest
were abolished and the Crown and
military leader of the rebels.
Parliament became constitutionally
Gwalior was recaptured soon. In July responsible for the governance of
1858 Canning announced the suppression India. The separate army of the East
of the “Mutiny” and restoration of peace. India Company was abolished and
Tantia Topi was captured and executed in merged with that of Crown.
April 1859. Proclamation endorsed the treaties
Bahadur Shah II, captured in made by the Company with Indian
September 1857, was tried and declared princes, promised to respect their
guilty. He was exiled to Rangoon rights, dignity and honour, and
(Myanmar), where he died in November disavowed any ambition to extend the
1862 at the age of 87. With his death the existing British possessions in India.
Mughal dynasty came to an end. The new council of 1861 was to have
Indian nomination, since the Parliament
Effects of the Great Rebellion thought the Legislative Council of
1853 consisted of only Europeans who
Queen’s Proclamation 1858 had never bothered to consult Indian
A Royal Durbar was held at Allahabad opinion and that led to the crisis.
on November 1, 1858. The proclamation The Doctrine of Lapse and the policy
issued by Queen Victoria was read at the of annexation to be given up. A general
Durbar by Lord Canning, who was the last amnesty (pardon) to be granted to
Governor General and the first Viceroy of the rebels except those who directly
India. involved in killing the British subjects.

www.tntextbooks.in
The educational and public works Hopes of a revival of the past diminished
programmes (roads, railways, and the traditional structure of Indian
telegraphs, and irrigation) were society began to break down. A
stimulated by the realization of their Westernized English-educated middle
value for the movement of troops in class soon emerged with a heightened
times of emergency. sense of nationalism.
SUMMARY
The resistance of Haider and Tipu against the Company government, leading to
four Anglo-Mysore Wars is dealt with.
The rebellions of Puli Thevar, Veera Pandiya Kattabomman, Velu Nachiyar,
Marudu Brothers, all southern palayakkarars, and Theeran Chinnamalai in the
Kongu region are explained
The last ditch battle of southern palayakkarars in association with the dethroned
kings and rulers in south India under the aegis of Tipu’s surviving sons interned in
Vellore fort is highlighted.
The 1857 rebellion of kings of displaced Jagirdars and Zamindars, and peasants
that shook the foundation of the British empire are discussed in detail.
The transfer of India to the British crown with the Queen’s proclamation of 1858
and its salient features are examined.
EXERCISE
I Choose the correct answer:-
1.
_________ became the de facto ruler of Mysore against the Wodeyar kings after
successfully handling the Marathas.
(a) Haider Ali (b) Nanjaraja (c) Nagama Nayak (d) Tipu Sultan
2.
Tipu Sultan’s capture of _______ led to the third Anglo-Mysore War.
(a) Calicut (b) Coorg (c) Cranganore (d) Dindigul
3.
The Palayakkarar system was originally practised in _____ Kingdom.
(a) Vijayanagar (b) Bahmani (c) Kakatiya (d) Hoysala
4.
______ brought Puli Thevar’s three major forts, Nerkattumseval, Vasudevanallur amd
Panayur under his control.
(a) Mafus Khan (b) Yusuf Khan (c) Colonel Heron (d) Nabikhan Kattak
5.
Velu Nachiyar was the daughter of Raja of _____.
(a) Sivagangai (b) Pudhukkotai (c) Ramanathapuram (d) Palavanatham
6.
_______ was the collector who was dismissed from service for mishandling the affairs of
Veera Pandiya Kattabomman.
(a) W.C. Jackson (b) A. Bannerman (c) S.R. Lushington (d) P.A. Agnew
www.tntextbooks.in
7.
The immediate cause for the Vellore Revolt was the introduction of ______.
(a) Enfield Rifle (b) Dress code (c) New turban (d) Greased Cartridges
8.
________ inspired Kol uprising of Santhals.
(a) Bhindrai Manki (b) Sido (c) Buddha Bagat (d) Kanoo
9.
_____ was the Governor-General of India when the great Rebellian of 1857 broke out.
(a) Dalhonsie (b) Canning (c) Minto (d) James Andrew Ramsay
10.
_________ defeated Nana Sahib’s forus during the 1857 Rebelliion.
(a) Henry Lawrence (b) Major General Havelock
(c) Sir Hugh Wheeler (d) General Neill
II A. Find out the correct statement

(i) Warren Hastings wanted to deal with Tipu Sultan in a revengeful manner
(ii) The elimination of Tipu and restoration of the old Wodeyar dynasty to the Mysore
Kingdom marked the real beginning of company’s rule in the south
(iii) The Nawab of Arcot gave support to Velu Nachiyar
(iv) The temple of Kalayarkoil is in the heart of Tirunelveli forests.

B. Assertion (A): The fort of Sivagiri was eminently suited both for offensive and defensive
operations.

Reason (R): It is at the foot of Western Ghats with formidable barriers around it.

(a) A is correct; R is not the correct explanation of A.

(b) Both A and R are wrong.

(c) A is correct; R is the correct explanation of A.

(d) A is wrong; R is correct.
III Match the following:

1. Gillespie - Srirangapatnam

2. Manji - Barrackpore

3. Jacobin Club - Vellore Revolt

4. Mangal Pandey - Santhals

(a) 1, 2, 3, 4 (b) 3, 4, 1, 2 (c) 3, 2, 1, 4 (d) 2, 3, 4, 1
IV A answer briefly
1. Write a note on the humiliating terms of the Treaty of Srirangapatnam (1792) imposed on
Tipu Sultan.
2.
What do you know of “Pagoda”?
3.
What is the revolt of Theeran Chinnamalai of Kongu region?
4.
Explain Sail Rakab.
5.
Kanpur Massacre.

www.tntextbooks.in
V Answer the following

1. Narrate the circumstances that led to the signing of the Treaty of Madras between the
English and Haider Ali.
2.
Rebellion of 1801.
3.
Vellore Revolt of 1806.
4.
Discuss the uprising of Kols.
5.
The effects of the Great Rebellion of 1857.
VI Answer in detail
1. Explain the organization of Palayakkarar system in South Tamilnadu.
2.
Describe the causes and the course of the Vellore Revolt of 1806.
3.
Discuss the causes and results of Great Rebellion of 1857.
VII Avtivities
1.
Attempt life sketch of Yusuf Khan.
2.
Highlight the role played by Nana Fadnavis in the Great Rebellion of 1857.
VIII Assignments
1. Enact a drama on Veera Pandiya Kattabomman.
2.
Visit the Vellore Fort and collect information on its structure.
GLOSSARY
Protracted lasting for a long time நெடிய

Pre-empt take action in order to prevent நடப்பதற்குமுன் தடுத்து நிறுத்துவது
evasiveness avoidable தட்டிக் கழிக்கின்ற
Irked irritated த�ொல்லைக்கு ஆளான
Scuffle Fight சண்டை
Elude Escape தப்பிச்செல்
Obnoxious Offensive க�ோபமூட்டும்
Cockade a small ribbon on a hat த�ொப்பியின் மீது பதவியைக் குறிக்கும்
ரிப்பன் அல்லது துணிக் குஞ்சம்
Anathema Detestable வெறுக்கத்தகுந்ததாக
Volley the discharge of a number fire – பீரங்கிகளின் ஒரே நேரத்தில் குண்டு

arms together வீச்சு
Shun avoid தவிர்
Parleys holding discussion பேச்சு வார்த்தை நடத்துதல்

www.tntextbooks.in
REFERENCES
1. Bipan Chandra, India’s Struggle for Independence 1857-1947, New Delhi: Penguin Books,
1989.
2. S. Kadhirvel, History of Maravas, Madurai, 1977
3. Manikumar, K.A., Vellore Revolt, 1806, Allied Publishers, 2007
4. Gopalakrishnan,S., Dr., ed., The South Indian Rebellions – Before and After 1800, Chennai:
Palaniappa Brothers, 2007.
5. Sekhar Bandyopadhyay, From Plassey to Partition and After – A History of Modern
India, Orient BlackSwan, 2004.
6. Framod K. Nayar, The Great Uprising – India 1857, New Delhi: Penguin Books, 2007.
TIME LINE (AD/CE)
Treaty of Madras 1769

Second Mysore War begins 1780
Death of Haider Ali 1782
Treaty of Paris 1783
Treaty of Mangalore 1784
Vellore Revolt 1806
Great Rebellion 1857
Queen Victoria Proclamation 1858

Unit - 5
Social and
Religious Reform
Movements in the
19th Century
Learning Objectives
To acquaint ourselves with
The influence of Western ideas and Christianity in creating a new
awakening in 19th century British India
Contestation in the social and religious sphere – opposition to
practices like sati, slavery, untouchability, and child marriage
Opposition to idolatry, rituals and superstitious beliefs
Contribution of Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission, Theosophical
Society and Aligarh Movement to the regeneration of India
Role played by prominent personalities in bringing about this awakening amongst
Parsees and Sikhs
Social movement of Jyotiba Phule and reform movements in Kerala and Tamilnadu
Introduction broad categories: reformist movements like the

Brahmo Samaj, the Prarthana Samaj and the
English education, introduced with the
Aligarh Movement; and the revivalist movements
object of producing clerks, also produced a
such as the Arya Samaj, the Ramakrishna
new English-educated middle class. This class
Mission and the Deoband Movement. There were
came under the influence of western ideas and
also attempts to challenge the oppressive social
thoughts. Christianity also had its effect on the
structure by Jyotiba Phule in Pune, Narayana
newly emerging middle class. Though small in
Guru and Ayyankali in Kerala and Ramalinga
number, the educated middle class began to take
Adigal, Vaikunda Swamigal and Iyothee Thassar
a lead in political as well as in reform movements.
of Tamil Nadu.
The Indian reformers were, however, quite
hesitant to subject their old notions and habits
to critical scrutiny. Instead they attempted to Early Reform
harmonize both Indian and Western cultures. 5.1
Movements in Bengal
Their ideas and their actions helped to mitigate
social evils such as sati, female infanticide, and (a) Raja Rammohan Roy and
child marriage and various superstitious beliefs. Brahmo Samaj
The reform movements of nineteenth Rammohan Roy (1772–1833) was one
century in the realm of religion fall under two of the earlier reformers influenced by the
67 Social and Religious Reform Movements in the 19th Century
10th_History_Unit_5.indd 67 10-04-2019 22:45:04

Western ideas to temple in Calcutta, where there was no image.
initiate reforms. He There he laid down that ‘no religion should be
was a great scholar, reviled or slightly or contemptuously spoken off
well-versed in Sanskrit, or alluded to.’ The Samaj forbade idol-worship
Arabic, Persian, and and condemned meaningless religious rites
English apart from and ceremonies. However, from the beginning,
his knowledge in the appeal of the Brahmo Samaj remained
his mother tongue, limited to the intellectuals and enlightened
Bengali. Rammohan Bengalis. Though the Samaj failed to attract the
Roy was opposed to people from the lower sections of society, its
meaningless religious Raja Rammohan Roy impact on the culture of modern Bengal and
ceremonies and all forms of pernicious social its middle class was quite significant.
customs. Yet he wanted to preserve continuity
with the past. In his religio–philosophical (b) Maharishi Debendranath Tagore
social outlook, he was deeply influenced by After the death
monotheism and anti-idolatry. Based on his of Rammohan Roy
interpretation of the Upanishads, he argued (1833), Maharishi
that all the ancient texts of the Hindus Debendranath Tagore
preached monotheism or worship of one God. (1817–1905), the poet
Deeply concerned with the prevailing Rabindranath Tagore’s
customs of sati, child marriage, and polygamy father, carried on the
he published tracts against them and work. He laid down
petitioned the government to legislate against four articles of faith:
them. He advocated the rights of widows to 1. In the beginning
remarry. He wanted polygamy to end. His there was nothing. Debendranath Tagore
opinions were resisted fiercely by orthodox The one Supreme Being alone existed who
Hindus. He appealed to reason and humanity created the Universe. 2. He alone is the God
and compassion of the people. He visited the of Truth, Infinite Wisdom, Goodness, and
crematorium of Calcutta to try and persuade Power, eternal, omnipresent, the One without
the relatives of widows to give up their plan of second. 3. Our salvation depends on belief
self-immolation. His campaign played a key in Him and in His worship in this world and
role in forcing the Governor-General William the next. 4. Belief consists in loving Him and
Bentinck’s legislation abolishing sati in 1829. doing His will.
Rammohan Roy condemned the (c ) Keshab Chandra Sen &

subjugation of women and opposed the Brahmo Samaj of India
prevailing ideas that women were inferior
Debendranath was
to men. He strongly advocated education
a moderate reformer.
for women. He gave his full support for the
But his younger
introduction of English language and western
colleagues in the Sabha
sciences in schools and colleges. Rammohan
were for rapid changes.
found in the Upanishads a new revelation of
The greatest of these,
one infinite, divine Being, the eternal Brahman,
Keshab Chandra Sen,
while Hinduism as he saw in the daily life
(1838–84) joined the
around him was a perversion of their teaching.
movement in 1857. He
Rammohan Roy founded the Brahmo was greatly influenced
Samaj in 1828. On 20 August 1828 he opened a by Christianity, Keshab Chandra Sen
Social and Religious Reform Movements in the 19th Century 68

believing in its spirit but not in the person It was also to the credit of Vidyasagar
of its founder. But in 1866 a split occurred that the first age of consent Act was
in the ranks of Brahmo Samaj. Keshab left enacted in 1860. The age for marriage
the Samaj and founded a new organization. was fixed as ten years. It was raised to
Debendranath’s organization, thereafter, came twelve and thirteen years in 1891 and 1925
to be known as Adi Brahmo Samaj. After respectively. Sadly, as reported in the Age
Keshab had his fourteen-year-old daughter of Consent Committee (1929), the law
married to an Indian prince, in contravention remained on paper and the knowledge of it
of the Samaj’s condemnation of child marriages, was confined to judges, lawyers and a few
the opponents of child marriage left the Brahmo educated men.
Samaj of India and started the Sadharan Samaj,
which developed anti-Christian tendencies.
steam. A movement similar to the Brahmo
(d) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Samaj, but founded in Bombay in 1867,
was Prarthana Samaj. Its founder was
Another Dr. Atma Ram Pandurang (1825–1898).
outstanding The two distinguished members of this
reformer in Samaj were R.C. Bhandarkar and Justice
Bengal was Mahadev Govind Ranade. They devoted
Ishwar Chandra themselves to activities such as inter-
Vidyasagar caste dining, inter-caste marriage, widow
(1820–1891). remarriage and improvement of women
While Ram and depressed classes. Ranade (1842–1901)
Mohan Roy and was the founder of the Widow Marriage
others looked Association (1861), the Poona Sarvajanik
to western Sabha (1870) and the Deccan Education
rationalist ideas Society (1884).
to reform society, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar
Vidyasagar argued that the Hindu scriptures While the above reformers worked among
were progressive. He provided evidence from the upper castes, during the same time Jyotiba
scriptures that there was no sanction for Phule worked for the uplift of depressed
burning of widows or for the prohibition on castes and the cause of women. His book
the remarriage of widows. He wrote a number Gulamgiri (‘Slavery’) is an important work
of polemical tracts, and was the pioneer of that condemned the inequities of caste.
modern Bengali prose. He played a leading
role in promoting education of girls and
helped them in setting up a number of schools.
He dedicated his whole life for the betterment
of the child widows of the Hindu society. The
movement led by Vidyasagar, resulted in the
Widows’ Remarriage Reform Act of 1856.
This Act was intended to improve the lot of
child widows and save them from perpetual
widowhood.
(e) Prarthana Samaj

The Maharashtra region was another
region where reform activities gained Dr. Atma Ram M.G. Ranade
Pandurang

5.2 Hindu Revivalism In 1893 Arya Samaj split over the
question of doctrinal purity. Swami
(a) Swami Dayanand Saraswati Shraddhananda (1857–1926), a charismatic
and Arya Samaj, 1875 figure after Dayananda, accused the group
In the Punjab, running the DAV School of being too
the reform movement Westernized and thereby ignoring the
was spearheaded by founder’s ideology. From 1900 onward, he
the Arya Samaj. It was established his own network of schools, the
founded (1875) by a Gurukulas, which were outwardly modelled
wandering ascetic in after ancient Hindu seats of learning,
the western Gangetic emphasising the study of the Vedas.
plain, Swami Dayanand
Saraswati (1824–83).
Swami Dayanand later (b) Ramakrishna
settled in the Punjab to As we saw earlier, the Brahmo Samaj,
Swami Dayanand
preach his ideas. His book, Saraswati as a response to Christian and rationalist
Satyarthaprakash, enjoyed criticism had criticised idolatry and other
wide circulation. He declared the practices orthodox Hindu practices. The popularity
such as child marriage, the prohibition of that Ramakrishna (l836–86), a simple priest
widow remarriage, and the alleged polluting of Dakshineswar near Kolkata, gained in the
effects of foreign travel had no scriptural latter half of the nineteenth century was a
sanction. The positive principles enunciated response to this. He emphasised the spiritual
by Dayanand were: strict monotheism, union with god through ecstatic practices such
condemnation of idolatry, and rejection of as singing bhajans. An ardent worshipper of
Brahman domination of ritual and social goddess Kali, the sacred mother, he declared
practices. He also rejected superstitious that the manifestations of the divine mother
beliefs in Hinduism, especially Puranic were infinite. In his view, all religions contain
literature and his cry was “go back to Vedas.” the universal elements which, if practised,
Arya Samaj attempted to check the would lead to salvation. He said, “Jiva is Siva”
incidence of religious conversion in (all living beings are God). Why then talk
British India. One of its main objectives of showing mercy to them? Not mercy, but
was counter-conversion, prescribing a service, service for man, must be regarded as
purificatory ceremony called suddhi, God.’
directed at Hindus who had converted to
Islam and Christianity.
The late nineteenth and early twentieth
centuries were a period of great turmoil
in undivided Punjab with intense debates
between Hinduism, Islam and Christianity.
The primary achievements of the Arya
Samaj were in the field of social reform and Ramakrishna Ramakrishna Mission,
spread of education. The Samaj started a Belur Math
number of Dayananda Anglo–Vedic schools Ramakrishna Mission
and colleges.
Ramakrishna’s primary achievement
was his ability to attract educated youth

who were dissatisfied with the rational involved in the militant nationalist struggle
orientation of religious reform organizations during the Swadeshi movement following
such as the Brahmo Samaj. After his death the Partition of Bengal were inspired by
in 1886, his disciples organised themselves Vivekananda.
as a religious community and undertook the
task of making his life and teaching known (d) Theosophical Movement
in India and abroad. The chief spirit behind During the nineteenth century, Hindu
this task was Vivekananda. Following religion and culture were being discredited
the organizational structure of Christian in the West, especially due to missionary
missionaries, Vivekananda established propaganda. However, some Western
the Ramakrishna Mission which did not intellectuals looked to the East for spiritual
restrict itself to religious activities but was salvation as a remedy to the materialistic
actively involved in social causes such as orientation of the West. The Theosophical
education, health care and relief in times Society, founded by Madame H.P. Blavatsky
of calamities. (1831–1891) and Colonel H.S Olcott (1832–
(c) Swami Vivekananda 1907) played a key role in this. Founded in
the USA in 1875, it later shifted to India at
Narendra Nath Datta (l863–1902), later
Adyar, Chennai in 1886.
known as Swami Vivekananda, was the prime
follower of Ramakrishna Paramahansa.
An educated youth, he was drawn to
Ramakrishna’s message. Dissatisfied with
conventional philosophical positions and
practices, he advocated the practical Vedanta
of service to humanity and attacked the
tendency to defend every institution simply
because it was connected with religion.
He emphasized a cultural nationalism and
made a call to Indian youth to regenerate
Hindu society. His ideas bred a sense of self- Madame Blavatsky Colonel H.S
confidence among Indians who felt inferior Olcott
in relation to the materialist achievements of
Theosophical Society stimulated a
the West. He became famous for his addresses
study of the Hindu classics, especially
on Hinduism at the 1893 World Congress
the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita.
of Religions in Chicago. Despite his fame,
The Theosophical Society also played an
he was condemned by orthodox Hindus for
important role in the revival of Buddhism in
suggesting that the lower
India. Western interest in Hindu scriptures
castes should be allowed
gave educated Hindus great pride in their
to engage in the Hindu
tradition and culture.
rituals from which
they were traditionally Contribution of Annie Besant
excluded. Vivekananda’s
In India the movement became further
ac t ivist ide olog y
popular with the election of Annie Besant
rekindled the desire for
(1847–1933) as its president after the death of
political change among
Olcott. She played a role in Indian nationalist
many western-education
Swami politics, and formed the Home Rule League
young Bengalis. Many
Vivekananada demanding home rule to India on the lines
of the youths who were

of Ireland. Annie Besant (b) Narayana Guru
spread Theosophical ideas
Born to poor
through her newspapers
parents in Kerala,
called New India and
Narayana Guru (1854–
Commonweal.
1928) evolved into a
poet and scholar in
5.3 Anti-Caste Malayalam, Tamil and
Movements Sanskrit. In his days
Annie Besant the people of depressed
(a) Jyotiba Phule classes had no access Narayana Guru
Jyotiba Govindrao Phule was born in 1827 to temples, streets, public tanks and wells and
in Maharashtra. Phule is chiefly known educational institutions. Men and women
belonging to lower castes were not allowed
to wear the upper garments. Disturbed by
the terrible caste tyranny, that the lower caste
people suffered, he dedicated his whole life
for the betterment of the oppressed. He set up
the Sri Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam,
an organization to work for the uplift of the
“depressed classes”. He established a grand
temple at Aruvipuram and dedicated it to all. His
movement inspired a radical transformation of
Kerala society, especially among the Ezhavas.
Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule Thinkers and writers such as Kumaran Asan
and Dr Palpu were influenced by his ideas and
as the earliest leader of the non-Brahman carried forward the movement.
movement. He opened the first school for
“untouchables” in 1852 in Poona. He launched (c) Ayyankali
the Satyashodak Samaj (Truth-Seekers Nineteenth-
Society) in 1870 to stir the non-Brahman century Kerala region
masses to self-respect and ambition. Phule was plagued by caste
opposed child marriage and supported widow discriminations of
remarriage, which was prohibited particularly worst kind. Certain
among high-caste Hindus. Jyotiba and his social groups were
wife Savitribai Phule devoted their lives not only considered
for the uplift of the depressed classes and untouchable but also
women. Jotiba opened orphanages and homes un-seeable. However,
for widows. Unlike many contemporary the strident campaigns
nationalists he welcomed British rule and by thinkers such as Ayyankali
missionary activities on the ground that Narayana Guru and Ayyankali (1863–1941)
British rule enabled lower castes to challenge in the context of larger political and economic
the supremacy of Brahmins. His work, changes ushered in tremendous social
Gulamgiri (Slavery) is an important text that changes, especially in the caste structure.
summarized many of his radical ideas.
Ayyankali was born in 1863 at Venganoor
in Thiruvananthapuram then in the princely
state of Travancore. The discrimination he

faced as a child turned him into a leader of an founded a scientific society and translated
anti-caste movement and who later fought for many English books, especially science
basic rights including access to public spaces books into Urdu. He believed that the interest
and entry to schools. Ayyankali challenged of the Muslims would be best served if they
many caste conventions such as clothing bonded with the British Government rather
style; he wore clothes associated with upper than pitch in with the rising nationalist
castes that were prohibited for lower castes. movement. So he advised the Muslims to
He rode on an ox-cart challenging the ‘ban’ take to English education and to concentrate
on untouchables from accessing public roads on it.
used by caste Hindus.
Aligarh Movement
Inspired by Sree Narayana Guru,
Ayyankali founded the Sadhu Jana Paripalana S a y y i d
Sangam (Association for the Protection of the Ahmed Khan’s
Poor) in 1907 which campaigned and raised movement,
funds to educate the lower caste Pulaya people. the “Aligarh
m o v e m e n t ,”
5.4 Islamic Reforms is so called
because it was
After the suppression of great revolt
centred around
of 1857 Indian Muslims looked to Western
the Aligarh
culture with suspicion. The community feared
Mo h a m m e d a n
that Western education, Western culture and
Anglo-Oriental
Western ideas would endanger their religion.
college founded
Therefore only a small section of Muslims
by him in Aligarh Muslim University
accepted the new avenues for modern
1875, which is
education. Consequently, Indian Muslims as
a landmark in the history of Indian Muslim
a community lagged behind in comparison to
education. The college was raised to the status
the Hindu elite of various parts of India.
of a university in 1920. Aligarh produced a
Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan huge body of intelligentsia over successive
generations who played a key role in public life.
As Indian Muslims
steadily lost ground in Deoband Movement
education, in the public
services and in general Deoband was a revivalist movement
leadership in India, there organized by the orthodox Muslim Ulema
was a realization that there with the twin objectives of propagating the
was no alternative but to pure teachings of the Quran and the Hadith as
accept modern education well as encouraging the spirit of Jihad against
Sayyid Ahmed the foreign and un-Islamic elements. The
if the community was to Khan
go on the path of progress. Ulema under the leadership of Muhammad
The man who gave life and soul to it was Sir QasimWanotavi (1832-80) and Rashid Ahmad
Sayyid Ahmed Khan (1817–1898). Born in Gangotri (1828-1905) founded the school at
Delhi into a noble Muslim family, Sayyid Deoband in the Saharanpur district of the
Ahmed Khan thought that lack of education, U.P in 1866. The school curricula shut out
especially modern education, had harmed English education and western culture. The
the Muslims greatly and kept them backward. instruction imparted was in original Islamic
He exhorted the Muslims to accept Western religion and the aim was moral and religious
science and take up government services. He regeneration of the Muslim community. The

Deoband School did not prepare its students to reform. Baba Dayal Das, founder of the
for government jobs but for the preaching of Nirankari Movement, stressed the worship of
Islamic faith. god as Nirankar (formless). Rejection of idols,
In politics, the Deoband School welcomed rejection of rituals associated with idolatry,
the formation of the Indian National Congress reverence for the authority of Guru Nanak
in 1885. In 1888 the Deoband Ulema issued and of the Adi Granth formed the essence of
a religious decree (fatwa) against Syed his teachings. He reiterated the prohibition on
Ahmed Khan’s Organisation called “The meat-eating, and liquor consumption.
United Patriotic Association” and “The The Namdhari Movement, founded by
Muhammaden Anglo – Oriental Association.” Baba Ram Singh, was another socio-religious
It is said the Deoband Ulema were mainly movement among the Sikhs. The Namdharis
influenced by their determination to oppose insisted on wearing the symbols of Sikhism
Sir Syed Ahmed’s activities. except the kirpan (sword). Instead Baba Ram
Maulana Mahmud-ul-Hassan became the Singh wanted his followers to carry a lathi. It
new Deoband leader. The Jamait-Ul-Ulema considered both men and women equal and
(council of theologians) led by him gave a accepted widow remarriage. It prohibited the
concrete shape to Hassan’s ideas of protection dowry system and child marriage.
of the religious and political rights of the In the wake of the gathering influence of
Muslims in the overall context of Indian unity. Arya Samaj and the Christian missionaries,
the Singh Sabha of Amritsar was established.
Its main objective was to restore the purity
5.5 Parsi Reform Movement
of Sikhism. With the support of British, it
In the middle of the nineteenth century established Khalsa College for the Sikhs in
the reform activities of the educated Parsis (the Amritsar. Singh Sabha was a forerunner of
Zoroastrians who had fled from Iran in the tenth Akali Movement.
century in the face of religious persecution)
began in Mumbai. Furdunji Naoroji founded S
ocial Reformers of
the Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha (Parsis’ 5.7
Tamilnadu
Reform Society) in 1851. Rast Goftar (The Truth
Teller) was the main voice of the movement. (a) Ramalinga Swamigal
The leaders of the Sabha criticized elaborate
Popularly known
ceremonies at betrothals, marriages and
as Vallalar, Ramalinga
funerals. They opposed both infant marriage
Swamigal or Ramalinga
and the use of astrology. Behrramji Malabari
Adigal (1823–1874), was
organized a campaign for legislation against
born in Marudhur, a village
the practice of child marriage. The community
near Chidambaram. After
produced many leaders such as Pherozeshah
his father’s death, his family
Mehta and Dinshaw Wacha who played a big
moved to his brother’s house at Chennai. Despite
role in the early Congress.
having no formal education he gained immense
scholarship. Ramalinga emphasised the bonds
Sikh Reform Movement of responsibility and compassion between living
5.6 (Nirankaris and beings. He expressed the view that ‘those who
Namdharis) lack compassion for suffering beings are hard-
The wave of reform movements did not hearted, their wisdom clouded’. He showed
leave any community untouched. Among his compassion and mercy on all living beings
the Sikhs of Punjab too there were attempts including plants. This he called jeevakarunya.

He established the Samarasa Vedha Sanmarga had no opportunity to have any systematic school
Sangam in 1865 and it was renamed “Samarasa education but acquired knowledge of various
Suddha Sanmarga Satya Sanga” which means religious texts. He preached the ideas of equality
“Society for Pure Truth in Universal self-hood”. and advocated the rights of depressed class
Ramalinga also established a free feeding house people in the face of stiff opposition from upper
for everyone irrespective of caste at Vadalur castes as well as the princely state of Travancore.
(1867), in the wake of a terrible famine in
south India in 1866. His voluminous songs Vaikunda Swamikal criticised the
were compiled and published under the title rule of the British and the rule of Rajah of
Thiruvarutpa (Songs of Grace). His radical Travancore as the rule of White devils and
views deeply disturbed Saiva orthodoxy, who Black devils respectively.
condemned his writings as Marutpa (songs of
ignorance). He visited Tiruchendur temple and
experienced a new vision. Calling himself
Vaikundar, he requested the people to give up all
the irrelevant rites and rituals in their worship.
His preaching’s against the prevailing religious
order brought about a considerable change
in the attitude of the lower caste people. In
1833, Vaikundar commenced his meditation at
Ramalinga Vadalur Satya Gnana Sabha Samithoppu for the abolition of caste differences
Adigal and social integration of the society. During this
period, he led a life of a hermit.
Ramalinga bore witness to hunger and In south Travancore, there were many
poverty in the country: “I saw poor people, restrictions on lower caste people such as what
emaciated with hunger and terribly weary, they could wear and not wear. At a time when
going to every house, yet their hunger there was prohibition on certain sections on
was not removed, and my heart suffered wearing headgear he advocated the wearing of
intensely. Those who suffer with relentless a turban in protest. It gave a sense of honour
disease, I saw them in front of me and my to the oppressed people and offered a spirit of
heart trembled. I saw those people, poor self-respect. A new confidence was installed
and of unmatched honor, their hearts in the minds of his followers.
weary, and I grew weak.” Like the other contemporary reform
movements of India in the 19 th century, Vaikunda
(b) Vaikunda Swamikal Swamigal condemned the worship of idols. The
Vaikunda Swami low caste people had no temples for their gods,
(1809–1851), one of the they erected small pyramids of mud or bricks
earliest crusaders for in their honor, plastered and white-washed. He
social justice in south considered this kind of worship as an uncivilized
India was born at Sasthan custom. The people sacrificed goats, cocks and
Koil Vilai, the present hens. He condemned these religious customs
Samithoppu, a village and campaigned against animal sacrifice.
near Kanyakumari. Vaikunda Swamigal founded Samathuva
His original name Vaikunda Swamigal Samajam to unite all the people of various
Mudichudum Perumal was changed to castes. He organized inter-dining to accomplish
Muthukutty by his parents due to objection it. Even though he was imprisoned by the
raised by the upper caste Hindus. Muthukutti Maharajah of Travancore, he never gave up his

principles. His followers called him respectfully Pandithar Iyothee Thassar founded the
as Ayya (father). His cult was also known as Advaidananda Sabha to raise the voice for the
Ayya Vazhi (The Path of Ayya). His message temple entry of the “untouchables”. In 1882,
emancipated the people from the unjust social John Rathinam and Iyothee Thassar established
customs and superstitious beliefs. His ideas are a movement called, Dravida Kazhagam and
collected into a text called Akila Thirattu. launched a magazine called Dravida Pandian in
C. Iyothee Thassar 1885. He founded the Dravida Mahajana Sabha
in 1891and organised the First Conference of
Pandithar Iyothee the association at Nilgiris. He started a weekly
Thassar (1845–1914) journal, Oru Paisa Tamilan, in 1907 and
was a radical Tamil published it until his demise in 1914.
scholar, writer, siddha Pandithar Iyothee Thassar was disappointed
medicine practitioner, with the Hindu dharma, which served as the
journalist and socio- basis for propagating and validating caste in
political activist. Born Iyothithassar Hindu society. Influenced by the Theosophist
in Chennai, he was organizer, Colonel H.S. Olcott, he went to Sri
fluent in Tamil, English, Sanskrit and Pali Lanka in 1898 and converted to Buddhism. In
the same year, he founded the Sakya Buddhist
languages. He initiated a new knowledge
Society at Madras to construct the rational
practice by using journalism as a tool to
religious philosophy through Buddhist religion.
make inroads into the print public sphere, He argued that the so-called untouchables were
which, was hitherto an upper caste domain. originally Buddhists who were stigmatized
He campaigned for social justice and worked by Brahminism. He further constructed an
for the emancipation of the “untouchables” alternative history through the interpretation
from the caste clutches. He worked for the of Tamil literature and folk traditions of Tamil
construction of a casteless identity and from a Buddhist standpoint. In addition, he
stated that the revival of Buddhism could
castigated caste hegemony and untouchability.
liberate the people from the evil of caste that
He considered education as an important tool
afflicted the Hindu society. He called the
for empowerment and became the driving “untouchables” Sathi Petham Atra Dravidar
force behind the establishment of several (Casteless Dravidians) and urged them to
schools for the “untouchables” in Tamil Nadu. register as casteless Dravidians in the Census.
SUMMARY
A brief account of Raja Rammohan Roy’s initiatives for social and cultural reforms has been

provided.
The foundation of Brahmo Samaj by Ram mohan Roy and the role played by Maharishi

Debendranath Tagore and Keshab Chandra Sen in carrying forward the Brahmo Samaj activities
after Roy’s death are discussed.
The contribution of M.G. Ranade and Prarthana Samaj with which he was associated are examined.

The attempts made by Arya Samaj under the aegis of Swami Dayanad Saraswati to reform Hinduism

as well as to win converts to the Hindu fold are highlighted.
The radical reformer Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar and his strivings for women’s cause are described.


The role of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and his disciple Swami Vivekananda in the transformation

of Hinduism is explained.
The work of Theosophical Society with Annie Besant as its president is explored along with Aligarh

Movement spearheaded by Sayyid Ahmad Khan.
Reform movements among Parsis and Sikhs are outlined.

The work done by Jyotiba Phule in Maharashtra and IyotheeThassar in Tamilnadu to obtain social

justice for the marginalized and the deprived sections of the population is reviewed.
The social protest movements in Kerala led by Narayana Guru and Ayyankali, and the reform

movements in Tamil Nadu involving Ramalinga Adigal and Ayya Vaikundar are sketched out.
GLOSSARY
Alleged stated but not proved ச�ொல்லப்படும்

Ecstatic in a state of extreme happiness பரவசமான
Voluminous bulky அதிகப் பரிமாணமுள்ள
Reiterated repeat a statement for emphasis வலியுறுத்துதல்
Idolatry the practice of worshipping idols உருவ வழிபாடு

Tract a small booklet சிறு நூல்
Revelation disclosure திருவெளிப்பாடு

Crematorium a place where a dead person’s body is இடுகாடு
burnt
Subjugation the act of bringing something under அடிமைப்படுத்துதல்
control
Scriptures the sacred writings திருமறை நூல்கள்
3. Whose campaign and work led to the

enactment of Widow Remarriage Reform
EXERCISE Act of 1856?
a) Iswarchandra Vidyasagar
b) Raja Rammohan Roy
I. C
hoose the
c) Annie Besant
correct answer
d) Jyotiba Phule
1. In which year was Sati abolished? 4. Whose voice was Rast Goftar?
a) 1827 b) 1829 a) Parsi Movement
c) 1826 d) 1927 b) Aligarh Movement
2. What was the name of the Samaj founded c) Ramakrishna Mission
by Dayanand Saraswati? d) Dravida Mahajana Sabha
a) Arya Samaj 5. Who was the founder of Namdhari
b) Brahmo Samaj Movement?
c) Prarthana Samaj a) Baba Dayal Das b) Baba Ramsingh
d) Adi Brahmo Samaj c) Gurunanak d) Jyotiba Phule

6. Who was Swami Shradhananda? iv) R aja Rammohan Roy was supported by
a) a disciple of Swami Vivekananda Governor General William Bentinck
b) one who caused a split in the Brahmo a) i) is correct
Samaj of India b) i) and ii) are correct
c) one who caused a split in the Arya Samaj c) i), ii) and iii) are correct
d) founder of Samathuva Samajam. d) i), iii) and iv) are correct
7. Who was the founder of Widow 2. i)
Prarthana Samaj was founded by
Remarriage Association? Dr. Atma Ram Pandurang
a) M.G. Ranade ii)
Prarthana Samaj encouraged inter-
b) Devendranath Tagore dining and inter-caste marriage
c ) Jyotiba Phule iii) Jyotiba Phule worked for the upliftment
d) Ayyankali of men.
8. Who was the author of the book iv) Prarthana Samaj had it’s origin in the
Satyarthaprakash ? Punjab.
a) Dayananda Saraswathi
a) i) is correct
b) Vaikunda Swamy
b) ii) is correct
c) Annie Besant
c) i) and ii) are correct
d) Swami Shradanatha
d) iii) and iv) are correct
II. Fill in the blanks
3. i)
R amakrishna Mission was actively
1. founded the Samarasa Vedha involved in social causes such as
Sanmarga Sangam. education, health care, relief in time of
2. The founder of Poona Sarvajanik Sabha calamities.
was . ii) R amakrishna emphasised the spiritual
3. Satyashodak Samaj was launched by union with god through ecstatic
. practices.
4. Gulumgir was written by . iii)
R amakrishna established the
5. Satyarthaprakash enumerates the positive Ramakrishna Mission
principles of iv) R amakrishna opposed the Partition of
6. Ramakrishna Mission was established by Bengal
. a) i) is correct b) i) and ii) are correct
7. was the forerunner of Akali c) iii) is correct d) iv) alone correct
Movement. 4. Assertion: Jyotiba Phule opened
8. brought tremendous changes orphanages and homes for widows
in the caste structure in Kerala. Reason: Jyotiba Phule opposed child
9. Oru paisa Tamilan was started by marriage and supported widow
. remarriage
III. Choose the correct statement a)Assertion is correct but reason is not apt
to the assertion
1. i)
R aja Rammohan Roy preached b) Assertion is correct and the reason is
monotheism
apt to the assertion
ii) He encouraged idolatry
c) B oth are wrong
iii)
He published tracts condemning
d) R eason is correct but assertion is
social evils
irrelevant

IV. Match the following iii) Point out the major contribution of
Widows Samarasa Vedha Sanmarga Sathya
1 Ayyavazhi - Remarriage Sangam?
Reform Act iv) Where did he establish his free feeding
2 Thiruvarutpa - Nirankari house?
Adi Bramo 3. Deoband Movement.
3 Baba Dayal Das -
Samaj i)
Who were the organizers of this
Iswarchandra Vaikunda Movement?
4 - ii) What were the two main objectives of
Vidyasagar Swamigal
the Movement?
5 Debendranath - Songs of Grace
iii) Who founded the school at Deoband?.
V) A
nswer briefly iv) Against whom the fatwa was issued by
Deoband Ulema?
1. Mention the four articles of faith laid down
by Maharishi Debendranath Tagore? VII) Answer in detail
2. Discuss Mahadev Govind Ranade’s 1. Compare and contrast the contributions
contribution to social reforms. of Revivalist Movements with that of
3. Assess the role of Ayyankali in fighting for Reform Movements.
the cause of “untouchables.” 2. Discuss the circumstances that led to the
4. Write a note on reforms of Ramalinga Reform movements of 19th century.
Adigal. 3. Evaluate the contributions of Ramakrishna
5. What was the impact of Swami Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda to
Vivekananda’s activist ideology? regenerate Indian society.
6. What are the differences between Reformist 4. Write an essay on the role played by the
Movements and Revival Movements? 19th century reformers towards the cause
7. List the social evils eradicated by Brahmo of Women.
Samaj. VIII) Activity
8. Highlight the work done by Jyotiba Phule for
1. Role-play by students on Reformers and
the welfare of the poor and the marginalized.
their Reforms of the 19th century India.
9. What was the impact of IyotheeThassar’s
2. Debate Social evils of 19th century with
visit to SriLanka.
those of present day.
VI) A
nswer all the questions 3. Students can write an assignment on the
given under each caption present state of the reform organizations
1. Aligarh Movement. discussed in the lesson.
i) What is the main aim of this Movement?
ii) Who is considered the soul of this REFERENCE BOOKS
Movement? 1. Kenneth W. Jones, Socio-Religious
iii) Why were English books translated Reform Movement in British India, New
into Urudu? Edition, Cambridge University Press,
iv) Name the college which was later 2006.
raised to the status of a University? 2. Manickam, S., “Depressed Class
2. Ramalinga Adigal. Movement in South India,” in
i) What is Jeevakarunya? Manikumar K.A. (ed.), History and
ii) What are the Songs of Grace? Society, Tirunelveli, 1996.

3. V. Geetha and S.V. Rajathurai, Towards
a Non-Brahmin Millennium from Iyothee INTERNET RESOURCES
Thass to Periyar, Calcutta, 1998.
4. Mohan, P. Sanal (2013), “Religion, Social https://www.deccanherald.com.
Space, and Identity: The Prathyaksha http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/timesofindia.
Raksha Daiva Sabha and the Making of com
Cultural Boundaries in Twentieth Century
Kerala”, in Joan Mencher(ed.), Life as a
Dalit: Views from the Bottom on Caste in
India, SAGE Publications.
ICT CORNER
Through this activity you will know

about world historic events through
Interactive timeline.
Steps
• Open the Browser and type the URL given below (or) Scan the QR Code.
• Type ‘History of modern India’ in the search box
• Explore the Timeline Events with Pictorial Descriptions.
Website URL:
https://www.timetoast.com/categories

Em TN His Part 3 Final

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Em TN His Part 3 Final

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

TNPSC GROUP 2&2A SYLLABUS Prepared By www.winmeen.

STD 8 – VELLORE MUTINY (1806) (Term-3)

STD 8 – PEOPLE’S REVOLT (Term-1)

1. The Palayakkarar system in Tamil Nadu.

In Tamil Nadu, as in other parts of India, the earliest

exile without finally fulfilling his purpose of checking the growth of

former wanted to meet him at Tirukuttalam and Srivilliputttur. But he

missions Panchalamkuruchi. Thus a close association between

Kayattar. In an assertive tone and with contempt for death

The British forces quickly overpowered the remaining

c) Sivasubramania Pillai was the minister of Marupandiyan.

1. The Causes for the Vellore Mutiny.

2. The objectives of this Mutiny.

3. The suppression of the Mutiny.

4. The nature of this anti-British uprising.

Vellore was the capital of erstwhile North Arcot district in Tamil

With the expansion of the East India Company’s rule in India,

sacrifice of individuals like Puli Thevar, Kattabomman and Marudu

Course of the Mutiny

The students have learnt

1. The multiple causes that led to this outbreak of Vellore

2. The grievances of the sepoys such as new rules and customs

3. The suppression of the revolt.

4. The nature of this anti-British rebellion.

V. State whether the following statements are True or False

In the history of modern India, the socio-religious reforms

Born in 1772 in the Hooghly district of Bengal, he inculcated a

Henry Vivian Derozio and the Young Bengal Movement

God. He founded the Ramkrishna Mission at Belur in Howrah in

remarriage which was legalised by the Widow Remarriage Act (1856).

The Deoband School

Centres of Religious and

(Shiromani Gurudwara Amritsar

placed in various capacities and have made a significant contribution

Self-Respect Movement and Periyar E.V.R.

After studying this lesson students would acquire knowledge about

1. Raja Rammohan Roy and the Brahmo Samaj.

2. Swami Dayanand and the services of Arya Samaj.

3. Swami Vivekananda’s life and ideals and also the social

4. The Muslim Reform movements such as the Deoband School,

5. The Nirankari and Namdari movements among the Sikhs

6. St. Ramalinga’s Samarasa Suddha Sanmarga,

b) Rammohan Roy started the first Bengali weekly Samvad

1. The early nationalist uprisings in Tamil Nadu.

3. Home Rule Movement in Tamil Nadu.

4. Salt Satyagraha in Tamil Nadu.

5. Quit India Movement.

Tamil Nadu played an important role in the Indian National

The Madras Native Association was ultimately merged with this

Tuticorin. In 1906 he launched the Swadeshi

The Home rule Movement in Madras was

Besant sought the support of the Indian National Congress at its

Committee in 1929. From the beginning, Kamaraj was the man of

Similarly, the National Movement was encouraged by songs

After studying this lesson the student has understood that

1. Tamil Nadu played a significant role in the Indian Freedom

3. The role of C. Rajagopalachari and others in the Salt

4. The nature of the Quit India Movement in Tamil Nadu.

5. Important places where people in large numbers

c. Periyar E.V.R. had never been the President of Tamil Nadu

1. The factors that led to the rise of Non-Brahmin Movement

2. The genesis of the Justice Party.

3. The Justice Party in power.

Evaluation 2. Which of the following Palayakkarar of

6. Tiruchirapalli proclamation was issued by 1.

18.3 South Indian Rebellion