TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

g GLORIOUS STRUGGLES
IN TAMIL NADU AGAINST
BRITISH OPPRESSION

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 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

( 1710 - 1759 : Thoothukudi )

Veeran Azhagu Muthu Kone blocked the paying of tribute to
the British. His soldiers were chained and taken to Nadukattoor.
They refused to seek pardon despite that it would spare them
from execution. Muthukone and six of his chieftains were shot
dead by cannon fire.

( 1715 - 1767 : Tirunelveli )

Poolithevan was the first great hero who sowed the seed for freedom
by driving out Col. Heron and his army when he laid siege to
Nelkattumseval fort in Tirunelveli and collected tax. Poolithevan
fought against the British 17 times between 1750 and 1767.

( 1725 - 1764 : Ramanathapuram )

The British and the Arcot Nawabs utilized Mohammed Yusuf
Khan alias Marudhanayakam to fight their enemies, the Polygars
of Tamil Nadu. Though he was given power to rule Madurai later,
he turned against the East India company rulers in his last days.
He was hanged by the British at Sammattipuram area in Madurai
on October 15, 1764.

1792 - Through an agreement, the East India Company wrested

power from the Nawab of Arcot.

( 1725 - 1774 : England )

When Robert Clive of East India Company laid siege to the Arcot
fort between September 23 and November 14 of 1751, Chanda
Sahib was engaged in the siege of Tiruchi with the French army.
When the Nawab of Arcot was out of town, his small army and
some soldiers of the French East India Company stayed in Arcot on
behalf of Chanda Sahib to protect the fort. Through the 2nd Karnatic
battle that broke out then, the East India Company established itself
in India.

( 1748 - 1801 : Sivaganga )

Among the South Indian Freedom fighters, Marudhu Pandiyargal,
Kings of Sivaganga were the first ones to mobilize people against
the British. The famous Jambutheevu proclamation of Marudhu
Brothers was made from Tiruchi Fort in 1801. They were hanged by
the British at the Tirupathur Fort near Ramanathapuram on October
24, 1801. In the same year, Kattabomman’s brothers Oomaithurai
and Sevathaiah were apprehended and beheaded by the British on
November 16, 1801.

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 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

( 1756 - 1805 : Kangeyam )

Dheeran Chinnamalai who led the Kovai Revolution was hanged
by the British on the top of the Sankagiri fort on July 31, 1805.

( 1760 - 1809 : Ramanathapuram )

Rebel Muthuramalinga Sethupathy, the king of Ramanathapuram
refused to toe the British line and was arrested on February 8, 1795.
He remained in prison for 14 years and died in the prison at Fort
St.George on 23.01.1809.

( 1760 - 1779 : Panchalankurichi )

Panchalankurichi ruler Veerapandia Kattabomman who
fought the British from 1792 to 1798 refusing to pay tax was
arrested and sent to gallows at Kayathar. In 1974, Hailing
the sacrifice of Kattabomman, the then Chief Minister of
Tamil Nadu Muthamizharignar Kalaignar raised a model fort at
Panchalankurichi.

( 1806 - 1857 : Kangeyam )

Tamil Nadu soldiers were the first to stage a mutiny against foreign
oppression in the 19th century; the Indian soldiers who were kept
in the Vellore Fort rebelled and killed the British officers and
soldiers on July 10, 1806. This rebellion was the rehearsal for the
1857 uprising.

Madras Native Association was formed with the purpose of

highlighting the needs of the public rather than the desires of
groups. One of the earliest such associations, It was founded by
Gajulu Lakshminarasu, Srinivasanar and their supporters in 1852.

( 1810 - 1857 : England )

Neil Statue Satyagraha – James Neil was a soldier in the Madras
Regiment. Many British women and children were killed in an
event that came to be called the Kanpur Massacre during the 1857
revolt. By way of revenge, Neil acted very brutally. Later, he was
killed by an Indian. The British erected a statue for him in Chennai
on Mount Road. Nationalists considered it as an insult to their
sentiments and staged agitations continuously. S.N. Somayajulu of
Tirunelveli led the protestors, who gathered from several parts of
Madras Presidency. Many were arrested and imprisoned. Gandhi
Adigal who came to Madras at that time, supported the agitation.

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 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

( 1828 - 1902 : Egmore )

Madras Mahajana Sabha was one of the oldest institutions in
South India started with clear-cut national ideals on May 16,
1884. It was set up by M.Veeraraghavachariar, P.Anandacharlu,
P.Rangaiah with the last mentioned being the first President of
the Sabha.

( 1839 - 1895 : Tirunelveli )

Not merely rulers and subjects, but even Tamil literary works
thundered against the British. ‘Vannasarabam’ Dhandapani
Swamigal who wrote ‘Aangileya Andhadhi’ against the British,
passed away.

( 1847 - 1933 : London )

Home Rule League, a new organisation rose on the Indian
political horizon in 1916. It advocated self-rule. It was started
by Annie Besant and the place was Tamil Nadu. The Home Rule
Movement was started in Chennai.

( 1855 - 1916 : Thanjavur )

The first Tamil political daily – Swadesamitran was launched by
G.Subramania Iyer.

( 1855 - 1916 : Thanjavur )

The first meeting of the Indian National Congress took place in
Bombay on December 26, 1885. G.Subramania Iyer participated
as the representative of the Chennai Presidency.

( 1887 )
Rao Sahib Thanjai Mookan Asari delivered the speech in Tamil at
the 3rd Congress conference.

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 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

( 1869 - 1948 : Porbandar )

The first visit of Gandhi Adigal to Thamizhagam on October 14.

( 1869 - 1948 : Porbandar )

Gandhi Adigal spoke at a Marina meeting on March 18. On April
6, 1919, a hartal was observed by way of opposing the Rowlatt
Act. At many places, agitations were held in Tamil Nadu.

( 1872 - 1936 : Tirunelveli )

V.O.C. and Mahakavi Bharathi jointly started the Chennai Jana
Sangam in Chennai. On October 16, 1906 V.O.C’s Swadeshi
shipping company was registered as per rules.
The India newspaper was started by the Mandayam family in
1906. Mahakavi Bharathiar was its Editor.

( 1873 - 1938 : Patna )

Khilafat Day was observed on April 17, 1920, with a meeting on
Marina beach presided over by Maulana Shaukat Ali.
The Communist Party of India was launched at Tashkent under
the leadership of M.N. Roy. M.P.T.Acharya of Tamil Nadu was
one of the founders of the party.
The Tamil who presided over the Indian National Congress
Conference at Nagpur was C.Vijayaraghavachariar.

( 1878 - 1898 )
‘The Hindu’ India’s national daily was started by six young men
including Subramania Iyer and Mudumbai Veeraraghavachariar.
The first Tamil novel – Prathapa G. Mudaliar Sarithiram – was
written by Vedanayagam Pillai. Dialogues opposing the hegemony
of the English language found a place in this novel.

( 1878 - 1972 : Hosur, Krishnagiri )

Rajaji led the historically famous Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha
March. It commenced at Tiruchirappalli on April 13, 1930
and reached Vedaranyam in Thanjavur District on April 28.
Exclusively for this March, Namakkal Kavignar Ramalinganar
composed a special song ‘Kathi Indri Rathamindri Yudhamondru
varugudhu/ Sathiyathin Nithiyatthai Nambum Yaarum Seruveer”
(‘A war without weapons and bloodshed is approaching; all those
who believe in the eternity of Truth, join it’).

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 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

( 1879 - 1973 : Erode )

Periyar E.V.R. successfully led the Vaikom Satyagraha. This is
the movement which achieved success by following Ahimsa.

( 1884 - 1925 : Chennai Mahanam )

Thoothukudi Conspiracy Case. Following the arrest of V.O.C.
and Siva on March 13, 1908, a rebellion broke out in Nellai,
resulting in the sentencing V.O.C. to double life imprisonment
and 10 years rigorous imprisonment to Siva by the British on
07.07.1908.

( 1886 - 1911 : Sengottai )

Assassination of Ashe by Vanchinathan (Tirunelveli conspiracy
case) – Neelakanta Brahmachari and a few others formed an
underground organization with the name Bharata Matha Sangam.
The purpose of this organization was to kindle patriotism among
people by killing British officers. Vanchinathan of Sengottai was
drawn by this organization. He shot dead the Tirunelveli District
Collector Robert Ashe at Maniyachi Railway Junction on June 17,
1911.

( 1891 - 1934 : Tiruvananthapuram )

The Provisional Government of India in exile was set up in the
Afghan capital of Kabul on December 1, 1915. The brain behind
this move was the foreign minister of the provisional government
in exile and the Nanjil Tamil Shenbagaraman.

( 1904 - 1932 : Erode )

Holding the National flag aloft, Kumarasamy, known as Tiruppur
Kumaran fell down and died on January 11.
Arya (a) Bashyam entered Fort St. George and hoisted the
National flag at midnight on January 25.

( 1922 )
Protesting against the visit of the Prince of Wales, Periyar
conducted a hartal in Erode. Mahatma Gandhi called his followers
to boycott the Prince’s arrival and conduct the strike.

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 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

( 1928 )
Protest Movement against Simon Commission.
Bharathi’s songs were confiscated. Opposing it, an adjournment
motion was passed in the Madras Legislature.
In the committee which was appointed to determine the political
future of the Indians, the fact that not a single Indian was a part of
it did upset the Indians.

( 1931 )
Civil Disobedience Movement.
Movement was led by Rajaji. Processions meetings and strikes
took place. Salt Satyagraha took place as the final-most movement.
Headed by Rajaji on April 30, 1930, hundred volunteers started from
Tiruchirapalli to take part in the Salt Satyagraha at Vedaranyam.

1937 - Congress Government headed by Rajaji takes over

administration in Tamil Nadu.
1939 - Congress Governments all over India (including Rajaji
in Chennai) quit office.
1940 - Kamarajar elected as the President of Tamil Nadu
Congress Committee.
1942 - Quit India Movement; conspiracy cases – Seerkazhi,
Kulasekarapattinam and Kurumbur Meygnanapuram.
1947 - India gains Independence from British Imperialism.

28
29
 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

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 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

Velu Nachiyar ( 1730 - 1796 : Ramanathapuram )

Lost her husband Muthuvaduganathan and Sivaganga to British
rulers in 1772 and retrieved Sivaganga in 1780, after 8 years. In
the freedom struggle, she was the only queen to have gained back
her kingdom.

Kuyili ( 1780 : Sivaganga )

This martyr tricked the British into believing that she was going
to the temple in the Sivaganga palace with Velu Nachiyar on
Vijayadasami Day in 1780. She set fire to her saree and jumped
into their arsenal and blew it up.

Nagammaiyar E.V.R. (1885 - 1933 : Salem )

A decision to picket toddy shops was taken when Gandhi Adigal
was staying in Periyar’s house in Erode. Periyar was arrested for
his participation. The very next day Nagammaiyar and Periyar’s
sister Kannammal joined the picketing. Nagammaiyar also
participated in the temple entry agitation at Vaikom in Kerala in
1924.

Anjalai Ammal ( 1890 - 1961 : Cuddalore )

A native of Cuddalore, courted arrest with husband Murugan and
daughter Leelavathi. Though she was pregnant, she fought, came
out of the prison on parole and delivered the child. She passed
away on February 20, 1961.

S.R. Kannammal ( 1891 - 1971 : Erode )

Younger sister of Periyar. In the 1930s, she was the publisher
of ‘Kudiarasu’ magazine. Both Editor Periyar and Publisher
Kannammal were arrested for an editorial written by Periyar
under the heading ‘Why this regime should be thrown out’.
Periyar was sentenced to 6 months and Kannammal to 3 months.
Kannammal followed Periyar from 1925. She was a councilor in
Erode Municipality in 1932.

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 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

Rukmani Lakshmipathy ( 1892 - 1951 : Madras )

Was lathi-charged by the police in Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha in
1930s and was sentenced to jail. In the boycott of foreign goods
agitation also was sentenced to a prison term. She donated all her
jewels to Gandhi Adigal for Harijan Fund in 1933. She was the
Vice Chairman of the Legislative Council of Madras Presidency
in 1937. She went to prison by participating in the Individual
Satyagraha in 1940. Elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1946
and became a Minister also.

Ammu Swaminathan ( 1894- 1978 : Palakkad, Kerala )

She was the wife of lawyer Swaminathan and mother of Captain
Lakshmi. Got trained in many fields like car driving, horse
riding, swimming and playing tennis. Was drawn to the freedom
movement after listening to a speech by Gandhi Adigal in 1920.
A high society life-style turned into a sublime one. She switched
over to Khadi. She was a Member of Chennai Corporation and
of Parliament twice. She was a keen participant in the agitations
against the British.

Padmasini Ammaiyar ( 1897 - 1939 : Madurai )

Mobilised women in Madurai and fought against the British for
the freedom of the Country. Her courage and oratory inspired a
large number of women to participate in the freedom struggle.
She was tortured in prison.

Ambujammal ( 1899 - 1983 : Madras )

She worked as a teacher in a girls school. Joined Mahatma Gandhi’s
satyagraha in 1930. She was sentenced for 6 months in the foreign
goods boycott agitation in 1932. Undaunted, she participated in
all agitations till Independence was attained.

V.M.Kothainayaki ( 1901 - 1960 : Chengalpattu )

Used to silk clothes and gold jewels, she started wearing Khadi
after becoming a Gandhian. She participated in the picketing
of toddy shops in 1931 and in the agitation against the Lothian
Commission in 1932. She courted imprisonment several times.
She was a great author.

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 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

K.B. Sundarambal ( 1908 - 1980 : Coimbatore )

A nationalist, she joined the Gandhian movement and aroused the
emotions of people in Tamil Nadu through her patriotic songs.
Sundarambal participated in the campaigns of the Congress without
fail. She had sung songs on Khadi movement, demolition of
untouchability and against the whitemen rule. During Kamarajar’s
rule, in 1958, she was elected as the member of the Tamil Nadu
Legislative Council.

Captain Lakshmi ( 1914 - 2012 : Malabar )

The women’s wing of the Indian National Army led by Netaji
Subash Chandra Bose was named Rani Jhansi Regiment. Netaji
appointed Captain Lakshmi as the Commander of that Regiment.
About 1,000 women joined this army and faced the British army
with weapons. Eighty per cent of this army consisted of women
from Tamil Nadu.

K.P.Janaki Ammal ( 1917 - 1992 : Madurai )

To create awareness among people, she sang and acted on stage.
When Viswanatha Das ran out of cash for the Swadeshi movement,
she sold her jewels and helped him. She sold her house in West
Masi street and gave the money for freedom fighters to enable
them hold a secret conference at Madurai.

Mayakkaal ( 1920 : Perungamanallur )

A rebellion took place at Perungamanallur protesting against the
Criminal Tribes Act on 03.04.1920. Police shot dead 16 persons.
The police shot dead mercilessly a woman by name Mayakkal also
while she was giving water to a bullet-injured person struggling
for life.

Meena Krishnaswamy ( 1922 - 2012 : Madurai )

She went to prison at the age of 13. Joined the Wardha Ashram
of Gandhi Adigal in 1939; studied basic education there for 3
years. During the Quit India movement in 1942, she campaigned
in the villages around the Ashram. She underwent one year
imprisonment in Nagpur in 1942. In total, she was in prison for
six years.

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 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

Sornammal ( 1927 : Kanniyakumari )

When Gandhi Adigal came to Nagercoil in Kanniyakumari District
with his wife Kasturba on October 8, 1927, Sornammal met him
and donated all her jewels for the freedom struggle. She courted
imprisonment through participation in Satyagraha agitations.

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Lakshmi Ammal ( 1932 : Tiruppur )
She was the mother of P.S.Sundaram who headed the procession
in which Tiruppur Kumaran participated in 1932. To earn a
livelihood, she went to Burma where she started ‘Gandhi Seva
Sangam’ and strengthened the Khadi movement. She handed over
her son Sundaram to Gandhi Adigal for public service. Lakshmi
Ammal and Sundaram’s wife Sumithra Devi participated in the
Satyagraha in Tiruchengode under Rajaji’s leadership and were
sentenced to six months imprisonment.

Leelavathi ( 1957 - 1997 : Madurai )

She was the daughter of Cuddalore Anjalai Ammal. Along with
her mother, Leelavathi participated in the Neil statue agitation
in 1927 at the age of 9. Arrested along with her mother, she was
sent to the juvenile prison due to her age where she remained
for 4 years. After her release, Gandhi Adigal summoned her to
Wardha Ashram. It was Gandhi Adigal who changed her name
Ammakannu, given by her parents, to Leelavathi. She married
freedom fighter E.R.Jamadagni.

34
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Tamil Nadu
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35
 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

M.Singaravelar ( 1816 - 1946 : Madras )

Born in a family of fisherfolk, he became a High Court lawyer.
During the non-co-operation movement, he set fire to his advocate’s
robe and became a full-time professor. His writings, speeches and
thinking were marked by individuality. He authored many books.
For the first time in India, he celebrated May Day in Chennai in
1923. He presided over the Communist organization’s conference
held at Kanpur in 1925. A strong trade union leader who served
many prison sentences.

Vaidyanatha Iyer ( 1819 - 1955 : Thanjavur )

In 1930, he delivered a speech as part of the Vedaranyam Salt
Satyagraha and was severely attacked by the Police. It was because
of Vaidyanatha Iyer that a large number of people from Madurai
participated in the freedom struggle. He was arrested and remanded to
prison for six months. In 1932 again, he was arrested and imprisoned
for one year for participation in the Civil Disobedience movement.
In 1932, he entered the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple along
with downtrodden people as part of the Temple Entry movement. In
1946, he became a Member of the Legislative Assembly.

G.Subramania Iyer (1855 - 1916 : Thanjavur )

“The British Government is tormenting poor farmers. The protest
method of begging it for corrective action will not help’’, wrote the
leading journalist G.Subramania Iyer, while strongly condemning
the British authorities in his newspaper.

Salem C.Vijayaraghavachariar ( 1857 - 1906 )

Vijayaragavachariar was a lawyer who opposed the British attitude
of labeling freedom fighters as treasonists conspiring against the
State and getting them severe sentences. Mahatma Gandhi had
written a letter to Vijayaraghavachariar asking him to inform the
Governor General about the problems of South African people.
Till the end of his life, he relentlessly fought against the British
Government and its repressive policies. He was a President of the
All-India Congress Party.

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 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

V.O.Chidambaranar ( 1872 - 1936 : Tirunelveli )

V.O.Chidambaranar was a famous lawyer in Thoothukudi in 1907.
He purchased a ship in 1907 and used it as a transport ship from
Thoothukudi to Colombo. He was booked for treason by the then
British Government. He was lodged in prison on July 8, 1908 to
suffer a 40 year sentence. He was tortured by the British authorities
who forced him to draw the wooden oil press in Kovai Prison.

C. Rajagopalachariar ( 1878 - 1972 : Madras )

He was a lawyer in 1900 and had a great affinity for the Gandhian
movement. He participated in agitations against the Rowlatt Act, in
the Non-Co-operation Movement, in the Vaikom Satyagraha and
went to prison.
He was the last Governor general of India. He was one of the first
few Indians to receive the Bharat Ratna award. He toiled to reduce
the usage of nuclear weapons.

Periyar E.V.R. ( 1879 - 1973 : Erode )

E.V.R., who held 29 posts in public life gave all of them up to
participate in the freedom movement in 1919. The posts included
that of Chairman of Erode Municipality. His decision was the
offshoot of the Jallianwalabagh carnage. He participated in dharnas
against toddy shops, took part in the Khadi movement and led the
Vaikom agitation and was imprisoned many times. He was also the
President of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee. In 1925, he quit the
Congress and formed the self-respect movement.

T.S.S.Rajan ( 1880 - 1953 : Srirangam, Trichi )

T.S.S.Rajan served as a Doctor in Burma. From there he went to
London for higher studies. When Gandhi Adigal came to London
from South Africa, Dr. Rajan got an opportunity to meet him at India
House, hear his speeches and associate with him. After returning to
India, Dr.Rajan served as Doctor besides participating in Congress
Party work. He toured along with Gandhi Adigal when the latter came
to Tamil Nadu in 1921 and translated his speeches. He participated
in Flag satyagraha in Nagpur. He was arrested and imprisoned for
a year. When Rajaji launched Salt Satyagraha agitation in 1930, at
Trichy, the march started from the house of Dr.Rajan. He served as a
Health Minister in the Rajaji’s cabinet in 1937.

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 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

Chakkarai Chettiar ( 1880 - 1958 )

He was a Member of the Chennai Corporation for 24 years from
1924 to 1948 and was Madras Corporation Mayor from 1941 to
1942. He was the President of various trade unions having thousands
of workers as members. He was not only the leader of thousands
of workers, but also of the national movement, according to Rajaji.
Being a true friend of Bharathiyar, he was one among the 4 persons
who spoke at the cremation of Bharathiyar.

Va.Ve.Su.Iyer ( 1881 - 1925 : Madras )

When he was a lawyer, he went to London for higher studies. As a
revolutionary freedom fighter, during his 3 years of stay in London,
he abstained from taking food for over 600 times and purchased
arms and ammunition with the money he saved by such fasting.

Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyar ( 1882 - 1921 : Ettayapuram )

By participating in three All-India Congress Committee conferences,
he shaped his political life and personality. He started the ‘Swadesha
Prachaarini’ organisation in Chennai with some like-minded freedom
fighters. He was involved in attracting youth and students into serious
politics and the freedom movement. He kindled the spirit of freedom
through his songs and speeches. He made a great impression in
journalism.

Thiru.Vi. Kalyanasundaram ( 1883 - 1953 : Thandalam )

A freedom fighter, trade unionist, orator, journalist, writer, translator,
politician and Gandhian. On 07.12.1917, he became the editor of
the ‘Desabakthan’ magazine. He then started the weekly magazine
‘Navasakthi’. On 17.12.1919, along with V.O.C., he met Tilakar
at Chennai and arranged for a workers’ meeting in Chennai. He
established the Madras Labour Union in 1918 and held the State-
level labour conference in 1920. In 1921, he met Mahatma Gandhi
Adigal several times and translated many of the English speeches
made by Mahatma Gandhi into Tamil.

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 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

Subramaniya Siva ( 1884 - 1925 : Dindigul )

He participated in the freedom movement along with
V.O.Chidambaranar. He was sentenced to prison in 1908 and
1921. He organized his protest movement from Papparappatti in
Pennagaram. He got 10 years imprisonment in a treason case. Due
to harassment in prison, he was afflicted with leprosy.

Vanchinathan ( 1886 - 1911 : Sengottai )

A youth who got agitated after hearing that V.O.C. was given two life
sentences, Vanchinathan shot dead Tirunelveli Collector Ashe when
the latter was travelling by train, at Maniyachi Junction on June 17,
1911. He then shot himself to death when policemen tried to nab him.

Sathyamurthy ( 1887 - 1943 : Madras )

A lawyer by profession, due to patriotic feeling he joined the freedom
struggle in 1919. He participated in many agitations including flag
satyagraha in 1932 and went to prison many times.

P.Varadarajalu ( 1887 - 1957 : Rasipuram, Salem )

He fought for the rights of Madurai Harvey Mill workers in 1918.
He made forceful speeches in support of the agitating workers.
Gandhi Adigal stayed in his house when he came to Tiruppur in
August 1920 and again in September to Salem. He was a forceful
orator, journalist and trade union leader. He went to prison many
times and was arrested mainly for his forceful articles.

Namakkal Kavignar V. Ramalingam Pillai (1888-1972)

In 1906, Ramalingam Pillai was a youth who was drawn to the
Swadeshi movement due to the nationalistic upsurge in the period.
In 1914, he gave a speech at the political conference held at Trichy.
He met Dr. Annie Besant in that political meeting. He was the
poet of the Gandhian era, a good speaker in Tamil and an artist.
In 1930, His marching song for the Salt Satyagraha, ‘Kathiyindri
Raththamindri Yudham Ondru Varugudhu’ (There’s a war that’s on
without swords and bloodshed) became the bugle cry of the freedom
fighters. In 1932, he was again arrested for participation in the Civil
Disobedience movement. He has written poems about Mahatma
Gandhi’s programmes of Prohibition, Untouchability, Khadi and
handicrafts development.

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 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

Dr.P.Subbarayan ( 1888 - 1962 : Salem )

Belonging to Kumaramangalam in Tiruchengode, Dr.Subbarayan
started his career as a lawyer and participated in the freedom
movement. In 1922, he was elected to the Chennai Presidency
Legislative council for the first time. He successfully contested as
an independent candidate in the 1926 Assembly Elections. Due to
political circumstances prevailing at the time, he was elected as
a Chief Minister. Then he joined the Congress Party. In 1942, he
participated in the Quit India movement and was lodged in Trichy
prison. All his family members were involved in public life.

Bharathidasan ( 1891 - 1964 : Puduchery )

He met Bharathiyar at the marriage of his physical training coach
Velu Naicker. In the marriage, he sang the song of Bharathiyar
‘Veera Sudhandhiram Vendi Nindraar, Pinnar Verondrum Kolvaaro’
without knowing that Bharathiyar was also present there. The
meeting between the two was happened through this Bharathiyar
song. He sang many songs about Gandhi Adigal. In his poem about
V.O.C., he compared the action of the patriot breaking stones in
prison to breaking the teeth of the British regime and his drawing
of the oil press to crushing the heads of the white rulers. He lauded
Madasami who was involved in the Ashe murder case. His songs
bear his individual stamp. He joined the self-respect movement in
1937.

J.C.Kumarappa ( 1892 - 1960 : Thanjavur )

A Gandhian economist, he pursued his higher education in the
United States and London. His dissertation on ‘Public Finance
and Poverty in India’ exposed the exploitation of the British. In
1931, he was sentenced to one-and-a-half-years imprisonment for
sedition. He worked at the Sabarmati Ashram with Gandhi Adigal.
In 1932, he was sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment
in Nasik prison.

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 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

Omandur P.Ramasamy Reddiyar ( 1895 - 1970 : Madras )

In 1920, Ramasamy Reddiyar participated in the Indian National
Congress meeting at Nagpur. He led the movement of Harijan entry
into the Rameswaram Temple. In 1930, he participated in the Salt
Satyagraha struggle at Vedaranyam and was remanded to prison for
six months. In 1938, he was elected as the leader of Tamil Nadu
Congress. In 1940, he presided over the 40th Congress committee
meeting. On 15th August 1947 at the time of hoisting of National
Flag at Fort St. George, Chennai, Ramasamy Reddiyar was the
Chief Minister of Madras Presidency.

M.Bhakthavatchalam ( 1897 - 1987 : Madras )

He was the Secretary of the reception committee of the All-India
Congress Committee conference held in Chennai in 1927. He
participated in the agitation against the Simon Commission in
1928. In 1932, he was assaulted by the police and lodged in prison.
He participated in all agitations sponsored by the Congress party.
He was imprisoned many times. After independence, he became
the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

P.S.Kumarasami Raja ( 1898 - 1957 : Rajapalayam )

Belonging to Rajapalayam area, Thiru. Kumarasami Raja joined
the freedom movement under the influence of Dr. Annie Besant,
Satyamurthi and Gandhi Adigal. He agitated against the tyrannical
rule of the British Government and went to prison in 1932. He
took special interest in Khadi and the Co-operative movement. He
was among those responsible for extending the influence of the
freedom movement to the Southern Districts. He was the member
of the Legislative Assembly from 1949 to 1952 and was also the
Chief Minister of Madras Presidency.

K.Kamaraj ( 1903 - 1975 : Virudhunagar )

Kamarajar participated in the freedom movement from 1921. In that
year, he travelled from his native place Virudhunagar to Madurai
to hear the speech of Gandhi Adigal. He travelled to various towns
and villages to create awareness about the freedom movement. In
1927, he participated as the commander of the volunteer force in
the All-India Congress Committee conference. He was arrested and
imprisoned many times. In 1940, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1948 and 1950
he was the president of the State Congress unit. In 1946, He was
elected as the Member of the Assembly from Sattur Constituency.
Then he became the President of the All-India Congress Committee.
He was also the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

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 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

Tiruppur Kumaran ( 1904 - 1932 : Sennimalai )

At the civil disobedience protest held in Tiruppur on 10.01.1932, he
carried a flag in his hand at the head of the procession and marched
forward with majesty. The police aggressively targeted Kumaran
first. Kumaran was hit hard on his head and he fell unconscious.
Despite being injured, Kumaran continued to hold the flag. He was
admitted to hospital. He then passed away.

Ma.Po.Sivagnanam ( 1906 - 1995 : Madras )

Although he had studied only up to the third standard, he had a
great love for the Tamil language. He participated in the freedom
struggle and suffered imprisonment for 755 days. Through his
books, he made the world know about Kattabomman and V.O.C.

Pa.Jeevanandam ( 1907 - 1963 : Kanniyakumari )

In his 14th year, Pa.Jeevanandam participated in Vaikom’s Anti-
Untouchability Movement. He started a weekly by name Janasakthi
in 1937. He was known for his integrity despite his poor financial
position. As his song “Kaalukku Seruppum Illai, Kal Vayitrukku
Koozhum Illai, Paazhukku Uzhaithomada En Thozha, Pasiyattru
Ponomada” (There is no slippers for our legs, no food for our stomach
and we toiled in vain friend),he lived in a small hut till his last breath.

Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar ( 1908 - 1963 :

Ramanathapuram )
Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar considered patriotism and spirituality
to be his two eyes. In 1939, at Madurai he championed Harijan temple
entry. He agitated against the Criminal Tribes Act brought by the British
and went to prison many times for withdrawal of the Act. He suffered
imprisonment many times for the freedom of the Country.

P.Kakkan ( 1908 - 1981 : Chennai )

For the freedom of the Country he involved in various agitations.
Angered by his agitations and was imprisoned, on 24.10.1940, the British
Government awarded him rigorous imprisonment and he was sentenced
to prison in Vellore prison and Chennai Central prison. Till the Country
attained freedom, he participated in various agitations and imprisoned.

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 TAMIL NADU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

Immanuvel Sekaran ( 1924 - 1957 : Ramanathapuram )

Immanuvel Sekaran was born in 1924 at Sellur near Paramakudi,
Ramanathapuram District. In 1942, at the age of 18, he participated
in the Quit India Movement. After Independence, he was in the Army
for five years. He organised various agitations for the oppressed
people. In 1957, he passed away.

Madurai Maulana Sahib ( 1921 )

In 1921, Maulana Sahib was arrested and remanded to prison
for picketing toddy shops. In connection with the Khilafat
non-co-operation movement, a meeting was held at Thanjavur. In
that meeting, Maulana gave a fiery speech. Once he completed it,
he was arrested and remanded to prison for 18 months. In 1932, for
participation in the Civil Disobedience movement, he was imprisoned
for two years in Cuddalore prison. During that period, his wife Sultan
Beevi passed away. Though many suggested that he must apply for
parole, he refused.

“This special Publication

is also dedicated to hundreds
of brave Martyrs who, like the
martyrs featured in this special
Publication, were prisoned and
sacrificed their lives for our
country against the oppression
of the British and liberation
of India.”

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 STUDIES IN MADRAS
ADMINISTRATION
Dr. B.S.BALIGA, B.A (Hons) (London), Ph.D. (London)
Late Curator, Madras Record Office

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