It is an undeniable fact that people of almost every state and province of India fought tooth and nail against the oppression and brutality of foreign rulers. But our textbooks grossly ignore the brave feats of many valorous countrymen who laid down their lives fighting foreign rulers. At the national level, only a few are glorified while many remain in oblivion. Even in regional history books, not much importance is given to these forgotten heroes. As we celebrate our Republic Day this month, we must remember one such name whose courageous saga does not make it to the mainstream narrative, yet whose great sacrifice lives through local folklore, theatre performances and stray records that chronicled her time and activities.

The name of this brave soul is Veeramangai Kuyili, the army commander of Rani Velu Nachiyar who participated in campaigns against the East India Company in the 18th century. Rani Velu was also the first ruler in Indian history to wage a war against the British colonizers in 1780, about 77 years before what we believe to be the First War of Independence or the Sepoy Mutiny. Confronted with a challenging task, Kuyili displayed matchless courage and ingenuity that has kept her saga immortal. She did not carry any bomb, but set herself ablaze at the guns and ammunition storehouse of the British. As a result of her action, the warehouse exploded and all guns and ammunitions stored there were destroyed. Her daring act helped Velu Nachiyar easily defeat the British in a battle.

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This braveheart is known to very few people and her name is rarely found in textbooks and public discourse. This Tamil lady Kuyili, fondly addressed by some as ‘ Veerthalapathy’ or the ‘Brave Commander’, was in charge of the Udayal Padai contingent of the women’s army of Velu Nachiyar, the queen of Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu. A warrior to the core, she displayed true valour and unconditional love for the motherland for which she was ready to lay down her life. There is little information available about Kuyili’s birth and childhood. She was born in Kudanchavadi near Sivagangai.........

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