In news– Recently, the Prime Minister of India has paid tributes to Puli Thevar on his birth anniversary.
History of Puli Thevar-
- Puli Thevar or Pooli Devar was a Hindu Marava chieftain, who was also known as poligar in English or Palayakkarar in local language.
- Thevar was a Tamil Palaiyakkarar who ruled Nerkattumseval, Tamil Nadu.
- He notably fought against the East India Company from 1759 – 1761 in India.
- Ondiveeran and Venni Kaladi were the generals of Thevar’s army, to fight against the East India company.
- He is known for the Polygars revolt against the British. . His most notable achievements were his battles with Marudhanayagam.
- Prior to Mangal Pandey’s Revolution of 1857, Puli Thevar had revolted against the oppressive British East India Company.
- He had a strained relationship with Mohammed Ali, the Nawab of Arcot.
- He refused to pay the Nawab the customary rice tribute, and the area became known as Nelkatumseval, or “place that does not pay rice tribute.
- He maintained a good relationship with the Kingdom of Travancore but later the allegiance was broken by one Yusuf Khan.
- During the 16th-18th Centuries, the feudal title Palayakkarar was given to a class of territory administrators and military administrators or agents chosen by the Nayaka kings of South India.
- They grabbed a quarter of the revenue and put the remainder in the rulers’ coffers.
- They originally revolted against the British after the Madurai Nayak kingdom fell apart because they were forced to pay kisti land tax to them.
Source: PIB
