Veerapandiya Kattabomman
Topic: Peasant and Tribal Resistance under Company Rule · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Veerapandiya Kattabomman was the poligar (local chief) of Panchalankurichi in present-day Tamil Nadu. He refused to pay tribute to the East India Company and would not accept its authority. He is one of the best-known leaders of the first Poligar war. In Tamil Nadu he is remembered in songs, stories and films as an early hero of resistance to British rule.
Example
In 1799 Company forces besieged Kattabomman's fort at Panchalankurichi. He escaped but was later handed over to the British. He was hanged at Kayathar in October 1799.
Don't confuse with
- Marudu brothers: chiefs of Sivaganga who led the later phase of the Poligar wars and were executed in 1801. Kattabomman was executed in 1799.
Related concepts
- Criminal Tribes Act
- Rangpur uprising 1783
- Poligar wars
- Velu Thampi Dalawa
- Paika rebellion 1817
- Kittur Chennamma
- Ahom revolt 1828