RANI VELU NACHIYAR

Copyright infringement not intended

Context:  Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Rani Velu Nachiyar on her birth anniversary.

Details:

• Rani Velu Nachiyar was a queen of Sivaganga estatefrom c. 1780–1790. 
• She was the first Indian queen to wage war with the East India Company in India. 
• She is known by Tamils as Veeramangai (“brave woman”).
• During this period, she formed an army and sought an alliance with Hyder Ali with the aim of launching a campaign against the East India Company in 1780.

• Acquired Skills: She was trained in war match weapons usage, martial arts like Valari, Silambam (fighting using the stick), horse riding and archery.
  • She was a scholar in many languages and she had proficiency with languages like French, English and Urdu.
• War against the British: In collaboration with Hyder Ali and Gopala Nayaker, she waged a war against the British and emerged victoriously.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1888220