Ondiveeran – The one-man army from Tamil Nadu
For twelve years at a stretch, the British army faced the resistance of Ondiveeran and received only defeat from this strong warrior – the Commander of the army of Puli Thevar.
Ondiveeran was the trusted soldier of Puli Thevar. ‘Ondi’ means ‘single-handedly’ and ‘Veeran’ means ‘brave warrior.’ The valour and strength of Ondiveeran was so much that he single-handedly fought against the enemy and emerged victorious in defeating the enemies. Thus, he earned the name Ondiveeran, apt to suit his valour and strength.
Puli Thevar’s ancestors are said to have moved from Ramanaathapuram to Nerkattan Sevval where the Arunthathiyar community people had cultivable lands. A person name Irulappillai used his might to confiscate the lands of the Arunthathiyar peasants. These victimized peasants sought the help of Puli Thevar. Puli Thevar stepped in to help the peasants. He retrieved the lands from Irulapillai and gave them to the Arunthathiyar people. From that day onwards, the people considered Puli Thevar as their leader. One such retrieved land belonged to Ondiveeran’s grandfather.
Ondiveeran’s grandfather owned some land which he used for cultivation. The grandfather had 8 children. His eldest son’s son was Ondiveeran.
Under the rule of the Palayakarar Puli Thevar, Nerkattum Sevval Palayam bridged, in a loop, all the Palayams which were in the nearby surrounding. Ondiveeran was the most loyal chief of Puli Thevar’s army. Ondiveeran had the credit of fighting against the British forces and defeating them at Nerkattan Sevval, Tirunelveli, Vasudevanallur, Gangaikondan, Thiruveliputhur, and Kalakkaadu.
At the beginning of the 18th century, when the East India Company began its colonizing efforts, they set to collect taxes from the local kings, petty rulers, and chieftains in order to bear the expenses of the army. It was during this time that the British army was frequently at war with the French and their military expenses rose considerably. In order to compensate for the loss and to rebuild the military forces, the East India Company decided to collect taxes from the natives.
The Britishers got the tax-collecting powers from the Arcot Nawab. The British colonizers sent their forces to make the local rulers and chieftains pay taxes to them. Seeing the large army, the cannons, and the guns, several Chieftains and kings accepted to pay taxes to the East India Company.
In this endeavour, they reached Nerkattan Sevval which was ruled by Puli Thevar. Puli Thevar refused to bow down to the Britishers. This brave son of the soil denied to pay tax to the foreign power.
Reports recorded by the Britishers reveal that in 1755, the tax-collecting British army was headed by Alexander Heron. The Arcot Nawab Muhammed Ali sent his army to join the British army. Arcot Nawab’s army was led as Commander-in-Chief by Nawab’s brother Mabhush Khan. Further, Khan Sahib (Maruthu Nayakam) was appointed as the commander of the troops comprising native soldiers serving the British army. These British troops were highly offended by the repudiation of Puli Thevar in obeying the order of the invaders.
The British force needed 18 pounds of cannon balls to destroy the Fort of Puli Thevar but they had only 14 pounds of cannon balls. Because of this shortage of ammunition, Heron sends a messenger to threaten Puli Thevar and force him to pay taxes to the Britishers. But, Puli Thevar strongly refuses to obey the orders. Puli Thevar and Ondiveeran boldly accept the challenge posed by the British colonizers.
While stationed at Thenmalai, the Britishers posed a challenge to Puli Thevar through messanger that if Puli Thevar’s warrior(s) entered the British camp and took away the Royal sword and the royal horse after banging the Gong Bell, they (the colonizers) assured to give back Nerkattan Sevval to Puli Thevar and return back.
Puli Thevar discussed it with his army chiefs. Ondiveeran accepted the challenge and volunteered to go to the camp.
Ondiveeran disguised himself as a cobbler and reached the camp where the British troops were stationed. Since they needed such a helper, he was allowed inside the camp.
Ondiveeran carefully monitored everything. He chose the dark night of a new moon sky to execute his plan.
He got the Royal sword. But, when he went to the stable to take the horse, as he was untying the horse, it started making noise. Hearing the sound of the horse, the British soldiers reached the spot. Before they came, Ondiveeran hid himself under the heap of fodder grass lying nearby in the stable. Seeing the loosened rope of the horse, a soldier struck a spear on the ground and tied the rope to it. Unfortunately, the spear pierced through the palm of Ondiveeran hidden under the grass to the ground. He endured the pain and remained silent until the soldiers left. Gradually, he tried to pull out the spear using his other hand but couldn’t. Without giving a second thought, he pulled out the sword and cut his own hand, leaving behind the palm pierced by the spear on the ground. Ondiveeran mounted the horse and banged the big gong bell as he rode away on horseback.
The British soldiers came again to find the horse and the sword missing. They could not catch Ondiveeran too.
Ondiveeran reached the fort of Puli Thevar. Puli Thevar saw the condition of Ondiveeran. Standing victorious with the palmless, bleeding hand, the undaunted warrior Ondiveeran more strongly said that it was not only the palm but that he was ready to sacrifice his life too for Motherland.
On 22nd May 1755, failing in all attempts to destroy the Fort of Puli Devar, the British army returned to Madurai.
After this, not much is known about Ondiveeran except the few titbits of information spread over the mouth and folk tales that even after the martyrdom of Puli Thevar, Ondiveeran served in the army of the sons of Puli Thevar and fought against enemies. However, no concrete records regarding it can be traced yet.
Ondiveeran was adept in drafting unique strategies for every battle and he was an expert in guerilla warfare. He was so focussed on the battle that winning the battle was his aim every time he went to the war front. Ondiveeran was also called the ‘sword (“porvaal”) of Pulithever.’
In commemoration of this great patriot Ondiveeran, a Mani Mandapam (Memorial Hall) at Palayamkottai was inaugurated on March 1, 2016. The commemorative postal stamp of Ondiveeran was also released by the Tamil Nadu Governor Shri R N Ravi in a function at Tirunelveli on 20th August 2022.
Tamil Nadu is blessed to have numerous patriots like Ondiveeran whose devotion to Matru Bhoomi is always a Divine inspiration reminding generations after generations of the Tamilars’ duty and responsibility to safeguard our Bharat Bhoomi.
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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I have just seen Dr. Vijaya ji’s hangout on some other youtuber’s channel. She speaks flawless Hindi. But the anchor known for his frequent interruptions, couldn’t get the best out of her. If you can feature her on your Hindi show with Sumit Peer, it’d turn out to be best show. Sumit Peer should moderate the show.