The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, on Sept.19 unveiled a new statue of freedom fighter Veeramangai Rani Velu Nachiyar. The statue, erected at a cost of Rs.50 lakh by the Department of Information and Public Relations, is located at Gandhi Mandapam, Guindy.
Rani Velu Nachiyar was born in 1730 to King Chellamuthu Vijayaragunatha Sethupathi and Queen Muthathal Nachiyar. From a young age, she mastered various forms of martial arts, including swordsmanship, archery, spear throwing, and horse riding. In 1746, she married King Muthuvaduganathar of Sivaganga.
When the British declared war on Sivaganga in 1772, King Muthuvaduganathar fought valiantly but was killed in the battle due to a conspiracy. Rani Velu Nachiyar later sought refuge in Dindigul and, with the help of Mysore rulers Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan and local chieftain Gopal Nayak, she reclaimed Sivaganga in 1780. She then ruled for 16 years, implementing various reforms for the welfare of her people.
Rani Velu Nachiyar is hailed as the “first Indian woman freedom fighter” to have fought against the British, predating Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. She passed away on December 25, 1796, leaving behind an immortal legacy.
Following the unveiling, the Chief Minister paid floral tributes to a portrait of the Queen. The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and several other dignitaries, including ministers, Members of Parliament, and local government officials.
