PM remembers Rani Velu Nachiyar on her birth anniversary

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his tribute to Rani Velu Nachiyar on her birth anniversary, 3 January on social media.
• The prime minister spoke about her indomitable courage that will be a source of inspiration for future generations.

Who is Rani Velu Nachiyar

• Rani Velu Nachiyar is the 18th century queen from Sivagangai district in Tamil Nadu, who fought against the British rule to recapture her kingdom.
• She was known as the first queen to fight against the colonial power during that time.
• Velu Nachiyar was born on 3 January in 1730 AD to the royal couple Mannar Sellamuthu Sethupathy and Sakandhimuthal.
• As she had no brothers, she was brought up like a prince.
• She was trained in archery, horse riding, martial arts, and even handling different weapons.
• She was also educated in several languages like French, Urdu and English.
• At the age of 16, Velu Nachiyar was married to Sivagangai Mannar Muthuvaduganathur, following which they had a daughter who was named Vellachi.
• In 1772, the British troops and the Nawab of Arcot came together and invaded Sivagangai.
• During the Kalaiyar Koil war, Muthuvadugananthur died fighting for his kingdom.
• Shocked and broken, Velu Nachiyar somehow escaped with her daughter Vellachi and lived in Dindugal for a few years.
• During her stay in Dindugal, Velu Nachiyar formed an alliance with other kingdoms and plotted her revenge against the British.
• Following a strong fight, Velu Nachiyar was successful in recapturing her kingdom and hence becoming the queen of Sivagangai again.
• During her reign, the queen also formed a women's only army called Udaiyaal.
• For more than 10 years, Velu Nachiyar proudly ruled Sivagangai before she died in 1796 of an illness.