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Book on Tamil Nadu’s contributions to the freedom struggle released

Published - November 01, 2023 08:41 pm IST - CHENNAI

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday released the Tamil book, Viduthalai Porattathil Tamil Naatin Pangalippu , and its English translation, Tamil Nadu’s Contribution to the Freedom Struggle .

The first copies of the books, brought out by the Tamilarasu publication run by the Department of Information and Public Relations, were received by former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi.

Mr. Stalin, in his Independence Day address in 2021, had announced that a complete document on the State’s contribution to the freedom struggle would be brought out in Tamil and English.

A committee was formed to carry out this task. The books consist of essays by academics and writers, covering various facets of the State’s role in the freedom struggle. Minister for Tamil Development, Information and Publicity M.P. Saminathan, Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena and others participated in the function.

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Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle

CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA (1773 – 1947) Page 1  The earliest political organisation, the Madras Native Association was started in July 1852. LakshminarasuChetty and Srinivasa Pillai were the founders of this organization. The Madras Native Association was sharply critical of the policies of the East India Company‟s rule. Subsequently in 1884, the Madras Mahajana Sabha was established by P. Anandacharlu and P. Rangaiya Naidu. The Madras Native Association was ultimately merged with this organization.  The Madras Mahajana Sabha strongly supported the activities of the Indian National Congress. It had also initiated social reform. G. SubramaniaIyer performed the remarriage of his widowed daughter in December 1889. He moved the first resolution in the first session of the Indian National Congress in 1885. He started the nationalist papers like The Hindu in English and Swadeshamitran in Tamil.  The third session of the Indian National Congress was held in Madras in 1887 under the presidentship of FakruddinThyabji. SWADESHI MOVEMENT IN TAMIL NADU  The Partition of Bengal in 1905 led to the beginning of Swadeshi Movement in Tamil Nadu. During this period the important leaders of the National Movement were – V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, Subramania Siva and SubramaniaBharathi. In May 1907 Bharathi brought, Bipin Chandra Pal one of the leaders of extremists in the Congress to Madras city. After the Surat split in 1907, V.O.C. and fellow nationalists started the Chennai Jana Sangam.  SubramaniaBharathi was a nonconformist, unorthodox and a Indian National Movement Page 2 revolutionary in social and political ideas. He edited the Tamil Weekly India .He wrote nationalist songs called the SwadesaGeethangal.  V.O. Chidambaram Pillai was a lawyer by profession and he joined the nationalist movement in 1905.  He was a follower of Bal GanghadarTilak. He led the Coral Mill Strike in February 1908 in Tuticorin.  In 1906 he launched the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company in Tuticorin. Hence he was called Kappalottiya Tamilan. There was competition between Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company and British India Steam Navigation Company. V.O.C. advocated the boycott of the British India Steam Navigation Company and this had resulted in the Tirunelveli uprising in March 1908. He was ably assisted by Subramania Siva.  Both were arrested and imprisoned. They served six years rigorous imprisonment. They were given harsh punishment inside the prison. V.O.C. was asked to draw an oil press and hence he is known as ChekkilutaChemmal.  The arrest of the nationalist leaders, harsh punishment for the nationalist leaders inside the prison and the collapse of the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company led to the formation of a revolutionary organization in Tamil Nadu called the Bharathamatha Association. NilakantaBramachari played a vital role in it. One of the followers of this association Vanchi Nathan shot dead the notorious British official Robert William Ashe at Maniyatchi junction in June 1911. NON-CO-OPERATION MOVEMENT  Non-Cooperation had been a success in Tamil Nadu. C. Rajagopalachari, S. Satyamurthi and E.V. Ramaswami Naicker were the important Indian National Movement Page 3 leaders of the Non-Cooperation Movement in Tamil Nadu. At that time E.V. RamaswamiNaicker was the President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee.  In the meantime, Periyar E.V.R. launched the Vaikom Satyagraha in Kerala against the practice of social segregation. Later he resigned from the Congress and came out on the social segregation issue at Seramandevi Guru Kulam of V.V.S. Iyer. S. Satyamurthi of Pudukkottai was one of the important freedom fighters. He led the anti-Simon Campaign in 1929 when the Simon Commission visited Tamil Nadu. SALT SATYAGRAHA  Authorized by TNCC and AICC to direct the Salt Satyagraha in Tamil Nadu, Rajaji undertook the famous Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha march. He selected the route from Tiruchirappalli to Vedaranyam in Thanjauvr district. The march began on Tamil New Year‟s Day (13th April). The March reached Vedaranyam on 28th April 1930. Two days later Rajagopalachari was arrested for breaking the salt laws. Tiruppur Kumaran who led the flag march was fatally beaten. Since he guarded the national flag in his hands he was called KodiKaththa Kumaran.  Similarly, the National Movement was encouraged by songs composed by Namakkal Kavinjar The other important nationalist leader was K. Kamaraj from Virudhunagar. He participated in the Vaikom Satyagraha in 1924 and thus entered nationalist movement. He was the vice-president and treasurer of the Ramnad District Congress Committee in 1929. From the beginning, Kamaraj was the man of the masses. He spoke in simple and direct language. He had a sound common sense and practical wisdom. Indian National Movement Page 4 Ramalingam Pillai. In his songs he praised the Gandhian methods in the struggle for freedom. He sang that “a war is coming without knife and blood”. This highlighted the Gandhian principle of nonviolent struggle against the British. Quit India Movement  Quit India movement was launched in places like North Arcot, Madurai and Coimbatore.  There was police firing at Rajapalayam, Karaikudi and Devakottai.  Besides, Subhash Bose„s INA had many men and women soldiers from Tamil Nadu.  Finally, when India attained independence on 15th August, 1947 the Madras Government under O.P.RamaswamiReddiar passed a resolution appreciating the Indian Independence Act. The Justice Party Rule  The Justice Party rule in the Madras Presidency constitutes an important chapter in the history of South India.  The ideology and objectives of the Justice Party had been unique and somewhat different from those of the Congress Party.  The Justice Party represented the Non-Brahmin Movement and engineered a social revolution against the domination of Brahmins in the sphere of public services and education. Birth of the Justice Party  Various factors had contributed to the formation of the Justice Party, which represented the Non-Brahmin Movement.  The social dominance of the Brahmins was the main cause for the emergence of the NonBrahmin Movement.  Their high proportion in the Civil Service, educational institutions and also their predominance in the Madras Legislative Council caused a great worry among the non- Brahmins.  The Brahmins had also monopolized the Press.  The rediscovery of the greatness of the Tamil language and Indian National Movement Page 5 literature also provided a stimulus to the non-Brahmins.  Particularly, the publication of the book entitled A Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian or South Indian Family of Languages by Rev.Robert Caldwell in 1856 gave birth to the Dravidian concept.  Later the ancient Tamil literature had been rediscovered and printed by various Tamil scholars including ArumugaNavalar, C.V.Damodaram Pillai and U.V.SwaminathaIyer.  V.Kanakasabhai Pillai in his famous historical work, The Tamils 1800 Years Ago pointed out that Tamils had attained a high degree of civilization before the Advent of the Aryans.  This led to the growth of Dravidian feelings among the non-Brahmins.  These factors collectively contributed to the birth of the Non-Brahmin Movement and the Justice Party.  The precursor of the Justice Party was the Madras United League which was renamed as the Madras Dravidian Association in November 1912.  Dr.C.NatesaMudaliar played a significant role in nurturing this organization.  In 1916 the South Indian Liberal Federation was formed for the purpose of ‗promoting the political interests of nonBrahmin caste Hindus„.  The leaders who stood behind the formation of this organization were PittiTheagarayaChetti, Dr.T.M.Nair, P.Ramarayaninger (Raja of Panagal) and Dr.C.NatesaMudaliar.  The South Indian Liberal Federation published an English newspaper called Justice and hence this organization came to be called the Justice Party.  The other news paper which supported the Justice Party was Dravidan (in Tamil).  Besides, the Justice Party organized a series of public meetings, conferences, lectures Indian National Movement Page 6 to popularise Non-Brahmin movement.  Similarly, the Justice Party formed District Associations, the Non-Brahmin Youth League. Justice Party Rule  The Justice Party came to power following the election of 1920 held according to the MontagueChelmsford Reforms.  The Justice Party captured sixty three out of ninety eight elected seats in the Madras Legislative Council.  As Pitti Theagaraya Chetti declined to lead the ministry, A.Subbarayalu Reddiar formed the ministry.  In the election of 1923 it fought against the Swarajya Party.  The Justice Party again won the majority and the ministry was formed by Raja of Panagal.  In the election of 1926 a divided Justice Party faced the opposition of a united Congress.  Therefore, an independent, A.Subbarayan with the help of the Swarajya Party formed the ministry.  In 1930 when the next election was held the Justice Party won the majority and formed a ministry with B.  Muniswami Naidu as the leader.  In 1932 Raja of Bobbili replaced him as Prime Minister of the Presidency.  In 1934 Raja of Bobbili formed his second ministry, which continued in power until the election of 1937.  Achievements of the Justice Party  The Justice Party remained in power for a period of thirteen years.  Its administration was noted for social justice and social reform.  Justice rule gave adequate representation to non-Brahman communities in the public services.  It improved the status of depressed classes through education reforms. Justice Party introduced following reforms in the field of Education : 1. Free and compulsory education Indian National Movement Page 7 was introduced for the first time in Madras. 2. Nearly 3000 fisher boys and fisher girls were offered free special instruction by the Department of Fisheries. 3. Midday Meals was given at selected corporation schools in Madras. 4. The Madras Elementary Education Act was amended in 1934 and in 1935 to improve elementary education. 5. The Education of girls received encouragement during the Justice rule in Madras. 6. Education of the Depressed Classes was entrusted with Labour Department. 7. Encouragement was given to Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medical education. The government took over the power of appointing district munsiffs out of the control of the High Court.  The Communal G.O.s (Government Orders) of 1921 and 1922 provided for the reservation of appointments in local bodies and educational institutions for non-Brahmin communities in increased proportion.  The Staff Selection Board, created by the Panagal Ministry in 1924, was made the Public Service Commission in 1929.  It was the first of its kind in India.  The women were granted the right to vote on the same basis as was given to men.  The Hindu Religious Endowment Act of 1921, enacted by the Panagal Ministry, tried to eliminate corruption in the management of temples.  Justice Party Government introduced economic reforms.  To assist the growth of industries State Aid to Industries Act, 1922 was passed.  This led to the establishment of new industries such as : sugar factories, engineering works, tanneries, aluminum factories, cement factories and oil milling so on.  This act provided credits to Indian National Movement Page 8 industries, allotted land and water.  This proved favourable for industrial progress.  Similarly, Justice Party Government introduced schemes for rural development to help agrarian population, public health schemes to prevent diseases.  To improve village economy village road scheme was introduced.  In the city of Madras the Town Improvement Committee of the Madras Corporation introduced Slum Clearance and Housing Schemes.  As a social welfare measures the Justice Party Government gave waste lands in village to Depressed Classes.  The devadasi system, a disgrace to women, was abolished.  The Justice administration reorganized the working of the University of Madras.  During the administration of Justice Party, the Andhra University was established in 1926 and Annamalai University in 1929.End of Justice Party Rule  The Government of India Act of 1935 provided for provincial autonomy and the electoral victory meant the assumption of a major responsibility in the administration of the province.  K.V.Reddi Naidu led the Justice Party, while C.  Rajagopalachari led the Congress in the South.In the election of 1937, the Congress captured 152 out of 215 seats in the Legislative Assembly and 26 out of 46 in the Legislative Council.  In July 1937 the Congress formed its ministry under C.Rajagopalachari.  Thus, the rule of Justice Party which introduced important social legislations came to an end.  In 1944 the Justice party conference was held in Salem.  There Peraringar Anna passed a resolution thereby the name of justice party was changed as Dravidar Kalagam.  History & Culture of India Tamil Nadu played a remarkable part in the struggle for freedom in India. The great leaders like Puli thevar, Kattabomman, Maruthu brothers, Velu Thambi played major role in the revolt. They were all noted for their patriotism, courage, self respect and sacrifice. During the British rule, the great leaders, poets and the social reformers like G.Subramania Iyer, V.O.chidambaram Pillai, Subramanya Baharathi, C.Rajagopalachari, Periyar E.V.Ramasamy, Thiruppur Kumaran, K.Kamaraj and many others had contributed a lot towards the success of our freedom struggle. V.O.Chidambaram Pillai V. O. Chidambaram Pillai is remembered by the Tamils as Sekkilutta Semmal, Kappalotiya Tamizhan. He was born in Ottapidaram on September 5, 1872. He started his career as a lawyer at Tirunelveli. He encouraged the formation of Trade Guilds and Worker’s Association. He was the founder of the Swadesi Dharma Sanga Weaving Association and Swadesi Co-operative Stores at Tuticorin and Colombo. The Partition of Bengal in 1905 had drawn him into politics. He organized Coral mill Strike in the town near the sea shore that resulted in the increase of workers’ wages and reduction of working hours. In 1907, he attended the Congress sessions held at Surat; where the Congress split into Moderates and Extremists. He followed the millitant leader Bala Gangadhar Tilak and preached his philosophy. Charged with sedition, he was sentenced to forty years of imprisonment. His right leg was chained and he was used as a bullock in pulling the oil press (chekku). Subramaniya Siva Subramaniya Siva was born in Vathalagdundu in Dindugal district. He was afreedom fighter and a creative writer. He was arrested many times between 1908 and 1922 for his antiimperialist activities. While serving his last prison term, he was affected by leprosy and was ordered to be shifted to Salem jail. When Siva was unable to walk due to the severity of disease, the British Government enacted a law for Siva, stating that leprosy patient should not travel by rail. As a result of this, Subramaniya Siva travelled the whole length of Madras province on foot though his Freedom Fighters in Tamil Nadu 10 History & Culture of India whole body was covered with sores. Then he eventually died of the disease on 23rd July 1925. Subramanya Bharathiyar Subramanya Bharathi was born on Dec. 11, 1882 at Ettayapuram in Tirunelveli District. He worked as Tamil Teacher in 1904 at Madurai. He also served as Assistant Editor of Swadeshimithran in 1904. In 1907 , he became the editor of the Tamil weekly ‘India’. At the same time he also edited the Enlish newspaper ‘Bala Bharatham’. In Madras, in 1908, he organized a huge public meeting to celebrate ‘Swaraj Day’ His poems ‘Vande Matharam’, ‘Achamillai, Achamillai’, ‘Enthaiyum, Thayum’ Jaya Bharatham were printed and distributed free to Tamil people. In 1908, he gave evidence in the case which had been instituted by the British agains ‘Kappalotiya Thamizhan’, V.O.Chidambaram Pillai. Hence, British ordered to arrest Bharathi. Faced with the prospect of arrest, Bharathi escaped to Pondicherry which was under the French rule. From there he edited and published the dailies weekly and monthly. But the British banned them in India in 1909. After the World War I, Bharathi entered British India near Cuddalore in November 1918. He was arrested and released after the three weeks in custody. Today, more than 90 years later Subramanya Bharathi stands an undying symbol not only of a vibrant Tamil nationalism but also of the unity that is India. Vanchinathan Vanchinathan was under the service of the State of Travancore. The activities of the extremists greatly alarmed the British. The collector, Ashe, shot down and killed four persons in Thirunelveli. So Vanchinathan wanted to take revenge against the Collector. He secretly went to Maniyachi Railway Station and shot dead Ashe on 17th June 1911, and he himself committed suicide. A letter was found in his pocket describing that the act of murder of collector Ashe was the first rehearsal to assassinate King George V who was expected to Madras. Thiruppur Kumaran Thiruppur Kumaran was born on 1904, in Chennaimalai, Erode District in Tamilnadu. He was a great holding the flag of the Indian Nationalists. Kumaran is revered as a martyr in Tamil Nadu, as is known by the epithet Kodi Kaththa Kumaran. The government has erected his statue in a park near the railway station in Thiruppur. S.Satyamurti Satyamurti was a politician and patriot. He was the political mentor of K.Kamaraj. Rajagopalachari nominated Satyamurti to succeed him as the President of the Indian National Congress in Tamil Nadu in 1930. He served as Mayor of Madras in 1939, leading a campaign to restore public education, improved water supply and improve the life of the citizens. 11 History & Culture of India S.Satyamurti was born in Tirumayyam, Madras presidency on August 19, 1887. He started practising as an advocate prior to his initiation in the National Movement. He plunged into politics at an early age and eventually emerging as one of the foremost protest the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms and the Rowlatt Act. When Satyamurti became the Mayor of Madras in 1939, the city was in the grip of an acute water scarcity and it was left to him to impress upon the British Governor for building Reservoir in poondi about 50 kms west of the city to augment the water supply position. The reservoir was commissioned by Kamaraj and named it as Satayamurti Sahar. To honour this great man, the Headquarters of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee was named after him as, Satyamurti Bhavan. He participated in the Swadeshi Movement and Quit India Movement and imprisoned for several times. He was a highly regarded politician of rare abilities, who had dedicated his life to bring freedom and justice to the people. He passed away on 28th March 1943. C.Rajagopalachari National Congress and participated in the Calcutta session in 1906. He became the staunch follower of Gandhiji. He participated in the Surat session in 1907. In 1930, he broke the salt laws at Vedaranyam. He started his March to Vedaranyam from Thiruchirapalli with hundreds of volunteers to break salt laws. He won the 1937 provincial elections and became the Chief Minister of Madras Presidency. During his administration he introduced Prohibition, passed several laws to uplift Adi Dravidar and other depressed classes. He also made Hindi as compulsory subject but it was opposed by Periyar EVR. He resigned his Chief Ministership in 1939 in protest against the use of Indian men and materials in the Second World war by the British Government without their consent. He became the first Indian Governor General of free India. In 1952 he formed the ministry in Tamilnadu. During that time ministry he introduced ‘Kula Kalvi Thittam’. But it was opposed by Kamaraj and Periyar EVR and at last Rajaji resigned from Chief Ministership in 1954. Later he resigned form Congress and founded Swatandra party in 1959. Rajaji wrote many books. He wrote Sakkravarthi Thirumagal, Vyassar Virundu and commentaries on Gita and Upanisad. In 1955, he was awarded ‘Bharat Ratna’. He died on Dec 25, 1972. He was often referred as ‘Chanakya’ for his diplomatic skills. K.Kamaraj Kamaraj was born on July 15th 1903 at Virudupatti now known as taking part in Vaikam Sathyagraha in 1924. He enrolled himself as a full time worker of the Congress party in 1929. When Gandhiji announced Salt Sathyagraha he participated in the Vedaranyam march along with C.Rajagopalachari in 1930. He was arrested and imprisoned for two years in Alipore jail. As a result of Gandhi Irwin Pact of 1931 he was released. In 1940, he went to Wardha to meet Gandhiji to get approval for the list of Sathyagrahis. 12 History & Culture of India But he was arrested and sent to Vellore jail. Because of his active participation in Quit India Movement in 1942 he was arrested and sentenced to three years in the Amaravathi prison. He hoisted the Indian National flag in Satyamurti’s house in 1947. He served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for nine years and introduced various welfare measures like opening of new schools, free education, mid-day meals scheme, construction of dams and canals to Maker’, as he made Lal Bahadur Sastri as the Prime minister of India in 1964 and Mrs. Indira Gandhi in 1966 after the death of Sastri. He died on October 2nd 1975. Kamaraj was famous for his policy known as ‘K’ Plan. He was affectionately called by the people as ‘Perum Thalaivar’ means ‘Great Leader’. Thus Tamil Nadu played a vital role in the freedom struggle of our Country. C.N.Annadurai C.N.Annadurai, who was affectionately called as ‘Peraringnar Anna’ by the people of Tamil Nadu was born on 15th September. 1909 at Kancheepuram. He had his M.A., in the Pachaiyappa’s College, Madras. He was the founder of the “Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam”. Anna’s inception into politics was through the Justice Party. The desire to work for social cause made him to join the Justice Party. Anna chose the Justice Party to work for the establishment of a casteless and classless society. Anna was a good orator. He was recognised as one of the foremost speakers of those days. When Anna joined the Justice Party he had the privilege of working under the leadership of Periyar E.V.Ramasamy. The party provided the right platform for him and so he joined the self respect movement which was started for the elimination of social inequalities. In the Anti-Hindi conference organized by Periyar at Kanjeewaram Anna quoted that Hindi could never take the place of Tamil and make any road in well settled Tamil culture. In the Salem Conference of 1944, Anna brought a resolution for changing the name of Justice Party as Dravidar Kazhagam and became very close to Periyar. The marriage of Periyar with Maniammai in 1947 gave severe blow to the party men. A new party called Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam was formed on 17th September 1949 Anna and principles of the Party. He became the General Secretary of the Party. In the election of 1967, his Party got victory and Anna became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1967. He introduced the scheme of 1 kg rice for Re.1. Due to financial strain he was not able to promulgate this system all over Tamil Nadu. He also introduced Tamil Language Development Scheme. In 1967, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu announced, the first day of Chittirai as Tamil New Year day. Government under the leadership of Anna changed the official name of the state from ‘Madras’ to ‘Tamizhaga Arasu’ or ‘Tamizhagam’. On 16th April in the Seretariat in Fort St. George, the Chief Minister Anna ceremoniously switched on neon light in the form of State Emblem-a Temple Gopuram, above the words ‘Tamizhaga Arasu Talaimai Cheyalagam’. At the same day he announced 13 History & Culture of India that the national motto ‘satyameva Jayate’ would hence for the appear as ‘Vaimaye Vellum’ and that Sanskrit forms of address Sri/Srimathi/Kumari would replace the Tamil forms of Thiru/Thirumathi/Selvi. He was conferred Doctorate by Annamalai University in 1968. He passed away on 3rd February 1969. Contribution of women Leaders for Social reformation Reformation refers to eradication of some social practices which are deep rooted in the society for to achieve the above not only men but also women have contributed a lot. Among the women reformers some of them are worth mentioning. Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddy Tamil Nadu was the forerunner in the transformation of society. In the great cultured heritage of Tamil Nadu there are some black spots often formed and removed. One such a black spot was ‘Devadasi’ system. One of the important leaders who fought vigorously against this system was Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddy. Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddy was born on 30th July, 1886 in Pudukottai. She was the first woman in India to get a degree in medicine. In 1923 her sister died of cancer. On that day she took a vow to eradicate cancer. So she started Cancer Relief Hospital in 1949. The Cancer Institute at Adyar was started due to her good efforts. She was not only interested in medicine also in politics and social reforms. She dedicated herself to the cause for removing the cruel practice Devadasi system from Tamil Nadu. She was personally praised by Gandhiji for her active propaganda against Devadasi system. Appreciating her role in the agitation against Devadasi system she was nominated to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council in 1929. She was Vehemently supported in her efforts by Thiru.V.Kalyana Sundaranar and Periyar. As a result the Justice party Government enacted a law abolishing Devadasi System. In 1930, she organized All india Women conference at Pune. She was the President of Indian Women Association from 1933 to 1947. She also started Avvai Illam and orphanage the Santhome in Madras. (Now at Adyar). Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddy, through her dedicated and entering work proved the world, hardwork never fails. She passed away in 1968 at the age of 82. Dr.S.Dharmambal Many people became famous not because of wealth, power, education and status but because of their dedication. One such a reformer who proved that service to the people could be done through humanity and goodwill was Dr.S.Dharmambal. She had the instrict of social service, she studied Siddha medicine and started a hospital in Chennai. Later she entered into the public service Dr.Dharmambal was born at great interest in implementing widow remarriage, intercaste marriage and women education. She had also great interest in the development of Tamil literature and Tamil music. She participated in the Hindi agitation programme and went to jail many times. Till 1940 the Tamil teachers had no due recognition 14 History & Culture of India in the society. They were not paid equal salary like other teachers. So she started an agitation called ‘Elavu varam’. As a result the Educational Minister Thiru. Avinasilingam Chettiar announced equal pay to Tamil teachers like other teachers. To make the students improve their knowledge in Tamil and to score good marks in Tamil “Chennai Manavar Mandram” was established. She was the President of this association for more than 10 years. Appreciating her service to Tamil language and literature she was conferred the title “Veera Tamilannai”. She gave the title “Periyar” to E.V.Ramasamy Naicker and “Ealisai Mannar” to M.K.Thiyagaraja Bagavathar. The great woman who sacrificed and dedicated her whole life for the Tamil people, Tamil language and Tamil literature was died in 1959 at the age of 69. Moovalur Ramamirdham Most of the women revolutionaries of the early twentieth century dedicated themselves to the cause of freedom of our nation. Only a few revolutionaries alone fought for the causes of both freedom and social Moovalur, a village near Mayiladudurai. Hence she was commonly known as Moovalur Ramamirdham Ammaiyar. She belonged to Isai vellalar caste. In olden days girls belonging to this particular caste were sacrificed to temples to do service to God. Later they were ill-treated and humiliated by the landlords and zamindars in the name of caste. On seeing this attrocities and cruelties, Moovalur Ramamirdham decided to fight for their emancipation. She travelled all over the country and spoke about the miseries of her own girls and won the support of many leaders. She joined the Indian National Party and organized the conference of Isai Vellalar at Mayiladudurai in 1925. This conference was attended by many great leaders like Thiru. Vi.Ka.Periyar. S.Ramanathan and Mayuramani Chinnaiah Pillai who raised slogans against the cruel practice of Devadhasis. As a result the Government passed “Dr.Muthulakshmi Devadasi Abolition Act”. Along with the social work she actively involved in the National Movement. She inspired women to take part in the National movement on a large scale. With the continuous moral support by Rajaji, Periyar and Thiru. Vi.Ka, she brought awareness against Devadasi system and national awakening among the people of Tamilnadu especially on women. In her memory, the Government of Tamil Nadu has instituted the “Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammal Ninaivu Marriage Assistance scheme” After seeing her dream become true. She passed away on 27th June 1962. The tradition bound Tamil society was still clinging to the old values. The widows were still forbidden from participating in auspicious and social functions, Inspite of the fact that the Widow Remarriage Act was passed in 1856. The forward and progressive social policies adopted by the justice Party and the Self Respect Movement in the 20th century supported by legislative measures, led to the 15 History & Culture of India acceptance of the widow remarriage concept in Tamil Nadu. The abolition of sati and the acceptance of an widow remarriage and the steps to prevent child marriages were note worthy landmarks in the history of Tamilnadu. Caste inequality was another significant shot coming of the Tamil Society. Temple Entry Movement could be cited as a suitable illustration. Temples were once the monopoly of the upper caste where as the low caste people were denied the right to enter the temple. Many social reformers like E.V.Ramasamy, Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddy, Vallalar, Bharathi, Bharathidasan, Moovalur Ramamirthammal, Dr.S.Dharmambal fought for the eradication of these social evils. Thus women also contributed a lot for the social transformation in Tamil Nadu. History will into forget their selfless service. ••• 16 Indian National Movement POLITICAL PARTIES OF INDIA India is a vast country with a huge population. There are differences among the people with reference to the culture, religion, language, economic attainments and social distinctions. In other words the population is diverse in nature and therefore there cannot be uniformity about anything. This applies to the party system also. There are national and regional parties in this country. In the next few pages an account of the different political parties of India is given. National Parties The Indian National Congress The Indian National Congress is the oldest and a dominant political party. It was founded on December 28, 1885 by A.O. Hume. The history of the Congress Party is the history of the freedom struggle. It began more as a national movement than as a political party. People from all quarters rallied under the Congress Party to realise the common goal of political independence. It was a truly representative body of the people. Hence, the British handed over the country and power to the Congress on August 15, 1947. Since then the Congress has been in power for-about-50 years, except for two short spells, at the centre. Until 1967 it was in power in almost all the States in India. The memorable leaders of the Congress Party are Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, C. Rajagopalachari, K. Kamaraj, P.V. Narasimha Rao and many others. The Indian National Congress met with many splits. The Organisation of the Congress The present constitution of the congress party was designed at its Nagpur Session of 1920. 1. The highest body in the Congress hierarchy is the All India Congress Committee. Its total membership is about 400. It holds annual and special sessions of the Congress. It has wide powers. 2. The next body is the congress Working Committee. Its members are elected in the All India Congress Committee itself. This body is like a cabinet. The senior most congressmen are normally elected to this body. 3. There is a special body known as the Parliamentary Board. It consists of 17 Indian National Movement six members, including the Congress President. 4. Below the Congress Working committee is the Pradesh Congress committee one each for a state. This body has its own president and other office bearers. 5. Below the Pradesh Congress Committee arc the District Congress Committees, one each for a district. Then there are committees subordinate to it and 6. The Mandal Congress Committees. Any person of 18 years or more can become a primary member of the Congress. The Communist Party of India (CPI) The Communist Party is the second oldest party in India. It was founded in the year 1924. But soon after its formation, it was banned by the British Indian Government. Consequently, most of the Communist workers carried on their work through the Congress. It remained an unlawful organisation till 1943 when the ban on it was removed because the Communist Party supported the Second World War and opposed the Quit India Movement of the Congress in 1942. After independence, the Communist Party of India consolidated its position. Ears of corn and sickle is the symbol of the CPI. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) The Communist Party of India was split in the year 1964. The split was due to the schism in the Sino-Russian relations. The communist leaders had held differences of opinion in their evaluations of the economic and political situations prevailing in the country. Further, one group of leaders desired to extend their support to Nehru’s Government. But the other group of leaders demanded tough opposition to the reactionary congress. Theirideological differences reached a stage of no compromise. Finally, the dissidents held a separate convention of Ten ally in July 1964. They got separated from the Dange group. Leaders like Jyoti Basu, E.M.S. Namboodripad and others formed a separate party, known as the Communist Party of India (Marxist). The organisation, major aims and policies of the CPI (Marxist) resemble mostly to those of the CPI. The principles of democracy socialism and inner party democracy are the bases to the party’s structure form the Branch upwards the top. The branch is the living link with masses. The CPI (Marxist) is convinced that India’s revolutionary movement must follow its own line of action. It believes that neither Chinese nor the Russian model would suit India. The symbol of the (Marxist) include a hammer, sickle and star. Differences in the ideologies of the CPI and CPI (Marxist) Besides certain common ideals and programmes, the CPI and the CPI (Marxist) have the following ideological differences. 1. The CPI (Marxist) considers that revolution could be brought about in India only by the leaders of the working class. But the CPI holds that social transformation can be achieved through close alliance with other democratic forces. 2. CPI (Marxist) believes in dislodging the existing state and replacing it with a State of People’s Democracy led by the working class. The CPI supports 18 Indian National Movement the 100 idea of forming a national democratic front. It does not favour the dislodging to the existing governmental system. It holds that in course of time the reactionary forces will be eliminated and power may pass into the hands of the party. 3. The CPI (Marxist) believes that the ruling classes would never give up power voluntarily. Hence it wants to employ force out of necessity. But the CPI holds faith in peaceful means. Its aim is to transform the Parliament into a genuine instrument of people’s will. Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) The old Bharatiya Jan Sangh is the precursor of the Bharatiya Janatha Party. The origin of the Jan Sang is linked with the origin of Hindu nationalism in the 19th Century. In 1875 Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the ‘Arya Samaj’. It created a new spirit among the North Indian Hindus. It also provided impetus to the movement of Hindu revivalism. The new ideas later formed the fundamental tenets of the Hindu Mahasabha and the Jan Sang. In 1925, Keshav Hedgewar formed Rashriya Swayam Sevak Sang (RSS) as a cultural organisalion. Its aim was to regenerate the Hindu Society. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee formed the Jan Sang in the year 1951 However, the Jan Sang secured support of the members of the Hindu Maha Sabha and the RSS. From 1952 to 1971 the party made steady progress. Janata Dal The Janata Dal was formed in October 1988. Its notable leaders are V.P. Singh. Ramakrishna Hegde. S.R. Bommai and Laloo Prasad Yadav. The Janata Dal is democratic in Character. Party organisation is similar to the Old Janata Party. Anybody who believes in the programmes and policies of the Janata Dal can become a member of the party. But active members in the Janata Dal must sign an oath of loyally to the party. The executive body of the Janata Dal is the Working Committee. There are basic units from which the higher Committees are elected. For any office of the party only an active member can contest the election. There are Committees at Block, District, Provincial and National levels. Regional Parties Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Regionalism in Tamilnadu began to be felt since 1916. It was due to the dominance of the brahmin community in the erstwhile Madras presidency. They enjoyed several privileges which were not available to the majority of the population. It all started with the establishment of a Dravidian Association by Thiru Natesa Mudaliar and others in 1912. Subsequently it was known as the Justice Party. It was dravidian in its outlook and its objectives. From this party the Dravida Kazhagam under the leadership of Periyar Ramaswamy was founded in 1944. It attracted the eminent leader Thiru C.N. Annadurai to its fold. Dravida Kazhagam was a social reform movement and not a political party. As time passed on and immediately after independence differences brokeout between Thiru C.N. Annadurai and Periyar Thiru E. V. Ramaswamy and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was formed by Annadurai on 17th September 1949. From 1949 to 1957 the DMK served the people 1 Indian National Movement only as a social organisation. The DMK had the aim of establishing a separate Dravidanadu, comprising the four southern states. But Anna abandoned this ideology on 23rd October 1963 as then the constitution was amended to bar separation. This was the turning point in the history of the DMK. Rising sun is its symbol. The party was turned into a political party when it contested in the election for the first time in 1957. It secured only a few seats in the elections. However under the able guidance of Thiru C.N. Annadurai and popular support this party emerged victorious in the fourth general election in 1967 to the Tamilnadu State Assembly and formed government under the Chief-Ministership of Thiru C.N. Annadurai. Since then until now the dravidian parties only win in the elections and form government. The congress could not come to power. Since then it has been contesting in all general elections to the State Assembly as well as to the national parliament. After the death of Thiru C.N. Annadurai on 3rd February 1969, Thiru M. Karunanidhi became its leader. Under his leadership the party won in assembly elections and formed the government also. Emergence of AIADMK Owing to differences Thiru M. Karunanidhi as party President expelled Thiru. M.G. Ramachandran from the primary membership of the DMK in 1972. Subsequently MGR launched his own party on 18th October 1972 and named it as Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. After some time on 12th September 1976 it was renamed as All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. MGR declared that his party will follow the principles and policies pursued by Thiru C.N. Annadurai. From the beginning to the present the party is popular with the people of Tamilnadu. Though MGR died in December 1987 the party continued to maintain its strength and support under the present leadership of Selvi J. Jayalalithaa. The basic ideology of the AIADMK is “Annaism”. The essence of Annaism is mainly the removal of poverty and untouchability. The other contents of the ideology are self respect, rationalism, socialism and social service. The party also believed in achieving its objectives through participation in elections to the state legislature and the national parliament. The first time the AIADMK faced an election to the state assembly was during May 1973 in Dindigul parliamentary constituency. It won the by-election by polling 52% of the total votes polled. The DMK came third after Congress (O) of Thiru Kamaraj. This election was probably just an indication of a turning point in the electoral fortunes of the major Tamilnadu political parties. Telugu Desam It is like the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam a regional political party which was founded by Thiru N.T. Rama Rao on 29th March 1982. Thiru N.T. Rama Rao was a charismatic leader who had acted in films in different roles. Particularly he played in cinema as divine hero. As a result he was demistified and worshiped by people as God on earth. Soon this party contested in the elections to the state assembly and it won in the assembly elections in 1983, 1985 and 1994. As chief minister he had served the people of Andhra to help eradicate 20 Indian National Movement poverty and raise their living standards. He was succeeded by his son-in-law Thiru. N. Chandrababu Naidu in 1995. He took several steps to make Andhra Pradesh a forward state. His contribution to the development of information technology was so great that the whole of India turned to him for model and guidance. He and his party extended from outside support to theGovernment formed at the centre by Thiru. A,B. Vajpayee belonging to the National Democratic Alliance which was unseated from power in the 2004 general elections to the Lok Sabha. During the same time elections were also held to the Andhra Pradesh state assembly in which the Telugu Desam party was defeated in the election. Indian National congress emerged victorious and formed the government in May 2004. Akali Dal: It is a religious cum political party. It was formerly led by Master Tara Singh. This party demanded a Punjabi speaking state and Punjabi in Gurmukhi script as the official language of the Punjab state. The Punjabi suba of the conception of the Akali party came into existence as a result of the reorganisation of the state of Punjab into Punjabi-speaking Punjab and the Hindi speaking state of Haryana in 1966. Like other regional parties of significant following the Akali Dal also contested in the elections since 1967. This party in alliance with such parties like Bharatiya Janata Sangh or Janata Party or Bharatiya Janata Party formed governments and guided the destiny of Punjab. The demands of the party mainly are Chandigarh should be handed over to Punjab and be made as its capital. There should be a just and honourable agreement between Punjab and Haryana for the disiribution of the waters of rivers Ravi and Beas. And justice should be done to Punjab keeping with the traditional martial qualities of the Sikhs. There should be equitable share of strength for the Sikhs in the Indian army. The other minor demands of the Akalidal are 1. Amirtsar should be given the same status as Vatican city (Rome) and declared a holy city. 2. Permission to carry kirpans by the sikhs on domestic flights of Indian Airline. 3. Declaration of Punjabi as the second language in Haryana. 4. Lastly transfer of management of the Bhakra dam to Punjab. It should be noted that the Akali politics was at its peak in the early 1980’s. It upset many a calculations of the government of India relating to the governments of Punjab There are still several unresolved demands of the Sikhs. The other regional political parties worth the name for their significant contribution to their respective areas are, Assam Gana Thantra Parished in Assam and National Conference in Kashmir and the Plebiscite Front in Kashmir. Conclusion: In what has been given above with reference to national and regional political parties is just a description of the organisation and the objectives of those parties only.

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A little-known Tamil epic based on the freedom struggle & Gandhism

Running into 1,600 pages and being published in three parts, 'suthanthira thaagam' delves into the historic events that had played out in india between the volatile years of 1927 and 1934, which is when the freedom struggle was at its height..

All eyes are on the release of Vetrimaaran’s ‘Vaadivaasal’. This is the new Tamil film under production starring Tamil actor Surya. Vetrimaaran, who is known for adapting literary works into films, has decided to bring the classic of the same name to life on celluloid.

Written by C S Chellappa, one of the popular litterateurs of the 1960s and 1970s, the slim novel is based on Jallikkattu or bull vaulting and has been translated into English as ‘Arena’ by N Kalyanaraman and published by the Oxford University Press.

Satyagrahi turned story-teller

Chellappa, who also ran the literary magazine ‘Ezhuthu’,  has serialised this novel in the magazine. There has been a lot of interest about Chellappa after the film ‘Vaadivaasal’ has been announced. Chellappa has written more than one novel in his lifetime. His second novel titled ‘Suthanthira Thaagam’ however did not receive as much attention as his first novel.

This was unfortunate the novel first published n 1997 by the author himself went on to win the Sahitya Akademi award in 2001. It was released when the country celebrated its Golden Jubilee year of Independence. The novel celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

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Born in Vathalagundu in Dindigul district, Chinnamannur Subramaniam Chellappa had imbibed the spirit of patriotism from his father Subramania Iyer who had worked under the British. At his young age, he could sing 400 songs related to nationalism from memory, because of which he was often found in the Congress rallies. When he was studying at Madura College in Madurai, he actively participated in boycotting the Simon Commission. Having participated in a satyagraha, Chellappa spent six months in prison in 1941.

His first-hand experience of the freedom struggle gave him the confidence to write this novel, which he referred to as an “epic”. However, many publishers hesitated to publish the book since it ran into more than thousand pages. However, by 1997, Chellappa published the book on his own and gradually it was forgotten in the passage of time. In 1998, he died.

Capturing Gandhism at its peak 

‘Suthanthira Thaagam’ is a tale of three college students, their professor and principal along with their spouses and their friends being drawn to the Gandhian philosophy and their contribution to the freedom struggle.

The novel has more than fifteen characters. It begins with the boycott of the Simon Commission in 1927-1928 and goes on to document the Salt Satyagraha in Vedaranyam under C Rajagopalachari’s leadership in 1930. The book then moves on to the Civil Disobedience Movement, the Round Table Conference between 1930 and 1932, and finally concludes with Gandhi’s Harijan Padyatra in 1934.

Chellappa wrote in the preface to his novel that the period between 1919 and 1923 were the years of the non-cooperation movement, while the period between 1940 and 1944 centred around the Quit India movement.

“I have chosen to write about the years in between ie., 1927 and 1934. That was the Salt Satyagraha and Civil Disobedience movement years. I consider the years 1919-1923 as the infant years of Mahatma Gandhi and from 1940 to 1944 as the years past his prime. It was the middle years of 1927 to 1934 that were the years of the prime time of Gandhism. So, I have made these years as the period for my novel, because those were my college years and I had first-hand experience of the happenings of that time,” he added.

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The diaries he maintained at that time, the ‘Young India’ magazines run by Gandhi, the speeches he listened to, the conversations he had with the leaders then, the books he read were useful for Chellappa when he started to pen the novel.

“So, the novel is authentic when it refers to historical incidents,” he added.

A city in the thick of the freedom struggle

All these developments were recorded in the novel by Chellappa with Madurai at the epicentre. This was because Madurai was considered as ‘Southern Bombay’ during the freedom struggle since it kept pace with every form of struggle that unfolded at the national level.

The novel blends fiction and true life incidents. Chellappa faithfully weaves in the sons of the soil such as barrister George Joseph, NMR Subbaraman, A Vaidyanatha Iyer, etc., into his novel.

The novel not only records the history of the freedom struggle but also documents the cultural changes of that time. The talkies had arrived; the young men were fond of Shakespearean collars, which Bhagat Singh wore; people smeared their forehead with holy ashes and were not shy to identify themselves as Hindus; the newspaper ‘The Hindu’ came to Thoothukkudi only in the evenings; and Tagore’s ‘Jana Gana Mana’ was sung at the beginning of functions.

Thoughts on Gandhi

In the book, it is interesting to note that Gandhi was viewed from different angles. He was seen as acting against the Hindus, particularly by the Brahmins since he treated both Dalits and Brahmins as equals; secondly, he was seen as being basically communal by people like Justice Party cadres. Thirdly, he was accepted as who he was as well.

The ‘passive resistance’, the term used by Gandhi during his years in South Africa and ‘the law of suffering’, are two philosophies frequently discussed by the novel’s characters. At one point, almost all the characters spin their own cloth on the charka as proof that they are following the Gandhian path.

‘Nationalise the book’

Chellappa had claimed he was inspired by Leo Tolstoy’s ‘War and Peace’ to write this novel and the title was borrowed from one of the poems of Subramania Bharathi – ‘Suthanthira Thaagam’.

“The lead character of the novel, Sivaraman is no one but Chellappa himself. There are no hero and heroines. Mahatma Gandhi can be considered as an indirect hero. Or the freedom struggle itself attained the place of a heroic image,” wrote advocate KS Radhakrishnan in one of his essays.

Talking to The Federal, Radhakrishnan said that when Chellappa was alive, he would go to different colleges distributing the book to the students to spread awareness about the freedom struggle.

“The works of writers like Chellappa, Akilan, Na Parthasarathy, Rajavelu, former IAS officer Thiraviyam, Ra Su Nallaperumal are considered as ‘nationalist literature’. The state government should nationalise this book by Chellappa,” he added.

It is a pity that after Chellappa published this book none of the publishers came forward to reprint it. It was only in 2016, Chennai-based Discovery Book Palace republished the novel.

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Tamil Nadu Freedom Fighters

Tamil Nadu , a state in southern India, has a rich history of resistance against colonialism and oppression. The region was under the control of various foreign powers for centuries, including the British Empire, Portuguese, Dutch, and French. Tamil Nadu freedom fighters played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence and challenged the colonial rule through non-violent protests and armed rebellion.

This article aims to highlight some of the key figures who fought for Tamil Nadu’s liberation from foreign rule. It will explore their contributions to Indian nationalism, their challenges, and their legacy. By examining these historical figures’ lives and struggles, we can gain insight into the complexities of anti-colonial movements while developing a deeper understanding of the region’s past and present political landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Tamil Nadu freedom fighters played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence, with the primary objective of achieving self-rule and independence from British colonial rule.
• Tamil Nadu freedom fighters actively participated in various movements such as the Non-Cooperation Movement, Salt Satyagraha, Quit India Movement, and more, and played a significant role in promoting indigenous industries and boycotting foreign goods.
• The impact of Tamil Nadu freedom fighters on India’s economy was significant, with the boycott of British goods reducing India’s trade deficit with Britain, and the establishment of the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company contributing significantly to the Indian independence movement.
• The legacy of Tamil Nadu’s independence struggle is marked by bravery, sacrifice, and commitment to the cause, with monuments and memorials dedicated to Tamil Nadu freedom fighters established throughout the state, and national awards and honors conferred upon them, including the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Bharat Ratna.

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V.O. Chidambaram Pillai (V.O.C.)

V.O. Chidambaram Pillai , a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement and a fervent supporter of Swadeshi, played a crucial role in the boycott of British goods and the establishment of indigenous industries in Tamil Nadu. Born on September 5, 1872, in Ottapidaram, V.O.C. hailed from a family of lawyers who were actively involved in India’s freedom struggle. He completed his law degree from Madras Law College and started practicing as a lawyer.

Despite having a successful legal career, V.O.C. was not content with just earning money and living comfortably. His passion for social reform led him to establish the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company in 1906, which aimed to challenge British monopoly over shipping industry by providing affordable transportation services to Indians. This move infuriated the British government, leading to his arrest and imprisonment for sedition.

V.O.C.’s family background fueled his desire for political change and inspired him to fight against colonial rule through non-violent means. With his unwavering commitment towards India’s freedom struggle, V.O.C.’s contribution cannot be overlooked when it comes to shaping Tamil Nadu’s history during that time period.

Transitioning into the subsequent section about ‘the Swadeshi movement ‘, it becomes evident that V.O.C.’s efforts were pivotal towards promoting indigenous industries and creating economic self-sufficiency among Indians.

The Swadeshi Movement

The Swadeshi Movement was a significant phase in India’s history that aimed to promote and encourage the use of indigenous goods and products over foreign imports. The objective of this movement was to build a self-sufficient economy by reducing dependence on foreign goods and promoting local industries. This movement had a profound impact on India’s economy as it led to the growth of various Indian industries, which ultimately contributed towards the development of the country.

Objectives and Significance

The objectives and significance of Tamil Nadu freedom fighters are crucial to understanding the historical context of India’s struggle for independence. The primary objective of these freedom fighters was to achieve self-rule and independence from British colonial rule. They aimed to overthrow the oppressive British regime that had been ruling over India for centuries, and establish a free, democratic nation where all citizens were equal.

The achievements of Tamil Nadu freedom fighters were many. They played an active role in various movements such as the Non-Cooperation Movement, Salt Satyagraha, Quit India Movement, and more. Their fearless spirit and dedication towards their cause inspired thousands of Indians to join the fight for independence. Their contribution towards achieving India’s freedom cannot be ignored or underestimated. Furthermore, their heroic efforts paved the way for future generations who would continue fighting against oppression and injustice in other forms beyond colonialism.

The impact of Tamil Nadu freedom fighters on India’s economy was also significant as they fought not only for political rights but also economic justice. However, we will explore this topic further in the subsequent section about ‘impact on india’s economy’.

Impact on India’s Economy

The role played by Tamil Nadu freedom fighters in the Indian independence movement had a profound impact on the country’s economy. The struggle for independence was not only about political sovereignty but also aimed to address issues such as poverty, inequality, and exploitation of labor. Activists from Tamil Nadu were at the forefront of this movement, fighting against British colonialism and advocating for economic self-reliance.

Tamil Nadu freedom fighters played a crucial role in promoting indigenous industries and boycotting foreign goods, which led to the growth of local industries. This move towards swadeshi (indigenous) goods boosted the country’s economy by creating jobs and spurring innovation. Additionally, the boycott of British goods reduced India’s trade deficit with Britain, which was one of the reasons why they colonized India in the first place. Thus, Tamil Nadu freedom fighters’ contribution to India’s economic growth is an important aspect of their legacy that should not be overlooked.

With their focus on promoting swadeshi industries and reducing dependence on foreign products, Tamil Nadu freedom fighters paved the way for indigenous companies like Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company to thrive. This company went on to become a symbol of Indian entrepreneurship and self-reliance during the pre-independence era.

The Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company

Operating during the early 20th century, Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company was a significant contribution to the Indian independence movement by providing employment opportunities for Indians and challenging British monopoly in shipping. The company was established in 1906 with a capital of Rs. 20 lakhs and operated several steamers between Calcutta and Rangoon. It aimed at promoting Indian entrepreneurship, reducing foreign dependence on shipping, and creating a sense of national pride.

The Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company had far-reaching impacts on India’s economy during colonial rule. Here are some of them:

• It challenged British monopoly: The company’s establishment marked the beginning of indigenous shipping industry that competed with British shipping companies in India. This challenged the prevailing economic order where most industries were controlled by foreigners.
• It created employment opportunities: The company provided job opportunities for Indians at various levels such as sailors, engineers, clerks, etc., which boosted indigenous entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
• It promoted trade: By connecting major ports in India with those abroad, the company facilitated trade and commerce within India and beyond its borders.

The success of Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company inspired many nationalists like V.O.C to take up similar initiatives that would challenge colonialism impact on India’s economy.

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V.O.C.’s Leadership and Inspiration

V.O.C., or Veerapandiya Kattabomman, was a prominent freedom fighter and leader from Tamil Nadu who played an instrumental role in India’s struggle for independence. His leadership qualities and political activism inspired many Indians to take up the cause of challenging British economic dominance by establishing indigenous industries. V.O.C.’s vision for a self-sufficient India led him to establish the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company, which aimed to break the monopoly of British shipping companies.

Apart from his contributions towards economic independence, V.O.C. was also known for his bravery and courage on the battlefield. He fought against the British in several battles, including the Polygar War and the rebellion against British authority in 1801-02. Despite facing numerous setbacks during these conflicts, V.O.C.’s leadership skills inspired his fellow fighters to continue their struggle for freedom.

V.O.C.’s legacy serves as an inspiration not only to those fighting for freedom but also to entrepreneurs seeking to establish indigenous industries today. His contributions towards building a self-reliant India are still remembered with reverence across Tamil Nadu. Other notable Tamil Nadu freedom fighters continued this legacy after V.O.C., each contributing in their own way towards achieving Indian independence.

Other Notable Tamil Nadu Freedom Fighters

V.O.C. played a significant role in inspiring and leading Tamil Nadu’s freedom struggle against British rule. However, he was not the only notable freedom fighter to contribute towards India’s independence movement. There were several other leaders who made significant contributions and sacrifices for their country.

One such leader was Subramanya Bharathi, a poet, journalist, and social reformer who fought tirelessly to uplift the oppressed sections of society. He used his pen as a weapon to inspire people to fight for their rights and freedom from colonial oppression. His contribution towards promoting the Tamil language and culture is noteworthy.

Another notable leader was Kattabomman, a tribal chieftain who defied British rule and refused to pay taxes imposed on him by the East India Company. He paid with his life for his defiance but left behind an enduring legacy of bravery and patriotism that inspired future generations of Indians.

These Tamil Nadu freedom fighters displayed immense courage in their fight against British colonialism. Their contributions and sacrifices have been instrumental in shaping India’s history as an independent nation. The challenges they faced during this period will be discussed further in the next section.

Challenges Faced by Tamil Nadu Freedom Fighters

The struggle for India’s independence was marked by numerous challenges, including the oppression of the British colonial rule. Tamil Nadu freedom fighters were not immune to these difficulties as they also faced political movements that aimed to thwart their efforts. The British empire implemented several measures such as the Rowlatt Act, which restricted freedom of speech and assembly, making it challenging for leaders from Tamil Nadu to mobilize and organize protests.

Furthermore, there were divisions among the leadership of the Indian National Congress (INC), with some members advocating for a more moderate approach while others preferred a more aggressive stance against British domination. These differences led to conflicts within the organization, which had a ripple effect on Tamil Nadu freedom fighters’ activities. Despite these challenges, leaders like Subramanya Bharathi and V.O Chidambaram Pillai continued to inspire and lead their followers in resistance against British oppression.

Tamil Nadu freedom fighters faced many obstacles during their quest for independence from British rule. However, through their unwavering determination and persistence in fighting for what they believed in, they left an indelible mark on India’s history. Their legacy continues to inspire new generations who seek mastery over their lives by standing up against oppression and injustice.

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Legacy of Tamil Nadu Freedom Fighters

The contribution of anti-colonial leaders from Tamil Nadu continues to inspire movements for justice and liberation worldwide. The legacy of Tamil Nadu’s independence struggle is marked by their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the cause. Their contributions were not limited to men alone, as women too played an integral role in the freedom movement.

The following bullet points highlight some of the contributions made by Tamil Nadu’s women freedom fighters:

• Women such as Rukmini Lakshmipathi, who was part of the Indian National Congress and fought against British rule alongside Mahatma Gandhi.
• Janaki Ammal, a noted botanist who used her knowledge to help India gain independence.
• K. Thimmakka, who was instrumental in organizing protests against British rule and also worked towards promoting education among rural communities.

Their contributions remain an important part of Tamil Nadu’s history and continue to inspire future generations. In recognizing the efforts made by these brave individuals, we can learn from their struggles towards achieving social justice and equality.

While there have been many challenges faced by Tamil Nadu freedom fighters during their fight for independence from colonial rule, they left behind a powerful legacy that serves as a reminder of what can be achieved through perseverance and determination. The commemoration and recognition of these heroes is crucial in preserving their memory for generations to come.

Commemoration and Recognition

The commemoration and recognition of Tamil Nadu freedom fighters involves the establishment of monuments and memorials, as well as the conferring of national awards and honours. Monuments and memorials serve as physical reminders of the contributions made by these brave individuals to India’s struggle for independence. National awards and honours acknowledge their sacrifices and celebrate their legacy in shaping Tamil Nadu’s political, social, and cultural landscape.

Monuments and Memorials

Monuments and memorials dedicated to Tamil Nadu freedom fighters have been established throughout the state as a way to honor their sacrifices and contributions to India’s independence movement. These structures serve as a reminder of the selflessness and bravery of those who fought for the country’s freedom. Here are some examples of such monuments:

• The Veerapandiya Kattabomman Memorial Fort in Tirunelveli district, which commemorates the life of Kattabomman , one of the first Indian rulers to oppose British rule
• The VOC Park and Zoo in Coimbatore, named after Veerapandiya Kattabomman’s ally V.O. Chidambaram Pillai
• The Anna Samadhi located on Chennai’s Marina Beach, which is dedicated to C.N. Annadurai, a prominent leader during Tamil Nadu’s anti-Hindi agitation
• The Mahatma Gandhi Mandapam in Madurai, which houses a permanent exhibition about Gandhi and his role in India’s freedom struggle
• The Periyar Memorial House in Erode district, where social reformer Periyar E.V. Ramasamy lived

These monuments not only pay tribute to these heroes but also provide an opportunity for visitors to learn more about their lives and legacies.

As we move towards our next subtopic about national awards and honours given to Tamil Nadu freedom fighters, it is important to note that these monuments and memorials not only serve as symbols of remembrance but also inspire future generations with their stories of courage and sacrifice.

National Awards and Honours

Monuments and memorials serve as tangible reminders of the sacrifices made by Tamil Nadu’s freedom fighters. These structures stand tall in honor of those who fought for India’s independence. However, the legacy of these brave individuals does not end with these monuments alone. Many of them have been recognized and honored at a national level for their contributions to the country.

Tamil Nadu has produced several presidential awardees and Bharat Ratna recipients who have left an indelible mark on Indian history. The first president of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, awarded Subramanya Bharathi, a renowned poet and nationalist from Tamil Nadu, with the Sahitya Akademi Award posthumously in 1955. Another towering figure in Tamil Nadu’s fight for independence was C. Rajagopalachari, who served as the last Governor-General of India before it became a republic in 1950. He later went on to become India’s first Indian-born Governor-General after Independence and was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1954 for his services to independent India. These national awards are testament to the immense contribution that Tamil Nadu’s freedom fighters made towards securing our nation’s independence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What were V.O. Chidambaram Pillai’s personal beliefs and values?

V.O. Chidambaram Pillai was a prominent Indian freedom fighter whose contributions and ideologies had a significant impact on India’s struggle for independence. He believed in the power of self-reliance, economic empowerment, and non-violent resistance against British colonialism.

2. How did the Swadeshi Movement impact the economy of Tamil Nadu?

The Swadeshi movement had a significant impact on the economy of Tamil Nadu, particularly on agriculture and the role of women. It brought about changes in production techniques and increased participation of women in economic activities, leading to overall development.

3. What specific challenges did the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company face?

The Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company faced challenges such as lack of capital, competition from established European companies, and inadequate infrastructure. Despite these obstacles, the company had a significant impact on the Indian shipping industry and inspired nationalist sentiments.

4. Who were some of V.O.C.’s most important mentors or role models?

V.O.C.’s impact on Tamil Nadu’s independence movement was shaped by his exposure to various influences including the works of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Swami Vivekananda, and Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. These mentors inspired V.O.C. to embrace nationalism and advocate for Indian self-rule.

5. What efforts have been made to remember and honor Tamil Nadu freedom fighters in contemporary society?

To honor and remember Tamil Nadu freedom fighters, various memorial statues have been erected across the state and educational initiatives such as seminars, workshops, and research programs have been organized to spread awareness about their contributions to India’s struggle for independence.

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Tamil Nadu Freedom Fighters and their role in Independence Movement

Tamil Nadu has its own pride as it has a collection of well known Freedom Fighters from its state. Many freedom fighters have dedicated their life and served themselves for society towards Indian Independence Movement that was against the rule of British. This article will focus manily about the life history and struggle made by each freedom fighter on their behalf.Read more for further informations.

V.O Chidambaram Pillai

Veerapandiyan Kattabomman

Tirupur Kumaran

Subramanina Bharathi

Maruthu pandiyar

Dheeran Chinna malai

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TN Governor downplays Mahatma Gandhi's role in freedom struggle, credits fire sparked by Netaji

CHENNAI: Governor RN Ravi created a flutter on Tuesday by calling the Indian independence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi a non-event after 1942. Rather, it was the fire sparked by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose among Indian soldiers in the British army and navy that led to a revolt and caused the invaders to leave India in 1947, he said.

Ravi was speaking at an event held at Anna University to commemorate the 127th birth anniversary of Netaji. His remarks drew flak from the Congress and CPI.

Ravi also said the national freedom movement has not been given enough attention in Tamil Nadu, despite a large number of people from the state having sacrificed their lives with Netaji. "There are a large number of people from this land who gave their life for the freedom of the country and many did it along with Netaji. So, it is natural to expect we have Netaji chairs in our universities and much more. But the fact is that Netaji has not been adequately projected and understood," he said.

He also praised Netaji for being a visionary for commissioning a battalion of women even though it took seven decades for independent India to induct women in combat roles in the army. He added that Netaji's contribution didn't end with the disbanding of the Indian National Army. "When World War II began, the non-cooperation movement by the Indian National Congress fizzled out. We were fighting among ourselves as the Muslim League led by Mohamed Ali Jinnah wanted separation. There was no worthwhile resistance to British rule after 1942," said Ravi.

He claimed it was Netaji's army Azad Hind Sarkar (government in exile) led by an able commander that fought the British on the ground and defeated them in their strongholds. "This ignited a fire within all Indian soldiers in the British army and navy. Soldiers in the navy took control of warships and the whole royal navy was paralysed," he said. He added that this forced the British to leave India as they realised they weren't safe in India. He also urged intellectuals in Tamil Nadu to research more on Netaji.

Leaders of the Congress and CPI strongly denounced the Governor for his remarks downplaying Mahatma Gandhi's role in India's independence.

In a press statement, TNCC president KS Alagiri asserted that the Governor has consistently made false claims, undermining Tamil culture and displaying a hostile attitude towards Tamils. Alagiri expressed deep concern over Ravi's statement against Mahatma Gandhi, emphasising that such comments diminish the significance of Gandhi's contributions to the nation's struggle for independence and that the soul of freedom fighters wouldn't forgive him. He further said that the people of Tamil Nadu won't accept his words.

Similarly, CPI State Secretary R Mutharasan and Congress Assembly Floor Leader K Selvaperunthagai also voiced their condemnation of Governor RN Ravi's controversial statements on Mahatma Gandhi.

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Padmasani ammal.

Madurai, Tamil Nadu

June 28, 2022

Padmasani Ammal was born in Madurai in 1897. Her father Srivilliputtur Sundararaja Iyangar sent her to a girls’ school. She was married at the age of 10 and sent to her father-in-law’s house at the age of 15. Her husband Srinivasa Varadan was a Tamil pandit in a pathshala at Manamadurai. To take part in the freedom movement, Srinivasa Varadan left his job to join as the reporter and manager of the Desabaktan and Navasakthi magazines in Madurai. The couple jointly sang the songs of Subramaniya Bharathi to propagate the freedom movement. They actively participated in the Khadi movement and started producing spinning wheels at Madurai. They joined the Sri Bharatha Ashram founded by Subramaniyam Siva and even maintained it in the absence of Siva, whenever he was imprisoned. In 1922, Srinivasa Varadan was arrested for a protest to ban liquor shops in Madurai. Padmasani met him at the police station and promised him that she would continue his job. She joined the Congress and attended the Madras Presidency Conference at Tirupur as the representative of Madurai. She refused to take the money given by Congress from the Jamunalal Bajaj fund for freedom fighters. After the release of her husband from jail they both again started their journey of freedom fighting by travelling to every nook and corner of Tamil Nadu. They spent their time propagating the freedom movement through songs and dramas written by Bharathi, Namakkal Ramalingam Pillai, and Subramaniyam Siva. She delivered vigorous speeches in meetings conducted in 1924 by Dr. Varadarajulu Naidu at Kovilpatti, T.V. Kalyanasundaram at Kulithalai, and Rajaji at Aypadi. She and her husband took part in the Congress conference held at Belgaum, presided over by Gandhiji, as the representatives of Tamil Nadu. She spent many years in jail for participating in the salt satyagraha, prohibition movement, and protest before the foreign goods shops.

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TN to publish list of Tamil freedom fighters’ contribution to freedom struggle

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said that the state will work on publishing a list of ‘Freedom Fighters’ and their contribution to the Indian Freedom struggle during the Independence Day address on Sunday, August 15. The document will be published both in English and Tamil for wider reach among the people. Stalin said that though it's been 75 years since we have achieved freedom from British rule, freedom fighters and leaders from Tamil Nadu contributed to the struggle that began 150 years ago. He also announced that the government will increase the monthly pension for freedom fighters to Rs 18,000 from Rs 17,000 and the family pension will be increased to Rs 9,000 from Rs 8,500.

Meanwhile a pillar at Kamarajar Salai was also inaugurated by CM Stalin, which was constructed for the Independence Day celebration. Stalin said that the pillar was constructed to signify the struggle of freedom fighters and Tamil Nadu will conduct a grand ceremony celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of freedom fighter VO Chidambaram.

Further, Stalin said that renovation of Gandhi Memorial Museum will be conducted with Rs 6 crore to garner more public attention, especially youngsters. It is to be noted that Tamil Nadu holds a long connection with Gandhi, which began during his days in South Africa.

Stalin also pointed to former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s crucial role in suggesting that CMs of states be allowed to hoist the national flag on Independence Day and Republic Day. Karunanidhi, who is Stalin’s father, had made the suggestion to the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1973.

Stalin also spoke about completing 100 days after assuming charge as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and detailed the vital and prompt steps taken by the government to tackle the raging second COVID-19 wave.

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இந்திய சுதந்திரப் போராட்டம் - தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைநிமிரச் செய்த விடுதலைப் போராளிகள்!

இந்திய சுதந்திரப் போராட்டத்தில் தமிழ்நாட்டின் பங்கு குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது. அதில் பங்கேற்று அளப்பரிய தியாகங்களைச் செய்தவர்கள் ஏராளம்.

இந்திய சுதந்திரப் போராட்டத்தில் தமிழ்நாட்டின் பங்கு குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது. அதில் பங்கேற்று அளப்பரிய தியாகங்களைச் செய்தவர்கள் ஏராளம். அவர்களில் கேப்டன் லட்சுமி, பரலி சு.நெல்லையப்பர், மாயாண்டி பாரதி ஆகியோரின் தியாகம் குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

அவர்கள் குறித்து விரிவாகப் பார்ப்போம்!

கேப்டன் லட்சுமி!

நேதாஜி சுபாஷ் சந்திரபோஸ் தலைமையிலான இந்திய தேசிய ராணுவத்தின் பெண்கள் பிரிவான ஜான்சி ராணி படைக்குத் தலைமை தாங்கியவர் கேப்டன் லட்சுமி. இவர், சென்னையில் பிறந்தவர். இவர் பெயர் லட்சுமி சாகல். ஜான்சி ராணி படைக்குத் தலைமை தாங்கியதால், கேப்டன் லட்சுமி ஆனார். 1938-ம் ஆண்டு சென்னை மருத்துவக் கல்லூரியில் எம்.பி.பி.எஸ் படித்தார். சுதந்திரப் போராட்டம் தீவிரமடைந்த சூழலில், அவர் குடும்பமும் சுதந்திரப் போராட்டத்தில் இறங்கியது. 26 வயது நடந்துகொண்டிருந்தபோது, அவர் சிங்கப்பூருக்குச் சென்றுவிட்டார். அங்கு சுபாஷ் சந்திரபோஸைச் சந்தித்தார். அந்தச் சந்திப்பு அவரின் வாழ்க்கையை மாற்றியது.

ஆசியாவில் தொடங்கப்பட்ட முதல் பெண்கள் படை என்ற பெருமை, ஜான்சி ராணி படைக்கு உண்டு. சிங்கப்பூரில் 500 பெண்களைத் தேர்வுசெய்து ஜான்சி ராணி படை ஆரம்பிக்கப்பட்டது. பின்னர், மலேசியாவிலிருந்தும் ஏராளமான பெண்கள் ஆர்வத்துடன் அதில் சேர்ந்தனர்.

1944-ம் ஆண்டு, சிங்கப்பூரில் பயிற்சி பெற்ற ஜான்சி ராணி படையைச் சேர்ந்த பெண்கள், பர்மாவை நோக்கிப் பயணமானார்கள். பர்மாவிலிருந்து டெல்லியை நோக்கிச் செல்வது அவர்களின் திட்டமாக இருந்தது. அந்தப் பயணத்தில் கேப்டன் லட்சுமி யும் படையில் இருந்த பெண்களும் பல இன்னல்களை எதிர்கொண்டனர்.

அந்தப் பயணத்தின்போது, இம்பாலில் இருந்த கேப்டன் லட்சுமியை ஆங்கிலேயே ராணுவம் கைதுசெய்தது. 1945-ம் ஆண்டு, மே மாதம் கைதுசெய்யப்பட்ட அவர், 1946-ம் ஆண்டு மார்ச் மாதம் வரை பர்மா காடுகளில் சிறைவைக்கப்பட்டார். பிற்காலத்தில், இந்திய தேசிய ராணுவத்தில் முக்கிய நபராக இருந்த கர்னல் பிரேம் குமார் சாகலை அவர் திருமணம் செய்துகொண்டார். பிற்காலத்தில், உத்தரப்பிரதேச மாநிலம், கான்பூரில் மருத்துவ சேவையை ஆரம்பித்த கேப்டன் லட்சுமி, கடைசிக்காலம் வரையிலும் தமிழ்நாட்டுடன் தொடர்பில் இருந்தார்.

பரலி சு.நெல்லையப்பர்!

திருநெல்வேலி மாவட்டம், பரலியைச் சேர்ந்தவர் சுதந்திரப் போராட்ட வீரரான பரலி சு.நெல்லையப்பர். வ.உ.சிதம்பரனார், சுப்பிரமணிய சிவா, பாரதியார், நீலகண்ட பிரம்மச்சாரி, அரவிந்தர், வ.வே.சுஐயர் உள்ளிட்ட விடுதலைப் போராட்ட வீரர்களுடன் நெருங்கிப் பழகியவர். ஆங்கிலேயர்களின் வீடுகளில் வேலை செய்துகொண்டிருந்த சலவைத் தொழிலாளர்கள், சமையல்காரர்கள் உட்பட அனைவரையும் திரட்டி வ.உ.சிதம்பரனார் நடத்திய போராட்டத்தில் ஈடுபடுத்திய நெல்லையப்பரின் பங்கு முக்கியமானது.

1908-ம் ஆண்டு, மார்ச் 3-ம் தேதி விடுதலைப் போராட்ட வீரர் பிபின் சந்திரபால் விடுதலை செய்யப்பட்டதைக் கொண்டாடுவதற்காக காவல்துறையினரின் தடையை மீறி தூத்துக்குடியில் சுப்பிரமணிய சிவாவுடன் இணைந்து வ.உ.சிதம்பரனார் ஊர்வலம் நடத்தினார். அந்த ஊர்வலத்தில் பரலி சு.நெல்லையப்பர் பங்கெடுத்தார்.

கப்பல் கம்பெனி நடத்தியது, ஊர்வலம் சென்றது, `வந்தே மாதரம்’ என முழக்கமிட்டது ஆகிய குற்றங்களுக்காக வ.உ.சிதம்பரனாரும், சுப்பிரமணிய சிவாவும் கைதுசெய்யப்பட்டு பாளையங்கோட்டைச் சிறையில் அடைக்கப்பட்டனர். அதற்கு கண்டனக் கூட்டம் நடத்துவதற்கான துண்டறிக்கைகளை வெளியிட்டார் நெல்லையப்பர். அதற்காக அவரைக் காவல்துறை கைதுசெய்தது. நீதிமன்றம் ஒரு மாதம் சிறைத் தண்டனை விதித்தது. அவர் பாளையங்கோட்டை சிறையில் வ.உ.சிதம்பரனார், சுப்பிரமணிய சிவா ஆகியோருடன் அடைக்கப்பட்டார்.

1930-ம் ஆண்டு வேதாரண்யத்தில் நடைபெற்ற உப்புச் சத்தியாகிரகத்தில் கலந்துகொண்டதற்காக ஆறு மாதங்கள் சிறைத் தண்டனை பெற்றார். 1932-ம் ஆண்டு மகாத்மா காந்தியடிகளின் கட்டளையை ஏற்று சென்னை சிந்தாதிரிப்பேட்டையில் கள்ளுக்கடை மறியல், அந்நியத் துணிக்கடை முன்பு ஆர்ப்பாட்டம் ஆகிய போராட்டங்களைத் தலைமையேற்று நடத்தினார். 1941-ம் ஆண்டு நடைபெற்ற தனிநபர் சத்தியாகிரகப் போராட்டத்தில் கலந்துகொண்டார். அதற்காக பெல்லாரி சிறையில் ஆறு மாதங்கள் அவர் அடைக்கப்பட்டார்.

1912-ம் ஆண்டு டிசம்பர் மாதம் விடுதலைபெற்ற வ.உ.சிதம்பரனார், சென்னை சிந்தாரிப்பேட்டையில் குடியேறினார். அவரைச் சந்திப்பதற்காக சென்னைக்குச் சென்ற நெல்லையப்பர், சிறிது காலம் வ.உ.சிதம்பரனார் வீட்டில் தங்கினார். பிறகு குரோம்பேட்டையில் குடியேறிய அவர், இறுதிக்காலம் வரை அங்கு வசித்தார்.

மாயாண்டி பாரதி!

ஏறினால் ரயில் இறங்கினால் ஜெயில் என்பதுதான் சுதந்திரப் போராட்ட வீரர் ஐ.மாயாண்டி பாரதியின் வாழ்க்கையாக இருந்தது. மதுரையைச் சேர்ந்த இவர், பொதுவுடைமைச் சிந்தனையாளராகவும், செயற்பாட்டாளராகவும் தீவிரமாகச் செயல்பட்டவர். 1941-ம் ஆண்டு மதுரை ஹார்வி மில் தொழிலாளர் போராட்டத்தில் கலந்துகொண்டதற்காகக் கைதுசெய்யப்பட்டு சிறையிலடைக்கப்பட்டார்.

1941-ம் ஆண்டு கோயமுத்தூர் சிறையில் இருந்தபோது, கம்யூனிஸ்ட் தலைவர்களான ஜமத்கனி, வி.பி.சிந்தன், கே.ஏ. தாமோதரன் ஆகியோரை மாயாண்டி பாரதி சந்தித்தார். அவர்கள் நடத்திய மார்க்சிய வகுப்பால் ஈர்க்கப்பட்டு, பொதுவுடைமைக் கட்சியில் சேர்ந்தார். தண்டனைக் காலம் முடிந்து 1942-ம் ஆண்டு ஜூலை மாதம் விடுதலையான பிறகு, மதுரையில் இந்திய கம்யூனிஸ்ட் கட்சியின் செயலாளர் ஆனார்.

1942-ம் ஆண்டு நடைபெற்ற ஆகஸ்ட் புரட்சிப் போராட்டத்தில் கலந்துகொண்டதால் மீண்டும் அவர் சிறையில் அடைக்கப்பட்டார். அவர் சிறையில் இருந்தபோது, அவரின் அம்மா காலமானார். சிறையிலிருந்து அனுப்புவதற்கு ஆங்கிலேயே அரசு மறுத்துவிட்டதால், தன் அம்மாவின் இறுதி நிகழ்ச்சியில்கூட அவரால் கலந்துகொள்ள முடியாமல் போனது. பின்னர் தண்டனை முடிந்து 1944-ம் ஆண்டு அவர் விடுதலையானார்.

சுதந்திரப் போராட்டத்தின்போது ஏராளமான போராட்டங்களில் பங்கேற்று சிறைக்குச் சென்ற மாயாண்டி பாரதி, இந்திய விடுதலைக்குப் பின்னரும் போராடி சிறைக்குச் சென்றார். பல ஆண்டுகள் தலைமறைவு வாழ்க்கை வாழ்ந்தார். ஆங்கிலேயரிடம் இருந்த தொழில்களையும், சொத்துகளையும் நாட்டுடைமையாக்க வேண்டும் என்று இந்திய கம்யூனிஸ்ட் கட்சி நடத்திய போராட்டங்களில் அவர் கலந்துகொண்டார். அதற்காக, 1948-ம் ஆண்டு கைதுசெய்யப்பட்டார். சுதந்திர இந்தியாவிலும் மக்கள் பிரச்னைகளுக்காகப் பல போராட்டங்களை நடத்தியவர் மாயாண்டி பாரதி.

`இலவச மின்சாரம் பாதிக்கும்’ Vs `கம்பிகட்டும் கதைகள்'... மின்சார மசோதாவுக்கு எதிர்ப்பும் பதிலும்!

அஞ்சலை அம்மாள்.

கடலூரில் ஓர் எளிய குடும்பத்தில் 1890-ம் ஆண்டு பிறந்தவர் அஞ்சலை அம்மாள். காந்தியின் ஒத்துழையாமை இயக்கத்தில் கலந்துகொண்டு சுதந்திரப் போராட்ட வீரராகக் களமாடியவர். `ஒத்துழையாமை இயக்கத்தில் பங்கேற்ற தென்னிந்தியாவின் முதல் பெண்மணி’ என்ற சிறப்பும் இவருக்கு உண்டு. தன் குடும்பச் சொத்துகளாக இருந்த நிலங்களையும் வீட்டையும் விற்று, அந்தப் பணத்தை நாட்டின் விடுதலைப் போராட்டத்துக்காகச் செலவுசெய்தார்.

1927-ம் ஆண்டு நீலன் சிலை அகற்றும் போராட்டத்தில் தன் ஒன்பது வயது மகள் அம்மாகண்ணுவுடன் கலந்துகொண்டார். அதில் கைதுசெய்யப்பட்டு தன் குழந்தையுடன் அவர் சிறைக்குச் சென்றார். சிறையில் இருந்த அஞ்சலை அம்மாள், அம்மாக்கண்ணு ஆகியோரை காந்தி சந்தித்தார். அம்மாக்கண்ணுவின் பெயரை லீலாவதி என்று மறுபெயரிட்டு வார்தா ஆசிரமத்துக்கு காந்தி அழைத்துச் சென்றார்.

1932-ம் ஆண்டு ஒரு போராட்டத்தில் கலந்துகொண்டதற்காக கைதுசெய்யப்பட்டு வேலூர் சிறையில் அவர் அடைக்கப்பட்டார். அந்த நேரத்தில் அவர் கர்ப்பமாக இருந்ததால் ஜாமீனில் விடுவிக்கப்பட்டார். அவருக்கு ஆண் குழந்தை பிறந்தது. ஆனால் இரண்டு வாரங்களுக்குள் அஞ்சலை மீண்டும் வேலூர் சிறைக்கு அனுப்பப்பட்டார். ஒருமுறை காந்தி கடலூருக்கு வந்தபோது அஞ்சலை அம்மாளைச் சந்திக்க முயன்றார். ஆனால், அஞ்சலை அம்மாளை காந்தி சந்திப்பதற்கு ஆங்கிலேயே அரசு அனுமதிக்கவில்லை. நாடு விடுதலையடைந்த பிறகு, மூன்று முறை சட்டமன்ற உறுப்பினராக அஞ்சலையம்மாள் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டார்.

அந்தமான் தீவுகள்: இந்திய சுதந்திரப் போராட்டத்தின் பலிபீடமாக உருவானது எப்படி?

• mahatma gandhi
• freedom fighter
• Independence Day 2022
• 75th Year of Independence Day of India

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Role of Women in Freedom Struggle Tnpsc

This article is written for Tnpsc for the topic ‘ role of women in freedom struggle Tnpsc’ .

Table of Contents

Women Freedom Fighters of Tamilnadu

Velunachiyar (1730–1796) and kuyili.

Velunachiyar was born to royalty, she was well-versed in English, French, and Urdu and good in martial arts.

She was married to Raja of Sivagangai, Muthu Vadugar at the age of 16. Muthu Vadugar was killed by Nawab of Arcot and company troops under the command of Lt.Col.BonJour, and Sivagangai was captured.

With the help of Gopala Nayakar and Hyder Ali, Velunachiyar recaptured Sivagangai. Velunachiyar is the first ruler or queen to resist the British.

Another woman, Kuyili, a friend of Velunachiyar led a women’s soldiers, did a suicide attack by setting herself on fire and destroying all the ammunition.

Annie Besant

She was the first woman president of the Indian National Congress and she was responsible for the launch of the Home Rule movement.

Anjalai Ammal

In 1921, she took part in the Non-Cooperation movement, Neil Statue Satyagraha, Salt Satyagraha, and the Quit India Movement. She was nicknamed South India’s Jhansi Rani.

Other famous female freedom fighters of Tamilnadu are Supriya Cherian, Rukmini Lakshmipathi, Krishnammal Jagannathan, etc.

Women Freedom Fighters in other parts of India

Sarala debi.

She created an organization or group of activists ‘Bharat Stree Mahamandal’ in the year 1910 and combined Hindu revivalism with political protest.

Sarala Devi Chaudhurani founded ‘ Bharat Stree Mahamandal ‘ in 1910 in Allahabad. It was a women’s organization, and its primary goal is to promote female education.

She opened several branches all over the Indian Subcontinent such as Lahore, Karachi, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, Amritsar, Bankura, Midnapur, Hazaribagh, and Bankura.

This organization tried to improve the situation of women, which was very bad at that time.

Margret Cousins

Margret Cousins launched the Women’s India Association and also drafted the Indian Women’s voting rights bill.

Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu also called Nightingale of India, became president of the Indian National Congres and also emerged as an important freedom fighter.

Rashtriya Stree Sanghas

Sarojini Naidu established the independent body Rashtriya Stree Sanghas which joined with district congress committees and that saw the inclusion of women from all sections of the society including Windows.

Abadi Bano Begum

Abadi Bano Begum, also known as Bi Amma, is the mother of the Ali brothers. She addressed women to join men in picketing.

Also, she made thousands of Devadasi hear Gandhi’s speech.

Katherine Mayo

An American writer, who wrote the book ‘Mother India’. Criticized the Hindu men for treating women like a slave and made the Nationalists and reformers focus on Women.

Sarojini Naidu, Muthulaxmi Reddy, and Margret Cousin were imprisoned for participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Durgavati Devi helped Bhagat Singh escape after the Saunders Killing and she was part Hindustan Socialist Republican Association , and also took part in armed rebellion.

Kalpana Dutt of the Indian republican army led an armed rebellion along with Surya Sen in Bengal. Kalpana Dutt and Pritilata Waddedar attacked European Club in Chittagong in 1931.

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