The first freedom fighter of India maaveeran Sundaralingam was born on 16.04.1771 to Kaladi – Mutharuli in Governagiri Village near Panchalankurichi, Tuticorin district. Shanmuga Vadivu is his fiancée.
Once during his early adulthood, the Ettayapuram maharaja’s private farm land had its water supplied from nearby Kanmai (Vast spans of open water storage systems) the water of which also flowed to the farms in Governagiri. Due to the shortage of water to his farms, he ordered his soldiers to close the channel leading to Governagiri.
When the soldiers arrived in Governagiri, they faced stiff resistance only from Sundaralingam and his friends among many other helpless people. Yet the resistance they faced were so powerful that they were left with no other choice but to retreat.
This act was brought to the knowledge of the king of Panchalankurichi Veerapandiya Kattabomman. He made Sundaralingam brought to a single house in while Sundaralingam was awaiting Kattaboman’s arrival; all he got was two visitors. The visitors said that they had come to loot the house and made an offer to Sundaralingam and told him that a share would be given if he helped them. Sundaralingam became furious and opposed the thieves fiercely. The thieves were left with no choice but to reveal their disguise. They were no one but the Veerapandiyan and his Secretary Thanapathi Pillai who had come to the test the reliability of Sundaralingam and in which he passed with flying colors. Sundaralingam was made the general of Veerapandiyan Kattabomman’s army.
When many Kings payed heed to the British East Indian company’s demands, Veerapandiya Kattabomman opposed and waged a war against the British a responsibility shouldered by the then general of his, Sundaralingam.
In 5.9.1799, the British forces without any Prior notice surrounded the Panchalankurichi Fort, but Sundaralingam did not back off knowing the possible outcome of the situation. Not many knew that he himself had a devious plan to put an end to the British plans of destroying the Panchalankurichi Fort.
That night Sundaralingam’s fiancée Vadivu was driving he herd of goats near the ammunition dump of the British army, hidden among the goats was Sundaralingam covered in a blanket made of wool. When they approached the ammunition dump, Sundaralingam was spotted by a British Soldier and raised the alarm.
Sundaralingam did not waste a minute in thinking about his future, he grabbed the fire torch from Vadivu’s hand and jumped into the ammunition dump to make the life together after death, they together blew the ammunition dump sky high. The thunderous explosions were heard miles across the area sending the British army running for cover. There they became the first ever known Human Bomb and were etched into history for eternity in 8.9.1799.
The Birth Anniversary of Veeran Sundaralinganar is celebrated annually on 16th April in Governagiri, Tuticorin district by the Government of Tamil Nadu.
The second freedom fighter of India, Maaveeran. Venni Kalatiyar (வென்னிக் காலாடியார்) from Nelkattum seval, Sankarankoil taluk, Tirunelveli district, Tamilnadu. He belongs to Devendrakula velalar community. He was acted as a brave warrior and an excellent Commander of Pulithevan Palayakarar. More than 500 British soldiers killed by vennikalatiyar (single man) at the period of 1750-1808, this event was the great revolution of indian freedom fight. Here, “Nelkattum Seval” literally translates to “Rice tribute paying place”.
