Maveeran Alagumuthu Kone

Maveeran Alagumuthu Kone (11 July 1710 – 19 July 1759) was the India's first freedom fighter, from Kattalankulam in Thoothukudi District, was an Indian polygar who revolted against the British presence. In Tamil Nadu he waged a war against the Presidency armies from 1750 - 1759.[1]

Maveeran Alagumuthu Kone
Alagumuthu Kone statue at Egmore
Born11 July 1710 (1710-07-11)
Kattalankulam, Thoothukudi
Died18 July 1759 (1759-07-19) (aged 49)
Nadukaatur, Arcot
Known forResistance to the British East India Company

Born into a Konar family, he became a military leader in the town of Ettayapuram and ruler of Kattalangulam, As military commander of Ettayapuram army.Chinna Alagumuthukone born in 1729. After the death of his father in 1750, the same year Alagumuthukone was crowned king. In 1750, the British warned the Kattalangulam and Ettayapuram Palayam to pay taxes. Alagumuthukone was furious with the report of the British. A consultative committee was held in Ettayapuram palace under the leadership of Jegaveerarama Ettappar, Chinna Alagumuthu Kone (his brother 1729–1755) and Alagumuthukone. In this, Alagumuthukone ordered that none of the villagers should pay taxes. He also sent a reply letter to the British government. It has been said that why should we pay taxes to the white man who came to do business in our country? He threatened that the heads of the British will roll on the soil of Kattalangulam if they come with the intention of collecting taxes. Shocked, the British government sent an English force to Kattalangulam in 1751. Alagumuthukon's soldiers who surrounded the British army that came to Kattalangulam cut down the British. With the help of chinna alagumuthukone kone, Alagumuthukone fought many battles against the British.

In 1755,the Alagumuthukone, the war force of Alagumuthukone along with the Travancore force fought against Colonel Eron Keran's army and won.[2] Alagumuthu kone was defeated in battle against the British and Maruthanayagam's forces in 1759. By Maruthanayaka's maneuver, Alagumuthukone stood smiling in front of the cannons and was blasted by the cannon and shattered into thousands of pieces.[3]

2015 postal stamp.

Legacy

In his memory, the government of Tamil Nadu conducts a Pooja ceremony every year on 11 July. A documentary film based on his life was released in 2012.[4][5]

As a tribute to Kone, the Government of India released a Postage Stamp featuring him on 26 December 2015.[4][6]

References
  1. "The Valour". Educreation Publishing. 2017. p. 113.
  2. "Thoothukudi District". University of California, Berkeley. 31 October 2019. p. 137.
  3. Sivarajah, Padmini (10 July 2015). "Section 144 to be imposed in Tuticorin district on freedom fighter's memorial day | Madurai News – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  4. "Tributes paid to Alagumuthu Kone". The Hindu. 12 July 2015. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  5. "P Chidambaram releases documentary film on Alagumuthu Kone | Madurai News – Times of India". The Times of India. 24 December 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  6. "Union Minister releases stamp to commemorate freedom fighter Veeran Alagumuthu Kone | Madurai News – The Hindu". The Hindu. 27 December 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2020.


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