Guess the famous freedom fighter from Erode ???
Dheeran Chinnamalai (Tamil: மாவீரன் தீரன் சின்னமலை
born as Theerthagiri Sarkkarai Mandraadiyaar [Sarkkarai Mandraadiyaar
Refers Payiran Kulam] or Theerthagiri Gounder on April 17, 1756) was a
Kongu chieftain and Palayakkarar from Tamil Nadu who rose up in revolt
against the British East India Company in the Kongu Nadu, Southern
India. He was born in Melapalayam, near Erode in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
He was
one of the main leaders in the Polygar Wars and commanded a vast army,
notably during the Second Polygar War that took place in 1801–1802. A
thousand-strong army under him took French Military training in modern
warfare alongside Tipu's Mysore forces to fight against the British East
India company. They helped Tipu Sultan in his war against the British
and were instrumental in victories at Chitheswaram, Mazahavalli and
Srirangapatna. After Tipu's death, Chinnamalai settled down at Odanilai
in Kongu Nadu and constructed a fort there and defeated the British in
battles at Cauvery in 1801, Odanilai in 1802 and Arachalur in 1804.
Later, Chinnamalai left his fort to avoid cannon attack and engaged in
guerrilla warfare while he was stationed at Karumalai in the Palani
region. He was captured by the British who hanged him at Sankagiri Fort
on 31 July 1805 (Adiperukku day).
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