Title: The First Freedom Fighter – King Veera Alagumuthu Konar (1728 – 18.11.1757)
Author: Madurai K. Rajeshkanna
Birth Anniversary (State Celebration):
On July 11, the Tamil Nadu Government declared the birthday of King Veera Alagumuthu Konar (1728 – 18.11.1757) as a State Government function.
Introduction:
King Veera Alagumuthu Konar was the first Indian ruler to resist the British, and he prevented other local Palayakarars from paying tribute to the East India Company.
Biographical Details:
• Name: Veera Alagumuthu Konar
• Born: 1728 C.E.
• Martyred: 18.11.1757 C.E.
• Parents: King Alagumuthu Konar & Queen Alagumuthammal
• Clan: Aayar (Yadava)
• Gotra: Krishna Gotra
• Family Titles: Vanaraveerar, Vanathirayar, Miladudaiyar, Servaikkarar
• Birthplace: Royal Palace of Kattalankulam, Tirunelveli Seemai (present-day Thoothukudi), Tamil Nadu
Coronation and Rule (1750 – 1757):
After the martyrdom of his father King Alagumuthu Konar in the Anumanthakudi War, Veera Alagumuthu Konar ascended the throne of Kattalankulam at age 22 in the year 1750. Like his ancestors, he provided refuge and protection to those who trusted him.
First Tax Resistance (Feb – May 1755):
Kattalankulam’s valorous heritage empowered the Ettayapuram Palayam to rise as a mighty force second only to the Madurai Nayaks in southern Tamil Nadu. Ettayapuram and its surrounding Palayams respected and obeyed the Kattalankulam king.
The British saw this as an opportunity: if they could subdue the dominant Ettayapuram, they could easily enslave the smaller Palayams. They sent a demand for tribute to Ettayapuram.
Jagaveera Rama Ettappan, ruler of Ettayapuram, convened a meeting and sought the advice of his friend King Veera Alagumuthu Konar. The Kattalankulam king, joined by his brother Chinna Alagumuthu Konar and six generals, convened a war council.
The Ettayapuram advisors preferred to avoid war, arguing the tax amount was minor. But King Veera Alagumuthu Konar strongly rejected the idea:
“Even if the tribute is small, paying it once makes us slaves forever. If we yield, others will easily fall too. Slavery will sink into our blood.”
Jagaveera Rama Ettappan stood with him.
Refusing the British demand, they sent a rejection letter. Despite repeated demands, the reply remained the same.
British Attacks Begin:
The British incited local traitors to initiate attacks, all of which were thwarted by King Veera Alagumuthu Konar. Eventually, the British began a full-fledged military campaign with the help of the Arcot Nawab’s brother Mahfuz Khan and Yusuf Khan.
Invading Forces:
• 500 European Soldiers (Madras European Regiment)
• 2000 Native Soldiers
• Cannons, Guns, Ammunition
They marched toward Tirunelveli under the command of Colonel Alexander Heron.
Heron dispatched troops under Captain Lee, Bahxie, and Yusuf Khan to Ettayapuram from Tirunelveli. They set up camp in Wellarum (Wresth) and again demanded tribute.
King Veera Alagumuthu Konar fearlessly refused, even when faced with British cannons and firepower.
Chinna Alagumuthu Konar’s Martyrdom (1755):
A fierce battle broke out. Chinna Alagumuthu Konar led a deadly counterattack with his sword, decimating British lines. Surrounded, he still fought fiercely.
During temple defense, Yusuf Khan shot him in the arm. The British captured him using iron chains, and Yusuf Khan beheaded him with his sword.
Chinna Alagumuthu Konar attained martyrdom at the Perumal Temple gate, offering his final breath to the deity. His death shattered the Ettayapuram army.
King Veera Alagumuthu Konar, after evacuating Jagaveera Rama Ettappan to the Perunazhi forest, returned to Kattalankulam with his brother’s body and performed the funeral rites.
Betrayal and Power Grab by Traitors:
• Boothalapuram Ettappan (April 1755): Met with the British at Wellarum, paid Rs.70,000 tribute, and took control of Ettayapuram under British authority.
• Kurumalai Durai Ettappan (May 1756): Seized power with British help. Boothalapuram Ettappan, arrested for misdeeds, was imprisoned and later killed in Madurai jail.
War Camp in Perunazhi Forest:
King Veera Alagumuthu Konar built a fort and temple in the Perunazhi forest, increasing strength and morale.
Jagaveera Rama Ettappan, distressed by the betrayal, passed away in 1756, entrusting his son Kumar Ettappan to the Kattalankulam king, who appointed him heir with the ceremonial sword.
Battle of PethaNayakkanur (18.11.1757):
King Veera Alagumuthu Konar formed an army with six generals, loyal relatives from several villages (Mandikkulam, Marthanadampatti, Maviloadai, etc.) and camped at Pethan Nayakkanur Fort.
Yusuf Khan, advised by traitors like Sivashankaran Pillai, launched a surprise midnight cannon attack.
Despite fierce resistance, the British overwhelmed the fort. Veera Alagumuthu Konar ensured the safety of PethaNayakkan’s family and then led from the front.
During intense combat, his loyal horse died shielding him. Wounded by a musket, he still fought with his sword. Eventually, he was captured with iron chains.
The six generals surrendered to protect him. The battlefield was strewn with fallen heroes.
Martyrdom by Cannon Fire (18.11.1757):
248 captured Aayar warriors and the king were chained and brought to Nadukaattur. The British aimed to destroy their legacy.
Yusuf Khan offered pardon and land if the king betrayed his own. The king refused.
As punishment, the British severed the right hands of all 248 soldiers. The king and his six generals were placed before a cannon.
With defiant pride and a fearless smile, they faced their death.
“Even our horses do not fear your cannons,” shouted the soldiers.
The cannon fired. King Veera Alagumuthu Konar and his generals became immortal martyrs.
List of Martyrs (18.11.1757):
• King Veera Alagumuthu Konar
• Ketchilanan Konar
• Muthualagu Konar
• Venkateshwara Ettukonar
• Jegaveera Rettukonar
• Muthirulan Konar
• Mayilupillai Konar
Conclusion:
The martyrdom of these warriors planted the seed of freedom. A hundred years before 1857, India’s first war of independence had already begun.
First Freedom Fighter of India: King Veera Alagumuthu Konar (1728 – 18.11.1757)
📝 Note
This article is the result of decades of field research, travel, and collaboration with local historians by Madurai K. Rajeshkanna.
It revives the forgotten history of South India’s first resistance against British colonialism.
