Ondiveeran

Ondiveeran Pagadai (or Ondi Veeran) (died 20 August 1771)[1] was an Indian commander-in-chief in Puli thevar's army who fought against the British East India Company in Tamil Nadu.[2]

Ondiveeran Pagadai
Born
Nerkattumseval, Tirunelveli, British India
Died20 August 1771
NationalityIndian
OccupationWar Lord, Chieftain

Ondiveeran came from the Arunthathiyar community and is viewed by them as a hero. Pressure from the Arunthathiyars led the Government of Tamil Nadu to build a memorial to him in Tirunelveli district.[3] The community's efforts to obtain a monument included public protests.[4] The foundation stone for the memorial was laid in 2011.[5]

  • THE STORY OF ONDIVEERAN PAGADAI

After borrowing 20,000 rupees from the East India Company, Arcot Nawab handed over the right of getting tax over the kings of Tamil Nadu to the East India Company and so the company came to the state with their weapons and thousands of soldiers to get back their money. In the year 1755, camped at Thenmalai, the British chieftain sent a message to Poolithevan stating to pay the tax to the East India Company and failing to do so can provoke a war by the East India Company and to start the war by proving the Poolithevan's bravery, he must take the following things from the camp of The East India Company situated at Thenmalai in Nerkattan Sevvayal.

  • The personal sword of Arcot Nawab.
  • The personal horse of Arcot Nawab.
  • The war Drum of Arcot Nawab

These need to be taken while fighting with thousands of soldiers residing in the camp.

As Poolithevan was completely provoked and his chieftain took this as a challenge, the chieftain secretly galloped his horse to the camp and fought efficiently. Then he took the things that was mentioned in the message from The East India Company.

Then, Poolithevan was happy that he won, and because of the fight that happened before, the camp lost its armories and soldiers and had left the place to avoid further loss.

This made them to develop a grudge against the Poolithevan and his chieftain Ondiveeran. It resulted in the initiation of 11 wars successively. During one of the wars, the East India Company arrested Poolithevan from his fort situated at Vasutheva Nallur. He was beheaded. Then Ondiveeran was enthroned as the king and fought against them. He also took care of Poolithevan's family. At last, Ondiveeran fought 11 great wars against the East India Company and passed away out of injuries at the battlefield but still lead his army to victory.

He was able to penetrate into enemy's fort and made many heads rolling, and just made them run for their life. He was a brave warrior and a great commander-in-chief. Historically, he is the first person to fight a war against the British empire in India in 1755, which in other words, he is the first freedom fighter of India.

A book written by Poolithevan known as the "Poolithevan Sindu", states that Ondiveeran was very brave and a person who is very down to the earth. Despite the fact that he fought against the British empire bravely, he was never praised by the people of the country because of two main factors:

  • Due to lack of historical records about his personal life.
  • Discrimination based on caste by the people.

Ondiveeran belongs to the Arunthathiyar community which now comes under scheduled caste in the present day's India.

  • ORIGIN OF THE WORD " PAGADAI "

He also has a title known as "Pagadai" which basically translates to "Dice" in English.

The title was given to him because a die is thrown with an expectation in the mind of the doer and also the title bearer also sent to the war to win the war representing the Empire he belongs to.


Today, a temple has been built in the place where he had died and the people of that region maintain strict discipline within the premises of the temple.

References
  1. "Ondiveeran remembered". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  2. "'Garden of Classical Tamil' work to be taken up soon". The Hindu. 20 March 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  3. The Fire Against Untouchability.
  4. "CPM activists block road". The Hindu.
  5. Staff Reporter. "Foundation stone laid for memorial". The Hindu.
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