VI. Answer in detail
1. Attempt an essay of the heroic fight Veerapandya Kattabomman conducted against the East India Company.
• On the death of Jagavira Pandya, his son Kattabomman became the palayakkarar.
• Conflicts arose between Kattabomman and the East India Company.
• The collectors who had been appointed to collect taxes, humiliated the palayakkarars and adopted forces to collect taxes. This was the bone of contention between the English and Kattabomman.
Confrontation with Jackson:
• Collector Jackson ordered Kattabomman to meet him in Ramanathapuram.
• In the interview with the collector at Ramanathapuram, he was ill-treated.
• When Kattabomman felt that he was in danger, he escaped with the help of Oomathurai.
• At the gate of the Ramanathapuram fort, there was a clash in which some people including Lieut. Clarke were killed.
Confederacy of Palayakkarars:
South Indian Confederacy was formed by Marudhu Pandyan. Kattabomman joined this confederacy against the wish of the British. Marudhu brothers and Kattabomman decided on a confrontation with the English. Kattabomman's effort to bring the palayakkarar into the confederacy irritated the British. So the army was sent to Tirunelveli under Bannerman.
The siege of Panchalamkurichi:
On 1 September 1799, the British issued an ultimatum to Kattabomman to surrender. As Kattabomman gave an evasive reply Bannerman moved his entire army to Panchalamkurichi on 5th September. When the fort was attached Kattabomman escaped to Pudukottai.
Betrayal of rajas of Ettayapuram and Pudukottai:
The British put a prize on Kattabomman's head. Because of the betrayal of rajas of Ettayapuram and Pudukottai Kattabomman was captured.
Execution of Kattabomman:
The trail on Kattabomman was held in front of the palayakkarars. Kattabomman was insulted by Bannerman. Kattabomman admitted all the charges levelled against him. Finally he was hanged to death at Kayathar.
2. Highlight the tragic fall of Sivagangai and its outcome.
• In 1801 Marudhu brothers issued a proclamation of independence which is called Tiruchirappalli proclamation.
• Many palayakkarars united against the British.
• The British got the support from Bengal, Ceylon and Malaya. Rajas of Pudukottai and Ettayapuram also supported the British. The divide and rule policy of the British split the forces of the palayakkarars.
Fall of Sivagangai:
• The rebels were defeated by the English forces at Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli, Piranmalai and Kalayarkoil.
• The rebels could not withstand the superior military strength and the able commanders of the English.
• The rebellion failed and Sivagangai was annexed in 1801.
Result:
• Marudhu brothers were executed in the fort of Tirupathur.
• Oomathurai and Sevathaiah were captured and beheaded.
• Seventy three rebels were exiled to Penang in Malaya.
• The palayakkarars feii to the English. The rebellion was suppressed.
Carnatic Treaty, 1801:
• The Carnatic Treaty was signed in 1801.
• It led to the liquidation of local chieftains of Tamilnadu.
• The British assumed direct control over Tamilagam.
• The Palayakkarar system came to an end.
3. Account for the outbreak of Vellore Revolt in 1806.
• The British brought the districts of Salem, Dindigul and Coimbatore under their control.
• By the Treaty of 1801, the nawab of Arcot had to cede five districts to the British.
• The continuous resistance of little kings resulted in the Vellore revolt.
Causes of the revolt:
• There was a strong sense of resentment among the Indian sepoys over low salary and lack of promotion.
• The English officers did not respect the social and religious sentiments of Indian sepoys.
• Many of the sepoys' families were in dire economic straits.
• The family members of Tipu had been interned in Vellore fort.
New military regulations:
• The English commander John Cradock introduced many reforms in the army.
• The Indian soldiers were prohibited from smearing religious marks on their foreheads. They were ordered to shave their beard and trim their moustache.
• The new turban and the leather cockade created resentment among the soldiers.
Outbreak of the revolt:
• On 10 July 1806, in the early hours, the sepoys started the revolt.
• The first victim was Col. Fancourt. Next was Col. Mekerras. Within an hour nearly twelve English officers were killed.
Suppression of the revolt:
• Col. Gillespie reached the fort along with Captain Young.
• In the meantime the rebels proclaimed Fateh Hyder as their new ruler and hoisted the tiger flag of Tipu over the fort.
• However the British crushed the revolt. Hundreds of soldiers were killed.
