NotRani Lakshmi Bai, this was the 1st Indian queen to fight British
By iastoppers.com
Velu Nachiyar was the first Indian queen to actively fight against British rule in India, predating the famous Rani Lakshmi Bai and Kittur Queen Rani Chennamma.
Born in 1730 in Ramnathpuram, Velu Nachiyar was the princess of Ramanathapuram and the only child of Raja Chellamuthu Vijayaragunatha Sethupathy and Rani Sakandhimuthal.
She broke the norms of her time by undergoing extensive training in battle weapons and martial arts, including Valari, Silambam, horse riding, and archery.
Also known as ‘Veeramangai’ or ‘brave woman’ among Tamils, Velu Nachiyar was well-educated, and mastered languages such as Urdu, English, and French.
Her conflict with the British began after they, along with the army of the Nawab of Arcot's son, killed her husband, the King of Sivagangai.
After fleeing and seeking refuge for nearly eight years, Velu Nachiyar aligned with Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, to combat the British forces in 1780.
She ingeniously discovered and destroyed the British ammunition storage, significantly impacting the British military's operations.
Velu Nachiyar ruled Sivaganga until 1790, successfully keeping the British from conquering her kingdom during her lifetime.
Despite her significant contributions and bravery, Velu Nachiyar remains a relatively forgotten figure in the history of India's resistance against British colonization.