Question

Attempt an essay of the heroic fight Veerapandya Kattabomman conducted against the East India Company.

Answer 1

1. Veera Pandya Kattabomman became the Palayakkarar of Panchalamkurichi after the death of his father, Jagavira Pandya Kattabomman. The company administrators did not give him much importance. But soon several events led to the conflict between him and the East India Company.
2. The Company had gained the right to collect taxes from Panchalamkurichi. The Collectors adopted force to collect the taxes. This was the bone of contention between the English and Kattabomman.
3. When Kattabomman refused to pay the land revenue, he was asked to meet Jackson, the company official in Ramanathapuram where he had to stand for hours before the official. Kattabomman somehow escaped from there.
4. On his return to Panchalamkuruchi, Kattabomman represented to the Madras council about how he was ill-treated by the collector Jackson. The council asked Kattabomman to appear before a Committee with William Brown, William Oram, and John Casamajor as members. The committee found Kattabomman innocent and Jackson was dismissed from service.
5. Thereafter Kattabomman along with Marudhu Brothers confronted the English. Kattabomman was asked to surrender. But his ‘evasive reply’ prompted Major Bannerman to attack his fort. The major soon sieged Panchalamkuruchi.
6. Kattabomman escaped to Pudukottai where he was captured. During the trial, Kattabomman bravely admitted all the charges levelled against him. He was hanged from a tamarind tree in the old fort of Kayathar.