Revolt of 1809

Abstract

The Revolt of 1809 was occurred during the period of VeluThampi, Dalawai. VeluThampi was born on 6th May 1765 in an aristocratic Nair family at Thalakkulam, s amall village situated near Eraniel in Kanyakumari District. He was a straight forward person and he strongly protested the persons who indulged in anti - social activities. He was appointed as Dalawa in 1801. He was very particular to strengthen the friendship existing between the company and his state. VeluThampi was stationed at Allepy. The Cochin Plot could be swift and successful if a portion of the Resident’s escort could be removed. For this, the Dalawa pretended that he has ready to retire on a British pension and reside somewhere in Calicut as Macaulay suggested some time ago. He summoned Col. VeluThampi wrote letters to PaliyattAchan and the Zamoirn of Calicut to strengthen their struggle against the British. When Macaualy heard that Col. St. Leger and the British army had encamped near the capital, he visited the camp. Under pressure from Macaulay and Col. Leger, several intimations were dispatched to all places by the Maharaja to arrest VeluThampi and his close associates. But the spark of the freedom he had lit fanned into flame half a century later in the Indian Revolt of 1857 and into a conflagration a century afterwards in the national struggle for Indian freedom. Free Indian owes a debt of gratitude of Velu Thampi in the history of the state first embraced martyrdom on the alter of freedom.