Veerapandiya Kattabomman Biography 
Veerapandiya Kattabomman was an Indian feudal lord and chieftain of Panchalankurichi. He fought against British rule in the 18th century. He waged war against them and was finally caught and hanged.
He was born on 3rd January 1760 in Panchalankurichi in Tamil Nadu. His were Jagaveera Kattabomman and Arumugattammal. Dalavai Kumarasami who was also called as Oomaithurai and Duraisingam called as Sevathaiah were his brothers. He was affectionately called as Karuthaiah meaning the black prince. He had two sisters named Esuvaravadivu and Thuraikkannu.
He was made as a chief on 2nd February 1790. Vellaiathevan and Sundaralingam were his generals who helped him in his rule. He worshipped Tiruchendur Lord Muruga and Goddess Jakkamma. He gathered the small rulers from his neighboring places like Nagalapuram, Elayiram Pannai, Kolarpatti, Sivagiri, Sivakanga, Kulathor and Kadalgudi and opposed the moves of British.
He was stubborn to pay taxes to British and refused to yield. Mr. Jackson was appointed as the Collector of Trinelveli district. He asked Veerapandiya Kattabomman to pay taxes but he refused. He wrote two letters one in February 1798 and one in April 1798 and warned him that his territory would be seized if tax was not paid. He ignored the letters.
He was asked to meet Jackson at Ramanathapuram and Kattabomman went there with his troops. When he was asked to meet alone, he went along with his men. There started the fighting between the two. His minister Thanapathi Pillai was captured in the encounter.
His army faced Major Banerman in the attack on 5th September 1799. After the attack he was resting in the palace of Kolarpatti Zamindar. He was then hiding at the Thirukalampur forest and he was betrayed by his friendly enemy Ettappa Naicker. He was arrested on 24th September 1799 and sent to Kayathar jail. He was hanged on 16th October 1799 at Kayatharu.
Published: N/A
Updated: June 04, 2012
