“The earliest expressions of opposition to British rule took the form of localised rebellions and uprisings. Chief among these was the revolt of the palayakkarargal (poligars) against the East India Company in 1799,” narrates Rajendran.

“The East India Company, eager for revenue, opposed the manner of and the scale at which the poligars collected taxes from people. The issue of taxation – more specifically, who was to collect it, the traditional rulers or the new collectors from overseas, lay at the root of the poligars’ uprising.”

Search the Web and you’d find a chapter in the history text for the eighth standard, on www.textbooksonline.tn.nic.in , which educates why, in September 1798, the tribute from Panjalankurichi had fallen into arrears because of a severe drought. The British were desperate, as evident in this snatch from a long report that S.R. Lushington, the Collector of Tirunelveli sent to the Board of Revenue: “The immediate reduction of their (poligars’) power and their increase of inadequate tribute are objects of equal importance to the preservation of the people, the prosperity of the country and the permanent safety of our Government.”

Then it happened… In 1799, the poligars rose in rebellion against the Company.

“Collector Jackson singled out Kattabomma Nayak of Panchalamkurichi as the main leader of the rebellion. What came to be known as the First Poligari War was declared on September 5, 1799.

“Although Kattabomma managed to escape from the field of battle, he was captured a month later in Pudukottai. After a summary trial, he was sentenced to death by Major Bannerman, Commander of the East India Company’s troops. He was publicly hanged near Kayattar Fort, close to the town of Tirunelveli, in front of fellow poligars who had been summoned to witness the execution.”

Revolting.

D. M.

More Stories on : Books | Taxation | Stories Retold

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page