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Kuyili

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For the Indian film actress, see Kuyili (actress).

Veeramangai Kuyili
Picture of Kuyili by Fathima Ismail
Born1700s, Kudanchavadi, Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu
Died1780, Sivagangai

Kuyili was an army commander of queen Velu Nachiyar who participated in campaigns against the East India Company in the 18th century. She is considered the first suicide bomber and "first woman martyr" in Indian history.[1][2][3][4]

Biography

Kuyili was born in the 18th century at Kudanchavadi, near Sivagangai district. Her father was a shoemaker Her mother was also known for her bravery and is said to have died while fighting with a wild bull to save her fields from being destroyed. Kuyili was a devout commander of Velu Nachiyar and repeatedly saved her life. On one such occasion, when she discovered that her Silambam teacher was actually a spy, she took action to save the queen immediately. On another occasion, when the queen was attacked during her sleep, she attacked the enemy and injured herself in the process. Seeing her loyalty and bravery, she was made the commander-in-chief of the women's wing of her army. Kuyili later played an important role in the Sivaganga expedition of the queen.[5][6]

Kuyili is known for her suicide attack in 1780. While attacking a fort of East India Company, she applied ghee on her body, set herself ablaze and jumped into the armoury of the East India Company, securing victory for Velu Nachiyar.[7][8][9][10][11][12] The Tamil Nadu government erected a memorial to Kuyili in the Sivagangai district.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ "First Woman Suicide Bomber of India against British during Freedom Struggle". myIndiamyGlory. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  2. ^ "FIVE Unsung Women Martyrs of Indian Freedom Struggle". myIndiamyGlory. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  3. ^ "Of valour and victory". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  4. ^ "வியூகங்களால் வென்றவள் | If you won multiple strategies - Dinakaran". www.dinakaran.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  5. ^ Udayavani. "Kuyili- A brave commander who was the First ever suicide bomber in history". Udayavani (in Kannada). Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  6. ^ MV, Amudha. "Kuyili: The Dalit Commander Whose Sacrifice Remains An Unsung Tale". feminisminindia.com. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  7. ^ "Tamil Nadu to build memorial for freedom fighter Kuyili". Times of india. Chennai, India. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  8. ^ "Velu Nachiyar & Kuyili: The Women Who Took Down The British 85 Yrs Before 1857!". Chennai, India. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  9. ^ Remembering Queen Velu Nachiyar of Sivagangai, the first queen to fight the British. The News Minute. 3 January 2017
  10. ^ "Of woman power and Tamizh glory". IBN Live. Chennai, India. 14 June 2011.
  11. ^ "A Durga A Day-Day 6: Mata Katyayini-Rani Velu Nachiyar and Kuyili". Chennai, India. 15 October 2018.
  12. ^ "Veeramangai Velu Nachiyar". The Hindu Business Line. Chennai, India. 18 January 2019.
  13. ^ "Tamil Nadu to build memorial for freedom fighter Kuyili". Times of India. Chennai, India. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
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