User:Chempu
The Legend of Swayampu Lingam Nadar : The King of Bandits - Travancore
The country Robin Hood of the 19th century [Swayampu Lingam Nadar ] alias Chembu Lingam alias Suampu lingam was a humble farmer living at the 19th century Travancore at the early 1800s. He was born near Kottaram in the Kanyakumari District which was part of the Thiruvidancore kingdom ruled by the Venad kings. Kottaram had a Palace of the Venad Kings. Swayampuingam as born in the Nadar community which was Kshatriya community descended from the ancient Pandiyan kings who ruled Southern Kerala and Tamil Nadu until 900 AD from Madurai.
But during Sempu Lingams times kerala was ruled by another dynasty and the people from Nadar community were harassed and considered low by the ruling agricultural communities who were enjoying a preferential treatment under the Travancore kings. The Nadar community was otherwise called Chanars (Shanar) by others. One of the professions of Nadars other than agriculture was tapping the sweet juice of the Palmyra tree which was rich in sugars and making Jaggery. The fermented juice of palm trees was also used to make an ineberiating liquour, the Palm Wine. Nadars though poor had maintained perfect military tradition since the time immemorial,since the days of the old Pandiyan kingdom when they were the Soldiers and Rulers for thousands of years. Nadar were trained in martial arts including Swordmanship, Fencing using sticks,[Varmam]/ [Marmam] an ancient technique of warfare in which the warrior attacks the vital spots of the opponent. Adi Murai, an ancient martial art in which the opponent is fought with bare hands. Nadars were trained in the Kalaris (a place where martial arts are trained, since their childhood.
The Feudal Lords of Travancore
Chempu Lingam was living peacefully as a farmer in his home town with his wife. But when one day he found his wife abused and killed by the local feudal lords. This changed the mentality of Chempu Linka Nadar as he was popularly called. Since then he waged a war against the local feudal chieftains who had killed his wife.He avenged his wife's death by killing the people responsible for her death. But he never attacked anybody who did not attack him.
On the Hills of Western Ghats
In a nearby hill called Maruthuva Malai(Marunthu Vaz Malai other wise known Medicine Hill, which was supposed to have been lifted by Lord Hanuman himself, Chempulingam and his friends hid themselves and started robbing the caravans passing through that way. He and his friends watched the caravans from the high ranges of Maruthuvamalai and other hills of the Western Ghats near the Southernmost tip of India near [Kanyakumari], attacked and robbed the rich of their gold and valuables. From the top of the hills they descended along the slopes within minutes some times riding a horse. The wealth thus attained was distributed among the poor and the destitutes of the region. He and his friends used to visit the houses of the poor people in the night removed a tile from the roof and through the roof they dropped gold and money inside the house. Many people thus got the gift of money and valuables in the night. He never waited there to feel the gratitude of those persons whom he helped.
Chempulingam was armed double barrel hand made gun and a Sword as it was common among the Nadar warriors and soldiers. He travelled light. He was fed by the grateful people who opposed the feudalism and oppression of that era. In the nights he could get refuge in the houses of poor.
He was particularly not happy with the local feudal lords whose houses he attacked with his friends. Chempu lingams fame spread throughout Travancore. He and his friends Kasi Nadar, Duraiyappa Nadar were invincible. The Royal soldiers of Travancore could not apprehend him. Chempu Lingam moved from one place to another place which made capturing him impossible. Chempu Lingam often threw gold inside the compounds, sometimes on the roofs of the poor people belonging to different communities irrrespective of origins.
He was a devout Hindu who worshipped in a temple on the peak of Maruthuvai malai. He never attacked or killed any females according to the rules of ancient rules of [[[Kshatriya Pandiyan] ]] kingdom. He and his friends killed those who threatened him. When he attacked a line of bullock cart drawn carriages which was a common mode of transport, he separated the females. He often locked two ears long Pampatam ( an old ornament ) wearing ears of females, ( which had a big holes ) with a small mangapootu ( a kind of lock) to prevent them from running away or raising alarm.
The British Army
Thus the legend of Chembu Lingam and his indomitable spirit grew in popularity. Still the police and army of Travancore could not catch him for many years some say more than thirty years. Finally the help of the British Regiment from Trivandrum was sought by the local police. The British chased him from one place to another. On one instance while he was fleeing from the soldiers a big open well about 30 foot blocked the way. Chempu Lingam is allegedly jumped the whole width of the well in one leap. On reaching the otherside of the well he safely escaped.
Eventually the Police and the British army captured and killed many of his friends.
Dohnavur
Allegedely he had married once again and had a four year old daughter whom he carried along with him. At Dohnavur at the present day Kanyakumari district one lady Irish missionary was living named Amy Carmichael. It was through her influence that he gave up arms and surrendered.
The End
Finally Chempu Linga Nadan and his friend Kasi Nadan were chased by the British regiment. The British shot Kasi Nadan and Duraiyappa Nadar dead. Seeing Kasi die Chempu lingam is said to have lost all interest in living further. He stood on top of a hill threw his weapons including the hand gun away. He called the British soldiers and requested them to shoot him. One English soldier took aim and shot Chembu Linga Nadan on the side of the head killing him instanteously. Thus ends the story of the Bandit king who lived poor but made many rich.