Tamilians are the first martyrs of India’s freedom struggle. Tamil Speech by S.V.Ramani.

Tamilians are the first martyrs of India’s freedom struggle. Tamil Speech by S.V.Ramani.

In the liberation war of India against British rulers, Tamil Nadu Vellore Mutiny (July 10, 1806) was the first instance of a mutiny by Indian sepoys against the British East India Company. It predates even the Indian Rebellion of 1857 by half a century. The revolt, which took place in the South Indian town of Vellore, was rather brief, lasting only one full day but brutal, as mutineers broke into the Vellore fort and killed or injured 200 British troops, before they were subdued by reinforcements from nearby Arcot.

The reasons for the mutiny revolved mainly around resentment against changes in sepoy dress code in November 1805. Hindus were prohibited from wearing religious marks on their foreheads and Muslims were required to shave their beard and trim their moustache. This created a strong resentment among the soldiers. In May 1806, some revolting soldiers were sent to Fort St. George. Two soldiers — a Hindu and a Muslim — were given 900 lashes each and their services terminated.
India finds an honored place in the history of free India because of its association with the immortal memory of Veerapandya Kattabomman. He was one of the first martyrs of India’s freedom struggle who was hanged by the British in the 18th century.

You can hear the remaining story of Tamil Nadu in the freedom struggle of India from the notorious British Rulers, through the Tamil speech.