Dheeran Chinnamalai

Dheeran Chinnamalai was born on 17 April 1756 in present-day Kangeyam, Erode district. His birth name was Theerthagiri.[1]

Chinnamalai is said to be one of the commanders in the Polygar Wars, notably during the Second Polygar War that took place in 1801–1802.

After Kattabomman and Tipu Sultan's deaths in 1799, Chinnamalai sought the help of Dhondia Wagh and Maruthu Pandiyar and lead the local Pattakarars Polygars, notably Varanavasi Gounder and Vella Gounder of Erode, Chinnamalai's sister's husband Kumara Vellai of Perundurai, Appachi Gounder of Paramathi-Velur, Aravakurichi Periya Thambi, Somandurai Muchadayandi Vanaraya Gounder of Pollachi and the Naicker Polygars of Dhali, Virupakshi and Ramagiri among others, to attack the British at Coimbatore in 1800.

British forces managed to stop the armies of the allies and hence Chinnamalai was forced to attack Coimbatore along with the above Polygars of Kongu Nadu. His army was defeated and he escaped from the British forces.[2] Chinnamalai engaged in guerrilla warfare and defeated the British in battles at Cauvery in 1801, Odanilai kangeyam in 1802 and Arachalur in 1804.[1]

Chinnamalai was betrayed by his cook Nallapan and was captured by the British in 1805. Nallappan usurped the title of Nallasenapthi Sarkarai Manradiar with British support. Some sources say he was hanged at Sankagiri Fort on 2 August 1805, as also were his two brothers; other sources give the date as 31 July.[2][3]

Dheeran Chinnamalai memorial at Sankagiri

Statues and memorials commemorating Chinnamalai exist in Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Erode and Odanilai.[1][4]

On 31 July 2005, a commemorative postage stamp commemorating him was released by India Post.[5]

Until 1997, Tiruchirapalli division of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation was known as Dheeran Chinnamalai Transport Corporation.[6]

The headquarter of Erode Municipal Corporation was named after him.[3]