Maveeran Alagumuthu Kone

December 26, 2015

Maveeran Alagumuthu Kone

A commemorative postage stamp on Veeran Azhagu Muthu Kone, an early Indian freedom fighter fought against the British colonizers in South India :

Issued by India

Issued on Dec 26, 2015

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a commemorative postage stamp on Alagumuthu Kone.

Credits :
Stamp / FDC / Cancellation Cachet : Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.32 million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Alagumuthu Konar

Born on 1710 at Kattalankulam, Tuticorin district, Tamil Nadu, India

Died on Jul 11, 1759

About :

‘Maveeran‘ Alegumuthu Kone (Maveeran means very brave person, ‘Maveeran’ is a title given to the people who are really brave and patriotic) was born in 1710 in Kattalankulam, near Kovilpatti, Tuticorin District in the State of Tamilnadu. His father’s name was also Alagumuthu and his mother was Pakkiyathammal. He also known as Alagumuthu Konar and Servaikarar (meaning Head or Service provider to public). He is known for having raised one of the first revolts against the British in India.
The domination of British in Tamilnadu began in the 1750s. They defeated the Nawab of Arcot and Collected tax directly from the people of Tirunelveli. They had appointed Khan Sahib as a commander of Tirunelveli and authorized him to collect tax in Madurai as well as Tirunelveli. Following this, a communication in this regard was also sent to Ettayapuram. The King of Ettayapuram, Ettappanayakar-29 alongwith Alagumuthu Kone, condemned this act severely and refused to pay tax to the British.
However, Boothalapuram Ettayya, one of the cousins of Ettappanayakar-29, offered to pay the tax and serve under the control of British if Khan Sahib helped him conquer Ettayapuram. Khan Sahib attacked and captured Ettayapuram and announced Boothalapuram Ettayya as the King of Ettayapuram. Maveeran Alagumuthu Kone managed to save Ettappanayakar’s life and kept him safely in the provinces of Perunazhi.
Boothalapuram Ettayya had a lavish lifestyle and was unable to pay the tax to the British. Consequently, he was imprisoned and Kurumalaithurai, the brother of Ettappanayakar-29, who paid the tax, was declared the new King of Ettayapuram.
Ettappanayakar-29 died heartbroken at his brother’s conspiracy. Thereafter, Maveeran Alagumuthu Kone crowned Venkateshwara Ettappar-30 as his successor in Perunazhi.
He then collected an army to defeat the conquerors of Ettayapuram. Many brave men from Maoli and Bethanayakanur joined his army. He trained them and segregated them into two groups one under his leadership and the other under Venkateshwara Ettappar.
Sivasangaram Pillai got to know of Alagumuthu Kone‘s moves and warned Khan Sahib the danger. Khan Sahib‘s men surrounded the army of Alagumuthu Kone at midnight during their stay at Bethanayakanur.
Alongwith 255 soldiers, Maveeran Alagumuthu Kone was captured and taken captive. Alagumuthu Kone, alongwith some others was tied to the mouth of a Canon and shot to death in July 1759. Ever since, the eleventh of July is celebrated to honour the Maveeran Alagumuthu Kone as a mark of respect for his supreme sacrifice.
Text : Based on the material received from proponent.