Mayilappan, also known as Mayilappan Servaikar, hailed from Chitrangudi village in Appanur, situated in the southern part of Sethupathi Seemai in Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, India.
During the reign of King Muthuiramalinga Vijaya Raghunatha Sethupathi (1762 – 1809) of Ramanathapuram, the English East India Company deposed the king on February 8, 1795. The king was arrested and imprisoned in Trichy fort, while the Company invaded Sethupathi’s territory. The Company’s actions, including extortion and exploitation of the citizens, incurred the resentment of the people.
In response, Mayilappan Servaikar led the people in support of Sethupathi, who had distinguished himself in the service of the king. Recognizing his leadership, the king appointed him as the head of an army unit, leading to his title “Chitrangudi Mayilappan Servaikar.” Mayilappan Servaikar was among the pioneering generals in the early stages of India’s struggle for freedom, mobilizing people against British imperialist exploitation from 1795 to 1802.
On April 24, 1799, he launched an attack on the East India Company in Mudukalathur and Kittanki. During this operation, handloom clothes were seized, the court in Kamudi was dismantled, and significant rice granaries were looted. This sustained protest for 42 days effectively liberated Mudugalathur and Kamudi from Company administration. British forces, led by Collector Lushington and Colonel Martins, were dispatched to quell the uprising. Although the Company granted amnesty to most militants, Mayilappan Servaikar was excluded. To evade capture, he disguised himself as a recruit and went to the Chola country. After eight months, he returned to his homeland.
Upon his return, at the request of Marutiru of Sivagangai Seemai, he joined Marutiruvar’s team, actively supporting the anti-British movements in Panjalam Kurichi Palayakarar, Kadalkudi, Nagalapuram, and Kulathur. Mayilappan Servaikar’s activities were well-known to Collector Lushington, who issued a demand to Marutiruvar to surrender Servaikar. However, Marutiruvar refused to comply with the Collector’s order.
The culmination of Marutiruvar’s struggle against the English colonists occurred on October 2, 1801, and he was subsequently hanged at Tiruputhur on October 24, 1801. Mayilappan Servaikar, fearing arrest, went into hiding in Kamudi. Unfortunately, he was betrayed and captured in exchange for the Company’s reward. After enduring three months of harsh imprisonment, Mayilappan Servaikar was executed by the Company on August 6, 1802.
Mayilappan
(★ – 1802) – (Tamilnadu)
Mayilappan, also known as Mayilappan Servaikar, hailed from Chitrangudi village in Appanur, situated in the southern part of Sethupathi Seemai in Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, India.
During the reign of King Muthuiramalinga Vijaya Raghunatha Sethupathi (1762 – 1809) of Ramanathapuram, the English East India Company deposed the king on February 8, 1795. The king was arrested and imprisoned in Trichy fort, while the Company invaded Sethupathi’s territory. The Company’s actions, including extortion and exploitation of the citizens, incurred the resentment of the people.
In response, Mayilappan Servaikar led the people in support of Sethupathi, who had distinguished himself in the service of the king. Recognizing his leadership, the king appointed him as the head of an army unit, leading to his title “Chitrangudi Mayilappan Servaikar.” Mayilappan Servaikar was among the pioneering generals in the early stages of India’s struggle for freedom, mobilizing people against British imperialist exploitation from 1795 to 1802.
On April 24, 1799, he launched an attack on the East India Company in Mudukalathur and Kittanki. During this operation, handloom clothes were seized, the court in Kamudi was dismantled, and significant rice granaries were looted. This sustained protest for 42 days effectively liberated Mudugalathur and Kamudi from Company administration. British forces, led by Collector Lushington and Colonel Martins, were dispatched to quell the uprising. Although the Company granted amnesty to most militants, Mayilappan Servaikar was excluded. To evade capture, he disguised himself as a recruit and went to the Chola country. After eight months, he returned to his homeland.
Upon his return, at the request of Marutiru of Sivagangai Seemai, he joined Marutiruvar’s team, actively supporting the anti-British movements in Panjalam Kurichi Palayakarar, Kadalkudi, Nagalapuram, and Kulathur. Mayilappan Servaikar’s activities were well-known to Collector Lushington, who issued a demand to Marutiruvar to surrender Servaikar. However, Marutiruvar refused to comply with the Collector’s order.
The culmination of Marutiruvar’s struggle against the English colonists occurred on October 2, 1801, and he was subsequently hanged at Tiruputhur on October 24, 1801. Mayilappan Servaikar, fearing arrest, went into hiding in Kamudi. Unfortunately, he was betrayed and captured in exchange for the Company’s reward. After enduring three months of harsh imprisonment, Mayilappan Servaikar was executed by the Company on August 6, 1802.
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