Poligar System & Revolt of Pulithevar

Poligars(Palayakarars) Wars

Origin of Poligar System:

  • This system was introduced by Pradaparudran of warrangal, in the Kakatiya Kingdom.
  • In Tamil Nadu this system introduced by Viswanatha Nayak, the ruler of Madurai with the help of his minister Periyanathar in 1529.
  • Palayam means a domain, a military camp or a little kingdom.
  • Traditionally there were 72 Palayakarars in Tamil Nadu.
  • They entitled to collect revenue, administer the territory, settle dispute & maintain law and order.
  • The revenue divided into 1/3 for Nayak, 1/3 for army & remaining for themselves.
  • They maintained their own army and when they would help Nayak rulers in case of war.
  • There were two blocs in Tamil Nadu Palayams.
  1. Eastern Palayams – Ruled by Telugu Palayakarars. Sattur,Nagalapuram, Ettayapuram, Panchalangurichi.
  2. Western Palayams – Ruled by Tamil Maravar Palayakarars. Uthumalai,Thalavaikottai, Naduvakurichi, Singampatti, Nerkattum Seval.

Revolt of Poligars or Palayakarars (1755 – 1801)

  • The Nawab of Carnatic gave the right to collect the taxes from Palayams of Tamil Nadu to British after Carnatic treaty 1792.
  • The result was the outbreak of the revolt of Palayakarars.

Revolt of Pulithevar (1759-1761)

  • He was the Palayakarar of the Nerkattum Sevval near Tirunelvelli.
  • He refused to pay the tribute neither to Mohammed Ali, the Nawab of Arcot nor to the English
  • The Nawab Mohammed Ali sent his brother Mahfuzkhan under Colonel Heron in 1755 to capture Madurai.
  • They captured Madurai & instructed to control Pulithevar. But due to insufficient troops Heron did not attack Nerkattum Sevval.
  • Pulithevar started a confederacy against Nawab and company.
  • He was supported by Mianah, Mudimaiah & Nabikhan Kattak the representative of Nawab Chanda Sahib. Many palayams joined the confederacy except Sivagiri, Ettaiyapuram and Panchalankurichi.
  • Hyder Ali could not help Pulithevar as he promised due to the war against Marathas.

Kalakkadu Battle 1761

  • Nawab & company sent a combined troop under Mafuzkhan against confederacy of Pulithevar.
  • Both troops met at Kalakkadu and Pulithevar defeated British troops.
  • Pulithevar was the first Indian king who have defeated the British in India.
  • Yusuf Khan (Khan Shahib or Marudhanayagam) the captain of British captured Nerkattum Seval, Vasudevanallur & Panayur in 1761.
  • Yusuf Khan was negotiating with palayakarars without informing the company administration, was charged with treachery & hanged in 1764.
  • After the death of Yusuf Khan Pulithevar recaptured Nerkattum Sevval in 1764.
  • But in 1767 Captain Campbell captured Nerkattum Sevval and Pulithavar escaped and died in exile.

Yuzuf Khan

  • Real Name – Marudhanayagam, Birth: Ramanathapuram.
  • Converted to Islam in Pondicherry against castism.
  • From 1756 to 1761 he acted as the governor of Madurai & Tirunelveli.
  • He defeated Hyder Ali and captured Sozhavanthan.
  • He encouraged Textile industry in Madurai.
  • He donated money to temples & revived many temple lands from Priests.
  • He killed by British with charge of treason in 1764.

Ondiveeran:

  • He led one of the troops of Pulithevar and defeated British.
  • His hand was chopped off in the battle and he accepted it as his reward against Battle of British.

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