Dheeran Chinnamalai (17 April 1756 – 03 Aug 1805) was a chieftain who ruled the odanilai region of the present day western Tamil Nadu. He fought against the British East India Company, was later captured and hanged by the British.

Early life

Dheeran Chinnamalai was born as Theerthagiri Sarkarai Manradiar on 17 April 1756 near present-day Kangeyam, Tiruppur district.

Reign

Chinnamalai fought against the Kingdom of Mysore who was collecting taxes in the Kongu region. He later allied himself with Tipu Sultan to fight against the British East India Company. After initial successes in repelling the British at Srirangapatna, he went back to Odanilai and built a fortress. After the deaths of Kattabomman and Tipu Sultan, Chinnamalai became one of the commanders in the Second Polygar War in 1801. He engaged in guerrilla warfare and won battles at Cauvery in 1801, Odanilai in 1802 and Arachalur in 1804. Later, his army was defeated in 1805 and he escaped from the British forces.

Death

Chinnamalai was hanged at Sankagiri Fort by the British on 2 August 1805 along with his two brothers. Some sources note the date of his death as July 31.

Legacy

Statues and memorials commemorating Chinnamalai exist in Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Erode and Odanilai. On 31 July 2005, a commemorative postage stamp was released by India Post. Until 1997, Tiruchirapalli division of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation was known as Dheeran Chinnamalai Transport Corporation. The headquarters of Erode district collectorate and the Erode Municipal Corporation are named after him.