CHAPTER VI

VANCHINATHAN AND OTHER

PROMINENT

SWADESHI LEADERS

254

CHAPTER VI

VANCHINATHAN AND OTHER PROMINENT SWADESHI LEADERS

Vanchi Iyer, born at Shenkottah in Travancore State in 18801 was the son of

Ragupathy Iyer. He was employed as a forest guard at Punalur in the then Travancore

state. He was one of the members of the secret society called Bharatha Matha

Association, organized by Nilakanda Brahmachari2. Other members of the society

were Sankara Krishna Iyer of Krishnapuram, Madathukadai Chidambaram Pillai of

Tenkasi, Dharmaraj Iyer and Harihara Iyer of Shencottah, Madasami pillai of

Ottapidaram and Arumugam Pillai of Tuticorin. The aim of the society formed by

Vanchi and Nilakanta Brahmachari was to kill all European officers of the district to

intimidate European officials and discourage them from coming to serve in India

which would pave the way to obtain Swaraj. The society planned to carry out a

revolution like that of 1857. It aimed at people to be prepared to rise rebellious on a

stated day and massacre the Europeans to attain Swaraj.

The association was the consequence of the events at Tinnevelly and Tuticorin

and Ashe’s murder was a direct result of them. Every member of the Bharatha Matha

Association vowed on blood before the picture of Kali. When the first meeting of the

society was held red powder, sacred ash and flowers were kept on the floor in front if

the picture. Red powder was mixed in water and a solution was made of it. The Oath

was, “Bande Mataram, We should kill all white men. No one should reveal the affairs

of the society. Our life, property and everything should be sacrificed for the society.

Whoever reveals the affairs of this society will be taken to the hill and killed. The red

powder solution that we drink is the white men’s blood”. Each member read the Oath,

drunk the red solution saying that it was the white man’s blood, cut his thumb with a

knife and affixed blood thumb impression against their names.

Vanch Iyer took leave and went to Pondicherry and got trained in using the

revolver from V.V.S.Aiyar. V.V.S.Aiyar also known as Maharishi was in London for

1 Nagendra K.Singh. Encyclopedia of the India Biography, New Delhi, 2000, p.74. 2 M.Siva Subramaniam, Ashe Padukolaiyum India Puratchiyum (Tamil), Makkal Pathipagam, Tuticorin, 1987,

p.39.

255

some years, working in close collaboration with Vinayak Damodhar Savarkar, Shyamji

Krishnavarma and Madam Cama. He was a scholar in Sanskrit and a master of

English prose. On his return to India in January 1910, he settled at Pondicherry. He

was a well known patriot and extremist in Indian nationalist politics. He believed in

violent, revolutionary means to obtain India’s freedom. He was of the opinion that

training to the citizens in the free use of arms and heroic deeds are necessary for free

India. Thus practice in using the revolver was one of the items traught to young

recruits who were sent to Pondicherry for moral and physical training. Pondicherry

was found suitable for smuggling of small arms and also for printing secret pamphlets.

Later the venue was converted to be the political asylum of the Swadeshi nationalists

of Madras Presidency.

Having trained in revolver practice under V.V.S.Aiyar at Pondicherry, Vanchi Iyer and

Sankara Krishna Iyer went to execute their master plan to assassinate Robert William

D.Ashe. At that time, Ashe had succeeded Wynch as Collector of Tinnevelly. The

feelings of the members of the Bharatha Matha Association were bitter against him.

The Partition of Bengal in 1905 paved the way for the launching of Swadeshi

Movement in 1906. During the latter part of Swadeshi Movement, a number of

militant nationalists emerged first in Bengal and that had extended to Tamil Province

of Madras Presidency. The extremist youth turned to be the militant nationalists of

this region experienced a new revolutionary approach by assassinating Robert William

D.Ashe, the District Collector of Tinnevelly District of 17th

June 1911. An attempt is

made in this paper to analyse the background for this political murder that caused an

anti-climax to the militant activities of the nationalists of this region.

The Tinnevely sedition case and the treatment on V.O.Chidambaram Pillai and

Subramania Siva, staunch supporters of Swadeshi Movement influenced the youth of

Tinnevely district to react against the British Government. The interested youth

gathered at Tinnevely and Tuticorin formed their secret association in 1910. They

began to interest themselves in Swadeshi matters when they heard the lectures of

G.Subramaniya Aiyar, editor of the Swadeshamitran in April 1907 at Tuticorin to

collect funds for the national fund and the Industrial Association at Madras. They then

256

came under the influence of V.O. Chidambaram Pillai and Subramania Siva – accused

in the Tinnevelly sedition cases. They heard their lectures at Tuticorin in February

1908 on Swadeshi and boycott among other subjects, and was convinced of what they

said and became a great admirer of the two people. Following the lecturers in

Tuticorin there was an arrest of those two people which led to the riot at Tinnevelly in

March 1908 at which four Indians were shot dead under the orders of Wynch, the

District Collector of Tinnevelly.3

Arumugam, an accountant in Tuticorin was a true nationalist of this region.

Nilakanta Brahmachari, a young man of twenty one years old and a native of Erukkur

near Shiyali in the Tanjore district and connected with India and Suryodhayam, was

one of the extremists. The papers published by them were proscribed in March 1910

by the Government of British India. They had, therefore, to adopt other methods of

spreading their extremist propaganda. For this purpose, Nilakantan was sent to

Tinnevelly district. Immediately after the Tinnevelly riots, he attempted to give a

lecture in Palayamcottah on Swaraj. Inspector Viraraghava Aiyar, who was then in

charge of Palayamcottah division prevented him from doing. So under his superiors

orders went to Tenkasi then and became a good friend of Madathukadai Chidambaram

Pillai, who began financing him every now and then.4 Nilakanta therefore preferred

Tinnevelly district which was the centre of Swadeshi activity and went to Tenkasi in

April 1910 to start the Bharatha Matha Association. From Tenkasi he sent Sankara

Krishnan Iyer to fetch Arumugam and Vande Mataram Subramaniya Aiyar and went

to Toticorin and met Arumugam and discussed with him about the new plan of action.

Arumugam returned to Tenkasi and met Sankara Krishna Iyer at the Tenkasi railway

station platform 3 and 4 p.m. on 10th

April 1910 and discussed about the Swadeshi

matters.5

On 10th

April 1910, Nilakandan and other Swadeshi nationalists of this region

started the Bharatha Matha Association at Tenkasi. Thereafter they formed this

3 Select Documents File No.1, 1900-1947, p.VII. 4 P.B.Gopalakrishnan, Extremist Movements in Tinnevelly District, 1906-1912, Madurai, 1998, p.16, 5 Ibid., p.21.

257

association. They then thought it necessary to kill Europeans by direct attacks.6 Some

of these too convicted, and that all their endeavours having thus failed they had hit

upon a new plan and that was to take the shape of a general rising all over the country

like that of 1857. The Great Indian Mutiny, on a certain date to be subsequently fixed

and the massacre of all white people on the same day and asked him if he would join

the new movement. All of them agreed to do the job for the nation. There was Kali

picture there. There was red powder, scared ashes and flowers kept on the floor in

front of the picture. Red powder was put into water and made a solution to it.

Nilakandan made Pooja to the Kali picture while the rest sat in a line.7

After taking on Oath, Arumugam was asked by Nilakandan to enlist recruits and

to distribute the Dharmam paper published at Pondicherry for the purpose of enlisting

the sympathy of the readers and getting recruits. Arumugam left Tenkasi next morning

and reached Tuticorin that very day, he met Somasundaram, who consented to become

a member. Nilakantan went to his village Erakkor and then to Pondicherry.8

About the middle of June 1910, Nilakandan went to Mettupalayam. Just about

this time, Sankarakrishnan left to Tenkasi on 2nd

June 1910, met Vanchi Aiyar on 3rd

June 1910 at the Punalur railway station as previously arranged and spoke to him on

some urgent and confidential matter and reached Alleppey the next day.

Sankarakrishnan Iyer went to Mettupalayam and met Nilakandan. They then visited

Cochin and Alleppey. On 20th

June 1910, Harihara Aiyar was introduced to

Neelakandan and he became so enamoured of him that he spent out of his pocket and

described him in one of his letters to Vanchi Aiyar as the first born son of Mother

Bharatha. From Alleppey, they went to Punalur via Quilon where they met Vanchi

Aiyar.9 From these they went to Shencottah for about a week they went to Tuticorin,

one after the other, about the middle of the July 1910, Arumugam made necessary

arrangements for their stay in Tuticorin, in a portion of one Pattialammal’s house.

Further he arranged for their food and conveyance. There another Oath-taking meeting

6 Sedition Committee Report, 1918, Madras, pp.115-117. 7 Select Documents File No.1. p.VII. 8 Siva Subramaniam, Ashe Padukolaiyum India Puratchi Iyyakamum, 1987, pp.36-40. 9 Select Documents File No.1, p.VII.

258

was held. At this meeting Neelakandan, Sankarakrishna Iyer, Muthukumarasamy

Pillai, Subbaiya Pillai, Madaswami, Arumugam and Somasundram took the oath in

previsely the same manner as at Tenkasi. After a stay of about a week in Tuticorin

Nilakantan wen back to Shencottah side and stayed in Courtalam for about a fortnight

till 9th

August 1910 when he left for Punalur.10

By this way Neelakandan had a

frequent visits and contacts with the local youth to prepare for another network.

Every member of the Bharathamatha Association took “Blood Oath” before the

picture of Kali. When the first meeting of the society was held red powder sacred

ashes and flowers were kept on the floor in the front of the picture Red Powder was

put into water and a solution made of it. The Oath was “Bande Mataram” “we should

kill all white men”. The affairs of the society should not be revealed. “We must

sacrifice our person, property and life for this society. Whoever reveals the affairs of

this society will go to hill and he will be killed. Just as we drink the red powder

solution, it is the white men’s blood”. Each member read the oath paper, drunk the

thumb impression in blood opposite to their names.11

Vanchi Aiyar applied medical leave and went to Pondicherry to meet

Neelakandan and got his training in revolver practice from V.V.S.Iyer. V.V.S.Iyer

also known as Maharishi was for some years in London working in closing

collaboration with Vinayak Damodhar Savarkar, Shyamji Krihnavarma and Madam

Cama. He was learned person, scholar in Sanskrit and a master of fine English prose.

On his return in 1910, he settled at Pondicherry.12

He was a well known patriot and

extremist in Indian Nationalist politics. He believed in violent and revolutionary

method for winning India’s freedom. He was at opinion that training to the citizens in

the free use of arms and heroic deeds are necessary for every Indian to free India.

Thus practice in gun and revolver shooting was one of the items taught to young

recruits, who were sent to Pondicherry for moral and physical training. Pondicherry

was found suitable for smuggling of small arms and also for printing secret

10 Ibid., p.VIII. 11 V.Venkatraman, Bharathikku Thadai, p.279. 12Va.a., V.V.S.Iyer, New Delhi, 1984, p.32.

259

pamphlets.13

Later the venue was converted to be the political asylum of the Swadeshi

nationalists of Madras Presidency.

Having trained in revolver practice under V.V.S.Iyer at Pondicherry, Vanchi

Iyer and Sankara Krishna Iyer went to execute their master plan t assassinate Ashe. At

that time Ashe had succeeded Wynch as Collector of Tinnevelly and the feelings f the

members of the Bhratha Matha Association were bitter against him.14

Ashe Murder

On 17th

June 1911 Morning, Ashe left Tinnevelly Bridge station accompanied

by Mrs.Ashe travelling in the 9.6 a.m. train for Maniyachi on his way to Kodaikanal.

Just before Vanchi and whom he described and could identify. Vanchi and other

fellow member of the Association, who travelled from Tinnevelly alongwith Ashe, the

District Collector of Tinnevelly. They hurried on to the platform and went to the

second class compartments.15

One of them carried a wooden box measuring some 30

inches by 9 by 4, and they had other small parcels done up in cloth. On arrival of the

train at Maniyachi, Mr. and Mrs.Ashe did not alight as the train from Tuticorin had not

arrived. The two sons of the Maniyachi Station Master came and stood opposite the

compartment occupied by Ashe.16

One of them stood near the servant’s compartment while Vanchi went up to the

first class compartment and started shooting at Ashe. Ashe frowned at the latter, who

immediately drew a pistol and aimed it at Ashe, who observing this stood up and

taking of his cap threw it at the man.17

The hat missed the man and fell on the

platform. The pistol then went off and Mr.Ashe was wounded. He tried to get out of

the compartment, but was prevented by Ashe and both of them fell on to the floor of

the carriage. The man standing by the servants, compartment made off up the platform

as soon as the shot was fired and got away into the open fields. Vanchi Iyer was

tackled by the Collector’s personals, they had come from the station buildings on

13 Judicial, G.O.No.1010, Confdl., 30th March 1912. 14 Select Documents File No.1, p.IX. 15 V.Venkatraman, Bharathikku Thadai, p.286. 16 The Hindu, Madras, 18th June 1911. 17 Swadesamitran, Madras, 19th June 1911.

260

hearing the shot fired. Vanchi Iyer threw off the duttadar and hit him on the face: he

then pointed the pistol at him and the duttadar ran away to the refreshment room. He

then walked up the platform to the north and sounded the station buildings to the west

side and came down the platforms to its south end.18

Mean while the native passenger on the platform had gathered and followed up

the murderer, who went into the women’s portion of the southern latrine. He again

moved there from and went down the men’s portion. The natives began to throw

stones at him and he threatened to shoot any of them who hit him. He then

disappeared into the latrine. Three Railway constables who occupied at the extreme

north eastern end f the station in exchanging signatures heard of the affair. One of

them went off to Maniyachi village to get a carbine from the village there and on his

returned armed exerted the latrine and found that Vanchi who committed suicide. A

strong wind was blowing and this prevented the sound of the shot being heard outside

the latrine. The corpse was left as it lay till the arrival of the Sub-collector and the

Assistant Superintendent of police from Tuticorin.19

Sankara Krishna Iyer who accompanied Vanchi Iyer, escaped from the scene

but was subsequently arrested and convicted. On the body of Vanchi Iyer, a letter was

found urging people to do their best to drive away the foreign rule and establish

‘Swaraj’.20

Meanwhile the mail train from Tuticorin had arrived, and in it came Mansfield,

the Madura Company’ Agent at Tuticorin. He had the train containing Ashe

dispatched immediately to Tinnevelly Bridge, helping there to secure medical aid. He

also travelled with the train with the railway hospital assistant. Before the train

reached Tinnevelly, Ashe had expired. Mrs.Ashe was taken home and the body was

deposited in a waiting room where the inquest was held.21

18 Judicial, G.O.No.1014, Confdl., 24th June, 1912. 19 Indian Law Reports, Vol.XXXV, 1912, Madras, pp.389-92. 20 V.Venkatraman, Bharathikku Thadai, p.286. 21 Judicial, G.O.No.1014, Confdl., 24th June, 1912.

261

Mansfield, the duttadar and a peon as well as spoke to the facts narrated so far

as they were aware of them. The District Medical and Sanitary officer examined the

body. There was a wound on the right side of the chest about 4 inches below the

nipple. The bullet had apparently hit on the upper edge of the eight rib and been

deflected upwards by it and passing through the liver had entered the right lung. There

was no other injury. The police took possession of the property found on the body.22

The Sub-Collector Cox, with the Assistant Superintendent of Police N.Johnson,

had left Tuticorin by the 12.40 pm train and on arrival at Maniyachi went to the latrine

and examined the corpse of Vanchi Iyer. The body was laying with the head t the

north at the north end of the latrine in its western portion. The pistol was in the right

hand, the thumb being through the trigger guard. The face was conveyed in blood and

it was not apparent were the injury was located blood was flowing from the nose and

mouth. The Assistant Superintendent removed the pistol which proved to be a

browning automatic pistol of French Model. There were no cartridges in the magazine

or chamber. The corpse was placed in a wagon attached to the shuttle train.23

On arrival of the shuttle at Tinnevelly Bridge, the body of Vanchi Iyer was

examined in the presence of the Panchayatdars. The wound appeared to be inside the

mouth. On the body was a coat of based mission shikar cloth, white with coloured

border. In a pocket of the coat was a purse “made in France” bearing a picture of

Queen Victoria and the British Royal arms above. Inside this was a second class ticket

from Tinnevelly Bridge to Maniyachi, five annas in cash and some buttons. In a

pocket of the shirt was an undated manuscript letter in Tamil signed both in Tamil and

English.

22 Judicial, G.O.No.1112-13, Confdl., 8th July, 1911. 23 Judicial, G.O.No.1014, Confdl., 24th June, 1912.

262

A rough translation of the letter is as follows

“Our one miles of England having seized our country and

having trodden underfoot the eternal Sanathana dharma are crushing

them out of existence. Every (true) Indian is now the English and to

replant the dharmas and our inheritance; they are making great

preparations with the intention of crowning as king a disghgraceful

Mlechaman, George V, capable of eating the flesh of bulls in our

country where our rulers beginning with Raman, Sivaji, Krishnan,

Guru Govindan, Ajunan reigned and rendered dharmas prosperous.

Three thousand of us Madrasees have banded ourselves the together

for the purpose of killing him (George V) as soon as he sets foot in

our country. In order to make this known I the least among them,

have this day done this deed. This is the duty which everyone in

Hindustan should perform.

(The letter is signed in Tamil)

R.Vanchi Iyar

Shencottah,24

The letter, which one was written by Vanchi Iyer cleared the doubts of the

British, the cause for the murder of R.D.Ashe. The British authorities further enquired

about the association and triggered the police to act immediately.25

An identification parade was held at the Railway station. All boatel keepers and

other persons likely to know the man being brought to see him. No one identified the

body. Photographs of the corpse and also the finger-impressions were taken, and the

corpse sent for post-mortem.

Ashe’s funeral was held in the evening. Some of the native officials offering to

act as pallbearers. The Zamindar of Singampatti attended the funeral.26

24 V.Venkatraman, Bharathikku Thadai, p.286. 25 Ibid., p.287.

263

The news of assassination of Ashe captured the front pages of both pro-British

and anti-British newspapers. The press in general condemned the act of Vanchi Iyer

and his team members. The prominent newspapers like The Hindu, Swadeshamitran,

Desamatha and others also critised the act of the militant nationalists. C.S.Bharathi

too condemned the act of violence, executed by Vanchi Iyer.

A telegram received from the Tenkasi Inspector at Shencottah gave information

that evidence of the murderer’s identify was traced there and that suspected houses

were searched. The Tinnevelly Inspector and the Criminal Investigation Department.

Sub-Inspector were sent there to afford any assistance necessary.

The Railway police registered the case and started investigation. Further

enquiries were made in conjunction with them.27

Cox, Head Assistant Magistrate and

Johnson, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Tuticorin arrived at 13.45 pm. The body

of the assassin was not disturbed. They found in his hand on F.N.Browning model

automatic 256 bore pistol convered with blood which had issued from the dead man’s

mouth.28

They took and examined the pistol It was found empty of cartridges. An

empty cartridge case 3 10 bore was found in the latrine. The assassin had apparently

only two shots at his disposed. It was known that he had fired only one shot at Ashe

and although no one heard a shot fired in the latrine owing to the great noise made by

the wind, he could only have fired one shot at himself because a careful search

revealed only one empty case. The pistol was very dusty in its working parts and

showed signs of great neglect. The make’s member was carefully filled away from the

lock plate.29

The District Superintendent of Police told that an exactly similar automatic

pistol was stolen about a year ago from Lodge of the Forest department while in the

Tinnevelly district.30

26 The Hindu, Madras, 19th June 1911. 27 Select Documents File No.1, p.IX. 28 Ibid., p.X. 29 M.Siva Subramanian, op.cit., p.40. 30 Select Documents File No.1, p.XI.

264

After an inquest on the body of Ashe and the death certificate granted by the

District Medical Officer, Tinnevelly, his remains were carried to plan Palayam Kottai

and interred in the European Cemetery on night of 17th

. On the same night an inquest

was held on the body of Vanchi Iyer.

Fastened to his sacred thread which contained six strands and which showed he

was a married Brahman31

and native of Senkottah of Travancore State.

Police Reaction

The Deputy Superintendent, Dorai Swamy Pillai, wired that S.Mahadevaswami

Pillai, who appeared to be the same person as Ramamurthi, was absconding from

Ottapidaram. Some correspondence was found in his house. This Correspondence

was all be carefully gone through; it was very bulky. No such matter found on the

incident.

George, Superintendent of Police, Travancore, who co-operated with the

police32

and Criminal Investigation Department Inspector, Bala Krishna Menon, was

directed to the spot, where some information obtained. The murderer’s father had

arrived in Tinnevelly and he was being closely examined by Mr.Tampoe, Head

Assistant Magistrate. He was identified the murderer’s photograph as that of hi on

Vanchi Aiyar. The Police machinery quickly swung in to action. Two members of the

Bharath Matha Association. K.V.Arumugam Pillai and O.Somasundaram Pillai were

arrested; both would turn king’s evidence in the Ashe murder case revealing the entire

history of the revolutionary movement in the region.33

The first accused in the case Neelakantan was there in Bengal at the time of the

assassination, but subsequently surrendered to the Bengal police, who transferred him

to Madras. Altogether fourteen persons were charged with conspiracy in the Ashe

murder case. Table reveals something of their social background including their caste,

age and occupational status. Three other suspects escaped the police net, two of them

31 The Hindu, Madras, 19th June 1911. 32 Select Documents File No.1, p.XI. 33 Judicial, G.O.No.474-75, Confdl., 23rd March, 1912.

265

by committing suicide and the third by escaping to Pondicherry. At the end of the

trial, nine of the accused (number 1-8 and 14 in Table)34

were convicted under section

121A of the IPC and were sentenced to various terms of rigorous imprisonment.

However all fourteen accused were acquitted on charges of abetment of murder.35

Aftermath of the Assassination

During the course of the trial, it was established beyond doubt that there had

been close and active co-operation between the persons accused in the conspiracy and

V.V.S.Iyer, the India group and other political exiles based in Pondicherry. The

Madras Government received information from a trustworthy informer that practice in

the firing of revolvers discontinued or a short time after Ashe’s murder had been

resumed by the Pondicherry extremists.36

The Government also came to know that the

militant nationalists were planning a series of assassinations to coincide with the 1911

Delhi Durbar under the circumstances; the Madras Government informed the

Government of India that it was extremely important to discover the ramifications of

the connection between the Pondicherry group and its sympathizers in British India.

To cut short this, the Madras Government sought to intercept the Postal parcels of

Pondicherry – based revolutionaries under the Press Act of 1910 and the Sea Customs

Act of 1872.37

As the visit of King George V of England to India drew closer, the Madras

Government stepped up its efforts to apprehend the Madras Nationalists in

Pondicherry. Mutual Agreement was made between Duprat, the Governor the

Pondicherry and the Cuddalore District Collector and Superintendent of Police on

watching the underground activities of the Madras Nationalists in Pondicherry to avoid

major outbreaks occurred during the royal visit. Police protection cordons were

thrown found the French territory and a reward of Rs.10,000 was offered of anyone

34 See Appendix No.I. 35Judicial, G.O.No.1014, Confdl., 24 June, 1912. 36 Judicial, G.O.No.83-84, Confdl., 18 November, 1911. 37 V.Venkatraman, Bharathikku Thadai, p.290.

266

informing the Police of the infiltration of Madras nationalists into British India from

Pondicherry.38

By utilising the new accord with the Governor of Pondicherry, the British

authorities now attempted to kidnap the prominent leader of the Pondicherry including

Bharathi. But Madamcama, who came to hear of these attempts, spoke to the French

authorities in Pondicherry and the French Governor understood the situation and

rejected the demand of the British authorities.39

The elaborate police arrangement made for the period of the Delhi Durbar

continued on after it was over. Despite protest from the French Governor, the Madras

Government reduced the police force in Pondicherry and continued it vigilant

operation there: It is very interesting to say that the Madras Nationalist were

categorised into five groups. They listed 59 nationalist into five groups. Bharathi,

V.V.Iyer, Srinivachari were in the first group. The British police were advised to

watch each and every movement of these prominent nationalist.40

This kind of strict vigilance on these nationalists damphen the nationalist sprit

and cut shorted their nationalist activities too. The assassination of Ashe led to a

confused stage in the national movement in Tamilnadu.

38 Judicial, G.O.No.1610, Confdl., 7 October, 1912. 39 N.Rajendran, op.cit., pp.142-143. 40 Judicial, G.O.No.160, Confdl., 2 February 1912 and Judicil G.O.No.1335, Confdl., 21 August 1912.

26

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268

CHAKKARAI CHETTIAR

The population of the work force started to increase by the beginning of the 20th

century. This led to the rise of a new stream of thought among the nation’s

intellectuals. Leaders of national movements like Vipin Chandrapal and

G.Subramaniya Ayyar expressed the need for laws that would protect the interest of

workers from powerful capitalists. In 1903, G.Subramaniya Ayyar appealed for the

formation of workers unions with strong support from the people to struggle for the

rights of the workers.41

In these circumstances, the Madras Labour Union was started in Chennai at the

British run Buckingham and Carnatic Mills(B&C Mills) on 27th

April 1918.42

Freedom fighter and the great Tamil scholar Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram, lawyer

Chakkarai Chettiar and Selvapathi Chettiar were instrumental in the formation of this

union. J.S.Mathur in his book ‘Indian Working Class Movement’ describes the Madras

Labour Union to be the first of its kind among the contemporary labour unions.

Chakkarai Chettiar, the man who created this first labour union was born on 12th

December 1878 in Chennai. His ancestors were from the village of Vengal near

Thiruvalur which is adjacent to Chennai. He was born to Kesava Chettiar and Aandal

Ammal. In his young age, Chakkarai Chettiar was taught by his grandmother to

affiliate to religion, be disciplined and respect their culture.

While studying in Madras Christian College High School he developed interest

in reading the bible and other Christian texts. Chakkarai Chettiar developed interest in

the language and literature of English. He participated in competitions on English

oratory in his school days. From his fifth grade to his final year in BA he received

bible prize for each year. He was the college Student President while he was in

Christian college. The then viceroy of India, Lord Curzon once talked to the students

of the Christian college. As the student president, Chakkarai Chettiar delivered the

vote of thanks. Stuck by his oratory skills in English Lord Curzon told the college

41 V.Venkatraman, Towards Independence, Rajapalayam, 2004, p.35. 42 N.Rajendran, Nationalist Movement in Tamil Nadu, 1905-1914, Madras, 1994, p.78.

269

principle Dr.Miller “Who is this youngster who talks such good English? He will

become a great orator in the future.”43

In 1900 he received his BA degree. Due to the impact of Christian teaching he

converted to Christianity. Being fluent in English he showed interest in learning his

mother tongue, Tamil. He learned Tamil from the Tamil teacher Suryanarayana

Shastri. After working as a teacher in a girls’ school he joined law college in 1902.

After getting his degree in 1904 he joined as a trainee to Tanikachalam Chettiar, one of

the famous lawyers in Chennai. After a short period of training he started to practice

independently.44

In the year 1905 he left his profession of a lawyer. The reason behind his move

is not known. In the year 1910 Chakkarai Chettiar married a woman named

Senjulakshmi. Because of his unquenched interest in Tamil he came in contact with

Maraimalai Adigal. He was also a close friend of the poet Bharathiyar. In 1922,

Chakkarai Chettiar penned the introduction for the book Swadesha Geethangal by

Bharathiyar. He maintained close friendship with Tamil Thendral Thiru

V.Kalyamasundaram, C.B.Ramasamy Ayyar and E.V.R. Periyar.

He started his public life by joining the Congress party. He worked as the

secretary of the Madras city’s congress committee. In 1907 he attended the Surat

session of Congress with V.O.Chidambaram, Subramaniya Ayyar and Bharathiyar. In

this session of Congress there arose difference between the Moderates and Extremists

on the issue of choosing the leader. The extremists headed by Thilak put forth Lala

Lajpat Rai as the leader. But the moderates headed by Dadabhai Naoroji elected Rash

Behari Ghosh of Kolkata as their leader. Men from Chennai- Chakkarai Chettiar,

V.O.C, and Bharathiyar joined Thilak’s faction in this session.45

43 V.Venkatraman, Burmavil Bharathikku Thadai (Tamil), Rajapalayam, 2006, pp.63-65. 44 Bhavan’s Journal, Centenary Tribute: Sentinel of Culture, Vol.59 No.22, Mumbai, June 30, 2013,

p.80. 45 M.P.Sivanganam, kappalotiya Tamilzhan V.O.Chidambaram Pillai, Chennai, 2010, p.44.

270

Joining with these three in those days were Srinivasacharya, Surendranath and

P.Thirumalachariyar who worked to strengthen the nationalist movement in Chennai.

For this purpose they formed the Chennai Jansangh.46

In the month of May in 1907 this Sangh brought Bipin Chandra Pal to Chennai

where he was made to address numerous gatherings. Chakkarai Chettiar’s role in

politics kept growing.47

When Gandhi started his non cooperation movement Chakkarai Chettiar worked

with Rajaji, E.V.R. Krishnasamy Sharma and Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram for this cause.

Chakkarai Chettiar took active part in organizing the protests in Chennai against the

Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the boycotting of the visit by Prince of

Wales. As he was also the leader of the labour union he was able to mobilize the

workers for the non cooperation movement.

In April 1919, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place. Many public meetings

were conducted to condemn the massacre. Chakkarai Chettiar who spoke in these

meetings, appealed the workers to go on political strike as an act of condemning the

massacre. There were positive responses towards this appeal.48

In January 13, 1922 in order to protest the visit of Prince of Wales- Chakkarai

Chettiar, Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram and M.S.Subramamnya Ayyar appealed for hartal

to the masses. Large number of traders and the public took part in this hartal.

In 1922 the idea that the Congress party should be allowed to take part in the

internal administration and the assembly was stressed by one group. Leaders like

Mothilal Nehru and Chitranjan Das headed this group. In 1924-25, S.Srinivasa

Ayyangar was an influential leader in Chennai city’s Congress party. He had resigned

his post of Advocate General in order to work for the Congress party. Congress party

contested in the local elections under the guidance of Srinivasa Ayyangar,

46 Opinion of Advocate General, 11th May 1907, Home, Public (Political), A Dec. 1907, Procgs.Nos. 44-56, NAI. 47 The Madras Mail, Madras, 13th May 1907. 48 Opinion of Advocate General, 11th May 1907, Home, Public (Political), A Dec. 1907, Procgs.Nos. 44-56, NAI.

271

Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram and Chakkarai Chettiar. As a result contestants from the

Congress party won many seats in the local elections.

In November 15-16 of the year 1924 the Congress party’s convention was held

in Thiruvanamalai. Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram headed this convention. A resolution

was taken that the Congress party will take part in the assembly elections. Chakkarai

Chettiar who took part in this convention, was in favour of this resolution.

In 1927 Chakkarai Chettiar came out of the Congress and joined the Justice

Party. Later he contested in the parliamentary elections as a Justice Party candidate

against S.Srinivasa Ayangar of the Congress Party.49

It is said that he revealed the reason for leaving the Congress Party to his

relatives to be the lack of internal democracy within the party and the oppression

against the younger generation carried out by the older leaders of the party. His

journey with the Justice Party was short lived. He came out of the Justice Party on

August 21st 1928. Thereafter he did not join any other political party.

He played an important role in forming and guiding the labour union in

Chennai’s B&C Mills. Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram and Selvapathi Chettiar assisted

Chakkarai Chettiar in the formation of the Union. In 1917 Selvapathi Chettiar was the

General Secretary of the Venkatesha Gunamrutha Varshini Sabha. There was a

separate section for workers in this Sabha. When a meeting of this section took place

in 1917 on Vijayadasami there was a talk given by N.C.Kannabhiran Mudaliar on the

topic ‘Vaishnavism’. More than 20 workerrs took part in this meeting. They discussed

about the state of the workers. In those days festival holidays were scarce and workers

were expected to work for 12 hours a day. To compensate for certain holidays on

festivals workers were expected to work on Sundays. These issues were discussed

during this meeting and it was decided that it was necessary to form a labour Union in

order to negotiate these issues with the owners.50

49 P.G.Gopalakrishnan, “Political implications of B.C.Pal’s visit to Madras in May 1907” in the

QuarterlyReview of Historical Studies, Calcutta vol. XX1X, No.1,1989, p.36. 50 Madras Secret Police Abstract of Intelligence, 1908, Para 528, p.313.

272

In light of this decision Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram, Chakkarai Chettiar and

P.Kesavanpillai were approached and were asked to head the Union. In those days,

Kesavanpillai used to write about the torments of the workers in the English daily

‘Indian Patriot’. He also wrote about the state of workers in the B&C Mills. When

asked to take up the leadership of the union he refused on the ground that he was not a

permanent resident of Chennai.51

Later Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram and Chakkarai Chettiar approached B.P.Wadia

of the Thesophical Society. Soon the Madras Labour Union was started with

B.P.Wadia as the President, Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram and Chakkarai Chettiar as Vice

Presidents and Selvapathi Chettiar and Ramanajalu as Secretaries. Following this

MSM Railway Workers Union, Tramway Workers Union and kerosene workers Union

were formed in 1919. The leaders who guided these Unions were mostly Congress

Party leaders. Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram, Chakkarai Chettiar, E.L.Ayyar,

V.O.Chidambaram, Kasturi Renga Ayyangar and M.S.Subramaniya Ayyar were all

men who had worked with the Congress party. Therefore the protests headed by these

men were not merely for the demands of the workers but were also nationalist protests

against the British colonialism.52

Singaravelan, the first South Indian communist helped in the formation as well

as the working of these Labour Unions. In order to coordinate the working of various

unions an association was formed in 1920. It was headed by Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram

with Mirunalini Chatopadyaya(sister of Sarojini Naidu) as its Secretary. Later

Chakkarai Chettiar came to head this association.

The British governor warned that the Union Leaders will be exiled for

instigating the workers to go on strikes. When Wellington the Governor decided to

exile the Union Leaders, P.Thiyagaraya Chettiar and Panagal Raja, the Justice party

leaders who were in power discussed the issue. They expressed their concern over the

decision of the Governor which they believed would bring a bad name to their party

51 N.Rajendran., Op.Cit., p.62. 52 FNR, (Confdl), 22nd February, 1908.

273

which in turn would lead to the party to quit from power. Therefore, the Governor

dropped his decision to exile the union leaders.

In 1927, the shooting during the strike by Kerosene workers of the Burma oil

company lead to the death of sixteen protestors. During this time Chakkarai Chettiar

was a member of Chennai Corporation. He took measures to pay compensation of 700

rupees for the affected families.53

During the rule of Congress under the leadership of Rajaji a law was brought to

ban general strike. Chakkarai Chettiar organised various protests against this move.

When the Whitley Commisison came to Indian to investigate the state of the workers

Chakkarai Chettiar organised protests against it as the Commision did not have equal

number of Indian delegates.

In October 1920 AITUC India’s first national level workers union was started.

Lala Lajpat Rai was its first president. Jawarharlal Nehru and Subash Chandra Bose

were also elected as its leaders. Chakkarai Chettiar was also the Tamil state President

between 1943-45 and 1951-56. In 1945 Chakkarai Chettiar was elected as the vice

president of AITUC. Between 1948-49 when workers unions were banned and extreme

oppression was unleashed, Chakkarai Chettiar fought with vigor and strength against

the state oppression for the rights of labour Unions.54

Chakkarai Chettiar worked as the Mayor of Chennai Corporation. From 1952 to

1958 he was a member in the Upper House of the Assembly. Few people tried to

name a street in Thyagaraya Nagar after Chakkarai Chettiar. He sternly refused to

allow this as there was already a street by his name in Pethunayakan Patti, a poor

locality which had elected him.

When the Official Language Bill was brought to the Upper House on 28.1.1956

he whole heartedly accepted it. While talking about the bill he mentioned his Tamil

training with Suryanarayana Shastri and Maraimalai Adigal.55

53 The Madras Mail, Madras, 30th March 1927. 54 Manmathan Gupta, History of the Indian Revolutionary Movement, Bombay, 1972, p.89. 55 N.Jayapalan, History of India (from Natinal Movement to Present Day), Chennai, 2001, p.71.

274

Chakkarai Chettiar was a person who learnt law, was well versed in Tamil and

English, one who fought for the welfare of workers, member of the corporation,

Mayor, Upper House Member and so on. He struggled for the working population

through out his life.

Though he did not join the Communist Party, he enjoyed a close relation with it.

He maintained close friendship with Communist Leaders like S.A.Dange,

E.M.S.Namboodripad, A.S.K, P.Ramamoorthy and K.T.K.Thangamani.

Chakkarai Chettiar died on June 1958 at the age of 82. The life of Chakkarai

Chettiar stands as an example for all those who fight for the rights of the proletariat.

275

ETHIRAJ SURENDHRANATH ARYA

The Swadeshi Movement produced many selfless patriots like

G.Subramania Iyer, V.O.C., Bharathi, Dr.Nanjunda Rao, Subramania Siva,

Neelakanda Brahmchari, etc.. Among them Ethiraj Surendhr Nath Arya was a note

worthy and a committed Swadeshi nationalist of Tamilnadu.

Ethiraj Surendranath Arya (or) Ethiraj Surendranath Babu was a

native of Madras and a son of Dhanakoti Raju Naidu of Mylopore. In 1897, he went to

Calcutta and joined the Sadhu Ashram of the Brahmo Samaj, was converted to

Brahmoism by Pandit Shivanath Sastri. Arya, after having trained there, returned to

Madras in July 1906 and he was paid Rs.30/- per month as salary by the Samaj. He

had a close contact with the Swadeshi nationalists like G. Subramania Iyer, V.O.

Chidambaram Pillai, Subramania Bharathi, Dr. Nanjunda Rao and others in Madras

and actively involved himself in the Swadeshi movement. Arya also attended the

Calcutta Session of Indian National Congress, held in December 1906.56

Arya organized several Swadeshi meetings at Moore Market in

Madras between January and April 1907 along with Subramania Bharathi,

Neelakandan and others, motivated the young people by delivering speeches in Telugu

on Swadeshi and boycott, for which the British Police arrested him on 18th

July 1908.

He was a frequent speaker at these Swadeshi meetings in Moore Market and on the

Marina Beach. Arya became the forerunner of ‘Madras Swadeshis’ and participated in

the Surat Congress Session, held on 26th

December 1907.57

The extremist faction of

Congress selected B.G. Tilak as their massive leader and decided to launch the

Swadeshi Movement very seriously. In February 1907, the Swadeshi leaders of

Madras initiated a new venture by starting ‘Chennai Jana Sangam’.

V.O.Chidamabaram Pillai, Bharathi K. Venkatramana Rao and T.G. Sankranarayana

Aiyar and Neelakanda Brahmachari were the prominent leaders of the Sangam. Arya

played a key role in the formation the Sangam and also became the active member of

‘Swadeshi Vasu Paricharini Shabha. Arya had a close contact with B.C.Pal and Lala

58.

V.Venkatraman, Bharathiku Thadai (T), Rajapalayam, 2004, p.114 59.

Fortnightly Report, First Half of January 1907

276

Lajapat Rai. He himself attended a number of Swadeshi meetings in Calcutta with

B.C. Pal in December 1906 and also made speeches in the Swadeshi meeting, which

have organized in Punjab Province alongwith Lala Lajapat Rai in January 1907.58

Arya’s Extremist Activities

Ethiraj Arya’s first reported Swadeshi Speach in Madras was

delivered at Perambur on 14th

April 1907. In his virgin speech on the occasion, he then

accused the British authorities of taking away Indian money and abused the Indians for

keeping quiet instead of starting Swadeshi enterprises. The meeting at which he spoke

was got up by the Fellow Workers society, a society which was started by some

Railway clerks at Perambur in Madras.

Arya made a similar speech on 19th

April 1907 at a meeting in

Geroge Town, promoted by the Swadeshi Vasita Paripalana Shabha, a society formed

by followers of G. Subramania Iyer. On 26th

August 1907, Arya made a violent speech

at Moore Market meeting when he said that he was prepared to make any sacrifice and

that, if the people combined, they could drive the white faced enemy away from India,

this he urged the people to do for the sake of Mother Bharatha. On 27th

August 1907,

he made another violent anti-British speech it Moore Market. On this occasion, Arya

made frequent references to the Yugantar and Lalalajapat Rai’s sacrifice to the

nation.59

On 28th

August, he was again at the same area and urged the Indians

not to fear death as that was the only way they could attain Swaraj. On 29th

August,

Arya visited again in the Moore Market and collected found for a celebration of

Dadabhai Naoroji’s birthday in Madras. Arya further explained about the Concept of

Swaraj among the people at Triplicane and Mylopore on 2nd

September 1907.

On 4th

September 1907, the Swadeshi Vastu Parcharini Shabha held a

celebration of Dadabhai Naoroji’s birth day at Triplicane. Arya prayed for the

restoration of health of the man who started the work of India’s emancipation from the

British Yolk. On 17th

September, the members of the association under the leadership

60.

Swadesamitran, Madras, 12 February 1908 61.

The Hindu, Madras, 29 August 1907

277

of Arya held a procession from George Town to the Triplicane beach in honour of

B.C. Pal, who was recently concicted for his seditions speeches in Calcutta.

V.Chakkarai Chetti, Bharathi, K.Venkatrama Rao, Ranganath Rao and Arya addressed

the public that B.C. Pal was a noble patriot and a true son of Mother Bharatha.60

On 28th

September, a procession has organised by the association in

honour of B.C.Pal, C.S.Bharathi headed the Swadeshi procession and Arya,

Ramachandra Iyer, C.S.Ranganatha Rao delivered speeches on Pal’s heroic efforts

excellence of his character and spirit. Bharathi dictated his Swadeshi Oath’ at this

meeting at Marina beach. Arya spoke the concept of Swadeshi, boycott and national

education in Telugu to cover the Telugu speaking population in connection with the

National Fund and delivered a vehement anti-British speech in which he said that

Bande Mataran should be shown rather in deeds than in words, and that man should

be ready to sacrifice his money, wife and even his blood to become a patriot, Further, a

Swadeshi Vastu Paricharini that the meeting was held on the Marina beach on 19th

October 1907 to celebrate the boycott anniversary. The meeting was preceded by a

procession which started from George Town with national flags. G.Subramania Iyer

presided the meeting; Arya said that boycott was absolutely necessary, that it was high

time that the pride of the foreigner was laid low and that by uniting they could obtain

‘swaraj’. On 27th

October Arya in another meeting organized at Royapetta, praised the

Japanese as they were ready to shed their blood for their mother country. The same

type of meeting was organized by Arya in the Latheran Mission Church premises,

Purasaivakkam, to arrange for Deepavali day collections in aid of the National Fund,

where the referred to his Punjab tour with Lalalaajapet Rai.61

At Arakonam, Arya appeared on 8th

November for a public meeting,

arranged by the local Swadeshi Leaque. He addressed the meeting on “boycott” there

was a spontaneous response to his appeal. O 6th

December 1907, Arya attended a

meeting of the Madras nationalists to elect delegates to attend the Surat Congress

Session. V.O.C and Bharathi were keen interest in selecting Arya to attend the Surat

Session. He seconded a resolution asking congress to apply for arbitration courts and

62.

Fortnightly Report, First Half of October 1907 63.

Ibid, First Half of November 1907

278

said that justice could not be expected from the British courts. On 18th

December, a

meeting was held in Triplican theatre at which about 400 Swadeshis were present.

T.G.Sankaran Narayana Aiyar presided in the absence of C.S. Bharathi, V.O.C, who

was the first speaker, dwelt on the drain of money from India, urged the people to

support Swadeshism and boycott, to avoid British Law Courts and establish National

Schools. Arya wound up by getting the people to take a vow to act as he had urged.62

Arya and Surat congress session 1907

The Madras Nationalists under the leadership of V.O.C passed a

resolution to attend the Congress Session at Surat, in the last week of December 1907,

for which K.Venkatramana Rao, V.Chakkarai Chetti, C.S.Bharthi, V.O.C,

N.K.Ramaswami Iyer and T.G. Sankaranarayanan Iyer. Arya acted accordingly, the

direction of extremists of congress and who supported B.G.Tilak and Swadeshi

movement the Madras Nationalists, after attending the Surat session of congress

returned to Madras on 5th

January 1908 with new spirit. They (New Party) decided to

launch one secret organization for the Youths of Madras.63

Chennai Jana Sangam, 1908

Furthering the gospels of Swadeshi Nationalism among the young

generation the Swadeshi leaders organized a secret meeting at Gangaikandan,

Mandapam at Triplicane to form Chennai Jana Sangam with the avowed object of

Swadeshism and boycott by forending a physical cultural School, a reading room and

library and by training them as preachers. Ethiraj Arya was elected to the Managing

Committee of Sangam.

On 9th

March 1908, Arya took part in the celebration of B.C. Pal’s

release, which was got up by the Chennai Jana Sangam and kindred society in Madras.

The meeting was held at his south Beach, about 8000 people were present. C.S.

64.

The Hindu, Madras, 20 December 1907 65.

Ibid, 7th November 1908

279

Bharathi boasted that he and his brethren were defying the authority of the commission

of Police, Madras City, who had refused to grant a license to the Swadeshis. Arya the

next speakers, who addressed the people in Telugu. He appeared with the badge of

National volunteers across the country and the Regulation ‘lathi’ in his hand. His

speech was very impressive and highly anti-British in character but it was listened to

attentively by the people. Arya became so enthusiastic especially after the Surat

Congress, probably referring to his siding with the moderates in the congress split.

B.G. Tilak, B.C. Pal, Lajapat Rai and Aurobindo Ghose were the leaders of the

people.64

In that meeting, he said that three things were essential for

regeneration of the country:

i) indomitable courage,

ii) nerve or physical strength and

iii) industry.

He said further, the Melecha Commissioner of Police would not allow

music to be played during the procession as B.C. Pal was a convict. As this rule was

in violation of the natural rights, it was disregarded and the procession was preceded

by music. Arya finally exhorted the people to acquire the qualities of of indomitable

courage, physical strength and patient industry and work for nationalism and ‘Swaraj’.

Other speakers were V. Chakkarai chetty, Selvaraja Rao. An appeal was made by C.S.

Bharathi for money to enable the Chennai Jana Sangam to send a purse to B.C. Pal and

after knowing the developments of the Tinnevelly riot and on V.O.C and Subramania

Siva, the Chennai Jana Sangam orgenised a meeting on 29th

March 1908 to express

sympathy with the Tuticorin and Tinnevelly patriots and martyrs. Arya arranged the

meeting at marina beach with R.A. Krishnamachari, K. Venkatramana RAo, C.S.

Bharathi and Krishna Iyer. In supporting a declaration of approbation of the great

work done by the patriots of Tinnevely, Arya said that never before had such an

unwonted thing happened, but they should all be glad that Indians had shown that they

had a spirit which would not brook Anglo-Indian interference. Considering the cause

for which four Indians had lost their lives in Tinnevelly, it was imperative that they

66.

Swadesamitran, Madras, 11th March 1908

280

should contribute to the maintenance of the families that had been lift destitute. The

Chennai Jana Sangam was authorized to collect money, and a box was sent round

which resulted in the collection of three rupees.65

Shivaji’s birthday was celebrated on 3rd

May 1908 on the Marina

Beach, which one was organized by Ethiraj Arya P. Thirumalachari, Harisavarthama

Rao of Masulipatnam, K. Venkatramana Rao, Ramachandra Iyer and Arya were

among the speakers. Arya made a long speech in which extolled the virtues of shivaji,

said that although they had no arms, they could do much, they could cry down the

government and make administration impossible. There were 33 crores of men in

India, and if they could only spit and throw sand on the English, they would be

drowned in the spittle. Arya organized everyday a meeting in and around Madras City

to collect money for the Swadeshi propaganda works. On 29th

April, Arya and sure

oters asked the people at a Moore Market lecture for subscriptions and also asked how

the money should be spent. The unanimous verdict was that it should be devoted to

the support of the families of those who were in prison. The question of who should

have the custody of the money caused trouble as some, including Ethiraj Arya, thought

it should be handed over to the Chennai Jana Sangam. On the next day, in another

meeting at the Moore Market, Arya helped to collect money for the defence of

V.O.C.66

On the 1st and 2

nd May 1908, Arya addressed to the gathering at the

Moore Market and advised the people to act judiciously without violating the laws of

the country. Further, he said that, if the Indians united together, they would get their

independence just as the five Pandavas defeated the hundred Gauravas with the help of

Sri Krishna. On 12th

and 13th

May, Arya again visited the Moore Market and

requested the people to contribute fund on behalf of V.O.C and Subramania Siva who

were attested because they had worked for the independence of our country. Arya was

accompanied by Palani Mudali left by train for conjeevaram on a Swadeshi lecturing

four on 14th

May and collected money for the “Tinnevelly Defense fund after

delivering a series of lectures on Swadeshi and boycott. Arya continued his Swadeshi

67.

Fortnightly Report, First Half of April 1908 68.

The Hindu, Madras, 31st April 1908

281

propaganda work at Conjeevaram on 17th

May and he said that Indians should always

be shouting Bande Mataram and by putting emphasis on the last syllable of Bande

Mataram and they would show that they felt greatly the hard ship of being under the

British Government.67

Arya referred to the execution of Charles I and the death of Brutus

brcause they denied liberty to the people of their respective nations, and said that

people had every right to demand liberty and been to fight for it. Further, in his speech

on 24th May, he said that the English were very cunning and careful about themselves

and advised the people to follow them an example. Arya supported Muthia Doss

Pillai, an extremist and young speaker, who condemned the Arms Act.

Arya spoke on 2nd

June 1908 at the moore market meeting about the

gist of Ramayana to the audience. He said “Did not Mandodari, the wife of Ravana,

describe the abilities of Rama and advise him not to keep Sita( Ramna’s wife) in

confinement? Did Ravana disregard it with lamentable consequences? So the English

rulers without knowing our strength are determined not ot grant any of our entreaties.

So their fate will be like that of Ravana. Life is insignificant and lvanescent, but

honour is valuable and everlasting. Derefore you should all care more for your honour

than for your life Government are now doing a lot of injustice. We must preserve our

honour and position, through we may have to sacrifice a few lives or undergo other

difficulties. Although the Government are doing a lot of things behind the scences, yet

though the power of hypnotism we are able to know every action of theirs in detail”.

He lamented the actions of the British by comparing the story from Ramayana.

Further, Arya said, “If political preachers are shadowed by the police,

we will send 20 Bradburys and 20 Decoys instead of Mc Coys to watch them in return.

We must bind ourselves to obedience to that Government whether it is Russian or

German, which works for Indians. The police are watching the Swadeshi preachers in

India, but please bear in mind that death is now hovering around such police officers

including the Commissioner and the Government who are ordering the Police to watch

69.

History Sheet of E.S.Arya, Confdt., Govt. of Madras, p.4

282

in this way. He criticized the highhandedness of the British Police in India and

appealed to the Swadeshi preachers not to bind before these policemen.68

In another speech, made by Arya next day at the same venue, he

praised the caliber of Sivaji, who pointed out; “The Government are afraid of Sivaji.

India is full of such Shivaji’s now. If 100 such men rise, Government will be afraid of

what the consequence will be. Our feelings are roused up already by one or two

persons being sent to jail or deported unjustly can we afford to remain quiet until all

the 30 crores of people in India are ordered by Government tobe sent to jail unjustly.

We must therefore, do what we can, and we are prepared to meet death at any moment.

Like Mahabooth Khan who died a martyr fighting for his country, we should all fight

for our country and die rather than keep quiet”. Arya appealed to the Indians to come

forward to fight against the British.

On 3rd

June, 1908, Arya gave another speech in the moore market in

Madras. He said that for a nation of prosper two things were necessary; men and

money; that Japan’s victory over Russia and her present flourishing condition was due

to her wealth and the people’s help, while in India both the things were wanted.

Further, he continued:- “ If we have such help in India, we can become a nation like

Japan. Therefore, we want national volunteers. When Admiral Togo of Japan

announced that 500 Japanese should be prepared to sacrifice their lives for successful

issues to the siege of port further, the people said that 5,000 of them were prepared to

die. Why should we not follow the example of Japan?

He further repeated the story of the frogs and their king as fold in

Esop’s Fable and said that, like the frogs that were eaten by the crane which was sent

dry God to be their king, the Indians who admitted the English people into their

country were now being swallowed by the later. He said. “We feel now like the frogs,

because we have not a king of our own. We therefore want a democratic Government

- a Government of the people. With this view and promote it, a Sangam known as the

Chennai Jana Sangam has been started in Madras, as the Madras Mahajana Sabha,

which is composed of men like the Horible V. Krishnasami Iyer, Rai Bhagadur

Ahandacharulu and others, is an important and traitorous body”.

70.

Ibid, p.6

283

Arya then announced the collection for the day is Rs. 1-1-8 and

remarked that such a large audience had given room of the a liens for redicule, as they

would surely remark that, if so many were able to contribute only a miserable sum of

Rs. 1-1-8, how could they hope to get Swaraj! He further announced that the Chennai

Jana Sangam had resolved to arrange for the holding of the madras provincial congress

and appeared to the Indians for contributions. Arya criticized the English people for

their self-centred status.69

On 8th

June 1908, Arya delivered a speech at the Moore Market and

said:” there must be less talk and more action. Did not America when she wanted

Independence, fight with the English and get it? Did not Russia haughtily insult Japan,

because the later was a small kingdom and her people were small in stature; and was

not Russia afterwards defeated by Japan in an open battle? Did Admiral Togo, who

was short and punny conquer General kuropatkin, a gigantic and powerful man? Japan

did not exhibit her prowess by the sword but by the love of her people for the country

evidenced by the voluntary offer made by the Japanese sacrifice themselves in order to

conquer the enemy in then siege of port of Arthur. Look at the battle of plassey. The

victory of Robert Clive was due to the employment of unfair means. Who really

agained the victory? It was the Indian sepoys. Did for the help give by a Hindu Raj,

Hexander, the Great, could not have conquered king poros in the battle field. The

valour of the British soldiers and officers may be compared to frogs rotten inside but

looking fair outside. Only the (British) wear long boots, fine dress, etc. in courage

they can never equal Indian sepoys. The strength of the Indian army rests with the

sepoys alone. At one stage, when the camp van short of provision, the sepoys were

satisfied with cunjee; you not know how bravely Rani Jhansi fought on the battle field?

What is the use of our being like the figs said above? The dfeat it to pieces and drink

its mind. The soul is immortal. Therefore, if we fight for the country’s cause, the

police and sepoys cannot do anything. Because you are the descendants of Rama, and

siti charkaravarthi, you must display your patriotism. India is now sinking like ship in

the sea. We are simply booking at it without trying to uplift it we belong to the race of

Bhimas. We should, therefore, come forward like the Japanese. The blood of Rama

71.

Ibid, pp.6-8

284

runs in our veins. We must work for mother Bharatha”. Arya appealed to the Indians

be brave and work hard to wage a war against the British.

V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, Subramania Siva and Padmanabha Iyengar

were convicted for Turicorin and Tinnervelly siofs In March 1908. The Tinnevelly

conspiracy case trail was being conducted in Tinnevelly before March and November

1908. The Judicial Manistate, kumarasam Thambu argued for the Government. He

intervened many evidences in this case from March to June 1908. At this critical

juncture, C. Subramania Bharathi and Arya left for Tinnevelly on 10th

June 1908 as

defense evidence in V.O.C’s case, but they were not edamined by the court. Arya

returned to Madras on 24the June 1988 after two weeks stay with C.S. Bharathi for the

above case.70

On 10th

June 1908, Bharathi and Arya were stopped at Tanjore in

route to Tinnevelly. Arya and Bharathi addressed a Swadeshi meeting at Tanjore.

Arya spoke on ‘National Education’. Bharathi sung the National Song’s and delivered

a leature on Swadeshi. On their return to Madras on 24th

June, Arya was invited by the

Swadeshi league at Chindaripet in Madras to deliver his speech. He said that he was

looking for a site for Swadeshi meeting and that his brethren were looking for sites in

the other parts of the city. This was rendered necessary by the prohibition of meetings

on the beach. The commissioner of police, Madras issued on order prohibiting the

conduct of Swadeshi meetings on the Marina Beach from Madras High court to

Triplicane area. In order to protest against the ban of the police authorities, the

Swadeshists started another type of propaganda by conducting Swadeshi procession.71

On the same day evening, C.S. Bharathi Ethiraj Arya, Muthia Dass,

Dr Nanjunda Rao, K.V. Venkatramana Rao and other members of the Chennai Jana

Sangam headed a Swadeshi procession which, started form the Parthasarathi Temple,

Triplicane went round Triplicane and returned to the temple. As they went along, they

shouted “Vande Mataram” and announced that they going to hold a Bajana and

meeting in honour of B.G. Tilak, who had been arrested receatly by the British. There

about 100 people attended the meeting. In the course of his speech, Arya said: “It will

72.

Ibid, p.8 73.

The Hindu, Madras, 26 June 1908

285

be an accomplished fact that the goal of “Swaraj” could be reached on the day when all

of us unite together and union is strength. Who are at bottom of all these prosections,

etc.? They are our own kith and kin, who for the sake of their mean livelihood have

become traitors by entering the Police Department and wearing the Duffalo-skin round

their waists without any shame and carrying table. These are called Police Inspectors,

Sub-Inspectors are Constables. Now what is their work? They are watch-dogs waiting

for a crust of bread thrown to them (cries of share). Our Sub-Inspectors are all Aiyars.

Could they not find better work suited to their caste as Brahmans instead of wearing

the buffalo-skin without any sense of shame? In Madras, who are the take-bearers?

Our traitorous Brahman Sub-Inspectors, Viz, Narayanasami Aiyar, Ramaswami Aiyar,

etc. (cries of shame), who pass for big men doing no more work than that of a watch

dog, the tak-bearer and a traitor. Do away with these traitors. Every nation has a time.

Rome was gret once upon a time and it fell down. Greece had its own fall. So shall

England Union is Strength. Take courage, work on and the goal of Swaraj will be

within our reach”.72

On the 9th

July 1908, Arya was arrested on a warrant issued under

sections 124-A and 153-A of I.P.C, in respect of the speeches delivered on the 9th

March, 3rd

May and 2nd

and 8th

June 1908 in different places of Madras province.73

When his house was searched by the Madras Police on 17th

May 1908, two letters were

found there. One from C.P.V Chellam in Burma, one from G. Subramania Iyer and

one from B.V. Narasimha Iyer, a Salem Vakil, to P.Tirumalachari, Secretary of

Chennai Janna Sangam and also a photograph was found in which Arya figured with

two Bengalis and another in which there were six other men and two women. Arya’s

companion in the former were reported by the Commissioner of Police, Calcutta were

Sasi Bhusan Sarkar, M.A., a Brahmo missionary and a native of Nadia, went to

England with Bipin Chandra Pal and another one was a Brahmo missionary of

Calcutta.74

The Government of Madras admitted the case Arya and the trial was

closed in the Madras High Court session on 17th

August 1908. Arya was convicted

74.

Fortnightly Report, First Half of July 1908 75.

History Sheet of E.S.Arya, pp.8-12 76.

Ibid, p.12

286

and sentenced to five years’ transportation on one court of three years on each of the

other two.75

After sending him to jail, the Chennai Jana Sangam activities were ceased

to show any out ward signs of activity. After release from the jail, Arya had gone to

U.S.A where he converted himself to the Christianity and returned to India after 1916

and met Subramania Bharathi at Pondichery where he stayed few months with him.

Arya involved himself in the religious activities in Madras till his last breath.

77.

Ibid, p.14

287

SUBRAMANYA SIVA

The Nationalist Movement in India had many whimsical circles. Its course was

shaped and reshaped by many internal and external interests. While the Nationalist

movement in Russia was a ‘Proletarian Revolution’; while the Nationalist Movement

in America was a ‘Direct War’ against the British, the Nationalist Movement in India

was one of the uneven developments in its achievement of the goals. Initially it was

one of the uneven developments in its achievement of the goals. Initially it was a

moderate i.e. petitioning one and then it was an extremist agitation and finally it was

Gandian oriented. These historical processes had altered some subalterns to emerge as

elite of one particular time, and re-altered the same elite into a subaltern at another

time. This paradigm is well suit to the political career of Subramaniya Siva (1884-

1925).

Subramaniya Siva was an extremists, when there was the partition of Bengal,

anti partition and the floating of sensational political concepts like Swadeshi and

Boycott.76

It was the time of the growth of education and unemployment; it was the

times of the growth of self respect and self confidence which had been painfully

constructed by Swami Vivekandanda. It had affecte4d many younger minds among

which one was Subramaniya Siva who was at that time, a student of Saint Michel

Matriculation College at Coimbatore. The Boer wars which happened at that time had

its imprints on the mind of Siva. As a man of disposition to the care of his body, he

was popularly called as Pavalamkaadi Payilwan. Pavalamkaadi represented his

residential area in Tiruvananthapuram, Payilwan identifies his physical appearance as

one who performed gymnastics.

In 1906, Siva and V.O.C went to the residence of Thirumalaichari in Madras,

the publisher of the India and expressed his desire to meet Subramania Bharathi. He

was introduced to Bharathi. Like Siva, V.O.C, Bharathi was also a native of

Tinnevelly district and naturally became closer to each other.77

Siva and V.O.C

accompanied Bharathi to the Marina Beach where they sat hours together and shared

76 Mani.P.S., Vira Murasu Subramaniya Siva, Chennai, p.65. 77 Notes on Tirunelveli Riots in March, 1908, compiled by CID, Madras, TNA.

288

their emotions and feelings about subjugation of India and her degradation under the

British.78

It became customary for Siva and V.O.C to visit the office of the India,

exchange views with Tirumalachari and accompany Subramania Bharathi to the

Marina Beach. Among the several things, they discussed were the histories of France

and Italy.79

It was for the sake of V.O.C that Bharathi translated the oath taken by

Mazzini in Tamil on the occasion of Mazzini’s initiation into the organization of

Young Italy. In fact, Siva and V.O.C’s contact with Bharathi moulded him to become

an extremist.80

In Tinnelveli district, students of Hindu College were drawn to the nationalist

movement by the speeches of Subramania Siva, V.O.Chidambaram Pillai, and

G.Subramania Iyer others. At the local high school on Punganur, North Arcot District,

students together with an assistant master formed a Sanadhana Dharma Bodhini, with

Sitaramappa as Secretary and the local Zamindar as Patron.81

Their activities reached

a climax a few days after the Tirunelvelly riots on 17th

March 1908. The students of

arts and law took out a procession which became violent and part of the high school

building was set on fire.82

The Swadeshi movement first reached Tirunelveli around

September 1905, when Ramakrishna Iyer, a local popular lawyer issued a call for

boycott of foreign made goods – perhaps the first boycott call to be made by the

Swadeshi movement in Tamilnadu.83

A series of lectures made by V.O.C and

Subramania Siva in and around of Tirunelvelli for the cause of Swadeshi goods which

roused the feelings of the people who launched a number of strikes and lock-outs and

burnt foreign goods in public.84

The wave of protest meetings prepared the ground for

the more vigorous Swadeshi movement which was launched soon after the 1905

annual session of the Congress.

78 V.O.C.Subramanian, VOC Kanda Bharathi (Tamil), Madras, 1946, p.7. 79 V.Venkatraman, Burmavil Bharathikku Thadai (Tamil), Rajapalayam, 2006, pp.63-65. 80 V.O.C.Subramanian, Op.Cit, pp.10-11. 81 N.Rajendran, Nationalist Movement in Tamil Nadu, 1905-1914, Madras, 1994, p.78. 82 Idid., p.79. 83 G.O.No.1542, Judicial (confdl.), 3rd October 1911. 84 Tinnevelly Riots Conspiracy and Ashe Muder, Select Document Series, 1900-1947, pp.427 & 454, TNA.

289

Siva’s judicial statement given to Tirunelveli Session Court at 1908

mentions that for the past four years, Siva had been preaching his policy in

Tiruvananthapuram, cochin, Madurai and Tirunelveli districts. He also spoke at

Tirunelveli and Tuticorin during 9, 11 March 1908. He further mentioned that it was

foolish to say that he had been tempted by somebody to speak at Tuticorin. Here Siva

did not make any commitment about his companion ship with V.O.C.

Although the Britishers had imprisoned Siva only for his fury speeches, it is

unfortunate that there are no records of newspaper which contain the full speeches of

Siva. Hence to arrive anything about his political philosophy is highly hypothietical

and based upon minimum evidences. His judicial statement given to Tirunelveli

sessions court identifies his political views. In the statement, he accepted that he was a

sanyasi. A mendicant will work for the liberation of the people. As a mendicant Siva

said that ‘I have worked for the liberation of the country from foreign domination? The

way to replace the foreign governemtn was the boycott, the passive resistance and

Swadeshi education. Certainly the abouve are the ideas of extremism. But it is

another area to probe how Siva had established those ideas in his mind.

Siva identified himself as a Satyagrahi, he advocated for the promotion of

Kadhi and prohibition of intoxicants. However, he retained the principle violence

against Gandhi’s non-violence. But his stand was not well appreciated by Gandhi,

which led him placing in the historical contexts of extremism, terrorism, Gandhiansim,

Swaraj Party and in the context of Congress Party. His contribution to Tamil

renaissance is simply embryonic stage.

290

PARALI S.NELLAYAPPER

Nellayappar was born on 18th

September, 1889 at Parali Kottai a small town of

Tirunelveli District. His father was Subramania Pillai, and mother was Muthu

Vadivu.Nellayappar was unmarried till his death.85

The main occupation of

Nellayappar was writing editorials, articles and editing and publishing books on Tamil

literature. He was a close friend of Bharathi. In the beginning stage, Bharathi called

Nellayappar as ‘Mapillai’86

. But later he called Nellayappar as ‘Thambi’(brother).

Nellayappar worked in V.O.C’s Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company in his early

days. His brothers also worked in same company. He met Bharathi in1908 at V.O.C’s

house.87

In 1909, V.O.Chidambaram Pillai was arrested and the court sentenced to

double transportation imprisonment. Nellayappar vehemently condemned the

judgment. Meanwhile, Neelakanta Brahmachari called Nellayappar at Puducherry. At

that time, Bharathi wrote articles and editorials in the news papers of the Vijaya and

the Suryodayam. The owner of the Suryodayam was Neelakanta Brahmachari. The

salary of Bharathi was 35 rupees, and the salary of Nellayappar was Rs.15 only.88

In

the meantime, Nellayappar met Aravinda Ghose, and discussed the situation of Tamil

province. Meanwhile, Suryodayam stopped its publications. At that time, Nellayappar

joined in Bharathi’s Karmayogi. Bharathi’s translation work of Bhagavat Geetha was

published in the Karmayogi. The young daughter of Bharathi namely Sakuntalai called

Nellayappar as uncle. In 1912, V.O.C.Pillai released from jail. At that time, V.O.C

completed his works namely, ‘Manam Pol Valvu’ and his autobiography with the help

of Nellayappar.89

Nellayappar served as the sub-editor of newspapers namely Bharathi,

Narathar, Desabakthan and Dravidan newspapers. In 1922, he purchased the

85 Muktha Srinivasan, Inaiyatra Sadanaiyalargal, Chennai, 2005, p.479. 86 R.A.Padmanabhan, Chitra Bharathi, IInd Edition, Nagercoil, 2005, p.282. 87 P.Duran, Bharathi (T), 1979, Chennai, p.128. 88 V.Venkatraman, Bharathikku Thadai, p.170. 89 Muktha Srinivasan, Op.Cit., p.480.

291

newspaper namely, Lokopakari.90

Nellayappar created simple style of Tamil articles.

At that time he was edited by Bharthi’s Kannan Pattu, Papa Pattu and Nattu

Pattu(Folk songs). While Bharathi was in jail, Nellayappar met Bharathi.91

Nellayappar also published Bha’athi's songs and plays. Most of the songs of Tamil

namely, Parukkulle Nalla Nadu and Sentamil Nadenum podhinile were first

published by Nellayappar in his newspaper.92

Apart from that, Lokopakari was also in

favour of Gandhian ideals. The historians call Nellayappar, as “the originality of

Bharathi was visualized throughout the world”. Nellayappar passed away in 1971.93

S.V. ALAGAPPA PILLAI

Alagappa Pillai was born on April 15, 1893. He was well-versed in Tamil

literature. His main occupation was agriculture. He joined the Swadeshi Movement in

1907.94

He was one of the accused in the Ashe Murder Case 1911, and courted

imprisonment in 1911-12 and imprisoned in Madras jail for 9 months and was treated

by the government as a dangerous political suspect.95

BABU PILLAI

Babu Pillai was otherwise called as Ramaswami Pillai. He belonged to the

Vellalar community. His main occupation was agriculture. He took part in the

Tirunelveli conspiracy and was accused in the Ashe murder case, in 1911. He was

arrested at the age of 24 and sentenced to one year rigorous imprisonment.96

90 R.A.Padmanabhan, Op.Cit., p.285. 91 Idem. 92 P.Durai, Op.Cit., p.174. 93 V.Venkatraman, Op.Cit., p.174. 94 N.Rajendran, Op.Cit., p.154. 95 V.Venkatraman, Bharathikku Thadai, p.170. 96 G.Venkadesan, Op.Cit., p.335.

292

CHAVADI ARUNACHALAM PILLAI

Chavadi Arunachalam Pillai, a native of Shencottah was born in 1892. He was

a Medical Practitioner(Doctor) and one of the active members of Bharatha Matha

Association.97

He was convicted in the Ashe murder case. He died in April, 1973 at

Shencottah.98

MUTHUKUMARASAMI PILLAI

Muthukumarasami Pillai was otherwise called as Muthusami Pillai. He

belonged to the Vellalar community. His occupation was selling pots. He took part in

the Tirunelveli Conspiracy and was accused in the Ashe Murder Case in 1911.99

He

was arrested at the age of 45 and sentenced to one year rigorous imprisonment.100

MADASAMI PILLAI

Madasami Pillai was born in 1886. He was a scholar in Tamil literature. He

was a member of Bharatha Matha Association.101

He had close contact with

V.O.Chidambaram Pillai and Neelakanta Brahmachari.102

He was one of the accused

in the Ashe Murder Case but he escaped to Paris, France in 1912 and his whereabouts

was not known.103

JAGANATHA IYENGAR

Jaganatha Iyengar was a good look and hailed from Brahmin community. He

was a participant in Tirunelveli conspiracy and was accused in the Ashe Murder Case

97 A.Devanesan, History of Tamilnadu, 2004, Marthandam, p.400. 98 P.Chandrasekaran, Op.Cit., p.216. 99 N.Rajendran, Op.Cit., p.155. 100 Ma.Po.Sivaganam, Viduthalai Poril Tamilagam, Chennai, 2005, p.505. 101 N.Rajendran, Op.Cit., p.156. 102 Idem. 103 V.Venkatraman, Op.Cit., p.286.

293

in 1911. He was convicted under section 121A of I.P.C and sentenced to one year

rigorous imprisonment.104

HARIHARA IYER

Harihara Iyer was one of the merchants of the Brahmin community. He was a

member of the Bharatha Matha Association. He took part in Tirunelveli Conspiracy

and was accused in the Ashe murder case in 1911.105

He was convicted under Section

181A of I.P.C and sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment.106

MADATHUKADAI CHIDAMBARAM PILLAI

Madathukadai Chidambaram Pillai a native of Tuticorin was one of the

members of Bharatha Matha Association. He belonged to the Vellala community. He

was a grocer. He took part in the Tirunelveli conspiracy and was accused in the Ashe

murder case in 1911. He was sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment.107

SANKARA KRISHNA IYER

Sankara Krishna Iyer, a native of Krishnapuram at Kadayanallur in Tirunelveli

district was one of the members of Bharatha Matha Association. His occupation was

agriculture.108

He belonged to Brahmin community and participated in the Tirunelveli

conspiracy and was accused in the Ashe murder case in 1911. He was sentenced to

four years rigorous imprisonment.109

104 A.Devanesan, History of Tamilnadu, 2004, Marthandam, p.401. 105 Idem. 106 N.Rajendran, Op.Cit., p.308. 107 Saroja Soundararajan, Madras Presidency in Pre-Gandhian Era, p.290. 108 Idem. 109 V.Venkatraman, Op.Cit., p.288.

294

SUBBAYYA PILLAI

Subbayya Pillai was otherwise called as Subramania Pillai. He belonged to

Vellala community and he was a Vakil Gumastha (clerk to a lawyer) by profession.

He took part in the Tirunelveli conspiracy and was accused in the Ashe murder case in

1911.110

He was convicted under section 121A of I.P.C and sentenced to one year

rigorous imprisonment.111

GURUNATHA IYER

Gurunatha Iyer was one of the Head Constables of Police in Tuticorin district.

He was close associate with V.O.Chidambaram Pillai. He was one of main accused in

Tinnevelly riots.112

At that time of arrest of V.O.Chidambaram Pillai the Tinnevelly

district was totally collapsed by revolutionaries.113

The government buildings were set

on fire. The police arrested the Gurunatha Iyer in charge of set on fire of government

buildings of Tiunnevelly.114

He got four years rigorous imprisonment. After released

the jail, he went to Berlin. While he was in Berlin, he joined the revolutionaries of

India.

Dr.SENBAGARAMAN PILLAI

Dr.Senbagaraman belongs to Nanjil country. He was one of NRI (Non-

Resident Indian). He disseminated the status of India throughout the western

countries. He created some organizations against British in Europe. He started a

newspaper called ‘PRO INDIA’.115

Apart from English, some other newspapers were

run by Senbagaraman. He was in favour of Keiser William II of Germany.

Senbagaraman sought the help of Germany to abolish the British rule in India. In

110 N.Rajendran, Op.Cit., p.320. 111 Idem. 112 V.Venkatraman, Op.Cit., p.291. 113 V.Venkatraman, Towards Independence, p.65. 114 N.Rajendran, Op.Cit., p.330. 115 P.Chandrasekaran, Op.Cit., p.234.

295

1914, he threw a bomb at Madras High Court with help of ‘Emton’ water steamer.

The Indian revolutionaries created a new organ in Afghanistan namely, “Temporary

Republic of India”. Senbagaraman was one of the Ambassadors of this organ. He

dedicated his life for India’s Independence. He firmly believed that armed

revolutionary was the only way to abolish the alien rule in India. 116

Tamil Nadu played a significant role in the Swadeshi Movement from 1905 to

1912. The prominent swadeshi leaders like V.O.C.Pillai, Subramania Bharathi,

Subramania Siva, V.V.S.Aiyar, Vanchi Aiyar involved themselves in a consistent way

during the Swadeshi Movement. Apart from these prominent leaders, the leaders like

Neelakandan, Parali Nellaiappar, Madasamy Pillai, Madathukadai Chidambaram Pillai,

Sankara Krishna Iyer, Padmanabha Iyyangar, Harihara Iyer and others also exhibited

their anti-British sentiments in a deep way by participating each and every activities of

the Swadeshi leaders.

116 A.R.Venkatachalapathy, V.O.C and Tinnevelly Riots., Chennai, 1987, p.68.