Maaveeran Azhaghu Muthu Kone was one of the early revolutionaries, who resisted the British imperialism and stood the ground against them.
Azhaghu Muthu Kone was born in Kattalankulam (Tirunelvelu district) in the year 1710 CE. His father was the king of Kattalankulam. After his father’s demise in the Anumanthakudi war, Azhaghu Muthu Kone took over the reign of administration in the year 1750 CE.
During that period, British East India Company nurtured their ill-ambitions of ruling our country and was looking for ways and means to took over power from the Hindu Kings and Muslim rulers. After the decisive win in The Battle of Plassey in 1757, British formally took over control of Bharat and appointed the Nawabs, Nizams and Sultans to collect taxes from various Hindu Kings.
Azhaghu Muthu Kone opposed this move and took it as a challenge to the self-respect and sovereignty. Not only he refused to pay any taxes to the British, he also influenced other fellow Palayakarars not to pay taxes. This has irked the British and they sent Khan Sahib (a Hindu convert, who became sidekick to the British for money and power) to collect taxes on their behalf.
In the heavy war that ensued in Pethanayakanur Fort in 1759 CE, Azhaghu Muthu Kone gave a tough fight to the British forces led by Khan Sahib. Having realized that Azhaghu Muthu Kone cannot be defeated in a straight forward war, British and Khan Sahib resorted to deceit and with the help of turncoats, they captured him when he was asleep in the night. They also captured 6 of his war commanders along with 248 loyal subjects.
In order to ensure that Azhaghu Muthu Kone don’t escape, he was shot in his legs first before being tied with iron chain around his hands and legs. Khan Sahib asked Azhaghu Muthu Kone to ask for clemency and pay taxes, so that he can be let off along with his kingdom. However, Azhaghu Muthu Kone turned down this offer outrightly and proclaimed that British has no right to collect taxes in Bharat.
As a part of British tyranny mechanism which they unleashed everywhere, the right hands of all the 248 loyal subjects were cut. Historical evidence to the fact that after 248 hands were chopped off, the place looked terrible with the pool of blood. Even after this, those 248 subjects raised slogans against British and hailed Azhaghu Muthu Kone for his determination.
This has infuriated Khan Sahib and British and they killed all the 248 loyal subjects, inspite of Azhaghu Muthu Kone’s repeated plea to let them off. After killing 248 people, Azhaghu Muthu Kone and his 6 commanders were all tied to the cannon mouths and cannon balls were fired. Azhaghu Muthu Kone and his 6 commanders were blasted to pieces and laid down their lives in the service of motherland.
The detailed life and history of Azhaghu Muthu Kone (1710 to 1759 CE) was mentioned in the book “Vamsamani Deepikai” written by Swami Deekshidhar in 1878, which enabled us to know about this brave son of Bharat Mata.
Maaveeran Azhaghu Muthu Kone and others who were mercilessly killed by British will continue to inspire us to serve our might for our motherland.
