Writer: Shruti Jajoo
I have not come across the legendary freedom fighter’s name Velu Thampi Dalawa in my history books. However, being in the Southern part of India, I had to be familiar with the legendary warrior and administrator who was one of the earliest individuals to rebel against the British East India Company‘s supremacy in India.
Velayudhan Chempakaraman Thampi was the Dalawa or Prime Minister of the Indian kingdom of Travancore (now part of Kerala) between 1802 and 1809 during the reign of His Highness Maharaja Bala Rama Varma.
During his tenure as Prime Minister in the years 1801-1809, corruption was removed and the kingdom prospered. He undertook several reforms such as the reclamation of fallow land, and construction of roads and canals. Primary education was made compulsory while trade and commerce improved under his rule.
During his final days, he understood that he will be captured soon and hence, before leaving, Velu Thampi presented his famous Gold and Jewel studded sword to Kilimanoor Palace with the explicit instruction that the British should not get their hands on it.
The British forces caught up Velu Thamphi, however Thampi escaped and killed himself instead of being killed by the Britishers. The British only found the corpse of Velu Thampi.
The British searched high and low for Velu Thampi’s Sword, however, they could not locate it. The sword was never found and it stayed hidden at the Kilimanoor Palace for 150 years. The Kilimanoor Palace kept their word to Velu Thampi Dalawa till independence.
His sword, is kept in the Napier Museum at Trivandrum, is a mute reminder of the heroic struggle of this patriot against British dominance.
A heroic tale of Velu Thampi has been outlined through various unconventional methods of storytelling in the movie “The Sword of Liberty”, which I recommended everyone to watch to become aware and be inspired by such great fighters.
Jai Hind 🇮🇳
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