Context: Every year on 3rd January, India celebrates Rani Velu Nachiyar Jayanti.

About Rani Velu Nachiyar (3 January 1730 – 25 December 1796)

• Rani Velu Nachiyar was the first queen to fight against the British colonial power in India. 
  • She was the princess of Ramanathapuram from Sethupathi dynasty and is known by Tamils as Veeramangai.
    Martial Skills: She was trained in war match weapons usage, martial arts like Valari, Silambam (fighting using stick), horse riding and archery. 
• Linguist: She had proficiency with languages like French, English and Urdu.
• Battle: When her husband Muthuvaduganathaperiya Udaiyathevar, the king of Sivagangai, was killed by British soldiers and the son of the Nawab of Arcot, she was drawn into battle. 
  • She escaped with her daughter and lived under the protection of Palayakaarar Kopaala Naayakkar at Virupachi near Dindigul for eight years.
• Agreement: An agreement was reached whereby Rani Velu Nachiar was permitted to govern the Sivaganga Country. Thus the widow Queen Velu Nachiar succeeded her husband in 1780. 
• Death: Rani Velu Nachiyar died on 25 December 1796.

News Source: PIB