In the Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu located on the road from Rajapalayam to Srivilliputhur, there is a stone inscription dedicated to the commander of Tamil Palaiyakkarar Puli Thevar’s army. According to Local 18 Tamil Nadu, it is located in the Idayankulam village. The people of the area are worshipping the inscription saying that the Puli Thevar had himself installed it here. As per the Mrityunjaya Chronicles, Palayakkarar was the owner of one of many Palayams that made up the kingdom. This stone memorial is usually given to a hero who died in battle during that period. Puli Thevar was a great challenge to the East India Company. He placed this stone inscription in awe of the valour of his army commander Venni Kaladi. Also known as Periya Kaladi, he was an 18th-century CE general, valiant warrior and martyr.
Venni Kaladi was born in the Nelkattumseval area, where Puli Thevar ruled and later joined his regiment. He was one of the main commanders of Pulithevar. In general, Kaladi means foot force. It is said that Venni Kaladi was the commander of the infantry. The infantry are the soldiers in an army who fight on foot.
In the history of the freedom struggle, it was Muhammad Yusuf Khan (born Maruthanayagam Pillai) the British East India Company’s army commander who defeated Puli Thevar. It is said that Maruthanayagam Pillai could not easily defeat Puli Thevar. The EIC commander once planned an attack on the Tamil Palaiyakkarar but failed and was defeated. A major reason behind his defeat was the sacrifice of the commander Venni Kaladi. As per reports, Maruthanayagam had surrounded the Nelkattumseval with his forces and planned to attack Puli Thevar during the night.
After receiving this information, Venni Kaladi launched a counterattack on Maruthanayagam’s camp with his army. During the fight, the former’s stomach was ripped apart due to an attack and his intestines came out from the belly. He remained undaunted, took his turban, tied it to his stomach and fought again with the enemy forces. Finally, he was able to defeat the East India Company’s forces. Before dying, Venni Kaladi managed to meet Puli Thevar and communicate the message about the war. He stumbled and fell. Puli Thevar laid Periya Kaladi’s head on his lap. Soon, the latter died.
In Periya Kaladi’s memory, Puli Thevar erected a tombstone there and it began to be known as Kaladi Medu.
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