ConflictEast India Company rule

Execution of the Maruthu brothers

· Tiruppathur, Sivaganga

Execution of the Maruthu brothers
Kanna19993, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Periya Marudhu and Chinna Marudhu, rulers of Sivaganga and leaders of the 1800-01 rising, were hanged at Tiruppathur fort.

After the fall of Kalayar Kovil in October 1801, the Maruthu brothers were captured by the East India Company's forces. They were hanged on the ruins of the fort at Tiruppathur, in present-day Sivaganga district, on 24 October 1801. Members of their families and many associates were also executed or exiled. The brothers are commemorated in Tamil Nadu as early leaders of resistance to British rule, and the anniversary is observed as Marudhu Pandiyar Guru Pooja.

Related events

  1. 1800

    1. 1800 to 1801SivagangaConflict

      Second Polygar War

      One year after Kattabomman was executed, a broad coalition of Tamil palayakkarars and their allies revolted against the East India Company.

  2. 1801

    1. 16 Nov 1801PanchalankurichiConflict

      Execution of Oomaithurai

      Oomaithurai, brother of Kattabomman, was captured and hanged at Panchalankurichi with Sevathaiah, ending the Second Polygar War.

    2. May 1801PanchalankurichiConflict

      Fall of Panchalankurichi fort

      After a lengthy siege and heavy shelling, Colonel Agnew's Company troops took the rebuilt fort of Panchalankurichi.

    3. 1801TiruchirappalliPolitics

      Jambudweep proclamation of the Maruthu brothers

      The Maruthu brothers issued a proclamation calling on all people of the peninsula, whatever their religion, to fight the British.

  3. 1805

    1. 1805SankagiriConflict

      Execution of Dheeran Chinnamalai

      Dheeran Chinnamalai, a Kongu chieftain who fought the Company for several years, was hanged at Sankagiri Fort.

  4. 1806

    1. 10 Jul 1806Vellore FortConflict

      Vellore Mutiny

      Indian sepoys of the Madras Army rose against the East India Company at Vellore Fort over new dress regulations.

Open in the timeline explorer