Travancore legendary martyr Vaikom Padmanabha Pillai honored in Kerala

Cochin, Jun 28: As part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Union Minister of Culture G Kishan Reddy unveiled the statue of Vaikom Padmanabha Pillai at Gandhi Smrithi Bhawan, Kottayam in Kerala on Jun 26. Martyr Vaikom Padmanabha Pillai is known as the Lion of Travancore. The event was highlighted under the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav's initiative of showcasing the unsung heroes of India's freedom struggle.

 

 

 

 

During the unveiling ceremony of the martyr's statue at Gandhi Smrithi Bhawan in Kottayam Kerala, Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy said, “Vaikom Padmanabha Pillai was a brave fighter, and used traditional martial art of Kerala, Kalaripayat to fight against the national enemies. He also played a key role in defeating Tipu Sultan". In his address, the Union Minister emphasized on the need to celebrate and showcase the lives of unsung heroes of our freedom struggle and how the Central govt is commemorating it through Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vaikom Padmanabha Pillai was a military leader and officer of the Kingdom of Travancore, who was called up in to the Travancore Army in 1789, when Tipu Sultan invaded Travancore. In 1808 he led an uprising against British control in Travancore, due to which he was captured in the following year and hanged for his leadership in the rebellion.

 

 

He was one of the 20 reserve soldiers from the Nandyat Kalari who ambushed the huge Mysore Army in the Nedumkotta fortifications in Dec 1789. His role in the defeat of Tipu Sultan at the hands of the Travancore Army during the second battle in April 1790 is pivotal. He had made a serious injury in the knee of Tipu sultan, during the war. After such valor in the war, he served as a general in Travancore Maharaja's army.