Significance Of Pattayam, A Legal Document, In Tamil Nadu's History

Veerapandiya Kattabomman was an 18th-century Palayakarrar and king of Panchalankurichi in Tamil Nadu who fought against the British East India Company. According to Local 18 Tamil, recently a Pattayam (legal document) has been uncovered in Pavali village, Virudhunagar district in Tamil Nadu.

This Pattayam has not been properly maintained and is located in the cowsheds. Despite the low maintenance, one can easily read the words Kattabomman Pattayam. After reading these words, one can get an idea that it has something to do with the Veerapandiya Kattabomman.

Colonel John Alexander Bannerman had put up this document, 4 days after the Veerapandiya Kattabomman’s execution. This was to serve as a warning to the villagers that they should not keep regiments, and weapons and build the fort walls. The document also warned the public that anyone who dared to act against the East India Company would be killed.

The present generation of the villagers was not happy with this document of the bygone era. Many were under the misconception after reading the document’s contents that Kattabomman was accorded with this historical title. When the government offered to take away this Pattayam, the people of the town blocked it and said that our town’s identity should be here. Muthiah, a social activist from the town got this document certificated during CN Annadurai’s tenure as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister. The charter, which has been a symbol of the town ever since was safely placed on a small plinth 10 years ago.

Muthiah recalled that when the team led by the District Collector came to take it away, we requested them to keep it here only so that people could see it. The activist said that he and the other natives of the Pavali village are proud to have a symbol of freedom struggle in our town. He added that they want to keep it in their town only.

Some people who are devoted to Veerapandiya Kattabomman have a tradition of coming here on his birth date and spending evenings. They, however, do not understand the document properly and this suggests that history has not been passed down.