While numerous individuals who resisted colonial rule have been recognized and celebrated as freedom fighters, attention needs to be drawn to an unsung hero who fought between 1616 and 1621 and emerged as one of the first to resist colonialism in the nation. Varunakulattan, a Tamil warrior and naval commander resisted Portuguese colonial domination in the Bay of Bengal and the Jaffna region.
Varunakulattan, also known as Khem Nayak or Chem Nayaka, was a warlike general of Tanjore and Nagapattinam, known for his selfless resistance to colonial forces especially during their attempts to subjugate Tamil lands and control maritime trade. Portuguese chroniclers documented him as a "great enemy" of their empire and referred to him as a "warlike general" who posed a significant threat to their dominance in the Bay of Bengal. They also acknowledged his strategic brilliance, calling him a "war lover" who excelled in disrupting their plans, particularly in Jaffna and the surrounding coastal areas. These accounts from the Portuguese themselves highlight his exceptional resistance to European colonial powers.
Varunakulattan, renowned as the "Shark of the Bay of Bengal," was a formidable naval leader who defended the eastern coast of India and Jaffna with exceptional skill. Fighting selflessly for Tamil sovereignty, he sought neither personal gain nor wealth but upheld the region’s freedom and dignity. Both feared and respected, Portuguese records acknowledge his military prowess, while King Sankili entrusted him with Jaffna’s defence. His relentless battles from 1616 to 1621 make him one of India’s earliest freedom fighters, symbolizing resistance against colonial rule long before many later struggles. His life serves as a powerful reminder of our country's unity in diversity and the many unsung heroes who fought for our freedom.
Source: Dr. M.D.Dhayalan Parathavar, President of Parathavar Munnetra Peravai, Chennai.