Dheeran Chinnamalai

Dheeran Chinnamalai
Chieftain of Kongu Nadu
Statue of Dheeran Chinnamalai at Odanilai
Successor	British Rule
Born	17 April 1756 Melapalayam, Erode, Tamil Nadu
Died	31 July 1805 Sankagiri, Tamil Nadu
Burial	31 July 1805 Odanilai, Arachalur, Tamil Nadu
Full name Chinnamalai Theerthagiri Gounder
Father	Rathnasamy Gounder
Mother	Periyatha

Dheeran Chinnamalai (17 April 1756 – 31 July 1805) was a Kongu chieftain and Palayakkarar from Tamil Nadu who fought against the British East India Company.

Dheeran Chinnamalai was born as Theerthagiri in Melapalayam, Chennimalai near Erode in Tamil Nadu.

Dheeran Chinnamalai was one of the main commanders in the Polygar Wars, notably during the Second Polygar War that took place in 1801–1802. He was trained by French military in modern warfare alongside Tipu Sultan to fight against the British East India company and helped in victories against the British at Chitheswaram, Mazahavalli and Srirangapatna.

After Kattabomman and Tipu Sultan's deaths, Chinnamalai sought the help of Marathas and Maruthu Pandiyar to attack the British at Coimbatore in 1800. British forces managed to stop the armies of the allies and hence Chinnamalai was forced to attack Coimbatore on his own. His army was defeated and he escaped from the British forces. Chinnamalai engaged in guerrilla warfare and defeated the British in battles at Cauvery in 1801, Odanilai in 1802 and Arachalur in 1804.

Chinnamalai was betrayed by his cook Nallapan and was captured by the British sepoys in 1805. He was hanged at Sankagiri Fort along with his two brothers on 31 July 1805 on the day of Aadi Perukku.