Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah

The Amara Sullia or Kaatakaai war was the First rebellion against the British Imperialism in Coorg, before we step into the Freedom Movement which gave birth to Swaraj in Coorg, We need to focus back into the History. 

Flag of Independent Kodagu Kingdom - Paleri Kingdom 

In 1799 after the Fourth Anglo Mysore war, Puttur and Sullia taluks were handed over to the Raja of Coorg, Veerarajendra Wodeya, for his support and assistance to the British to defeat Tipu Sultan. But everything changed after the death of Veerarajendra Wodeya, Chikkaveera Rajendra was a tyrant and he looted and killed his subjects, this enraged the Royal Diwans in his court, Diwan Apparanda Bopanna and Diwan Cheppudira Ponnappa met the British officials in Mysore and invited them to engage in a war with the Raja of Coorg, after a stiff resistance from the Coorg Army under the command of Commander Veera Mathanda Appachu the Kingdom  of Coorg surrendered to the British and Lt Col JS Fraser a Political agent Officially Declared the Annexation of the Kingdom into the British Empire on 7th May 1834, Chikkaveera Rajendra the last raja of Coorg who was hiding in the woods of Naalnaad Province were later captured. After the annexation of Coorg into British Empire, the Taluks of Sullia and Puttur were merged with Tulu Naad in 1834. 

Chikkaveerarajendra Wodeya - The Last of King of Coorg

A Letter which was dated back to June 10, 1834, Colonel Fraser had plans to Convert Kodavas into Christianity, his letter reads, "The People appear to have little or no attachment to the debasing superstition of the country, and their mind seems to me to be more open than those of any other Indians. I have seen to be prepared for receiving the light of the Christian religion while their intellect may be expected rapidly to expand under the influence of that education they are soliciting" 

Diwan Cheppudira Ponnappa 

Diwan Apparanda Bopanna

Aparampara Swami, Kalyanaswamy and Puttabassappa spearheaded the campaign against the British in Coorg, On 30^th March 1837, Kalyana Swamy issued a proclamation ordering the people to support him in his war against the British, he ordered Kujugodu Appayya and Malamana Mallappa Gowda to disrupt the Postal System, He also sent a special invitations to the Landlords and Subedars of the Region to support him in his movement, After Two Days, Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah who was serving under the Army of Chikkaveerarajendra received the order of Kalyanaswamy  along with Subedar Mandira Uttaiah, requesting them to support him. The Invitation also contained the Royal Seal of the Kodagu Kingdom which was a reason for many Landlords and Subedars to support the movement since they believed  it was an order from the Royal Court. 

Royal Kodava Diwans of Coorg

Standing From Left to Right: Kodendara Kuttayya, Apparanda Bopanna, Koruvanda Nanjappa, Koluvanda Appanna, Kuttetira Chengappa,

Sitting from left to right: Cheppudira Thimmaiah, Apparanda Mandanna, Manyapanda Beliyappa, Biddanda Bopanna, Biddanda Mandanna 

Subedar Mandira Uttayya of Naal Naad

The Freedom Fighters killed Atlur Ramappayya the brother of Coorg Diwan Lakshminarayanayya who was a loyal supporter of the British in the last week of March. In the Midweek of April Kedambadi Rama Gowda from Sullia visits Subedar Mandira Uttaiah and Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah at a place near Napok (Napoklu), Rama Gowda convinces the chieftains that it's a war of people to restore the Paleri Rajas, and bring back the Swarajya. 

Soon after the meeting both the Subedars,  Madaiah who is influential in Kadiyat Naad province and Uthaiah who is influential in Naal Naad, starts to mobilise the people in support of the First Freedom Movement of Coorg, Diwan Apparanda Bopanna warns both the Subedars not to participate in the struggle and says it's not about bringing back the glory of Paleri Kings but it's ruining the future of Coorg, he also alleges that both the Subedars will be hanged if found participating in the event. 

A Representational Picture of Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah's Men requesting the people 

of Kodagu to take up arms against British.

But in April Mid - Week, The movement gains a momentum when British Guards under the orders of Diwan Apparanda Bopanna attacks Subedar Mandira Uthaiah in a place near Bavali, This failed attack boosts sympathy and support for the movement especially in Padnaal Naad (Bhagamandala Region), Yedava Naad (Madikeri, Surlabhi region), Naal Naad (Napoklu) and Kadiyat Naad (Kadanga - Karada Region), Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah was known for his humble living and was loved by all the communities of the region, He quickly meets all the leaders and local communities and requests them to support for the movement. 

Most of the North Western region of Coorg is mobilized against the rule of British by Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah and Uthaiah, people of the region visits various ancestral homes called ain manes and spread the word to support the movement of Freedom for Coorg, Due to heavy rains and the concentration of Coorg British Army in the Lower part of Coorg ie. Sullia and Puttur, Diwan Apparanda Bopanna who is busy in fighting against the rebels in Sullia, the Subedars expand their footprint to Kiggat Naad province and Beppu Naad Province, Diwan Cheppudira Ponnappa (On whose name the present Ponnampet exists), orders the people of dire consequences if anyone were to be found supporting the Freedom Fighters, and Geographically since Kiggat Naad is very far from the origin of movement, the people are not that emotionally attached to the cause. 

It is to be noted that the Amara Sullia Movement starts in Coorg on 5th March 1837, but it starts almost a month later on 6th April 1837 in Dakshina Kannada, Aparampara Swami and along with Subedar Guddemane Appaiah starts mobilising the people against British in Nanjaraayapattana and Gadi Naad Province, Subedar Guddemane Appaiah visits and mobilises the support of people of Sakleshpura against the British. 

Subedar Guddera Appaiah (Guddemane)

Subedar Guddemane Appaiah, Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah and Subedar Mandira Uthaiah meets at an ancestral house near Nelji, the trio make plans to mobilise troops and support the movement which has already gained momentum in Sullia and Puttur, It is to be noted that despite Diwan Apparanda Bopanna being one of the notable and influential persons in Coorg, there were many people in his own family supporting the Freedom Movement. 

The Two Kodava Diwans, Apparanda Bopanna and Cheppudira Ponnappa  in their address to Le Hardy they clearly mentioned that they dissuaded the Kodavas not to support the Freedom Movement, but Kodavas like Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah and Subedar Uthaiah had a different opinion, they wanted Coorg to be liberated from the British as soon as possible, one of the main threats was the conversion plan of Colonel Fraser and Colonial Rule of British.

Almost 1050 Kodava Soldiers came down to Amara Sullia to suppress the rebellion there in the First week of April, The British even tried to Divide the Kodavas and Gowdas, it is to be noted that Gowdas make a majority in the Sullia and Padnaal Naad province whereas the Kodavas make a majority in Naal Naad and Gadi Naad Province. British tried to use the opportunity to divide the movement on the basis of community but Kodava Leaders like Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah and Subedar Uthaiah supported the movement, which paved way for Other Kodavas to support the cause. 

On 28^th April 1837 the Government proclaimed that a reward of Rupees 10,000 would be paid for the apprehension of the Chief rebel Kalyanaswamy and Rupees 5000 for each principal adherents like Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah, Subedar Guddemane Appaiah and Subedar Mandira Uthaiah along with Kukanur Chennaiah and Kaarnika Subraya, Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah and Subedar Mandira Uthaiah was captured near Bettageri and was punished inside the Madikeri fort by the British, Kalayanaswamy was captured near Manjarabad (Sakleshpur) on 13^th May 1837 with the help of Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah, and Kari Basavayya, later Kalyanaswamy was executed in Mangalore on 19^th June 1837, While Subedar Guddemane Appaiah was executed on 31^st October 1837, Kedambadi Rama Gowda, Chetty Kudiya, Kurta Kudiya, Peraje Krishnaiah, Beeranna Bunta was deported to Singapore where they were made to work in hard labour irons on the public roads.

Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah, Subedar Mandira Uthaiah, Shanthayya and Mallaiah was imprisoned for 14 years, It is said that initially the British wanted to execute Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah and Subedar Mandira Uthaiah along with Subedar Guddemane Appaiah but Diwan Apparanda Bopanna appealed to the British Le Hardy not to execute them as they enjoyed a great support of people in these two regions, while others claim despite Diwan Apparanda Bopanna being an enemy for both the Subedars, the Freedom Movement sympathizers in his family persuaded him not to execute the two Subedars.

In a report sent to Madras Court on 27^th November 1837, M Lewin states that the total number of state prisoners upto 21^st November 1837 were 1113, such a large number of prisoners testifies to the extension of the rebellion and the popular support it had. 

Early Life, Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah parted his ways with his Elder brother Devaiah for a small fight between the two brothers, It is said soon after the Puttari Festival differences surfaced between the two brothers and Madaiah was thrown out of his house, (Descendants of Nerapanda Devaiah form Karadath Mane Nerapanda (Karada Nerapanda) and Descendants of Nerapanda Madaiah form Arapatt Mane Nerapanda (Arapattu Nerapanda). Till 5 years ago both the families of Nerapanda Vokka never participated in any of the functions together, but as they say the Time heals everything, both the houses have come together now to form one Nerapanda Family. 

It is said that the Ain Mane which was built by Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah in Arapattu was built by the Kodava Muslims of Yedapala Village, the Ain Mane has almost 6 bedrooms with two floors. The grave of Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah is situated nearby. 

Death Conspiracy, It is to be noted that the Descendants of Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah still believe that he is alive and doesn't offer a scared meedi (Non Veg and Liquor) rather offers Fruits as meedhi. But as per few persons in the family Subedar Nerapanda Madaiah after coming from 14 years of imprisonment lived a normal life by settling disputes between people in the nearby villages. 

Few Say Subedar Madaiah was murdered by the British, because they feared that he could ignite the sprak for Freedom Movement again and the British didn't want to face the same situation again. 

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