Vanchinathan

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Vanchinathan, popularly known as Vanchi, was an Indian freedom fighter and a martyr. He lived in Shenkottai, then in the state of Travancore, now in the state of Tamil Nadu.

On June 17, 1911, Vanchi assassinated Ashe, the district collector of Tirunelveli, who was also known as Collector Dorai. He shot Ashe at point-blank range when Ashe's train had stopped at the Maniyachi station, en route to Madras. He committed suicide thereafter. The railway station has since been renamed Vanchi Maniyachi.

Vanchi was a close collaborator of Varahaneri Venkatesa Subrahmanya Iyer (normally shortened to V.V.S Iyer or VaVeSu Iyer), another freedom fighter who sought arms to defeat the British.

[edit] Vanchinathan's letter

"I dedicate my life as a small contribution to my motherland. I am alone responsible for this.

3000 youths of this brave country have taken an oath before mother Kali to send King George to hell once he sets his foot on our motherland. I will kill Ashe, whose arrival here is to celebrate the crowning of King George in this glorious land which was once ruled by great samrats. This I do to make them understand the fate of those who cherish the thought of enslaving this sacred land. I, as the youngest of them, wish to warn George by killing Ashe who is his sole representative and has destroyed the Swadeshi shipping company and several other freedom fighters by subjecting them to severe torture.

Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram."

[edit] Trivia

In the movie Kappalottiya Tamizhan, Actor Balaji played the role of Vanchinathan. Sivaji Ganasen roled as Va.U. Chidamparam