Queen Velu Nachiyar
Rani Velu Nachiyar (1730-1796) was a Sivaganga queen and the first Indian queen to wage war against the East India Company.
Nachiyar was the only child of the King and Queen of the Ramnad kingdom (now in the Tamil Nadu state, southeast Indian coast) and was raised to be its princess. She was trained in combat, including armed combat, archery, and horse riding. She was at least trilingual and could study in more languages.
When her husband was killed by soldiers of the East India Company, she escaped the battlefield with her daughter. She formed an army, made alliances, and launched a campaign against the East India Company. Nachiyar successfully arranged an attack to blow up their ammunition, and was able to rule for 10 more years. Her daughters, Vellachi Nachiyar, rule after her.
