2 - The historical context of the old regime

Summary

The end of the old regime: the Poligar Wars

Be it known to all the Tinnevelly Polegars, and all the inhabitants of the Pollams, that Major Bannerman is commissioned by the Honourable Company to make inquiry into misconduct of the Tinnevelly Polegars in communications with the Collector, and to punish such as may be found deserving thereof. And having, on full inquiry into the conduct of the several Polegars of Yalarampanna, Naglepore, Colarpettah, Cadulgoody, and Kolattoor, discovered that they were leagued with PanjalumCourchy in the late levying of war against the Polegar of Shevagherry, who is under the Company's protection; and that the conduct of all these Polegars has been alike disobedient and rebellious to the Government of the Company, in disregarding the authority of the Collector, refusing to pay Company's kists, committing depredations, disturbing the peace of the country, and oppressing and murdering its inhabitants; he has deemed it expedient, by virtue of his instructions, and the powers with which he is invested from the Company, to mark in the strongest manner their displeasure against such criminal proceedings; and therefore proclaims, that the Polegars of Panjalum-Courchy, Naglepore, Yalarampanna, Colarpettah, Cadulgoody, and Kolattoor, are dispossessed of their Pollams.

Translation of a Proclamation from Major John Bannerman Commanding Detachment on Service, to the several Polegars of the Tinnevelly Province, on the 18th Day of September, 1799

This proclamation was issued at the commencement of a major military campaign, one of the last of the “Poligar Wars.”