| Senhor Don Gabriel de Cruz Vaz | |
|---|---|
| Ruler of Pearl Fishery Coast | |
| Reign | 1779 - 1808 |
| Predecessor | Senhor Caspar Vaz Victoria |
| Born | December 3, 1753 Tuticorin |
| Died | 1808 (aged 54–55) Manapad, Tamil nadu |
| Burial | La Salle School, Tuticorin |
| Father | Caspar Vaz Victoria |
| Mother | Aida Gomez P Rayan |
| Occupation | Ruler |
Parathavarma Pandian (also known as Pandiyapathy, Vikrama Aditya Pandya, Thermaran and Senhor Don Gabriel de Cruz Vaz) (December 13, 1753 – 1808) was the ruler and freedom fighter from the Pearl Fishery Coast, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, in what is now southern India, who helped Maruthu Pandiyar and other freedom fighters like Veerapandiya Kattabomman and Oomaithurai.[1] He fought against the Dutch and later the British. The Indian Union Ministry of Culture recognised Pandiyapathy as a freedom fighter [2] On his birth anniversary, Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi paid floral tributes to Parathavarma Pandian and described him as having played a role in resistance against colonial rule, including associations with Veerapandiya Kattabomman.[3] Thiru. R. N. Ravi, Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, paid floral tributes to Parathavarma Pandiyapathy (Thermaran), a great freedom fighter from India’s early resistance against British colonial rule, on his birth anniversary at Lok Bhavan, Chennai - 13.12.2025.[4]
Early life[edit | edit source]
Senhor Don Gabriel de Cruz was born on December 13, 1753, in a Catholic Paravar family, and became the 16th ruler of the Pearl Fishery Coast, following the death of Don Caspar Anthony De Cruz Vaz Victoria in 1779. Senhor was the honorary title given by the Portuguese to these Catholic rulers. And Parathavarma Pandian or Pandiyapathy are the local titles given to them. In 1772, on his wedding, a golden chalice was offered to Our Lady of Snow's Church. The golden chalice is taken out every year on 5, August for the feast mass celebrated by the Bishop.
Involvement with British[edit | edit source]
Initially, Pandian allied with the British to defeat the Dutch who controlled the beach road in the 1780s. However, he later joined forces with Veerapandiya Kattabomman to fight against British rule.[5] Pandian sheltered and protected Kattabomman's brother Oomaithurai after his escape from prison and supplied explosives from Ceylon to support the retaliation against the British.[6] Despite orders from the British to capture him, Pandian managed to evade authorities until his death at the age of 56 in 1808.[5]Template:Contradictory inline
Legacy[edit | edit source]
He was also known for his involvement in the traditional practice of pulling the rope of the Tiruchendur Murugan temple car and offering a golden chariot for the Our Lady of Snows Church in Thoothukudi. He is remembered as Thermaran(தேர்மாறன்). His tomb is still preserved at the La Salle Higher Secondary School campus in Thoothukudi.[6] The Central Government of India officially announced him as a freedom fighter.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The Hindu Bureau, The Hindu (2024-12-14). "Appeal for commemorative stamp honouring freedom fighter Pandiyapathy". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2024-12-28. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
- ↑ "Freedom fighter Pandiyapathy's details in Amrit Mahotsav portal wrong: Neithal writers". The New Indian Express. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
- ↑ "On the birth anniversary of Parathavarma Pandiyapathy..." X (formerly Twitter). Raj Bhavan Tamil Nadu. 2024. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ "Governor of Tamil Nadu pays floral tributes to Parathavarma Pandiyapathy (Thermaran)". Lok Bhavan Tamil Nadu (Official X account). 13 December 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mahotsav, Amrit. "Pandiyapathy". Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Forgotten valour: Pandiyapathy, the freedom fighter king of the Pearl Fishery Coast". The New Indian Express. 13 December 2021. Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-02-07.