Virupatchi - A brave village

Virupatchi is a small village near Oddanchatram in Dindigul district with total geographical area of 1350.13 hectares with population of 6123 people as per 2011 census.

The village traditionally depended on the rain fed irrigation of river Nankanji and is famous for the bravery and courage. Till Krishnadevarayar’s arrival the village is called as Nankanji and later renamed as Virupatchi – Virupakshi (his wife name) and its history rolls back to British rule during 1750. Many native rulers waged war against them in Tamilnadu and in 1800 was Virupatchi Gopal Naicker who was Zameen at that period.

 After Veerapandiya Kattabomman’s death, his brother Oomathurai reached Dindigul Valley and collected 4,000 youths and fought against the Britishers with the help of Gopal Naicker.  Revolutionaries organized a meeting on 29.4.1800 at Palani Hills under his leadership and planned to attack the Britishers’ Coimbatore Fort on 3.6.1800.  It was called the Palani Conspiracy. The revolutionaries reached Virupatchi from far off places like Maharashtra on 28.4.1800 to attend the meeting. Though their attempt was foiled, this was the first war staged against the Britishers by Gopal Naicker and the native Indians. After that, the Revolutionaries went into hiding in the Palani forests and continuously fought against the Britishers. After a long fight, Virupatchi Zameen was captured by Britishers on 16-10-1801 and Revolutionaries were arrested. Important leaders including Shri Gopal Naicker were hanged to death on 24-10-1801 and remaining 73 others were sent to exile on 11-2-1802. The great freedom fighter, Dheeran Chinnamalai also joined the stream with Shri Gopal Naicker and lived in Palani Hills.