Varunakulattan ✓
Varunakulattan was a 17th-century (1615–1621) naval commander from Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. Commissioned by King Raghunatha Nayak, he led a massive naval fleet across the Palk Strait to defend the sovereign Jaffna Kingdom against Portuguese colonizers. Leading guerrilla attacks and major sieges at Nallur and Vannarpannai, he became such a formidable force that Portuguese historians documented him as their "Great Enemy." He was ultimately martyred at the Battle of Thiruvil in February 1621. His sacrifice stands as a powerful testament to the maritime heritage, bravery, and cross-border unity of the Tamil coastal communities (Sons of the Sea), yet his contributions have been entirely marginalized in mainstream Indian history.