Alli Rani (Tamil: அல்லிராணி, lit. 'Queen Alli'), also known as Alli arasi , is a legendary Tamil queen of the Sangam period, who is thought to have ruled the whole western and northern coast of Sri Lanka from her capital Kudiramalai.[1][2] According to folklore, her fort, Allirani fort, is located in Mannar, Sri Lanka.[3] She is sometimes seen as an incarnation or multiform of Meenakshi and Kannagi.[4] Legends attribute her as an "Amazon" ruler, who had an administrative and an army of only women, with male being their subordinates and servants.[5]
There are references to her in several texts such as Alli katai, Alli Arasani Maalai, Pavazhakodi Maalai and Pulavendran Kalava Maalai.[6] She is also depicted in a popular dramatic compilation in Tamil language, entitled as Alli Arasani Nadakam.[7]