Analysis of the Man

T. H. Baber wrote in 1805:

“Thus terminated the career of a man who has been enabled persevere in hostilities against the Company for near nine years, during which many thousand valuable lives have been sacrificed and sums of all money beyond all calculation expended.”

"...but in all classes, I observed a decided interest for the Pyche Raja, towards whom the inhabitants entertained a regard and respect bordering on veneration, which not even his death can efface".

"...he for a series of years had kept this province in a state of confusion, and agitated it with the most intricate and perplexing warfare in which best of officers and of troops have at various times been engaged to the melancholy loss of many valuable lives and the expenditure of as many lakhs of rupees".

Pazhassi Kerala Varma was not crowned and hence was not true Raja. He held position of head of state only from 1776 to 1782, 1788 to 1793 and 1799 to 1805. He did not have any desire for personal power and so did not care for kingship. Often some writers have claimed that he opposed British in order to preserve his authority. But that makes no sense in light of the fact that he did not attempt to make himself the true Raja in spite of the immense popularity he had in his country. Also he took over leadership only when true Rajas exposed the country and people to danger. 

Pazhassi Raja was only a junior prince of his dynasty and it was due to fate that he rose to leadership. He took up leadership and went to war only because he felt it was his duty to protect his land and people from alien oppression. As foretold, people of all castes, tribes and classes of his country adored him as their beloved Raja. This was due to the fact that he was willing to do anything to ensure their safety and welfare. They came to love this man so much that he became a hero of folk songs in Northern Malabar.

How much his subjects loved Raja is attested by the fact that despite terrible persecution by British troops, most people refused to betray or abandon Raja and his men. To the bitter end, his subjects, high and low, gave all help they can to their Raja. They fought as his troops, provided him with money and arms, fed and hid him and his men, misled British with false information and faithfully reported British troop movements to Raja and his men - with no desire for any reward in return. 

Those who supported Raja or his men and had the ill luck to be caught by British were hanged, their near and dear ones ill treated or murdered and their property confiscated. Yet, people of Kottayam disregarded even such terrible consequences and supported Raja. British offer of huge reward for head of Raja and his close aides too did not cause any change of mind for his subjects. They steadfast in their determination to stand with their Raja to the end. Neither threat nor temptation could make them betray their Raja. 

Some people allege that Pazhassi Raja did a crime by making alliance with British to fight Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. They even go so far as to claim that Tipu Sultan was the real patriot for being an enemy of British from beginning to end whereas Pazhassi Raja became a patriot only when British harmed his interest. This view is entirely wrong as it does not have a foundation in historical facts. Pazhassi Raja allied with British from 1774 to 1792 only because they have a common enemy called Mysore.  

Pazhassi Raja had no objective to accept British suzerainty. He had no hesitation to fight British when it became clear to him that British will not accept independence and unity of Kottayam. Another point to be noted was that before 1792, British had made no attempt to dominate any part of Kerala whereas Mysore army had invaded, occupied and devastated large parts of North and Central Kerala and committed terrible atrocities on local population. Pazhassi Raja's alliance with British from 1774 to 1792 was based on political common sense.

Truth was that Pazhassi Raja was also keen on an understanding with Mysore. He did make serious efforts for a rapprochement between Kottayam and Mysore in 1780 and 1784. But he was not ready for any foreign policy based on political servility or financial exploitation of his people. In that sense, there was remarkable continuity in his political approach throughout his life. He always desired for good relations with great powers that surrounded his country, but had little hesitation to fight them if need be. 

His tragedy was that he was ruler of too small a country. Had he been ruler of a larger and more powerful kingdom like Travancore or even Calicut, course of Kerala's history would have been different. 

In the film Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (2009), as in folk imagination, Raja is depicted as a tall man. But eye witness account of Jonathan Duncan, Bombay Governor in 1797, who held peace talks with Raja describes him like this -

"Raja had long hair and a short thick beard, and was a small man. Sometimes he was in the habit of wearing a red cap. His face radiated a great glow."

In addition to his usual title Kerala Simham or Lion of Kerala, Pazhassi Raja is known as Shaktan Rajah ("Strong Monarch") - in Wayanad. Another epithet of his is Chandrakula Vira ("Hero of Lunar Clan").

Raja had three wives-first named Avinyat Kunjani who was much nearer to him in age, was niece of Payyormala Nayar, a nearly independent chief in modern northern Calicut. It was this wife who accompanied Raja to forests and was captured as a sick woman by British in 1805. His second wife was Kodava lady named Devammaji who was daughter of a powerful Kodava chieftain named Annayya. His third wife was named Kaitheri Makom, who was sister of Kaitheri Ambu, Raja's close aide. Kunjani committed suicide shortly after death of Raja. Marriage with Devammaji also was short-lived as she killed herself on the news of her father's death. 

Following are some reasons why he can be viewed as a great man:

When Mysorean army invaded the true Rajah fled in terror leaving their people and land to its fate. But Pazhassi Raja refused to flee, took up leadership of his beleaguered country and subjects and preferred hard life of warfare in forest and mountain fastness than comfortable sanctuary abroad in Travancore.

He led mass resistance against Mysoreans and British, in which all sections of people, directly or indirectly took part.

His troops worshiped him as he was a fearless warrior and a first rate general who led from the front and lived during wartime as an ordinary soldier-he shared all soldierly hardships with them. He had great physical endurance that enabled him to fight in the cruel mountain fastnesses of Puralimala and Wynad. His soldiers were not paid in cash or land. Instead, they were volunteers who were motivated by appeals made by Raja to fight. His army men - from generals to foot soldiers - did not have any desire for reward. They knew perfectly well that what awaited them was most likely death. But charisma and sincerity of Raja was such that they cast aside all practical considerations for the sake of a higher ideal. 

He knew well how to use his limited armed ability to resist far superior enemies. Most of the time, Raja's men were mostly armed with sabers and bows as gunpowder was short in supply and his enemies were superior in terms of numbers and fully armed with firearms. Yet, he defied Mysoreans for nearly 20 years and British for 10 years-Perhaps one of best examples of the fact that good leadership can compensate other handicaps.

British could conquer great powers like the Nawabs, Marathas and Sikhs with far more ease once they opened war with them. But it took well over a decade to crush this turbulent prince who had no more than 3000-5000 men armed with primitive weapons. By 1805, the British had deployed a force of 15,000 men to face Raja's small army! More important is the fact that Raja was not defeated and killed by military methods-it was pure treachery that led to his downfall in winter of 1805. We can say that he was "undefeated in the field, but stabbed in the back".

The greatest tribute to Pazhassi Raja's military genius is the fact that even Arthur Wellesley Duke of Wellington could not subdue him even after 3 years of severe struggle. Note that this Wellesley played a key role in decisive defeat of Tipu and Marathas and thus conquered most of India for British East India Company. Wellesley's experience in war with Pazhassi Raja enabled him to use Raja's tactics in Spain to defeat Napoleon's army and change course of world history.

Some historians like Woodcock have denounced Pazhassi Raja as a casteist and feudal obscurantist who has no feeling for low caste majority. This is a complete lie and total disregard of historical facts. Raja's attitude towards low caste majority was far ahead of his time and extremely generous and kindly compared to his contemporaries. In contrast to some of those British sponsored Rajahs and nobles who returned to Malabar in 1792 only to extort money from people in name of tax collection and that too in a country impoverished and ravaged by two decades of war, Pazhassi Raja borrowed a large sum from rich merchants and encouraged his farmer-folk with cattle, seeds and saplings to resume agriculture.

Also as mentioned before, Raja was opposed to exorbitant taxation of peasantry, who were majority of his subjects and mostly low caste, and it was this issue that led him to war in 1784 and 1793.

His lower caste subjects reciprocated this love. In 1805, British demolished palace of Pazhassi Raja and confiscated all his property. His near and dear were rendered homeless and had no livelihood. In this moment it was local Tiyyars (members of a lower caste) who built a new palace for kin and kith of Pazhassi Raja. They did so because they loved Pazhassi Raja and hence were deeply pained by the distress of his family.

Raja took special care of his aides and troops. In fact, he was so brutal in revenge if any of his follower or his kin is harmed that not even most fearsome of bandits dare not to threaten Raja's followers' homes, where during war, only women and children were present.

Raja promoted capable men to key posts with no regard of caste, tribe or class. One of his eighteen viceroy Palliyath Ambu was a Vaniyan, a lower caste. A general of his named Pullambil Sankaran was of lower Tiyyar caste. His most famous general, Thalakkal Chandu was a member of forest tribe. Pazhayaveetil Chandu, though a Nayar, came from a wretched background. All of them remained loyal to Raja to the bitter end. Only Pazhayaveettil Chandu betrayed his master. Had it not been for these able and loyal lieutenants, of whom Edachena Kunkan, Chingot Chathu, Thalakkal Chandu, Kaitheri Ambu & Kannavath Sankaran are most important, Raja could not have held out against foreign aggressors for so long.

For over a decade after demise of Raja, British officials were worried that another revolt might explode in North Malabar and were worried by the fact that there were plenty of disgruntled elements in the area ready to revolt. 

Raja died without attainment of his objective of independence. But his struggle did have a beneficial outcome for people of Malabar. British rule in Malabar from 1792 to 1805 was marked by rapacity, corruption and inefficiency due to which ordinary people suffered much. Cotiote War taught British the lesson that people of Malabar should not be trifled with and cannot be trample with impunity. British rule from 1805 to 1947 was extremely exploitative for peasantry, the mass of people in Malabar. Yet, had it not been for Cotiote War, colonial exploitation and cruelty would have taken more barbaric and terrible forms. 

Before 20th century, Pazhassi Raja was a figure known only in North Malabar. But after spread of literacy and press by early 20th century, he became well known across Kerala. Memory of Pazhassi Raja and his heroic struggle became a source of inspiration for freedom movement in 20th century Kerala. At present, his role in early resistance to English imperialism in India is well accepted by scholars.

Some make false claim that Pazhassi Raja was not a freedom fighter since there was no concept of modern nation of India at that time. But should we admire a person only if he suffered and made sacrifice for modern nation of India? He fought to preserve freedom of his country and lost his best years and finally his life. If each ruler of India had fought like that, British could not have conquered India. History tells us that most of Indian powers did not fight the British hard enough. Ones that did, like Pazhassi Raja, fell as their fellow countrymen either were indifferent or betrayed them. If one were to say that each Indian should be like Pazhassi Raja, could anyone object to it?

Pazhassi Raja sacrificed his life for a greater cause at the cost of his comfort and life - that is what really matters. 

It may be of interest to note that both Communist Left as well as Hindu Right uphold Pazhassi Raja as a hero! Left has good reason to see Raja as a fore-runner - Raja took an uncompromising stand to protect interest of peasantry and tribesmen and to the end resisted Capitalist imperialism of English East India Company. Hindu Right admires Raja for his relentless struggles against Islamic aggression of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. They also adore him as he always made appeals to his cause in the name of Perumal and Bhagavati and his commitment to preservation of Dharma. He is upheld as ideal Hindu leader who had effected a Hindu unity that cut across caste and class division. Many Muslims of Malabar also take pride that many Muslims have fought and died under banner of Raja in his wars with British. 

Perhaps it make no sense to put an eighteenth century prince in modern political categories. Only point that can be stated with certainty is that he was a good person who embodied highest form of courage, patriotism, military ability and empathy for poor and downtrodden and that he acted as best as possible to ensure that his people and land remains free from alien control and misery. He without doubt is a great role model. 

Pazhassi Raja Was One of the Greatest Military Geniuses of His Time.

Pazhassi Raja had only two contemporaries as equals in military genius – Yeshwant Rao Holkar of Indore and Dheeran Chinnamalai of Erode. What is of interest is that they all fought British around same time – Holkar from 1803-1805 and Chinnamalai from 1800 – 1805.

In 1795-1805 era, British had an Indian force of 120,000 men. They deployed 14,000 of their Madras troops to crush Pazhassi Raja.

Arthur Wellesley got experience in guerrilla warfare due to his campaign to crush Pazhassi Raja. Wellesley used tactics and strategy of Raja during his generalship in Spain during Peninsular War - with good effect. 

Pazhassi Raja had a country some 4000 square kilometres and 100,000 subjects – which means his country covered only 1/1000th of undivided India and his people covered only 1/1000th of India’s population. 

But in spite being so tiny in size of their country and numbers, Pazhassi Raja and his supporters engaged nearly 1/8th of British-Indian military force for over 10 years.

Cotiote War between Pazhassi Raja and British East India Company was the longest and one of the bloodiest wars waged by British in India. 

To conclude, 

Thousands of salutes to Lion of freedom.

ACT 5 - Epic Finale: Successful Resistance to Arthur Wellesley, Downfall and Death

In 1799, British and Pazhassi Raja openly broke into war and by monsoon of 1800, all of British blockhouses in Kottayam was besieged by rebels.

British decided to crush this rebel Raja once and for all – so they appointed their best man for this job. Colonel Arthur Wellesley who had put a great performance in Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.

This Colonel Arthur Wellesley later rose to become Duke of Wellington who helped Spanish rebels win Peninsular War against Napoleon Bonaparte’s army and later defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.

Master strategist Wellesley decided that he will subdue Kottayam by an all directional overwhelming move – British force was to invade Kottayam from all directions and then hunt down rebels.

But he knew well that success would not come easy in so wild a country– so he decided that he will build s series of roads across Kottayam and set up blockhouses in all key points so that country could be subjugated inch by inch.

He also embarked on a program of huge deforestation to deny rebels cover.

No rebellion could succeed without help of people –so now newly promoted Major General Wellesley decided to unleash a reign of terror.

Large scale arrests and executions of male kin and kith of rebels was followed by confiscation of their properties.

In view of support, Pazhassi Raja had amongst many across Malabar, whole of Malabar province was brought under military law and draconian effort was made to disarm whole of district.

Punishment for possession of arms was death and thousands were hanged. No quarter was given by both sides – British summarily hanged all rebels they caught or found wounded and rebels beheaded all those British troops whom they caught or were found wounded.

One reason why British was so brutal was that they had scented that Pazhassi Raja had joined with rebel leaders across South India - like Dhundaji Wagh of Mysore, Marudu Pandyar of Sivaganga. Krishnappa Nayak of Bullum, Gopal Nayak of Dindigul and Khan-I-Jahan of Coimbatore

In light of his past exploits and unusual talent as a general, British was not entirely wrong in their anxiety to crush Pazhassi Raja at earliest.

Kannavath Sankaran Nambiar, right hand man and prime minister of Pazhassi Raja and in words of British, principal instigator of second round of war between Pazhassi Raja and British was caught and hanged along with son and twenty four of his followers.

All rebel strongholds were captured by British after severe combat and by 1801, rebels were on run – they kept up a running fight.

Pazhassi Raja himself was relentlessly chased. He and his wife along with six close aides and twenty five bodyguards constantly evaded capture.

Pazhassi Raja crossed frontier of his country into neighbouring principalities of Chirakkal, Kadathanad, Kurumbranad, Calicut and even reached south as far as Cochin in disguise. To their rage, British found that people – high and low – gave all kind of help to this fugitive Raja who had become a hero even beyond his own country.

Pazhassi Raja and his personal band was hotly pursued by British troops across hundreds of miles and on many occasion British troops almost had Pazhassi Raja under sight but he made a hair breath escape.

Until 1802, resistance was in doldrums. All they had managed is to hold on and survive. Their skirmishes with British troops had proved costly to latter but resistants had no confidence to mount a major offensive.

But all that changed from October of 1802.

In central point of Wynad at a crucial junction of roads named Panamaram, British had an heavily fortified outpost and had 300 men there.

News would spread from Panamaram fast across whole of Wynad and 3000 of Pazhassi Raja’s armed followers had hidden themselves in forests of Wynad.

In this time of tribulation, a young Kurichia tribal named Thalakkal Chandu, who was right hand man of Edachena Kunkan about whom we had seen in Siege of Tellicherry proposed a daring plan.

Chandu was illiterate but had a brilliant military mind. He put forward a plan to Kunkan – they would launch a surpise on British unit at Panamaram and overwhelm it. If this plan works a miracle might happen.

But this plan was exceedingly risky – there as another British outpost not far from Panamaram and if rebels fail to seize Panamaram in one blow, they might risk themselves being trapped in gun fire from two British units.

On October of 1802, 150 Kurichia bowmen led by Chandu and Kunkan mounted a surprise in thick of night and overwhelmed whole of British outpost. News of this audacious victory rapidly travelled all over Wynad and rebels who recovered their nerves now rose up en masse.

Wellesley was red with anger – he had thought that he had crushed the insurgents but now they were back with a bang. British reinforcements rushed to Wynad but could not bring situation under control.

Soon, Wellesely was in for another shock – he found out why Pazhassi Raja and his men could evade British troops for so long.

Wellesley's “adviser”, a Wynad Nayar noble named Pallore Eman, who had access to all decisions made by Wellesely was in reality a double agent who worked for Pazhassi Raja.

Eman duly reported all decisions made by Wellesely to Pazhassi Raja.

Eman escaped into forests and joined Pazhassi Raja and thus evaded British effort to arrest him.

In October of 1802, Edachena Kunkan arrived at a famous shrine at Walliyoorcav which visited by large numbers of people.

Here he made a proclamation in name of Pazhassi Raja to people of Wynad to join his struggle to expel British from their country. Response was overwhelming – 5,000 armed men volunteered and 3,000 were immediately sent for action.

On account of his ability and loyalty, Chandu was appointed as one of the generals in Kottayam army.

Pazhassi Raja’s rebellion now fanned out across Kottayam with renewed vigor – British struggled to contain this frenzied surge and in early 1803 was confirmed with another rebellion far greater and dangerous than one of Pazhassi Raja.

Whole of Malabar had rose up en masse in 1803 in response to hiked rate of land revenue.

British now suffered nightmares – they know only too well how Hyder and Tipu had failed in Malabar due to rebellion and was further fearful of what would happen if whole province of Malabar were to flock under Pazhassi Raja.

So in deviation from their usual style of no compromise with rebels, British authorities swiftly reverted to old land revenue and opened peace talks with all potential rebel leaders to calm them.

Nightmare scenario was averted by middle of 1803, but that in no way helped to contain Pazhassi Raja who was now boosted by volunteers who came to fight for him outside his kingdom.

Pazhassi Raja’s men now ravaged whole zone from Arabian Sea to neighborhood of Mysore.

BY late 1803, Major General Wellesley himself admitted that his methods had failed to bring Cotiote War to a successful termination and rightly analysed that revolt will thrive as long as Pazhassi Raja was alive.

It was a David and Goliath case – Wellesley who had played crucial role in rather speedy victories over Mysore and Marathas failed before a minor princeling who had only 6,000 armed men with him.

But Wellesley used his experiences in Cotiote War for far greater use in Spain where he used many of “Pychy Raja’s” guerrilla methods of warfare to bleed and bog down Napoleon’s Grand Army.

FATEFUL BATTLE OF IRIKKUR

Emboldened by their successes, rebels decided to fight enemy openly –so far they had stuck to guerrilla warfare. Now in February of 1804, they decided to make an open stand at Irikkur – a trading town along Tellicherry-Mysore highway.

Rebels threw their best men and weaponry into this fateful struggle. Loss or victory in this battle would prove crucial.

Battle of Irikkur raged for four months – by June of 1804, rebels were severely defeated by British troops at a heavy cost for themselves. Close to 3,000 rebels were dead or captive.

Enormous cost for rebels in terms of men proved to be a fatal mistake – British could bring more reinforcements but rebels had dried up their manpower reserve. In retrospect, this event marked the beginning of end for Pazhassi Raja.

Unable to mount any serious offensive, they once more retreated into forests of Wynad.

Pazhassi Raja was not disheartened – he had tasted severe defeats even before and knew well that victory in insurgent warfare comes only with one’s ability to hold on and wear down enemy will to fight.

HEROIC END

British troops who were doubled in numbers by reinforcements from Madras chased rebels into Wynad encountered severe resistance and their hope for a total victory was thus lost.

Now Pazhassi Raja assisted by Thalakkal Chandu and Edachena Kunkan, waged a successful forest warfare from June of 1804 till September of 1805.

In November of 1804, British surprised Pazhassi Raja and his followers in one of his hideouts. Timely warning by a Kurichia archer gave him time to have a hair breadth escape.

By 1805 June, it became clear even to Raja that he had lost initiative fully to British. He and his two nephews decided to leave in southern direction.

But within two days of departure, Raja returned to Wynad! He took command of his army once more. What else should we expect from a man like him who had devoted his whole life for his country?

But by early October of 1805, affairs started to look bright for Raja and his troops. British army units in Wynad was struck down by an epidemic of malaria and only less than one-seventh of their force was fit for service. Raja supported by Kunkan, Eman and Chandu rallied a large force of Kurichias and Mullukurummas and prepared to deliver a large scale blow to the weakened enemy.

But in November, entire Kottayam military machine collapsed suddenly and by end of the year, war was over. 

How Cotiote War came to an end and how Pazhassi Raja became a martyr is in most case explained by account given by Thomas Harvey Baber, Collector of Malabar who had charge of counter insurgency operations since middle of 1804.

Version of Baber is that he won confidence of ordinary people of Wynad and made them end their supply of food to rebels and also to betray hideouts and movements of rebels to British army. In end, Pazhassi Raja himself was betrayed by one of his subjects and was killed in a skirmish.

Some accounts say Raja committed suicide to avoid capture – he swallowed a diamond ring. Another suicide version says he tossed his sword up into air and was killed by sword which came back down.

But I personally find Baber’s version questionable. Because Baber in same letter attest to devotion of Wynad people to Raja which not even his death could erase but in same letter say that he brought down Raja because he could woo people and turn them against Raja!

If one were to read Baber’s account, it is as if he came with a magic wand in September and deprived Raja of people’s support and by November 30 made them betray his hideout. But this need to be doubted – British had earlier too used similar methods across Kottayam but without success.

TALE OF A BETRAYAL

From this point on wards, I wish to break away from accepted version of academic history I find unreliable. Instead I will like to share with my readers, a tale unknown to most.

In folklore of North Malabar, Pazhayaveettil Chandu, a relative and former general of Raja is blamed for betraying hideout of Raja to British. Raja then commits suicide to avoid capture.

Chandu is a relative of Kaitheri Ambu as well. One of his sister named Unniamma was wife of Chandu. Another of his sister named Makam was wife of Rajah. Chandu and Ambu did not like one another. Their rivalry is also attested in folklore. 

Pazhayaveettil Chandu is also recorded in history as the who joined Vira Varma in 1793 and later as an adviser to Arthur Wellesley.

All sources agree that Pazhayaveettil Chandu was murdered in end. But by whom is not clear – one source say that he was murdered by Pazhassi Raja’s men and another version say that he was shot by British who felt he had outlived his use.

But his greed for money was well known. As manager of Vira Varma from 1793 to 1797, he committed terrible deeds to make money. He ordered his Muslim mercenaries to plunder without remorse and assassinate anyone who protested. He also instigated British in 1790's to take on his former protector Pazhassi Raja. In 1805, when he sensed that he could make a good sum if he betrayed hideout of his master, he had no hesitation to do that. British had put a bounty of 3000 pagodas or 12,000 rupees on Raja. 

Chandu had risen to become a high ranking general during war between Raja and Tipu Sultan. Chandu had led several of raids into Coorg and Mysore. He was a close confidant of Raja before he abandoned him to join forces with Vira Varma in 1793. It is only too likely that Chandu would have had an intimate knowledge about arms depots, hideouts and supply sources of Kottayam army. Sudden collapse of Kottayam army within a matter of month in November 1805 makes one naturally suspect foul play. Chandu must have crippled Kottayam army by betraying all secrets he knew at a time when Raja and his troops were only recovering from severe defeat of 1804. 

What he did was disgraceful. He began his life as a starving boy whom was given job in royal service by Raja and Raja in recognition of his courage and ability promoted him to highest rank and even got him married to sister of Kaitheri Ambu, one of premier Nair nobles of his country. 

So possibility is that Pazhayamviden would have alerted Baber about hideout of Raja and latter did rest of work. Wynad Chetti and his workers of Pania tribe whom Baber said led him to Raja’s camp are most likely Pazhayamviden’s men.

Fight between Raja’s men and British troops on November 30 began on 9.00 a.m. A stray bullet struck Raja in his chest.– he had time to pray to his beloved Sree Porkali (Chandika), his family deity and breathed his last.

Thus ended the career of one of this patriot, warrior, and a truly people’s leader.

His enemies – British – decided to give a cremation with full military honours. Baber who oversaw thus wrote –

“I was induced to this conduct from the consideration that, although a rebel, he was one of the natural chieftains of the country, and might be considered on that account rather as a fallen enemy.” 

"...but in all classes, I observed a decided interest for the Pyche Rajah, towards whom the inhabitants entertained a regard and respect bordering on veneration, which not even his death can efface"

FATE OF RAJA'S AIDES

Thalakkal Chandu was caught and hanged or killed in combat briefly before Raja’s death.

Edachena Kunkan committed suicide or was shot dead.

Pallur Eman was exiled to Prince of Wales Isle near Australia.

FATE OF PAZHAYAVEETTIL CHANDU

Chandu met with a violent end. One account says he was assassinated by partisans of Raja to avenge his betrayal of Raja. Another version say that he was drowned in sea by British who felt he had outlived his utility. 

AFTERMATH

All property of Raja was confiscated in order named Pazhassi Escheats and his palace was demolished and Tellicherry-Mysore highway was built upon it.

In memory of Pazhassi Raja’s love and help for them, peasants of Tiyyar caste built up a new palace at their own cost and gifted that to Pazhassi Raja’s kin and kith who were rendered homeless by British.

Kurichiyas supported by some ex-soldiers of Pazhassi Raja launched an unsucessful revolt in Wynad in 1812.

*****

Act 4 – Old Friend Becomes New Enemy: First Round of Resistance to British Imperialism

British followed the dictum of “only permanent interests and no permanent friends”.

Allies are to be used and thrown.

They had concluded in 1790, an agreement with Kottayam by which British agreed to respect independence of Kottayam – Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja himself signed this agreement.

Similar agreements were concluded with all war leaders of Malabar in 1790.

But in 1792, with victory over Tipu complete, British decided to revoke their 1790 agreements with Malabar rebel leaders and insisted that they sign treaties of surrender and become vassals.

At the earliest, leaders of South Malabar accepted revised terms, but those of North Malabar – Kottayam, Chirakkal and Kadathanad refused and were angry at this betrayal. For months they decided whether or not to surrender to British and in end grudgingly did so.

Villain Vira Varma represented Kottayam in 1792 and accepted British over lordship.

Kerala Varma kept tight lipped – perhaps he was at a loss about what to do. He belonged to anti-surrender party in Kottayam and hence was bitter about this treaty of 1792 – not surprising as this treaty gave British power to interfere in domestic affairs of kingdoms in Malabar.

One might debate why Malabar leaders so meekly submitted – Answer lay in fact that British made use of exiled Rajas to persuade rebel leaders to surrender – Mysore rulers underestimated power of Rajas on mind of Malabaris. British understood that only too well.

But even so, Rajas themselves did not have any intent to follow terms of the self same treaties they signed with British and hence rebels kept Malabar in a state of disturbance for six years – 1792 to 1798 after which Rajas decided to give up made rebels give up and go home.

Change of mind by Rajas was because of huge pensions offered by British – even before 1766, they did not have so great sums as income. Thus they became Rajas who sold their kingdoms for pensions.

In this darkness, Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja stood out as a beacon of virtue.

But now back to narrative.

From what followed, it is only too clear that his hatred for his uncle-due to his surrender to British-took dimensions of a blood feud.

Moment of nephew came in 1793.

In 1793, old Raja of Kurumbranad, a neighboring principality, adopted Vira Varma as heir since former had no heirs. So Vira Varma decided to rule both Kottayam and Kurumbranad and he was pleased.

But Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja and his followers rose in protest – How could Vira Varma rule two kingdoms at same time? As per customary law, a man if adopted by another family loses his right to his natal home – thus Vira Varma, who is now Raja of Kurumbranad has no more right in Kottayam.

But British decided that Vira Varma will rule Kottayam as well and asked him to pay heavy tribute and pepper harvest as promised. Heavy taxation imposed on farmer folk to pay tribute to invader roused whole of country and her natural leader once more in action.

Pazhassi Raja asked his people to boycott tax collectors – boycott was so through that Vira Varma’s agents could not collect even a rupee as tax from 1793 to 1797.

Tax collectors supported by British troops and Muslim mercenaries tried to use force to make people pay tax.

But instead people who armed themselves to teeth and supported by armed followers of Pazhassi Raja thwarted all efforts of Vira Varma to collect tax.

Skirmishes raged across whole of country for four years.

British decided to teach Pazhassi Raja a lesson and sent 300 men to arrest him in 1796. But he got a scent of this move earlier and fled away to his jungle stronghold in Manatana in Western Ghats.

Vira Varma and British officials arranged to trap Pazhassi Raja twice – they invited him for peace talks but on each occasion Raja came with a bodyguard of 1,000 Nayar musket men and so plans to arrest him as shelved.

In early 1797, dispute flared up into open war – Pazhassi Raja’s followers were engaged in direct military action with British troops across North Malabar.

In a span of six months, 100 engagements were fought between Raja’s followers and British troops.

British Bombay army suffered staggering loss – they lost 1000 European troops and 3000 Sepoys in three battles fought at Calicut alone. Army of Kottayam conducted operations even at Arabian coast.

This coupled with news that Tipu was ready to sent 6,000 Sepoys to aid Pazhassi Raja , his old enemy, British decided that peace with Pazhassi Raja was of vital importance as they feared that Pazhassi Raja would sweep away British regiments parked in Malabar.

Peace talks was held in fort of Tellicherry between Bombay Governor Jonathan Duncan and Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja.

Pazhassi Raja came with a large armed escort was dressed in military attire and carried weapons with him – he suspected an attempt to arrest.

Talks between Pazhassi Raja and Duncan was successful – British accepted all terms put forward by Pazhassi Raja.

By peace pact of Tellicherry, Vira Varma was driven out of Kottayam, Pazhassi Raja and his followers got back their confiscated properties and on top of all, British decided to pay a subsidy of 8000 rupees so that Pazhassi Raja might not give them further trouble.

Victory was complete for Pazhassi Raja and humiliation complete for British government. In light of what happened later, it would have been better if there was no peace at all.

British were happy that Pazhassi Raja had not demanded full independence during peace talks.

Also he had no objection to British clause to “appointment of his uncle” Vira Varma (who was resident at Travancore since 1788) as Raja of Kottayam. British thought that Pazhassi Raja had given up.

But soon British found that Pazhassi Raja had no intent to let British rule Kottayam. Colonel Dow who was posted in Kottayam direct revenue administration found that he was powerless to implement British will in Kottayam and neither did “appointed Raja” had any control on country or people.

In fact from 1797 to 1799, Pazhassi Raja ordered his close aides to foment turbulence if British tried to implement their policy – hence their objective to collect tribute failed.

In 1799, Pazhassi Raja heard that British had made war on Mysore and so he secretly helped Tipu Sultan with men and material. But in end, Tipu was routed and shot dead and Mysore fell before British might.

I had mentioned in earliest posts about origin of second round of warfare between Pazhassi Raja and British. In British literature, they collectively refer to their struggles with Pazhassi Raja from 1793 to 1806 as Cotiote War.

Now Cotiote War entered stage of grand finale. 

Pazhassi Raja began his epic resistance.

Act 3 - Lion of Keralam Versus Tiger of Mysore: Resistance to Tipu Sultan

Hyder Ali died in 1782.

From 1782 till 1784, Kottayam became a free country.

It goes to credit of Pazhassi Raja that he made no attempt to make himself Raja of Kottayam – he could have easily done that as his subjects and Nayar militia supported him with enthusiasm. Instead he humbly claimed himself as only a mere representative of his uncle who had fled to Travancore.

Ravi Varma Raja returned from exile and took over government once more. Pazhassi Raja became second in command on account of his great achievements bypassing rest of his elderly kinsmen.

But one of his uncles, Vira Varma was quite jealous of his nephew's success and popularity. He even tried to negotiate a deal with Mysoreans at a time when Kottayam was engaged in alliance with English East India Company during Siege of Tellicherry. He was desirous of acquiring power for himself and was skilled in intrigue. He had absolutely no sense of responsibility for his country and subjects and was entirely self centered. He was willing to sacrifice his country's interests for his personal interest.  

In 1784, by Treaty of Mangalore, British recognized Malabar as Mysore sphere of influence.

Hyder Ali was dead and now his son Tipu Sultan has succeeded him.

This time instead of war, Ravi Varma Raja of Kottayam chose to negotiate with Mysore government – Pazhassi Raja kept a low profile these days as he chose crisis not peace as his time of action.

Ravi Varma met Tipu Sultan to debate on sum of tribute and they arrived at a sum acceptable for both parties. But soon Mysore representative in Kottayam demanded far more as tribute – sum well beyond ability to that country pay.

Mysore representative used his military force to realize the sum of tribute fixed by him. Peasantry who driven to corner by this crisis turned to their hero Pazhassi Raja for rescue and he immediately swung into action.

Exorbitant demands have driven many across Malabar into despair and Pazhassi Raja and his people rose en masse along whole of Malabar in 1785.

In 1786, Ravi Varma once more went to Mysore to talk with Tipu. But Tipu instead of trying for a settlement bullied Ravi Varma to sign a treaty by which Kottayam agreed for annexation of Wynad by Mysore government Pazhassi Raja when he learnt of this news become angry and decided to act.

So far Pazhassi Raja’s resistance to Tipu was confined only to western provinces of Kottayam. Now he decided to enlarge his zone of struggle eastwards into Wynad– and in 1787 large scale rising flared up across Wynad.

By 1788, Mysore subedar of Malabar in exasperation asked Tipu to deal with the crisis that has now spiraled out of his control.

This time Tipu decided to visit Malabar in person to solve the problems – though it is another story that he made sure those problems of Malabar would reach that level – that level which would in end become the beginning of his end.

Tipu opened peace talks with all rebel captain and they too showed signs of compromise – but soon rebellion become even more serious as Tipu decided to forcibly convert Hindus of Malabar to Islam as they refused to follow his code of marriage and costume. Fanatics amidst local Muslims also joined hands with Mysore army to convert their Kafir neighbors to Islam.

This caused wholesale revolt in Malabar with revolt spreading even to areas previously obedient to Mysore government. Tipu sent an advance guard in 1788 to hunt down rebellious Hindus and forcibly convert anyone whom they could lay hands on. Many members of upper class Hindus in Malabar fled to Travancore fearing forcible conversion. Rest of the Hindus took to mountains and forests and fought insurgent warfare with Mysore army.

In early 1789, he returned with a vast army to curb the revolt but not only did he fail but he compounded his mistake by oust of his allied Hindu Raja of Chirakkal and installed one a local Muslim chieftain instead – thus rebellion arose even in those parts of Malabar previously allied to Mysore.

On the news that Tipu was about to march into Malabar with a force of 60,000 men, plenty of members of Kottayam royal lineage fled to Travancore - this includes Raja Ravi Varma himself and villainous Vira Varma too. Only prince of consequence to have stayed put in Kottayam was Pazhassi Raja. He was not willing to leave his people to their fate. He decided to fightback.

He ordered his subjects from low lying areas to move into his strongholds in mountains. He took initiative to develop settlements in deep forests. He and his armed followers constantly descended from hills and plundered and harassed Mysore army and their local supporters in numerous engagements - big and small. Tipu Sultan himself had come to Kottayam with a large force to crush resistance. He captured low lying part of Kottayam but could not attain a decisive victory over Pazhassi Raja. 

Mysore army tried to build roads into wild part of Kottayam that harbored Hindu resistants led Pazhassi Raja. But due to excellent forest warfare waged by Raja and his followers, this attempt made no progress and Mysorean army suffered serious loss. Pazhassi Raja took war to gates of Mysore itself –His rebels plundered Mysore treasuries and sandalwood right under nose of Tipu and repeated the act with impunity. Tipu and his troops could do little to check these plundering raids and this brought considerable blot to prestige of Mysore government. Raja even laid claim to area as far as Nanjangod, which lay only 15 miles from Mysore.

In 1789, Tipu made most serious mistake of attack on Travancore, a state under British “protection”. Tipu failed to overrun Travancore and got crippled for life in one skirmish and soon British invaded his country from east in 1790.

British could bring Tipu to his knees after a year of war in 1791. Tipu was subdued because British was able to trap Tipu in a two front war – as bulk of British army invaded Mysore from east, another British military mission landed on Malabar Coast and moved toward Mysore via Coorg.

Kindly note that British army mission that landed on Malabar coast could not have overcome Mysore regiments stationed there had it not been for help given to British by local rebels who swelled British ranks by thousands and supplied plenty of food and harassed Mysore regiments by irregular warfare.

It is no surprise that Colonel Hartley who fought the most important engagement near Tirurangadi in Southern Malabar describe this battle as of decisive importance. His force of 2000 men was aided by 5000 men led by Calicut prince Ravi Varma. 

Tipu thus dearly paid for his ill treatment of locals in Malabar – Food for thought. What will have happened if people of Malabar had joined hands with Mysore instead of British in 1790-91?

In 1790, Pazhassi Raja came to help British detachment in Tellicherry to oust Mysore army in North Malabar. They jointly captured a main Mysore outpost at Katirur. Pazhassi Raja was also invited to take part in a military planning to capture Cannanore where a large and strong Mysore army had entrenched. Raja at the head of his troops marched along with British to Cannanore and defeated the Mysore garrison there. After this, Kottayam army moved up into Wynad to free that area of Mysore troops. After three years of war, that is in 1793, Wynad was finally free of Mysore rule. 

in 1790, Raja initiated a large program to rebuild his war torn country. 

He persuaded his peasantry who had taken refuge in mountain fastness to return home and return to the earlier life. Mindful of the fact that many of them have lost all their possession in exodus into mountains, he knew that they needed help from government to rebuild their lives. 

So Raja formed a large fund with his personal money and loans he secured from rich merchants of Tellicherry and even from East India Company. Thus money was used to large number of  Raja cattle, tools, seeds and sapling which were freely distributed to peasant folk. 

Ravi Varma Raja died in exile in 1790. 

Pazhassi Raja had taken charge of Kottayam government since 1789. His subjects - nobles and peasantry alike - considered him as their true monarch. Their respect and love was on account of the fact that he had not abandoned his country and people like his elders during most terrible of all Mysore onslaughts in 1789.

An agreement was entered between Raja and East India Company in 1790 which promised to recognize independence of Raja once war was over. Similar treaties were also signed with all Rajas and chieftains of Malabar who had aligned with British during Third Anglo-Mysore War.

Act 2 - Duel With An Old Enemy: Resistance to Hyder Ali

In 1774, Pazhassi Raja had to face a critical crisis – Hyder Ali’s troops not only ravaged his country but were also threatened by Raja of Chirakkal (north of modern Kannur district) from west and Raja of Coorg from north and east. Hyder Ali had promised that Kottayam would be divided and rewarded to Raja of Coorg and Raja of Chirakkal in exchange for help and so they too joined hands with Hyder.

Insurgent warfare raged for four years but with no clear victory – all efforts to subdue Pazhassi Raja had failed in spite of being driven away into mountains of Western Ghats from where he raised a vast army of tribal Mullukurumbas and Kurichias. Huge number of armed volunteers - Nayar knights and Tiyyar peasants – joined partisan army of Pazhassi Raja who chose forests rather than bow before Mysore government.

Pazhassi Raja had trade links with British coastal trade post at Tellicherry (now Thalasseri) which was a fort as well as a main naval base on West Coast. Hyder who was planning to open his second round of war with British decided to weaken British position in South West coast of India by capture of Tellicherry.

In 1778, so Hyder ordered his ally Raja of Chirakkal to besiege Tellicherry. Chirakkal force besieged Tellicherry only find them surrounded and starved by Pazhassi Raja and troops. Chirakkal army retreated only to be surprised on route home by another detachment of Pazhassi Raja’s men and suffered major loss.

In 1779, Hyder Ali decided to throw off his cover and so sent a large force to besiege Tellicherry – vassal Rajas of Chirakkal and Kadathanad also joined. But a rebel faction in Kadathanad joined hands with Pazhassi Raja and British and now scene was set for a long contest. A huge Mysore-allied army marched towards Tellicherry.

In 1779, British had only a few hundred men in Tellicherry and it looked like fall of Tellicherry was imminent. But Pazhassi Raja dispatched a force of 2,000 crack Nayar troops to help British. 1000 went direct to Tellicherry whereas rest moved towards Vadakara and twice defeated Mysore army at Muttangal (Kainatty). But their bid to capture Vadakara was unsuccessful. 

Combined forces of Pazhassi Raja and British held out in spite of repeated waves of mass assaults by Mysore-allied army. Each wave of assault was driven back and for three years they held in face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Pazhassi Raja also ensured that defenders in Tellicherry did not starve and even delivered all of spare grain his country had – because fall of Tellicherry would in one stroke cripple British on west coast and choke supplies of arms rebels bought from British merchants.

As his men helped British to check Mysore army at gates of Tellicherry, Pazhassi Raja and his men scored a great victory in 1779 at Kalpetta in Wynad – Pazhassi Raja and troops harassed and starved the Coorg army and forced them to retreat. This was followed by another invasion by 2,000 Coorgs. This army was annihilated by Kottayam army. 

With this decisive victory he could throw a whole new army into struggle for Tellicherry. But he decided to do that cleverly and at right moment.

As early as 1780, Pazhassi Raja talked to representative of Bombay Governor in Tellicherry and advised him to bring reinforcements and put forward a plan – It was that once reinforcements arrive from Bombay, they must launch a sortie into enemy lines outside fort to split the enemy formation into two and link up with his own men who will simultaneously appear behind enemy lines and thus put whole enemy camp in panic and confusion.

At first British rejected the plan as being too risky – but with no end to siege in sight they consented to Pazhassi Raja’s plan.

In 1782, in a bold and brilliant move, Mysore army was caught between two armies and fell apart with amazing rapidity and Mysore general Sardar Khan died in action. A huge number of enemy troops were fell captive.

This was the severest defeat faced by Mysore army in their twenty five year long operations in Malabar. So severe that not only a major crack Mysore army was wiped out but rebellions broke out across Bullum, Coorg and Malabar and annihilated Mysore regiments stationed in those provinces.

Pazhassi Raja made a deep impression on British soldiery too with his timely help and genius– during his struggle on British a decade later, many a British officer did wonder about the ingratitude and injustice committed by their government on a man who gave most decisive help during one of the hardest crisis faced by British government in India.

Act 1 - Early Life

Pazhassi Raja was born on 3rd January of 1753. He would have lived and died in obscurity had it not been for a series of radical events that changed the course of Indian history.

First point to be mentioned – Pazhassi Raja was not a Raja or sovereign at any point of his time. He was only third in line of succession even at moment of his death.

But he was bolder, subtler and more active than his elders. These characteristics were visible in him since childhood. Same features enabled him to become de facto head of his country in times of seemingly insurmountable crises.

Uddhanda Sashtri, famous 16th century poet of Calicut Raja’s court, was impressed by the proverbial invincibility and scholarship of Kottayam Rajas and is said to have sang -

"Yeshaam Vamshe Samajani Harishchandranaama Narendraha

Pratyaapaththi  Pataga! Yadupancham Cha Kaumaarilaanaam 

Yudhdhe Yaeshaamahitahataye Chandika Sannidhaththae

Teshaameshaam Stutishu Na Bhavael Kasya Vakratham Pavithram"

English translation would be - 

Ones born in lineage of Harishchandra, 

He who spread philosophy of Mimamsa, 

Them, whose enemies are slayed in war by Goddess Chandika herself, 

Impossible it is, not to have a pure mind describing them.

Point was that Kottayam Rajas were unbeatable in field of war. There is an element of truth in this assertion. In spite of being a small kingdom with small manpower, Kottayam Rajas thwarted efforts of all their stronger aggressive neighbors to dominate them – that seems a great achievement – this kingdom was an ancient one – nearly 1000 years old at time of her annexation by British in 1806. Throughout her history, this landlocked kingdom constantly fought with stronger rivals who had access to sea and foreign commerce.

But in 1766, a giant threat loomed over not only Kottayam but over whole of Kerala. Armies of Hyder Ali of Mysore swept across Malabar (Northern and Upper Central Kerala) which was divided at that time into motley of squabbling states who could not resist the larger and modern army of Hyder Ali.

Armies of Hyder Ali and then his son Tipu Sultan imposed a system of cruel taxation.

Revenue assessment was often as high as eighty percent of output.

Mysore administration was run by corrupt, inefficient and bigoted men who unleashed a reign of terror to exact tax dues. As Rajas and great noblemen of Malabar had fled away to impregnable kingdom of Travancore in Southern Kerala, people were organized by princes and younger noblemen who refused to flee.

Resistance to Mysore rule was in form of guerrilla warfare waged from mountains and forests. Loss of men suffered by Mysore army was severe and they lost tens of thousands of troops and vast sums of money and materiel in their effort to subdue resistance in Malabar – but they failed to crush resistance and impose their rule on land.

I do not aim to elaborate about resistance and reprisal that Malabar witnessed for nearly quarter of a century but focus more on Pazhassi Raja. He was only 13 when armies of Hyder marched across Malabar and even armies of once invincible Kottayam were defeated in spring of 1766 by Mysore army.

But even so, most of Kottayam was not yet captured by enemy on account of her wild terrain. This gave time for Kottayam generals to meet the threat. They took careful preparation for a year and in 1767, when 4,000 Mysore troops marched into occupy Kottayam, a Kottayam army of 2,000 “Nairs” surrounded this Mysore army in night and annihilated the whole enemy force. Their entire baggage, arms, ammunition and horses fell into Kottayam hands.

This defeat was the first major setback in Malabar and soon this encouraged rebels all over Malabar to rise in revolt en masse and by 1768 Hyder Ali found that 20,000 of his crack troops were trapped in blockhouses in Malabar with no scent of success – on contrary, Mysore troops faced threat of being overrun. Threatened by Marathas and Nizam from north, Hyder negotiated with rebels and restored their kingdoms and left Malabar with his troops.

During this period, Pazhassi Raja was only an adolescent. But he fought in all the engagements with laudable valor and skill as a boy soldier along with his friends – many of whom would later rise to become his aides.

After Mysorean retreat in 1768, Rajas of Malabar soon returned to their old ways. They took no measures to modernize their arms or to coalesce with fellow Rajas of Malabar to form military alliances. They would pay dearly for their folly six years later.

In 1774 – after Hyder had overcome threats from Marathas and Nizam – overran Coorg and then marched into Malabar. Rajas of Malabar fled away and history repeated once more.

But this time the boy soldier of 1766 had grown up to become a young man of 21. His uncle Ravi Varma was the Raja. Second in line of succession was Vira Varma and third in line of succession was another Vira Varma. Fourth in line of succession was a prince named Ravi Varma. Kerala Varma aka Pazhassi Raja was fifth in line of succession. Vira Varma second in line of succession later became Kurubranad Raja and one of main opponents of Pazhassi Raja. Both Vira Varmas were uncles and Ravi Varma was a cousin of Pazhassi Raja.

Real Raja Ravi Varma fled to Travancore after in his inability to fightback Mysore army. In this vacuum, Pazhassi Raja took over leadership and became supreme military leader and  de facto head of government on account of his active and brave nature. He took initiative to fight back invading Mysore army and rallied people to a freedom struggle. He vowed to remain in his country and fight invading enemy. His courage and patriotism earned him respect of his subjects, high and low alike. 

Pazhassi Raja made use of religious imagery to rally people to support war of independence. Perumal and Bhagavati (Shiva and Parvati) were patron deities of principality of Kottayam and all his appeals were made in their names. He also exhorted his people to fight for what was termed as Kerala Maryada or Kerala Dharma– a body of ancient customs which regulated political and social life, but now threatened by tyranny and disruption practiced by Mysore occupation authorities.

But it would be a folly to think that Pazhassi Raja was only concerned with questions of customs and traditions – His approach to his people and followers may not be modern but they were in best tradition of paternalism. He took care to ensure welfare and justice of his subjects from uppermost to lowliest and soon became respected by his people for his efficient and impartial administration.

His love of independence as well as his love for his subjects both did not go well with Mysore authorities who wanted to set up a centralized government and collect heavy tax from Kottayam folks – Pazhassi Raja thwarted all their effort to set up their administration in Kottayam through mass resistance in form of guerrilla warfare.

Mysore army was a modern well equipped army with cavalry and artillery whereas like rest of rebels in Malabar, Pazhassi Raja had only feudal levy troops of light infantry who did not stand a chance before artillery bombardment. Hence guerrilla warfare was used by rebels and Pazhassi Raja also did the same.

Pazhassi Raja soon emerged as the ablest enemy of Mysore in Malabar – unlike rest of rebels Pazhassi Raja established a sound army organization that included large number of secret camps and depots in forests and an elaborate covert procurement system of food, weapons and gun-powder.

Generalship of Pazhassi Raja was of high order – he remained unbeaten and he engineered the worst defeat of Mysore army in Malabar even though he was only a tiny army under his command.

Pazhassi Raja during war led life of a simple soldier and shared all hardships of his soldiers and took part in a number of dare devil exploits and his men – nobles and troops - gave him unconditional respect and obedience.

Not even Pazhassi Raja would have imagined that from 1774 onward until his heroic death in 1805, he will know no rest – which he will use up his whole adult life in constant warfare on enemies who eyed his country.