I have already mentioned the legend about the foundation this kingdom and her dynasty in post entitled "Founding Fathers". Yet no solid evidence is available about origin of kingdom of Kottayam or about her royal lineage beyond legends.
Earliest reference to what later became kingdom of Kottayam was during reign of Second Cheras (800 AD to 1122 AD). Then it was known as Puraikiznad and was one of the eighteen Nadus or vassal divisions of Chera domain. Tirunelli Inscription of Bhaskara Ravi Varma, the Chera monarch refers to a Shankaran Kota Varma as ruler of Puraikiznad.
Puraikiznad covered what is now taluk of Iritty and interior of Thalassery taluk. In course of time, this area became known as Puranad as well as Puranattukara. It is opined that this word mean country of mountains. This kingdom later came to be known as Kottayam as it had its capital at this spot.
Kottayam Rajas were refered to as Puraikiznad Tangal (Lord of Puraikiznad) in medieval Manipravalam Malayalam works of Unniyachicharitam and Kokilasandesam. In second work, Kottayam Rajas were termed as Puralikshamabhritt (Lord of Purali Mountain).
Earliest capital of this kingdom was at what is now known as Muzhakunnu also known as Mridangasaila. This area lay on Puralimala, a mountain range that runs east of Mattannur for six miles but is not a part of Western Ghats. With passage of time, capital was moved to Chavassery near Mattannur and then to Kottayam close to Koothuparamba.
Tutelary deity of Kottayam Rajas is Shree Porkali (Chandika Devi) whose original shrine is at Manatana. But Kottayam Rajas also venerated also Durga or Mridangasailesvari at Muzhakunnu with utmost devotion. Her temple is close to Harischandra Kota and Kumaradhara referred in my previous posts ''Founding Fathers'' and ''Imbecile turned Sage''. Kindly read my post about Muzhakunnu for detailed information about temple of Mridangasailam.
Tutelary deity of Kottayam Rajas is Shree Porkali (Chandika Devi) whose original shrine is at Manatana. But Kottayam Rajas also venerated also Durga or Mridangasailesvari at Muzhakunnu with utmost devotion. Her temple is close to Harischandra Kota and Kumaradhara referred in my previous posts ''Founding Fathers'' and ''Imbecile turned Sage''. Kindly read my post about Muzhakunnu for detailed information about temple of Mridangasailam.
First well recorded branch of this royal lineage was Malikathazethu Kovilagam at Elipetta near Chavassery. It grew rapidly in size and gave birth to three new branches - Tekke Kovilagam and Kizhakke Kovilagam at Kottayam and Padinjare Kovilagam at Pazhassi. In course of time, Malikathazhethu Kovilagam was absorbed into Padinjare Kovilagam.
But there is also another view that origin of southern, western and eastern branches of royal lineage of Kottayam had to do with temple of Mridangasailam. It is believed that Padinjare Kovilagam, Kizhakke Kovilagam and Tekke Kovilagam - western, eastern and southern palaces respectively - of Puranattukara Swarupam or Kottayam royal stock originally were based on west, east and south of this temple and it was due to the direction with respect to temple that their names originated.
But there is also another view that origin of southern, western and eastern branches of royal lineage of Kottayam had to do with temple of Mridangasailam. It is believed that Padinjare Kovilagam, Kizhakke Kovilagam and Tekke Kovilagam - western, eastern and southern palaces respectively - of Puranattukara Swarupam or Kottayam royal stock originally were based on west, east and south of this temple and it was due to the direction with respect to temple that their names originated.
At an unknown point of time, a prince from this lineage was adopted into royal household of Kurumbranad. Since then, both kingdoms had close bonds with one another.
Kottayam Rajas are born Kshatriyas of lunar origin (descendants of legendary Yayati). They are termed as Brahma-Kshatriyas. They have the rare privilege to give drinking water to Brahmins. Other than Kottayam Rajas only members of royal lineages of Pandalam and Cochin have this privilege. It also of interest to note that unlike lineages of most Rajas and great chieftains in Kerala who claim their authority from last Perumal or Chera monarch, Kottayam Rajas do not make any such claims. It is believed that ancestors of Kottayam Rajas came from Chola country (east coast of Tamil Nadu), though no evidence is available.
In 15th century, Kottayam Raja in alliance with Kurumbranad Raja conquered Wynad from Veta Raja and annexed it to their kingdom. North Wynad went to Kottayam and South Wynad to Kurumbranad. But soon, Kottayam acquired South Wynad from Kurumbranad. Acquisition of all Wynad trebled the size of Kottayam domain. Note that at that time Wynad also included Gudalur taluk of Nilgiris as well.
Kottayam was famous for her best quality pepper, sandal and cardamom. On account of this foreign merchants kept trade contacts with this kingdom uninterrupted for centuries.
By time of arrival of Portuguese, Kolathiris and Kottayam Rajas were bitter enemies and at constant war with one another. Given below is the account given by Portuguese traveler Tom Pirez who visited Kerala in 1512-15 -
"Kottayam Raja does not have coast and harbor. His progress is on land. It is a kingdom; It fights with Kolathiri. He mints coins. He is afraid of nobody; His land and people are powerful. The fort money comes from here"
Royal lineage of Kottayam produced many distinguished personalities even before Pazhassi Kerala Varma. Most well known are Kottayam Kerala Varma who went to Venad and became Raja there and Kottayath Tamburan who was also known as Vidvan Tamburan who developed art form of Kathakali into what it is now and wrote Aattakathas. In field of military heroism and scholarship, royal lineage of Kottayam can rival any royal lineage in whole of Kerala.
Often, it is wrongly believed that Kottayam Kerala Varma and Kottayath Tamburan are the same as Pazhassi Raja. Reality is that former two are ancestors of the freedom fighter Kerala Varma. One reason for this confusion was because male members of Kottayam royal lineage have only limited number of names - like Vira Varma, Sankara Varma, Ravi Varma and Kerala Varma. There are persons with same name and this often causes a confusion of identity.
In seventeenth century, Kottayam Raja made an attempt to conquer Coorg which ended in a complete fiasco. Raja named Vira Varma and his entire army of 5000 men was annihilated by Coorgs. Since then, Rajas of Kottayam kept blood feud with Rajas of Coorg. Enmity between the two was further compounded by the fact that Coorg Rajas laid claim on Eastern Wynad as theirs.
In seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, Kolathunad was torn by instability due to feuds between Kolathiri princes and rival European powers like Dutch, French and English took advantage of this situation for their own gain. Rajas of Kottayam also had to intervene in these affairs to protect their interests.
During invasion of Ikkeri Nayaks in mid eighteenth century, Kottayam was also invaded. Ikkeri Nayak invaded Kottayam on the pretext of a lie that Kottayam Raja who was a trustee of Rajarajeshvara temple at Thaliparamba had carted off temple treasures to his palace. At this time, Kolathunad was mostly occupied briefly by Ikkeri Nayaks. But Kottayam Raja with help of Raja of Mysore fought back the armies of Nayak and drove them away. Not only that, Kottayam Raja also helped Kolathiri to free his country from Ikkeri rule. As a token of gratitude, Kolathiri recognized independence of Kottayam.
Kottayam army of 2,000 defeated 4,000 strong invading army of Hyder Ali in 1767. Mysore force suffered huge loss of men and their entire baggage train was plundered. This victory encouraged rest of Malabar to rise up and forced Mysore troops to retreat in 1768.
Rest of the history of Kottayam is more or less the biography of Pazhassi Kerala Varma whose life is given in detail in previous posts.
Thirty years of resistance to Mysore and British aggressors by Kottayam under Pazhassi Raja is one of the most glorious episodes in Indian history. Determination and military skill with which Raja and his subjects fought have defeated one of the best military leaders in world history - Duke of Wellington, nemesis of Napoleon at Waterloo.
But even after death of Raja, Kottayam had plenty of malcontents. Kurichiyas revolted in 1812 once more only to be swiftly crushed. But ghost of Cotiote War continued to haunt British authority in North Malabar for many years. They concluded that any careless action on part of British regime would rouse revolt in this area. One reason for this conclusion could be was that revolt of Kurichiyas was a part of a wider conspiracy to ignite anti-British revolt across Kerala under leadership of nephew of Pazhassi Raja.
After his death in 1805, Kottayam was annexed to Malabar district. Puranad area became Kottayam taluk and Wynad was made another taluk. Gudalur was added to Nilgiri district. A western part of Puranad area which included Irikur was added to Chirakkal taluk. At present in 2016, what was once kingdom of Kottayam covers taluks of Iritty and Thalassery in Cannanore district, whole of Wynad district and Gudalur taluk of Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu.
Often, it is wrongly believed that Kottayam Kerala Varma and Kottayath Tamburan are the same as Pazhassi Raja. Reality is that former two are ancestors of the freedom fighter Kerala Varma. One reason for this confusion was because male members of Kottayam royal lineage have only limited number of names - like Vira Varma, Sankara Varma, Ravi Varma and Kerala Varma. There are persons with same name and this often causes a confusion of identity.
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.
In seventeenth century, Kottayam Raja made an attempt to conquer Coorg which ended in a complete fiasco. Raja named Vira Varma and his entire army of 5000 men was annihilated by Coorgs. Since then, Rajas of Kottayam kept blood feud with Rajas of Coorg. Enmity between the two was further compounded by the fact that Coorg Rajas laid claim on Eastern Wynad as theirs.
In seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, Kolathunad was torn by instability due to feuds between Kolathiri princes and rival European powers like Dutch, French and English took advantage of this situation for their own gain. Rajas of Kottayam also had to intervene in these affairs to protect their interests.
During invasion of Ikkeri Nayaks in mid eighteenth century, Kottayam was also invaded. Ikkeri Nayak invaded Kottayam on the pretext of a lie that Kottayam Raja who was a trustee of Rajarajeshvara temple at Thaliparamba had carted off temple treasures to his palace. At this time, Kolathunad was mostly occupied briefly by Ikkeri Nayaks. But Kottayam Raja with help of Raja of Mysore fought back the armies of Nayak and drove them away. Not only that, Kottayam Raja also helped Kolathiri to free his country from Ikkeri rule. As a token of gratitude, Kolathiri recognized independence of Kottayam.
Kottayam army of 2,000 defeated 4,000 strong invading army of Hyder Ali in 1767. Mysore force suffered huge loss of men and their entire baggage train was plundered. This victory encouraged rest of Malabar to rise up and forced Mysore troops to retreat in 1768.
Rest of the history of Kottayam is more or less the biography of Pazhassi Kerala Varma whose life is given in detail in previous posts.
Thirty years of resistance to Mysore and British aggressors by Kottayam under Pazhassi Raja is one of the most glorious episodes in Indian history. Determination and military skill with which Raja and his subjects fought have defeated one of the best military leaders in world history - Duke of Wellington, nemesis of Napoleon at Waterloo.
But even after death of Raja, Kottayam had plenty of malcontents. Kurichiyas revolted in 1812 once more only to be swiftly crushed. But ghost of Cotiote War continued to haunt British authority in North Malabar for many years. They concluded that any careless action on part of British regime would rouse revolt in this area. One reason for this conclusion could be was that revolt of Kurichiyas was a part of a wider conspiracy to ignite anti-British revolt across Kerala under leadership of nephew of Pazhassi Raja.
After his death in 1805, Kottayam was annexed to Malabar district. Puranad area became Kottayam taluk and Wynad was made another taluk. Gudalur was added to Nilgiri district. A western part of Puranad area which included Irikur was added to Chirakkal taluk. At present in 2016, what was once kingdom of Kottayam covers taluks of Iritty and Thalassery in Cannanore district, whole of Wynad district and Gudalur taluk of Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu.
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