Once war with Mysore came to an end in 1791, Pazhassi Raja convened with all his principal adherents at Kottiyur temple. Raja was a great devotee of Lord Shiva or Kottiyur Perumal. He divided his whole kingdom into eighteen provinces and appointed a viceroy for each of the province with Lord Shiva himself as witness. These viceroys were men who had fought with Raja during his wars with Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. In folklore, they were termed as Adi Pathinettu Karyakar or Original Eighteen Viceroys. They and their provincial fiefs are as follows -
1. Karungara Illath Nambudiri------------Eranjoli to Peravur
2. Choodan Chundan Nambiar------------Peravur to Aralam
3. Chingoteri Chandu----------------------Aralam to Valarvallikavu
4. Purangodan Nambiar--------------------Valarvallikavu to Muzhakunnu
5. Palakkad Pattar--------------------------Muzhakunnu to Uliyil
6. Maruthiyodan Koran---------------------Uliyil to Kavaumpadikal
7. Elambilayi Chandu------------Kavumpadikal to Elambilai Mountain
8. Tondiyur Chathu Nambiar.--------------Kuttiyadi and neighborhood
9. Palora Eman.-----------------------------Wynad
10. Eruvatti Mariyan Koran.----------------Wynad
11. Kuttiammed Mappila.-------------------Wynad
12. Vaniyan Palliyath Ambu-----------------Wynad
13. Member of royal lineage-----------------Unknown
14. Member of royal lineage -----------------Manathana
15. Member of royal lineage -----------------Unknown
16. Chekura Kannoth Nambiar---------------Manathana to Kottiyur
17. Kaitheri Ambu.---------------Kottayampoyil and adjacent eight hamlets
18. Ponmileri Koroth Chandu-----------------Paduvilai
Names of 13th, 14th and 15th viceroys are not known. Palora Eman is the Pallur Eman who was exiled to Prince of Wales Island. Kaitheri Ambu is the brother in law of Raja. Chingoteri Chandu is related to Chingoteri Chathu who was executed by British in 1801. Palakkad Pattar is an Iyer from Palakkad. Kuttiammed Mappila is a Muslim and Palliyath Ambu is a Vaniyan (oil presser) by caste. Chekura Kannoth Nambiar is related famous Kannavath Sankaran. Ponmileri Koroth Chandu is in fact Pazhayaveettil Chandu. Wynad was divided into four quarters and each granted to a viceroy. Pazhassi Raja did not uproot ancient aristocracy and impose his governors. Karyakar were more of royal representatives with civil and military responsibility who ensured smooth coordination between Raja and chieftains. Furthermore, many Karyakar like Kaitheri Ambu and Chekura Kannoth Nambiar themselves were members of ancient aristocracy.
After his victory in 1797, Pazhassi Raja ousted Vira Varma of Kurubranad and Pazhayaveettil Chandu from government of Kottayam. He accepted another of his uncle Vira Varma who had resided in Travancore as true Raja. Once this Vira Varma took charge (1797-99), English soon found out that new Raja had no power in Kottayam. English had advised Vira Varma to divide his country without Wynad into fourteen Hobalis for admininstrative purpose. Seven of local chieftains were appointed to head these territorial divisions and conduct rule on behalf of English East India Company. But to their shock, British discovered that all of them are partisans of Pazhassi Raja. They ensured that English could not impose their rule in Kottayam and made sure that will of Pazhassi Raja was enforced. Names of these bold men who thwarted English effort to control Kottayam are as follows -
1. Kaitheri Ambu
2. Elambilan Kunjan
3. Kannavath Sankaran
4. Ishwarath Nambiar (Ganapatieth Nambiar)
5. Pazhayaveettil Darappan Nambiar
6. Puthanveettil Ryru
7. Kalyat Kunjeman Nambiar
Kaitheri Ambu was strongest of the seven. He had supreme influence in eleven Hobalis in which five were under his personal rule. As per agreement of 1797, it was understood that Kaitheri Ambu would administer the land for Vira Varma Raja and therefore, for East India Company. Pazhassi Raja consented to this arrangement as Ambu was a partisan of Raja as well as brother in law. Kaitheri Ambu disobeyed British sponsored Vira Varma Raja to such an extend that the Vira Varma resigned in protest in 1799 and left for Travancore.
After his victory in 1797, Pazhassi Raja ousted Vira Varma of Kurubranad and Pazhayaveettil Chandu from government of Kottayam. He accepted another of his uncle Vira Varma who had resided in Travancore as true Raja. Once this Vira Varma took charge (1797-99), English soon found out that new Raja had no power in Kottayam. English had advised Vira Varma to divide his country without Wynad into fourteen Hobalis for admininstrative purpose. Seven of local chieftains were appointed to head these territorial divisions and conduct rule on behalf of English East India Company. But to their shock, British discovered that all of them are partisans of Pazhassi Raja. They ensured that English could not impose their rule in Kottayam and made sure that will of Pazhassi Raja was enforced. Names of these bold men who thwarted English effort to control Kottayam are as follows -
1. Kaitheri Ambu
2. Elambilan Kunjan
3. Kannavath Sankaran
4. Ishwarath Nambiar (Ganapatieth Nambiar)
5. Pazhayaveettil Darappan Nambiar
6. Puthanveettil Ryru
7. Kalyat Kunjeman Nambiar
Kaitheri Ambu was strongest of the seven. He had supreme influence in eleven Hobalis in which five were under his personal rule. As per agreement of 1797, it was understood that Kaitheri Ambu would administer the land for Vira Varma Raja and therefore, for East India Company. Pazhassi Raja consented to this arrangement as Ambu was a partisan of Raja as well as brother in law. Kaitheri Ambu disobeyed British sponsored Vira Varma Raja to such an extend that the Vira Varma resigned in protest in 1799 and left for Travancore.
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