A reward of 3000 pagodas was offered for Raja along with 1000 Pagodas for Edachena Kungan and bounties were put on heads of 10 other associates of Raja. So Raja thought that this old friend might help him mediate with the British government. [2], Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja was born in the Padinjare Kovilakam of Purannattu Swarupam- the royal clan of the kingdom of Kottayam. His nephew, also named Ravi Varma, was arrested and also died in custody in 1793. [citation needed], Whole garrison was slaughtered in the surprise attack led by the two generals and they lost only 5 dead and 10 wounded. In resistance to British sovereignty over Kottayam, he fought two wars against British, one from 1793–1797 and the other from 1800–1805 until his death. As talks broke down, Commissioners' issued a threat proclamation in Kottayam that if those Kottayam men in service of Raja does not desert him and come home, they would be declare enemies and their properties would be confiscated. – in three volumes. )where he had only very lesser mobility.troops surrounded him from a distance not having the GUTS to aproach him as he was challenging them to do so. He planned a double pronged move from Malabar Coast and Mysore into Wayanad and began preparations for that end. They resisted its forcible collection by the agents of the British, and Pazhassi Raja took up their cause. Fort had 70 men under Captain Dickenson and there was a large force of 360 men under Major Drummond only a few miles away in Pulinjali. [citation needed], Raja then visited to Mysorean commandant at Karkankotta in 1796 and in 1797 held an audience with old enemy Tipu in Mysore who posted 6000 men at Karkankotta to aid Raja in case of war and also to supply ammunition to rebels. my understanding is that he was escaping from ambush and got stuck in a marshy land (paddy field? Harassment began once this force entered Wayanad till it reached a stream between Manathavadi and Bhavully [?] At this difficult time, it becomes even more important that we have access to information that has a bearing on our health and well-being, our lives, and livelihoods. London: T. Cadell & W. Davies / Black, Parry & Kingsbury. The town is located on the banks of Mananthavady River, a tributary of the Kabini River. [citation needed], Given below is an account of final moments of Raja-, "The night of 29 November 1805 was surprisingly hot and humid in the jungles beyond Wayanad. Had it not been for arrival of Major Anderson’s force the following day, hardly any would have survived due to lack of medical care. On 1805, 30 November, Raja and retainers were camped near close to Karnataka on shore of a stream named Mavila or Mavila Tod [not far from Pulpally]. But for time being, Raja was in a strong position. They sent a Mysore Commission to seize Wayanad and planned to annexe it to either Canara or Coimbatore. Santoor 4). For the 1964 Indian film, see, Resistance to Mysore occupation (1773–1793), Rebellion to Oust Tipu Sultan (1784–1793), Wayanad – Its People and Traditions by C. Gopalan Nair. His most arduous task was to tame the Chettiars, he writes. Pazhassi Raja died in 1805. The British retaliated by cutting all communications between Raja and Low Malabar. We’ve grown up listening to stories about him, and Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja , the movie, gave us a glimpse into the life of this legendary man. Although Ravi Varma, the elder brother of Pazhassi Raja agreed to pay 65,000 rupees per year, Mysore demanded 81,000 rupees. Baber became a civil servant to protect the interests of a small but influential group of merchants that included his in-laws – the Inglis and Money families of Bombay. He was a member of Kottayam Swaroopam (Kottayam clan) and his original name was Kottayam Kerala Varma. 8. He also threatened that if British officials did not give up their enumeration of pepper vines, he would have the vines destroyed. After a trek of almost 10 hours, Baber describes that Charen Subedar who was leading a party suddenly halted. [citation needed], Plan worked well and what followed was great slaughter of British. [citation needed], Raja was also angry that one of his former general named Pazhayamviden Chandu had become an agent of Kurumbranad Raja and what angered him even more than that was that this turn-coat had the audacity to boss him with Vira Varma’s and British blessings. However Raja was still eager to avoid a war and came to meet Northern Superintendent with a bodyguard of 1500 armed Nayars. A one-stop-shop for seeing the latest updates, and managing your preferences. Prem Nazir, Sathyan etc. Edachena Kungan Nair planned the operation and was helped by 150 Kurichia bowmen under Talakkal Chandu. [2], Thus the British decision not to exploit the victory at Thalasseri was exploited by Mysore. [2], By end of 1779, Sardar Khan, the Mysorean general was sent to Thalasseri to bring the siege speedily to a successful conclusion. However, we have a request for those who can afford to subscribe: please do. His struggles with English East India Company is known as Cotiote War. [3], By the end of 1788, Pazhassi Raja’s hatred of Tipu had shot up on account of the latter’s policy of forcible conversion. But it was too late for Wayanad where Raja’s men were prepared for a rebellion. “The former I have now in my possession, the latter I presented to Captain Clephen.”, “The Raja’s body was taken up and put into my palangueen while the lady who was dreadfully reduced from sickness was put into Captain Clephen’s.” According to Baber, Pazhassi’s body was given due respect. He marched across Kuttiyadi Pass and below he made a junction with Unni Mootha Mooppan, a Walluvanad Mappila leader & his men and soon several great nobles like Kampuratt Nambiar of Iruvazhinad, Peruvayal Nambiar and Kannavath Sankaran Nambiar also joined Raja with their men. Pazhassi’s men, though secretly supplied with arms and ammunition by the British, could not hold or defeat this huge host and soon the Kottayam army was forced to disperse after a fight. Pazhassi Raja (3 January 1753-30 November 1805) was born as Kerala Varma and was also known as Cotiote Rajah and Pychy Rajah. So he strengthened his ties with British on one hand and with fellow rebel chiefs and princes in Malabar on other hand. Military situation was grim for Pazhassi Raja and his troops – in 1774, Coorgs had joined hands with Hyder Ali on promise of being gifted Wynad and a large Coorg army camped in Wynad to help Mysore troops. But in autumn of 1805 Pazhayamviden decided to betray all military secrets of his master for a large sum of money. Pazhassi died in 1805 fighting in the hills of Wayanad. [citation needed], Edachena Kungan Nambiar led an attack on a British detachment headed from Mysore to Mananthavadi. Baber visited the locality where Chandu was held captive and distributed goodies to those who lent a helping hand in the capture. Move smoothly between articles as our pages load instantly. Two persons on the part of the British and two persons on the part of the Raja to make valuation of land revenue of Kottayam. In response, Raja also recruited numerous men which so alarmed Wellesley that latter even wanted to kidnap kith and kin of rebels so as to check Raja’s recruitment. His resistance was marked with the amazing support of the tribal community called Kurichya. The political situation of the time is portrayed from different viewpoints, and the locals are treated sympathetically in this film.[17].