Pazhassi Raja is remembered in the history of Kerala as a brave warrior king who led battles against the intruding Mysore army and the East India Company's army much before the rebellion of 1857. The participation and assistance from people of different communities and tribes in his battles against the British army made them important in the Colonial history of South India.
Pazhassi Raja (1753 – 1805) belonged to the Kottayam royal family which was based in the Kottayam (Malabar) region of the present Kannur District in Kerala. The Mysore rulers continuously tried to assert their power over Malabar and nearby regions. When the Mysore army attacked for the second time, all the three kings of the Kottayam dynasty and many naduvazhis (local chieftains) fled to Travancore. Pazhassi (who was 21-year-old then) rose to importance when he and a few young regents stayed back and resisted the attack. Raja led guerrilla warfare tactically using the dense forest cover of the region and sometimes taking shelter in the hills.
He took the British into confidence and took their help in fighting the Mysore Sultan. But, soon he realised that the British had no plans to restore the Kottayam royal family to power. So he declared war against the British. Pazhassi was continuously at war with the Mysore troops, but later Tipu helped him in battles against the British army. With the fall of Sirangapattinam, Wayanad came under the authority of the Company. Pazhasi fought against the British army till he was killed in 1805.
Black gold
Monopoly over the pepper trade was an important reason for the colonial interests in the region. The rebellions could be seen as feudal resistance against the colonial forces. The assistance of rebel leaders from different communities and tribes like Edachena Kungan, Talakkal Chandu, Kaitheri Ambu and Kannavath Sankaran Nambiar and mass appeal helped Pazhassi Raja to resist the British army.
Timeline
From 1786 to 1793, Pazhassi fought with the Mysore Army to liberate his kingdom.
From 1793, he was continuously at war with the British. At first his battles were to liberate Kottayam. From 1800 it was over the issue of the authority over Wayanad. The Bristish termed this as the Cotiote War.
By 1801, a large British force of over 10,000 men surrounded Kottayam and Wayanad and blocked all passes that linked Wayanad with Malabar. The rebels went under-ground for the time being and Raja had to wander in the forests. Raja wanted sovereignty and ruled out compromise with the British even then.
A major landmark was the capture of Panamaram Fort in 1802. Edachena Kungan Nair planned the operation and was helped by 150 Kurichia bowmen under the leadership of Talakkal Chandu. In a surprise attack, they managed to kill the British troops but lost only five men. They also destroyed the whole fort.
In 1804, a large British army arrived and 1200 Kolkar were set ready for action. Thomas Hervey Baber, a cunning man was appointed as the Sub-Collector. A huge rising led by Kaliyat Nambiar and Raja's men in the eastern Chirakkal region was crushed by the British.
One of the traitors, a Chetti, found out where the Raja had camped and informed Barber, who went there with 100 kolkar and 50 sepoys. Raja and his men had camped near Mavila Thode, a stream close to the Karnataka border. On November 30, 1805, Barber's army reached there and in the short fight that followed six rebels were killed and one of them was Pazhassi Raja.
Timeline
From 1786 to 1793, Pazhassi fought with the Mysore Army to liberate his kingdom.
From 1793, he was continuously at war with the British. At first his battles were to liberate Kottayam. From 1800 it was over the issue of the authority over Wayanad. The Bristish termed this as the Cotiote War.
By 1801, a large British force of over 10,000 men surrounded Kottayam and Wayanad and blocked all passes that linked Wayanad with Malabar. The rebels went under-ground for the time being and Raja had to wander in the forests. Raja wanted sovereignty and ruled out compromise with the British even then.
A major landmark was the capture of Panamaram Fort in 1802. Edachena Kungan Nair planned the operation and was helped by 150 Kurichia bowmen under the leadership of Talakkal Chandu. In a surprise attack, they managed to kill the British troops but lost only five men. They also destroyed the whole fort.
In 1804, a large British army arrived and 1200 Kolkar were set ready for action. Thomas Hervey Baber, a cunning man was appointed as the Sub-Collector. A huge rising led by Kaliyat Nambiar and Raja's men in the eastern Chirakkal region was crushed by the British.
One of the traitors, a Chetti, found out where the Raja had camped and informed Barber, who went there with 100 kolkar and 50 sepoys. Raja and his men had camped near Mavila Thode, a stream close to the Karnataka border. On November 30, 1805, Barber's army reached there and in the short fight that followed six rebels were killed and one of them was Pazhassi Raja.
