Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (Photo- Wikipedia)
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja: When it comes to the first revolutionary warriors in the history of the Indian freedom struggle, a roar was heard from the forests of South India decades before the Revolt of 1857. This was the roar of Kerala Varma Pazhassi king, known as the ‘Lion of Kerala’. Pazhassi Raja was a unique warrior who defeated the three most powerful enemies in his lifetime namely Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan and the British East India Company. He is also known as ‘Kotiot Raja’ and ‘Paichi Raja’.
Pazhassi Raja was born on January 3, 1753 in the lush green hills of Malabar (Keralam). The childhood of this prince of Kottayam dynasty was spent amidst these forests and rough roads. He had such a deep understanding of the Wayanad area that he could trap the enemy in those forests like a maze. This was the reason why he mobilized his people and waged such a guerilla war against the Mysore Empire and later against the British, to which even the most modern armies of that time had no answer.
The struggle of Pazhassi Raja can be mainly divided into three phases:
- Against Haider Ali (17731782)
- Against Tipu Sultan (17841793)
- The final struggle against the British (1793–1805)
First conflict with Mysore: Hyder Ali’s challenge
Hyder Ali attacked Malabar in 1766. Hyder forced the Zamorin of Kozhikode to kneel and started imposing taxes. When the Mysore army advanced into the area of Pazhassi, they adopted the strategy of ambush rather than direct battle. Soon the tales of Pazhassi’s bravery spread throughout the Kottayam kingdom.
However, his own uncle Veera Verma became jealous of his growing popularity. Veera Varma’s greed for power hatched many conspiracies against Pazhassi, due to which a big wall of enemy was erected within the house. Hyder Ali also took advantage of this and formed a triple alliance with the king of Chirakkal to crush Pazhassi.
Strategic tactics and siege of Thalassery
Pazhassi Raja knew how important the port of Thalassery was for the British. It was a center of arms and trade for the British. Hyder Ali imposed an economic blockade of Thalassery. On this occasion, Pazhassi Raja formed an alliance with the British and attacked the Mysore army from behind. In 1780, the combined forces of Pazhassi and the British defeated Sardar Khan (General of Mysore). This was a major diplomatic and military victory for Pazassi.
Tipu Sultan and Pazhassi’s rebellion
After the Treaty of Mangalore in 1784, the British handed over Malabar to Tipu Sultan. Pazhassi king was angry at this betrayal. His brother Ravi Varma accepted to pay heavy taxes to Tipu and also handed over Wayanad to him. Pazhassi rebelled against his own brother and Tipu.
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For about seven years, the guerrillas of Pazhassi did not allow Tipu’s army to sit peacefully in the Wayanad hills. Tipu sent a huge army under the leadership of French General Lali, but due to being busy in wars in Deccan, Tipu had to withdraw his army. Pazhassi took advantage of this and recaptured Katirur and Kuttiady forts.
Last war against the British: Coyote War (1793–1805)
Malabar came into the hands of the British after the Treaty of Srirangapatna in 1792. The British implemented an oppressive tax system. Pazhassi’s uncle Veera Varma entered into a humiliating treaty with the British, under which the rulers of Kottayam were made mere agents of the British.
Pazhassi king considered this as slavery and rebelled. He stopped tax collection in Kottayam and warned the British that they would destroy their pepper plantations. The British looted Pazhassi’s palace, after which he went into the forests and started the Cotiote War from there.
Last Times and Great Sacrifice
In 1797 the British had to make peace with Pazassi, but it was short-lived. When Sir Arthur Wellesley (who later became the Duke of Wellington, who defeated Napoleon) became the commander of Malabar, he built roads and posts to capture Pazassi. By 1803, Pazhassi’s army had spread to Kannur and Thalassery. Wellesley had to return after three years of failure.
The British offered a reward of 3000 pagodas for the capture of Pazhassi. Ultimately, due to the information of a local traitor, the British found their secret location. On November 30, 1805, the British army surrounded him on the banks of a stream called Mavila Tod near the Karnataka border. After a fierce encounter, this great son of Mother India attained martyrdom. The sacrifice of Pazhassi king did not go in vain. He proved that if the resolve is strong, even the world’s greatest power can be brought to its knees.
