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| birth_name = Kerala Varma | | birth_name = Kerala Varma | ||
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1753|01|03}} | | birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1753|01|03}} | ||
| birth_place = [[ | | birth_place = Pazhassi, near [[Mattannur]], [[Kingdom of Kottayam]] (present-day [[Kannur district]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]) | ||
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1805|11|30|1753|01|03}} | | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1805|11|30|1753|01|03}} | ||
| death_place = | | death_place = Mavila Thod, near [[Pulpally]] | ||
| burial_date = | | burial_date = | ||
| burial_place = [[Mananthavady]], [[Wayanad district]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]<!-- <br /> {{coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> | | burial_place = [[Mananthavady]], [[Wayanad district]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]<!-- <br /> {{coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> | ||
| | | | ||
| successor = | |||
| | | successor = | ||
| spouses = Kunjati of Avinyat, Makom of Kaitheri | |||
| issue = | | issue = | ||
| royal house = | | royal house = Padinjare Kovilakam | ||
| dynasty = | | dynasty = Purannattukara Svarupam | ||
| father = | | father = | ||
| mother = | | mother = | ||
| Line 29: | Line 30: | ||
{{Keralahistory}} | {{Keralahistory}} | ||
[[Image:VeeraPazhassi.JPG|thumb|An artist's depiction of Pazhassi Raja on [[laterite]] wall.]] | [[Image:VeeraPazhassi.JPG|thumb|An artist's depiction of Pazhassi Raja on [[laterite]] wall.]] | ||
'''Pazhassi Raja''' (3 January 1753 – 30 November 1805) was known as '''Kerala Varma ''' and was also known as '''Cotiote Rajah''' and '''Pychy Rajah'''. He was a warrior Hindu prince and de facto head of the kingdom of [[Kottayam (Malabar)|Kottayam]], otherwise known as Cotiote, in [[Malabar (Northern Kerala)|Malabar]], India, between 1774 and 1805. His struggles with the [[British East India Company]] is known as the [[Cotiote War]]. He | '''Pazhassi Raja''' ({{IPA-ml|pɐɻɐʃːi ɾaːd͡ʒɐ|IPA}}) (3 January 1753 – 30 November 1805) was known as '''Kerala Varma ''' and was also known as '''Cotiote Rajah''' and '''Pychy Rajah'''. He was a warrior Hindu prince and de facto head of the kingdom of [[Kottayam (Malabar)|Kottayam]], otherwise known as Cotiote, in [[Malabar (Northern Kerala)|Malabar]], India, between 1774 and 1805. His struggles with the [[British East India Company]] is known as the [[Cotiote War]]. He earned the epithet ''"Kerala Simham"'' ("Lion of Kerala") on account of his martial exploits. | ||
Pazhassi Raja was a member of the western branch of the Kottayam royal clan. When [[Hyder Ali]] of the [[Kingdom of Mysore]] [[Mysore invasion of Kerala|occupied Malabar]] in 1773, the Raja of Kottayam found political asylum in Kallara near | Pazhassi Raja was a member of the western branch of the Kottayam royal clan Mattathil Kovilakom. When [[Hyder Ali]] of the [[Kingdom of Mysore]] [[Mysore invasion of Kerala|occupied Malabar]] in 1773, the Raja of Kottayam found political asylum in Kallara near Vaikom in Kottayam district of Kerala. Pazhassi Raja, the fourth prince in line for succession to the throne during this period, became one of the ''de facto'' heads of state, surpassing several older royal contenders. He fought a war of resistance against the Mysorean army from 1774 to 1793. On account of his refusal to flee and due to his effective resistance to Mysoreans, he gained firm support of his subjects. | ||
In 1792, after the [[Third Anglo-Mysore War]], the East India Company imposed control in Kottayam in violation of an earlier agreement of 1790 which had recognised its independence. [[Vira Varma]], to whom Raja was a nephew, was appointed by the East India Company authorities as the Raja of Kottayam. To meet revenue targets fixed by Company authorities, Vira Varma ordered an exorbitant tax to be collected from the peasantry and this move was met in 1793 by a mass resistance led by Pazhassi Raja, who had always been opposed to the Company's rule. In 1796, the Company made an attempt to arrest Pazhassi Raja, but he evaded capture and instead fought back using guerilla warfare. After a string of serious setbacks, the Company sued for peace in 1797. The conflict was renewed in 1800 over a dispute on Wayanad and after a five-year-long war of insurgency, Pazhassi Raja was killed on 30 November 1805 in a | In 1792, after the [[Third Anglo-Mysore War]], the East India Company imposed control in Kottayam in violation of an earlier agreement of 1790 which had recognised its independence. [[Vira Varma]], to whom Raja was a nephew, was appointed by the East India Company authorities as the Raja of Kottayam. To meet revenue targets fixed by Company authorities, Vira Varma ordered an exorbitant tax to be collected from the peasantry and this move was met in 1793 by a mass resistance led by Pazhassi Raja, who had always been opposed to the Company's rule. In 1796, the Company made an attempt to arrest Pazhassi Raja, but he evaded capture and instead fought back using guerilla warfare. After a string of serious setbacks, the Company sued for peace in 1797. The conflict was renewed in 1800 over a dispute on Wayanad and after a five-year-long war of insurgency, Pazhassi Raja was killed on 30 November 1805 in a gunfight at Mavila Thodu (small body of water), in the present-day Kerala-Karnataka border. | ||
==Kingdom== | ==Kingdom== | ||
| Line 41: | Line 42: | ||
==Resistance to Mysore occupation (1773–1793)== | ==Resistance to Mysore occupation (1773–1793)== | ||
[[File:Cropped File39A8599.png|thumb|A page from Tellicherry Factory Records of British that refers to the Thiyya and Nayar troops in Pazhassi Raja's service.]] | |||
Pazhassi Raja's warfare with Mysore troops can be divided into two phases based on the rulers of the kingdom of Mysore. First phase lasted from 1773 to 1782 during which time, the Mysore ruler was [[Hyder Ali]]. The second phase extended from 1784 to 1793 and during this phase he fought the troops of [[Tipu Sultan]], son and successor of Hyder Ali. | Pazhassi Raja's warfare with Mysore troops can be divided into two phases based on the rulers of the kingdom of Mysore. First phase lasted from 1773 to 1782 during which time, the Mysore ruler was [[Hyder Ali]]. The second phase extended from 1784 to 1793 and during this phase he fought the troops of [[Tipu Sultan]], son and successor of Hyder Ali. | ||
===Resistance to Hyder Ali (1773–1782)=== | ===Resistance to Hyder Ali (1773–1782)=== | ||
In 1773, Hyder Ali marched into Malabar for the second time,{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=295}} for non-payment of tributes from the Rajas (kings) of Malabar as agreed after war in 1768. Most of the ''Rajas'' of Malabar, along with many ''Naduvazhis'' or vassals fled to | In 1773, Hyder Ali marched into Malabar for the second time,{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=295}} for non-payment of tributes from the Rajas (kings) of Malabar as agreed after war in 1768. Most of the ''Rajas'' of Malabar, along with many ''Naduvazhis'' or vassals fled to Travancore. Yet numerous princes and younger noblemen refused to flee and organized partisan bands who waged guerrilla warfare on the Mysore army from the forests and mountains that covered much of Malabar. Pazhassi Raja was one among them. | ||
In 1774, at the age of 21, Pazhassi Raja took over the throne to replace his uncle who had fled to Travancore. He vowed to resist Hyder Ali's troops, and stayed in Kottayam,{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=13}} where he gathered a force and began guerrilla battles against the troops of Mysore as he had neither guns nor troops enough to face them in an open battle. He set up a large number of bases in the nearly impenetrable forested mountains of Puralimala and Wynad and repeatedly inflicted severe minor losses on the Mysore army in Kottayam as well as in Wayanad.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=58}} | In 1774, at the age of 21, Pazhassi Raja took over the throne to replace his uncle who had fled to Travancore. He vowed to resist Hyder Ali's troops, and stayed in Kottayam,{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=13}} where he gathered a force and began guerrilla battles against the troops of Mysore as he had neither guns nor troops enough to face them in an open battle. He set up a large number of bases in the nearly impenetrable forested mountains of Puralimala and Wynad and repeatedly inflicted severe minor losses on the Mysore army in Kottayam as well as in Wayanad.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=58}} Pazhassi Raja's troops were recruited from several castes and tribes- that includes Nambiars, Thiyyas, Kurichiyas and Mullukurumas<ref>{{cite book|last=Pavitra Menon|year=2020|title=River, Laughter, Moon & C|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=89rKDwAAQBAJ&dq=pazhassi+army&pg=PT262|isbn=9781684663842}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=K. guru Rajesh|title=Sarfarosh A Naadi Exposition of the Lives of Indian Revolutionaries|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c_dLCgAAQBAJ&dq=pazhassi+army&pg=PT49|page=4 chapter |isbn=9789352061730}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Willam logan|year=1851|title=Malabar Manual Volume 1 Google books|publisher=Madras Books|page=365-366}}</ref> | ||
Once the true Raja of Kottayam had fled, three royals rose to power in Kottayam. The nephew of the escaped Raja named [[Vira Varma]] and his nephews, Ravi Varma and Pazhassi Raja now took over the reins of government. Vira Varma was skilled in political intrigue and manipulation whereas Ravi Varma was too incompetent to play any serious political role and hence his role only was nominal. Pazhassi Raja become the most powerful figure in Kottayam, much to the chagrin of his uncle Vira Varma. Hence Vira Varma played a series of power games aiming to check the growing clout of his nephew. So the relation between Vira Varma and Pazhassi Raja was one of enmity right from the onset. | Once the true Raja of Kottayam had fled, three royals rose to power in Kottayam. The nephew of the escaped Raja named [[Vira Varma]] and his nephews, Ravi Varma and Pazhassi Raja now took over the reins of government. Vira Varma was skilled in political intrigue and manipulation whereas Ravi Varma was too incompetent to play any serious political role and hence his role only was nominal. Pazhassi Raja become the most powerful figure in Kottayam, much to the chagrin of his uncle Vira Varma. Hence Vira Varma played a series of power games aiming to check the growing clout of his nephew. So the relation between Vira Varma and Pazhassi Raja was one of enmity right from the onset. | ||
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*Historian [[K. M. Panikkar]] wrote a historical novel named ''Keralasimham'' in 1941, which is based on life of Pazhassi Raja.{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=72}} | *Historian [[K. M. Panikkar]] wrote a historical novel named ''Keralasimham'' in 1941, which is based on life of Pazhassi Raja.{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=72}} | ||
*The 1964 Malayalam film titled ''[[Pazhassi Raja (1964 film)|Pazhassi Raja]]'' was based on his life. It was directed by [[Kunchacko]] and starring [[Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair]] as Pazhassi Raja.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/12/14/stories/2009121450430400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629060741/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/12/14/stories/2009121450430400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 June 2011|title=Pazhassi Raja 1964|author=B. Vijayakumar|date=14 December 2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=27 December 2010}}</ref> | *The 1964 Malayalam film titled ''[[Pazhassi Raja (1964 film)|Pazhassi Raja]]'' was based on his life. It was directed by [[Kunchacko]] and starring [[Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair]] as Pazhassi Raja.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/12/14/stories/2009121450430400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629060741/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/12/14/stories/2009121450430400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 June 2011|title=Pazhassi Raja 1964|author=B. Vijayakumar|date=14 December 2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=27 December 2010}}</ref> | ||
*The 2009 Malayalam film '' [[Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (film)|Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja]]'' depicts the life of the Raja. Directed by [[Hariharan (director)|Hariharan]] and written by [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair]]. The political situation of the time is portrayed from different viewpoints, and the locals are treated sympathetically in this film.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/87416/Pazhassi-Raja-DVD-sales-create-records.html |title= | *Surya tv telecasted a serial with popular film actor Sai Kumar playing the title character. | ||
*The 2009 Malayalam film '' [[Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (film)|Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja]]'' depicts the life of the Raja. Directed by [[Hariharan (director)|Hariharan]] and written by [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair]]. starring [[Mammootty]] as pazhassi Raja. The political situation of the time is portrayed from different viewpoints, and the locals are treated sympathetically in this film.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/87416/Pazhassi-Raja-DVD-sales-create-records.html |title=Pazhassi Raja DVD sales create records! | Regional News - Yahoo! India Movies |access-date=2010-12-27 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522081818/http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/87416/Pazhassi-Raja-DVD-sales-create-records.html |archive-date=22 May 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> | |||
*In [[S. S. Rajamouli|S.S. Rajamouli]]'s Telugu film [[RRR (film)|RRR (2022)]]. In the song 'ettuka jenda', he has been mentioned along with some other historical personalities who fought against the [[British Raj]] in India. | *In [[S. S. Rajamouli|S.S. Rajamouli]]'s Telugu film [[RRR (film)|RRR (2022)]]. In the song 'ettuka jenda', he has been mentioned along with some other historical personalities who fought against the [[British Raj]] in India. | ||