Pazhassi Raja facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pazhassi Raja |
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| Kerala Varma, Raja of Kingdom of Kottayam, Kerala Simham, Chandrakula Vira, Shaktan Rajah | |
Painting of Pazhassi Raja by Raja Ravi Varma displayed in Pazhassiraja Museum, Kozhikode, Kerala, India
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| Reign | 1773–1805 |
| Born | Kerala Varma 3 January 1753 Pazhassi, near Mattannur, Kingdom of Kottayam (present-day Kannur district, Kerala, India) |
| Died | 30 November 1805 (aged 52) Mavila Thod, near Pulpally |
| Burial | Mananthavady, Wayanad district, Kerala, India 11°48′06″N 76°00′03″E / 11.8017895°N 76.0008075°E |
| Spouse | Kunjati of Avinyat, Makom of Kaitheri |
| House | Padinjare Kovilakam |
| Dynasty | Purannattukara Svarupam |
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (born January 3, 1753 – died November 30, 1805) was a brave ruler from the Kottayam Kingdom in the Malabar region of Kerala, India. He was also known as Cotiote Rajah and Pychy Rajah. He led his kingdom from 1774 to 1805.
Pazhassi Raja is famous for fighting against the British East India Company. This struggle is known as the Cotiote War. Many people see his rebellion as one of the first fights for freedom in India. He was even called "Kerala Simham" or "Lion of Kerala" because of his courage in battle.
Pazhassi Raja belonged to the royal family of Kottayam. When Hyder Ali from the Kingdom of Mysore took over Malabar in 1773, the King of Kottayam had to leave. Pazhassi Raja, who was a young prince, stepped up to lead. He fought against the Mysorean army for many years, from 1774 to 1793. He refused to run away and bravely resisted the invaders. This made his people trust and support him greatly.
In 1792, after another war, the East India Company tried to take control of Kottayam. This went against an earlier agreement that said Kottayam was independent. The Company appointed Pazhassi Raja's uncle, Vira Varma, as the new ruler. To collect more money for the Company, Vira Varma demanded very high taxes from the farmers. Pazhassi Raja, who always opposed the Company, led a big protest against these taxes in 1793.
In 1796, the Company tried to arrest Pazhassi Raja, but he escaped. He then fought back using guerrilla warfare, which means using surprise attacks and hiding in forests. After facing many problems, the Company decided to make peace in 1797. However, the fighting started again in 1800 over the region of Wayanad. After five more years of war, Pazhassi Raja was killed on November 30, 1805, during a gunfight near the Kerala-Karnataka border.
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Pazhassi Raja's Kingdom
Pazhassi Raja was born into the royal family of Kottayam. His family branch was located in Pazhassi, which is why he was called Pazhassi Raja. Early British documents sometimes called him Pychy Rajah. The name Cotiote Raja came from the British way of saying Kottayam.
The Kottayam region included parts of what are now Kannur District and Wayanad district, as well as some areas in Nilgiris district. The royal family had three main branches, each in a different location.
Fighting Mysore's Control (1773–1793)
Pazhassi Raja fought against the Mysore army in two main periods. The first was from 1773 to 1782, when Hyder Ali was the ruler of Mysore. The second period was from 1784 to 1793, when he fought against Tipu Sultan, Hyder Ali's son.
Fighting Hyder Ali (1773–1782)
In 1773, Hyder Ali invaded Malabar again because the local kings had not paid their taxes. Many kings and nobles ran away to Travancore. But Pazhassi Raja and other young leaders stayed behind. They formed small groups and fought the Mysore army using guerrilla tactics from the forests and mountains.
In 1774, at just 21 years old, Pazhassi Raja became the leader of Kottayam. He promised to fight Hyder Ali's troops. He gathered a force and started surprise attacks because he did not have enough weapons or soldiers for open battles. He set up many hidden bases in the thick forests of Puralimala and Wynad. From these bases, he caused many small but important losses to the Mysore army. His soldiers came from different groups, including Nairs, Thiyyas, Kurichiyas, and Mullukurumas.
While Pazhassi Raja was fighting, his uncle Vira Varma and another nephew, Ravi Varma, also became involved in ruling Kottayam. Pazhassi Raja became the most powerful, which made his uncle Vira Varma unhappy. Their relationship was difficult from the start.
The war was tough for Pazhassi Raja. In 1774, Coorgs joined Hyder Ali, hoping to get Wynad. In 1776, Hyder Ali put the Hindu King back in charge of Chirakkal, and this king also joined Mysore to defeat Pazhassi Raja. But even with these alliances, they could not defeat the Kottayam army until 1780.
During his long wars, Pazhassi Raja's influence grew. His men often raided enemy treasuries and took valuable sandalwood from southern Karnataka. His enemies could not stop these raids. He also raided neighboring areas to bother enemy soldiers, and local people often supported him. He also worked closely with other rebel leaders in southern Malabar.
The Siege of Thalassery
Thalassery was an important port and fort held by the East India Company. If Hyder Ali could capture it, he would weaken both the rebels in North Malabar and the Company's power.
In 1778, Hyder's ally, the Raja of Chirakkal, surrounded Thalassery. The East India Company in Thalassery gave weapons to Pazhassi Raja's men. This helped Pazhassi Raja fight the Chirakkal army from behind. Pazhassi Raja chased and defeated the Chirakkal army, then took back control of western Kottayam from Mysore. However, the Company did not fully use this victory to defeat Mysore.
The Mysore-Chirakkal army then attacked Kottayam again. Pazhassi Raja's men, though secretly supplied by the Company, could not defeat this large army and had to scatter. In 1779, a huge army from Mysore, Chirakkal, and Kadathanad surrounded Thalassery. Pazhassi Raja sent 2,000 Nair soldiers to help the Company defend Thalassery, which helped them hold the fort.
By late 1779, Sardar Khan, a Mysore general, came to Thalassery with 10,000 troops and heavy guns. He knew Pazhassi Raja was helping the Company. He offered to give Kottayam back to Pazhassi if he joined Mysore and paid a large sum of money. Pazhassi Raja tried to pay, but it was too much. Sardar Khan's demands meant there was little chance for Mysore to capture Thalassery. Pazhassi Raja's army also became stronger after a big victory in Wynad, where they defeated 2,000 Coorg soldiers.
In 1780, Pazhassi Raja suggested a plan to the East India Company to break the siege of Thalassery. He and his men would attack the enemy from behind while the Company attacked from the front. This would split the enemy. The Company finally agreed in 1781. The plan worked, and the Mysore forces were destroyed. After this, Pazhassi Raja led a rebellion in Kottayam, and the Mysoreans were driven out.
Fighting Tipu Sultan (1784–1793)
By 1782, Kottayam was free again. But in 1784, after another war, the Company recognized Tipu Sultan's power in Malabar. Kottayam became a vassal state of Mysore. Tipu Sultan demanded very high taxes, even more than before. This meant more hardship for the farmers. Pazhassi Raja decided to lead another resistance.
Pazhassi Raja was also angry because his brother Ravi Varma had signed a treaty with Tipu Sultan in 1786, giving Wayanad to Tipu. Pazhassi Raja refused to let Tipu control Wayanad peacefully. He continued his guerrilla warfare, constantly bothering Mysore troops in Wayanad. This war in Wayanad lasted seven years, until 1793, when the last Mysore soldiers were forced out.
By 1788, Pazhassi Raja strongly disliked Tipu Sultan because of Tipu's forced religious conversions. So, Pazhassi Raja strengthened his ties with the East India Company and other rebel leaders in Malabar. Tipu sent an army to destroy the Nair caste in Malabar, as they were causing him many problems.
The senior King of Kottayam fled, but before leaving, he asked Pazhassi Raja to protect the country. Pazhassi Raja gathered his people, went into the jungles, and continued to fight. He often came out of the forests to collect money and supplies, defying Tipu's rule.
In 1790, Tipu Sultan left the war in Malabar to focus on other battles. Pazhassi Raja joined the East India Company with 1,500 Nair soldiers to capture Mysore strongholds. Soon, all of Kottayam was back under Pazhassi Raja's control. In 1790, the Company recognized Pazhassi Raja as the leader of Kottayam. He agreed to pay 25,000 rupees to the Company. He continued fighting in Wayanad until 1793, when he freed that land too.
However, in 1792, a new treaty between the Company and Tipu Sultan gave Malabar to the Company. The East India Company then tried to take full control. Pazhassi Raja was upset because the Company had promised to respect Kottayam's independence in 1790. The Company's new terms meant that kings would become mere agents of the Company, losing their power and control over their economies.
Pazhassi Raja's uncle, Vira Varma, represented Kottayam in talks with the Company in 1792. He accepted all the Company's terms.
Fighting the East India Company (1793–1805)
Pazhassi Raja fought the East India Company from 1793 until his death in 1805. He fought two main wars against the Company's interference. The first was from 1793 to 1797, about who would manage Kottayam. The second was from 1800 to 1805, about who would control Wayanad. The East India Company called these wars the Cotiote War.
First Revolt (1793–1797)
Pazhassi Raja did not get along with his uncle, Vira Varma. In 1793, Vira Varma convinced the Company to let him collect taxes in Kottayam. He hoped this would please the Company and allow him to take over all of Kottayam. The Company was already against Pazhassi Raja because he refused to accept their rule. So, they made Vira Varma the head of Kottayam. Pazhassi Raja felt betrayed because he had helped the Company against Mysore.
Vira Varma tried to collect taxes, but he also secretly encouraged Pazhassi Raja to oppose the Company. The taxes were too high for the farmers, who resisted paying. Pazhassi Raja supported them.
In 1793, Pazhassi Raja stopped all tax collection by the Company in Kottayam. He even threatened to destroy pepper vines if the Company did not stop counting them. Local Company officials talked with Raja and found out about Vira Varma's tricks. The Company offered a deal: 20% of the income would go to Raja, and 20% for temple expenses. No tax would be on temple property.
However, the Governor General canceled this agreement in 1794. He gave Kottayam to the Kurumbranad Raja for five years. Pazhassi Raja was very angry. He decided to rule his country by traditional laws. He also gave shelter to a noble named Narangoli Nambiar, who the Company had declared an outlaw. The Company was also angry that Raja had punished two robbers according to local law. They planned to arrest him but gave up because he had 500 armed guards.
In 1795, Vira Varma Raja could not collect taxes in Kottayam because of Pazhassi Raja's efforts. So, Company troops came to help Vira Varma, but Pazhassi Raja's men fought them off.
In 1796, orders came to collect two years of unpaid taxes in Kottayam. The Company decided to arrest Raja. 300 men attacked Raja's fortified house, but he had already left. The soldiers looted his palace. Raja was furious and wrote a letter of protest.
Raja was also angry that one of his former generals, Pazhayamviden Chandu, had joined Kurumbranad Raja and was working with the Company. Raja moved his headquarters to Wayanad. He then blocked all Company routes between Wayanad and Malabar. The Company tried to cut off Raja's supplies but did not have enough troops to chase him.
Colonel Dow, a Company commander who knew Raja from the Siege of Thalassery, tried to help. Raja offered to stop fighting if he was pardoned and his treasure and house were returned. The Colonel supported Raja's request, fearing Raja might join Tipu Sultan.
The Company agreed to return Raja's house and pardon him. But Vira Varma, Raja's uncle, hid this information from Pazhassi Raja. Vira Varma wanted the war between his nephew and the Company to continue for his own benefit.
Raja feared the Company planned to capture him and retreated deeper into Wayanad. Company troops building up in Wayanad also made him suspicious. Still, Raja wanted to avoid war. He met with the Northern Superintendent with 1,500 armed guards. His main demand was to rule Kottayam himself, which his uncle would not agree to.
The Company officials were arrogant and biased against Raja. They ignored his logical arguments. When talks failed, they announced that any Kottayam men serving Raja would be declared enemies and lose their property. But this had little effect, and resistance grew stronger.
The Company was shocked to find that many of Vira Varma's troops had joined the rebels. Vira Varma himself was not very interested in helping the Company, as his goal was to cause trouble between his nephew and the Company.
Raja then met with Tipu Sultan in Mysore in 1797. Tipu sent 6,000 men to help Raja and supply weapons to the rebels. Raja also began gathering troops and weapons. War was about to begin. The Bombay Government sent 1,200 troops and artillery to deal with Pazhassi. The Company also set up more outposts in Kottayam and Wayanad.
In early 1797, the Nair soldiers rebelled across Kottayam. Company outposts were surrounded. Rebel groups attacked supply convoys and reinforcements. In Wayanad, Company troops risked being attacked by Kurichia archers. The Company lost many men and supplies in these ambushes.
Victory at Periya Pass
This was a very important event. In 1797, Colonel Dow marched into Wayanad. His plan was to block Periya Pass and trap a large rebel force.
Reinforcements for Dow were attacked and lost 105 men, so they retreated. Dow's troops ran out of supplies. He asked for more help, but there was a delay. Dow then heard that Tipu had sent soldiers to help Raja. Dow decided to go to Thalassery to plan a bigger operation. He was ambushed on the way but escaped.
The next day, a Company force of 1,100 men decided to go down into Kottayam through Periya Pass because they had no supplies. But Raja knew this. He set a trap, hiding troops in camouflaged forts on both sides of the narrow pass. When the Company force entered, the hidden troops attacked.
The plan worked perfectly. Many Company soldiers were killed. If Major Anderson's force had not arrived the next day, few would have survived. The rebels took all their guns, ammunition, and supplies. Senior Company officers were killed.
Around this time, the Company decided to create a special force of local people who would betray Pazhassi Raja. These people, called Kolkar, became hated for helping the Company and being cruel to the rebels.
But for a while, Raja was in a strong position. Because of their army's disasters, the Bombay Government sent high-ranking officials to make peace. They feared that guerrilla warfare in the mountains could last a long time and that Raja might join Tipu or the French. They also decided to remove Kurumbranad Raja Vira Varma from ruling Kottayam. Other kings helped mediate, and a peace treaty was signed between Pazhassi Raja and the Company in 1797.
The treaty included:
- Pazhassi Raja would be "pardoned."
- His treasure would be returned.
- He would receive 8,000 rupees each year.
- His house in Pazhassi would be given back.
- Ravi Varma, Pazhassi Raja's elder brother, would lead Kottayam.
Narangoli Nambiar also received a pardon and his property back. So, Pazhassi Raja's four years of fighting ended in a political victory.
Tipu Sultan later wrote that the East India Company had lost 1,000 European soldiers and 3,000 Indian soldiers in four years of war against the Kottayam army.
Undeclared Hostilities (1797–1800)
Even after the peace treaty of 1797, true peace did not last. Small fights continued across Kottayam. The Company still tried to take over Kottayam and collect taxes, but Pazhassi Raja's supporters, led by Kaitheri Ambu, stopped them. Pazhassi Raja continued to defy the Company, building up his army and moving his base to Mananthavadi in Wayanad. The Company saw this as a threat but could not stop him because Raja was in a strong position after his 1797 victory.
Second Revolt and Death (1800–1805)
After Tipu Sultan's defeat, Wayanad fell to the East India Company. The Company planned to add Wayanad to other regions. But Wayanad had always belonged to Kottayam, and Pazhassi Raja had controlled it since 1793. He saw the Company's move as an invasion. Raja gathered a large force of Nairs, Mappilas, and Pathans (former soldiers of Tipu).
The Company appointed Major General Arthur Wellesley to lead their army in the region. He planned to attack Wayanad from two sides. Raja also recruited many men, which worried Wellesley.
When Wellesley left for a military mission, Raja saw his chance. He marched through Kuttiyadi Pass and joined forces with other leaders like Unni Mootha Mooppan and Kannavath Sankaran Nambiar.
By the monsoon of 1800, the rebels controlled much of Kottayam and threatened Company outposts. Wellesley sent a large force, but there were not enough troops in Malabar. Wellesley suggested cutting off Wayanad to starve Raja of supplies, but this also failed due to troop shortages. By the time Wellesley decided to attack Wayanad from two directions, another leader, Manjeri Athan Gurikkal, also joined Raja.
By 1801, a large Company force of over 10,000 men spread across Kottayam and Wayanad. They blocked all passes connecting Wayanad with Malabar. The rebels decided to hide for a while. Raja found it hard to contact his supporters. He became a wanderer in the forests but still refused to give up.
Raja had six close helpers and 25 musketeers with him. He traveled north to gather support, but the Company could not catch him. He visited his secret bases in Kottayam and then moved into other jungle areas. The Company was angry that nobles secretly supported him and decided to punish them.
As part of their efforts to stop the rebellion, Peruvayal Nambiar was arrested and hanged. The Company also threatened to punish and take property from rebels who did not surrender. But these threats and promises did not work, and Raja remained free. However, some of his main supporters, like Kannavath Sankaran Nambiar, were caught and hanged.
After Kannavath Nambiar's execution, North Malabar became quiet for a short time. Major MacLeod, a Company official, thought the war was over. He ordered all weapons to be given up and doubled the tax rate. He also ordered a quick reassessment of taxes.
These "reforms" caused a new uprising in Malabar in 1803. MacLeod tried to fix things by canceling his reforms, but it was too late for Wayanad, where Raja's men were ready to fight again.
Capture of Panamaram Fort
The first big event was the capture of Panamaram Fort. Edachena Kungan planned the attack with 150 Kurichia archers led by Talakkal Chandu. The fort had 70 soldiers, and a larger force was only a few miles away. But Kungan and Chandu decided to take the risk.
They launched a surprise attack and killed the entire garrison, including Captain Dickenson. The rebels lost only 5 men and gained 112 muskets, ammunition, and money. They also destroyed the fort. (You can still see the remains of the fort near Panamaram High School today.)
Wellesley was furious and sent 500 men to fight back. But the rebel victory had inspired all of Wayanad and Kottayam. Edachena Kungan, the hero of Panamaram, went to a shrine and asked people to join Raja's war. 3,000 men volunteered. They were placed in different locations, and rebel outposts were set up. The rebel army mostly used bows and swords, but some had muskets.
Edachena Kungan led an attack on a Company group heading to Mananthavadi. The Company force was blocked by rebels, but reinforcements arrived and captured many rebels.
More Company troops arrived in Wayanad but could not find the rebels. The rebels then focused on Kottayam. In 1802, they raided a supply convoy. The Company was frustrated by the lack of cooperation from the people of Kottayam. In 1803, a rebel force appeared in other areas, and people supported them. Raja's army by late 1803 was active as far as Kannur and Thalassery. About 3,350 of Pazhassi Raja's supporters took part in these operations.
In March 1803, a rebel force reached Calicut and captured a jail. They killed the guards, took weapons, and freed prisoners, many of whom joined the rebel army. This was too much for MacLeod, who resigned immediately.
In 1803, Wellesley left for Europe. He later became the Duke of Wellington, famous for defeating Napoleon.
In 1803, the East India Company had 8,147 soldiers fighting Pazhassi Raja. As the situation worsened, they asked for 5,000 more men, bringing their total force to 13,000 by early 1804.
In 1804, a large Company army arrived, along with 1,200 Kolkar (local forces who helped the Company). Thomas Hervey Baber, a civil servant, was appointed Sub-Collector. He was the one who finally crushed Pazhassi's revolt. It is interesting that a civil servant succeeded where a military genius like Wellesley did not. Baber had a personal reason: he wanted to avenge the death of his friend, Major Cameron, who was killed by Pazhassi Raja's forces in 1797.
In 1804, a large uprising led by Kalyat Nambiar (a powerful noble who supported Raja) in eastern Chirakkal was defeated by the Company. The revolt failed quickly because the rebels chose open battles instead of guerrilla warfare. The Kolkar also helped the Company effectively.
The rebel force retreated to Wayanad, chased by 2,000 Company soldiers and 1,000 Kolkars. A reward of 3,000 pagodas was offered for Raja, and 1,000 pagodas for Edachena Kungan.
But the rebels, mostly Kurumbas, attacked in Wayanad, causing heavy losses to their enemy. That year, a group of Kolkar almost caught Raja, but a Kurumba guard warned him in time.
The monsoon season and harsh climate of Wayanad helped Raja. By October, most of the Kolkar were sick. Raja and Edachena Kungan organized a large force of Kurichias and Kurumbas. Kungan also succeeded in getting Nair nobles in Wayanad to support Raja.
The Company had not suffered losses as severe as in 1797, but the situation was still difficult. Kottayam, though quiet, could explode again, and a large rebel force led by Raja was still free. Wellesley himself once said, "We are not fighting 1,000 men... but one man... Kerala Varma." This meant that Raja's defeat would end the revolt.
Betrayal and Death
T.H. Baber went to Mysore to lead the operations and searched for informants and traitors. The East India Company admitted that few locals became informants because they were loyal to Raja. However, some informants proved very damaging. One of them, a Chetti, found out where Raja was camped and told Baber, who went with 100 Kolkar and 50 soldiers.
Some believe that Pazhayamviden Chandu was responsible for Raja's downfall. Pazhayamviden worked as an "adviser" for the Company but secretly spied for Raja. But in late 1805, Pazhayamviden decided to betray all his master's military secrets for a large sum of money. It is possible that the Chetti who guided Company troops was working for Pazhayamviden Chandu.
On November 30, 1805, Raja and his men were camped near Karnataka, by a stream called Mavila or Mavila Tod. They were surprised, and a short, intense fight followed. Six rebels were killed, including Pazhassi Raja.
It is said that a wounded Raja lived long enough to raise his loaded gun and tell a Company official not to come near his dying body. This showed his strong dislike for those who served foreign invaders.
The exact way Raja died is debated. Some stories say he swallowed a diamond ring to avoid capture after being wounded. But Baber said he was killed by a clerk named Canara Menon. Another version says Captain Clafam and his six soldiers killed him. This third version might be more likely, as Baber often disagreed with military leaders. He might have given credit to Menon to deny it to Clafam.
Kunjani, Raja's wife, was captured and later died in captivity. As punishment to his family, their property was taken, and the palace at Pazhassi was destroyed and replaced with a road. The local Thiyyas, who were loyal to Raja, felt sympathy for his family and built them a new house.
Pazhassi Raja's Impact
- Thomas Harvey Baber noted in 1805 that people from all walks of life deeply respected Pazhassi Raja, a feeling that even his death could not erase.
- Pazhassi Raja was known as a brave warrior dedicated to his country's freedom.
- The Cotiote War caused more losses for the Company than the Third Anglo-Mysore War.
- Pazhassi Raja's war was the longest rebellion against the Company in Indian history. His forest warfare was unique for its time.
- The Company was always puzzled by how Raja supplied his army of thousands.
- To fight stronger enemies, Raja trained many of his farmers and recruited them into his army. This was new for Kerala at the time. People from all backgrounds joined his fight.
- The East India Company suffered heavy losses, especially among officers. So many soldiers were lost that some regiments had to be pulled out.
- Raja shared all the difficulties with his soldiers and took part in battles, risking his own life. Because of this, his troops respected him greatly.
- British royal regiments also fought in the Cotiote War.
- Anti-British rebels in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were also allied with Pazhassi Raja.
- Arthur Wellesley later used guerrilla warfare methods, similar to Pazhassi Raja's, to defeat Napoleon's armies in Spain.
- Pazhassi Raja's memory and struggle inspired the freedom movement in Kerala in the 20th century.
Pazhassi Raja did not fight for personal power. Historians say he was selfless and cared deeply for his people and country. He believed it was his duty to protect his people from exploitation. He chose to fight the East India Company when it became clear they would not respect his kingdom's independence or his people's well-being. He felt it would be a personal failure if he did not protect his kingdom's freedom.
Some criticize Raja for allying with the East India Company against Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. But at that time, Mysore was a cruel invader, and the Company was just a trading power that had not yet harmed the people of Malabar. So, it made sense for leaders like Pazhassi Raja to ally with the Company against Mysore.
A Company agent noted in 1797 that Raja was very popular because he stayed with his people during the Mysore invasions and shared their hardships. He was also very generous to his farmers. This love and support from his people helped Raja fight the East India Company for a decade, even with a reward on his head.
Even when other kings in Malabar surrendered to the Company after 1798, Raja knew he might be defeated and killed if he continued to fight. But he refused to give up. He wrote a letter saying he would resist the Company until the very end.
He also worked to rebuild his country after the Mysore invasions. He borrowed money and gave financial help, seeds, and cattle to his farmers to restart agriculture. This was different from other kings who squeezed their farmers. This is another reason why he remained so popular.
Raja is also credited with spreading agriculture in Wayanad. He encouraged tribal people to start farming and told his local leaders to give them cattle and seeds.
Key Supporters
Pazhassi Raja had about eighty chieftains who helped him in his wars and with administration. Some of the most important were Chengoteri Chathu, Pallur Eman, Kaitheri Ambu, Kannavath Nambiar, Thalakkal Chandu, Sankaran Moopan, and Edachena Kunkan.
Forest Forts
During his long war against invaders, Raja built many forts and camps in the forests and mountains of his country.
Four of his most important forts were:
- A granite fort on Purali range (modern Muzhakunnu), built by his ancestor over a thousand years ago.
- Another granite fort at Manatana.
- A large fort in Mananthavady, Wayanad, which could hold his entire army of 6,000 men.
- A stronghold in Todikulam near Kannavam, which belonged to his supporter Kannavath Sankaran.
Most of his strongholds, like Kottamalai and Nellakotai, do not survive today. Only the ruins of the Purali fort remain, now just a pile of granite rocks. A tank (water reservoir) and a nearby black-stone cave where Raja once lived can still be found.
Legacy
- Pazhassi Dam
- Pazhassi Raja College, Pulpally, Bathery
- Pazhassi Raja N.S.S. College, Mattanur
- Pazhassi Raja Postal Cover
- Pazhassi Raja Park, Mananthavady
- Pazhassi Raja Kovilakam
- Pazhassi Raja Tomb
- Pazhassi Raja Archaeological Museum
- Pazhassi Raja Charitable Trust
- Statue of Pazhassi Raja
- Pazhassi's Cave: This historic cave in Cherambadi was opened on February 28, 2025, by Kochu Thampuratty Subha Varma, a descendant of Pazhassi Raja, and her husband, Dr. Kishore. This ancient cave, built by the legendary king, honors his legacy and the region’s rich history.
- Pazhassi Raja Park, Thalassery
- Pazhassi Raja School, Kuthampully
- Pazhassi Raja universal public school, Balussery
- Pazhassi Raja Road, Ernakulam
- Pazhassi Raja Memorial and Library, Nellunni
Interesting facts about Pazhassi Raja
- Pazhassi Raja's full name was Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja.
- He was also sometimes called Cotiote Rajah or Pychy Rajah by the British.
- Pazhassi Raja's fight against the British is often seen as one of the very first acts of resistance against foreign rule in India.
- Because of his courage and fighting skills, he was given the special name "Kerala Simham" or "Lion of Kerala."
