Editing Pazhassi Raja (section)

==Resistance to Company rule in India&nbsp;— the [[Cotiote War]]==
[[Image:PazhassiMemorial.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Pazhassi Kudeeram-a memorial for Pazhassi Raja at his burial spot in Mananthavadi, [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]], [[Kerala]], designed by Architect [[Eugene Pandala]]]]

Pazhassi Raja resisted the East India Company from 1793 onwards till his death in 1805.{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=60}} He fought two wars to resist Company intervention in the domestic affairs of his kingdom. From 1793 to 1797 he fought over the question of the management of Kottayam and from 1800 to 1805 over the issue of who was to be master of Wynad. The East India Company called their wars with Pazhassi Rajah as Cotiote War.

===First revolt (1793–1797)===

Pazhassi Raja was not on good terms with his uncle Vira Varma, Raja of Kurumbranad. In 1793, foxy Vira Varma who had surrendered Kottayam to the EIC back in 1792, convinced Company commissioners to let him collect tax in Kottayam.{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=16}} He calculated that a good collection might please the EIC and that they would let him seize all of Kottayam.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=38}} The company had by this time adopted a hostile approach to Pazhassi Raja who had consistently refused to accept Company suzerainty and hence they made the obedient Vira Varma head of Kottayam{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=60}} Pazhassi Raja was angry at this move. He felt betrayed.{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=91}} After all, he was the only Raja in Northern Malabar to have helped the East India Company consistently in the war with Mysore.{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=313}}

Vira Varma Raja, on the one hand, undertook to collect tax in Kottayam directly, but on the other hand, he encouraged Pazhassi Raja to oppose the company's domination. Moreover, the tax imposed by the company was beyond the peasants' capacity to pay. They resisted attempts to collect these taxes by the agents of the East India Company, and Pazhassi Raja took up their cause.{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=61}}

In 1793 Pazhassi Raja made sure that no tax was collected in Kottayam by the EIC&nbsp;– as a mark of his protest.{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=60}} He also threatened that if Company officials did not give up their enumeration of pepper vines, he would have the vines destroyed.{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=91}} Local Company authorities, however, debated with Raja and soon both discovered Vira Varma's deceptions. The East India Company put forward a solution acceptable to the Raja by which 20 percent of gross revenue would go to Raja and another 20 percent would go for temple expenses. No tax would be imposed on temple property in the immediate future.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=42}}{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=29}}

In 1793 Tipu's Vakils protested to the Company that Pazhassi Raja, who was an EIC subsidiary, had overrun most of Wayanad. Soon the Raja was supreme in the Wayanad Plateau.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=36}}

But the Governor General unwisely revoked the agreement in 1794 and gave Kottayam to Kurumbranad Raja on a five-year lease.{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=91}}{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=61}}{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=30}}{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=43}} The Raja was very angry at this decision and decided to retaliate by ruling his country as per customary law. The year before the lease was concluded the Raja had provided asylum to a Nayar noble, Narangoli Nambiar of the Iruvazinad royal clan, who had been declared an outlaw by the East India Company for the murder of three men who had killed his kinsman. The Raja's kind treatment of Nambiar irritated the EIC.{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=62}}{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=45}} The EIC also became angry that the Raja had executed by impalement two robbers as per customary law.{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=314}} The Company planned to arrest Raja 'for murder' but gave up the idea as the Raja had a bodyguard of 500 well-armed Wayanad Nayars.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}

In 1795, after a year, Vira Varma Raja got Kottayam on lease but was not able to collect tax there due to the efforts of his nephew Raja. So East India Company troops arrived in Kottayam to help Vira Varma's tax collectors, but Pazhassi Raja's men resisted them with success.{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=30}}{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=314}}

In 1796 orders were issued from Bombay to collect tax arrears for 2 years in Kottayam. For the Company administration, no more pretexts were needed to arrest Raja. 300 men under Lieutenant James Gordon marched from Talassery and seized Raja's fortified house at Pazhassi-but Raja fled four days earlier to Manattana (near Kottiyur). Gordon sacked the palace where traditional treasure of Raja was kept.{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=30}}{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=92}} Raja was angry at Gordon's actions and sent a letter to the Supervisor at Thalassery.{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}}{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=62}}{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=314}}{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=48}}

Raja was also angry that one of his former generals, named [[Pazhayamviden Chandu]], had become an agent of Kurumbranad Raja and what angered him even more was that this turncoat had the audacity to boss him with Vira Varma's and EIC blessings.{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}} Raja shifted his HQ to Purali Range and then into Wayanad. Raja then blocked all Company communications between Wayanad and Low Malabar through Kuttiyadi Pass.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=48}} The EIC retaliated by cutting all communications between Raja and Low Malabar. But as they did not have enough troops to chase him they waited for reinforcements.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}

The East India Company commandant was Colonel Dow, who Raja knew well from the Siege of Thalassery. Raja thought that this old friend might help him mediate with the Company administration. Raja offered to give up the struggle provided he was pardoned and his treasure and house restored.{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=92}}{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=49}} The Colonel and Raja being old soldiers hated needless bloodshed, so he forwarded Raja's request to the Commissioners, who though they were bitterly opposed to Raja's independent style, agreed to the Colonel's request as there was a risk that Raja might ally with Tipu.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=92}}

So Northern Superintendent ordered the restoration of the Raja's house [but not treasure], and the Raja's pardon was confirmed by the Bombay and Supreme Governments.{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=92}} But the orders of government were communicated to the Raja via Vira Varma&nbsp;– which meant that uncle Raja took care not to report to his nephew that the company had agreed to his requests. Uncle Raja had a vested interest in the war between the company and his nephew Pazhassi Raja.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=49}}

Vira Varma also removed [[Kaitheri Ambu]], a favourite noble and general of Raja, from home administration of Kottayam. Ambu along with followers went to Kannavam [also spelled ''Kannavath'' and ''Kannoth''], where he planned and executed a mass resistance with people's support, which made sure that Vira Varma could make no tax collection in Kottayam. But Ambu acted clearly on guidance of Raja, who felt the expulsion of Ambu was another of his uncle's conspiracies to undermine him.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}

Raja feared that the East India Company planned to seize him [not knowing that their truce terms were kept blocked from him by his uncle] and retreated into the depths of Wayanad. Company troop build-up in Wayanad also amplified his doubts. However, Raja was still eager to avoid a war and came to meet the Northern Superintendent with a bodyguard of 1500 armed Nayars. Vira Varma Raja was also ordered to be present. Pazhassi Raja's main demand was that Kottayam must be under his rule, a demand to which his uncle was not ready to accede.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}

The EIC Commissioners' attitude also was arrogant; they were already prejudiced against Raja and were therefore blind towards Raja's logical argument that Vira Varma had no business in Kottayam. As talks broke down, the Commissioners' issued a proclamation in Kottayam that if those Kottayam men in service of Raja did not desert him and come home, they would be declared enemies and their properties confiscated.{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=314}}{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=92}} But this proclamation had little effect in Kottayam where resistance to Company-Kurumbranad rule became stronger.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}

The East India Company, to their horror, found out that a large number of Vira Varma's troops had deserted to join ranks of insurgents{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=314}}{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=92}} and Vira Varma himself was not much interested to help the company; after all his aim was to create a flare-up between his nephew and the EIC for sake of pure self-interest.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}

Raja then visited the Mysorean commandant at Karkankotta in 1796{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=62}}{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=94}} and in 1797 held an audience with his old enemy Tipu in Mysore, who posted 6000 men at Karkankotta to aid Raja in case of war and to supply ammunition to rebels.<ref name="WFrancis103">{{cite book |last1=W. Francis |title=The Nilgiris |year=1908 |page=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.22380/page/n121 103] |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.22380 |access-date=5 September 2019}}</ref> He also began to collect troops and armaments. War was imminent. 1200 troops and artillery under a Major General was sent by the Bombay Government to deal with Pazhassi. The company also began to set up outposts in Kottayam and sent more troops to Wayanad.{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=314}}{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=32}}

In early 1797, the Nayar militia uprose all over Kottayam{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=63}} and Company outposts were trapped in a true state of siege. Partisan bands became active all over Kottayam and harassed reinforcements and supply convoys. The case was similar in Wayanad where East India Company troops that moved out of the safety of their garrisons risked being harried by Kurichia bowmen. The EIC suffered a good deal of loss in terms of men, ammunition and stores in these ambuscades.{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=314}}{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=95}}

====Victory at Periya Pass====

This event was the most important in the whole war. In 1797, Colonel Dow & force marches into Wayanad. His plan was to block Periya Pass and then crush a large rebel force in Kannoth once their retreat is blocked.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}

Reinforcements under Lieutenant Mealy were to reach Dow at Periya, but on way they were severely harassed by a force of Nayars and Kurichias and suffered a casualty of 105 men. So instead of Periya they retreated to their original base.{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=63}}{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=58}}

Dow's troops suffered chronic shortage of supplies and so Dow applied for reinforcements and re-supplies to be sent under Major Anderson of Bowles' regiment. But as Mappila guides of Anderson deserted at last moment. That caused a delay in journey of Anderson-a delay that had fatal consequence for the EIC.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=59}}

Dow then received news that Tipu had sent sepoys to aid Raja as Tipu considered the Company entry into Wayanad a violation of Seringapatam Pact. Dow decided that he will go to Talassery to consult authorities there and to plan a greater operation to deal with troops of Raja and Tipu simultaneously in Wayanad. He left with a small band of men but was ambushed on way by Raja's men aided by Mysorean sepoys but Dow escaped unhurt.{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=63}}{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=59}}

The day after he left, an EIC force of 1100 under Major Cameroon in Periya decided to descend into Kottayam via Periya Pass as their supplies have exhausted.{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=64}}

But what they did not know was that Raja who learned of the true state of the Company expeditionary force laid a trap for them-he ordered troops lay concealed in camouflaged stockades built on both sides of the pass. Once the whole Company force entered the narrow pass, hidden troops were to pounce on their enemy who must be caught unawares.{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=314}}

Plan worked well and what followed was great slaughter of the Company force.{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=95}}{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=64}}{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=19}} Had it not been for the arrival of Major Anderson's force the following day, hardly any would have survived due to lack of medical care. Most of the enemy were killed and all their guns, ammunition, baggage and cattle were plundered along with Union colours. Senior Company officers like Major Cameroon, Lieutenant Nugent, Lieutenant Madge, and Lieutenant Rudderman were killed in action.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=60}}

Around this time, Commissioners took a decision on the advice of Swaminatha Pattar, a Tamil Brahmin who was the minister of Zamorin that sowed the eventual downfall of Pazhassi Raja. They decided to raise an irregular force of local traitors to harass Pazhassi Raja.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=60}} This force was a forerunner of the Kolkar,{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=64}} who became hated because of their support of the company and cruelty to resisters and people.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}

But for time being, Raja was in a strong position.{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=64}}  On account of the disasters suffered by their army, Bombay Government sent a Committee of Government composed of men of highest ranks-Commander-In-Chief Lieutenant-General Stuart and Governor Jonathan Duncan.{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=32}}{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=60}}{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=315}} They decided to make peace as they were anxious that guerrilla warfare in a mountainous and forested terrain could last long and that Raja might join forces with Tipu or French. They also decided that Kurumbranad Raja Vira Varma should be ousted from administration of Kottayam.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=60}} Rajas of Chirakkal and Parappanad acted as mediators in negotiation between Raja and the East India Company{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=32}}{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=95}} and a peace pact was signed between Pazhassi and the Company in 1797.{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=315}}

The Treaty of 1797 agreed on following points:{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=95}}{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=64}}
* Pazhassi Raja was to be 'pardoned'.
* He will be returned his treasure.
* He will be provided an annual allowance of 8000 rupees.
* He will be given back his confiscated house at Pazhassi.
* Ravi Varma, elder brother of Pazhassi Raja will be head of Kottayam.

A pardon and restoration of property was also extended to Narangoli Nambiar of Iruvazinad.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=72}}

Thus Raja's efforts of four years ended in a political victory. Peace dawned after four years of antagonism and war.

Tipu Sultan in his letter to French government notes with glee that East India Company had lost 1,000 European soldiers and 3,000 native sepoys in four years of war between the [[Presidency armies]] and Kottayam army.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=60}}{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=20}}

===Undeclared hostilities (1797–1800)===

Despite the peace treaty of 1797, real peace did not emerge between Pazhassi Raja and the East India Company. Skirmishes continued across Kottayam. The main reason for this was that the Company did not attempt to end its efforts to annex Kottayam and collect tax. But this was successfully foiled by partisans of Pazhassi Raja headed by Kaitheri Ambu.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=77}} Pazhassi Raja also went ahead with his policy of defiance of East India Company directions, continued with his military enlargement program and even shifted his seat of power to Mananthavadi in Wayanad – all of which were deemed as "injurious to interests of Company in Kottayam" by Colonel Dow, the Company representative in Kottayam. But since Raja clearly had the upper hand since the victory of 1797, the East India Company was powerless to put an end to his activities.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=73}}

===Second revolt and death (1800–1805)===

After the fall of Tipu, Wayanad fell to the East India Company. They sent a Mysore Commission to seize Wayanad and planned to annex it to either Canara or Coimbatore.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=78}} But as Wayanad was a traditional possession of Kottayam Raja and Pazhassi had been in control of this region since 1793, Pazhassi interpreted the move as an encroachment on his country's ancient provinces. Raja retaliated by collecting a large force of Nayars which was now supplemented by Mappilas and Pathans,{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=83}} latter being ex-soldiers of Tipu who became unemployed after Tipu's death.{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=315}}

The Company administration at Madras appointed Major General [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington|Arthur Wellesley]] as the Presidency army commandant of Mysore, Canara & Malabar.

He planned a double-pronged move from Malabar Coast and Mysore into Wayanad and began preparations for that end.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=83}} Raja observed Major General-latter had brought reinforcements and building roads in Wayanad and outposts across rebel country. 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.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}

Raja learned that Wellesley had left to Deccan on a military mission-Raja who understood that Major General's absence is a great chance swiftly made his move. 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.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=84}}{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=175}}{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=66}}

By monsoon of 1800, rebels who controlled all of country-side of Kottayam threatened to overwhelm Company outposts in Kottayam.{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=315}}{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=85}} Wellesley sent a large force under Colonel Sartorius to recapture rebel-held Kottayam.{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=175}}{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=85}} But the plan could not be carried out as there were not enough troops in Malabar. Wellesley advised Commissioners to stop all communications with Wayanad so as to starve Raja of supplies.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=89}} But the shortage of troops also meant this plan too remained on paper. By the time, Wellesley decided to smash Raja by a double drive from Malabar Coast and Mysore into Wayanad, Manjeri Athan Gurikkal an Ernad Mappila leader along with his followers agreed to support of Raja.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}

By 1801, a large East India Company force of over 10,000 men swarmed all over Kottayam and Wayanad and they blocked all passes that linked Wayanad{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=68}} with Malabar. Before so large numbers, rebels thought wise to go under-ground for time being. Raja also found that he could no longer contact his supporters in Southern Wayanad and Southern Malabar.{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=180}}{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=90}}{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=316}} Raja became a wanderer in forests but even then, to surprise of the East India Company, he ruled out compromise it seems he understood that there was no alternative to full freedom.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}

Raja had six close aides and 25 musketeers in his wanderings.{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=316}} First, he went north via Payyavur along montane forests of eastern Chirakkal to rally support.{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=187}} But the EIC were on his trail but failed to catch him. Raja then visited his secret bases in Kottayam{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=187}} and then moved into Kadathanad and into jungles of Kurumbranad.{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=68}} The East India Company were angered that where ever he went, nobles supported him in secret and decided to punish them for their help to rebel Raja.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=93}}

As a part of their policies to quell the rebellion, Peruvayal Nambiar who was arrested was hanged. The East India Company also threatened to issue a penalty and confiscation of property for all those rebels who failed to surrender in six weeks time. But a pardon was also issued for surrendered rebels. But none of these threats and temptations worked and Raja was still at large. But some of his chief supporters were arrested of whom Kannavath Sankaran Nambiar was most famous. Kannavath Sankaran Nambiar and his son were hanged too and their property was confiscated.{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=316}}{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=192}}{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=34}}

Following execution of Kannavath Nambiar, a deceptive calm descended on North Malabar-calm before the storm. Collector Major MacLeod believed that war was over and went ahead with his charged duties. He immediately declared total disarmament of Malabar{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=101}} and threatened those who kept arms with the death penalty. He also doubled the rate of tax and ordered a reassessment of tax of whole Malabar in a mere forty days.{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=316}}{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=103}}{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=282}}

All these 'reforms' paid back in 1803 when Malabar was on verge of revolt as people quickly became incensed.{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=316}}{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=103}} MacLeod tried to calm this with corrective measure-He cancelled all his 'reforms' and old system was reinstated. But it was too late for Wayanad where Raja's men were prepared for a rebellion.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}

====Capture of Panamaram Fort====
[[Image:Moat around Panamaram fort site.JPG|thumb|250px|Remains of the Moat surrounded the Panamaram [[Fortification|fort]]. Now it is almost covered with creepers and bushes, Panamaram, [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]], Kerala.]]
[[Image:Koli tree near Panamaram fort site.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Koli tree near the Panamaram [[Fortification|fort]]. Talakkal Chandu was executed somewhere near this tree., Panamaram, [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]], Kerala.]]
The first major event was the capture of [[Panamaram]] Fort. [[Edachena Kunkan|Edachena Kungan]] who planned the operation and was helped by 150 Kurichia bowmen under Talakkal Chandu. 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.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=103}} So if Major came to help Captain in time Kurichia force would be overwhelmed by gun-fire and numbers. But Kungan and Chandu decided to take risk.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}

The whole garrison was slaughtered in the surprise attack led by the two generals and they lost only 5 dead and 10 wounded. Dickenson himself was killed.{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=69}}{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=21}} Rebels got 112 muskets, six boxes of ammunition and 6000 rupees. They also destroyed the whole fort.(The remains of the fort can be seen now near Panamaram High School).{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=283}}

Wellesley was enraged at this rebel audacity and dispatched 500 men to retaliate. But by then rebel victory had roused all of Wayanad and Kottayam.{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=316}} Edachena Kungan, the hero of Panamaram success, went to Pulpally shrine and issued a proclamation to people to join Raja's war.{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=282}} 3000 men volunteered.{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=69}}  They were posted at Valliyurkav at Mananthavadi, Motimjarra [?], and Edappally and 100 of them under the brother of Kungan posted themselves at Periya Pass and 25 men were posted at Kottiyur Pass. Rebel outposts were set up en route from Dindimal to Valliyurkav. The rebel army was mostly composed of archers and swordsmen, but some had muskets.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=104}}

Edachena Kungan led an attack on a Company detachment headed from Mysore to Mananthavadi. The harassment began once this force entered Wayanad till it reached a stream between Manathavadi and Bhavully river. There they were blocked by a rebel force entrenched on the opposite side of the stream. But to ill luck of rebels, a reinforcement which had caught up with blocked Company army outflanked the rebel entrenchment and took a large number of [[Prisoner of war|prisoners of war]].{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}

Besides, East India Company reinforcements arrived in Wayanad from all directions. But they could find rebels nowhere.{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=316}}

The rebels now concentrated in Kottayam. In 1802, they raided a supplies convoy near Kottiyur.{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=69}} The Company administration were frustrated by Kottayam people's total lack of co-operation. To add to their trouble, in 1803, a rebel force took to field in Kurumbranad* & Payyormala*{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=283}} and people were sympathetic to rebels.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=106}} Kungan marched towards Pazhassi to wipe out the Company outpost there but had to retreat, though they suffered serious losses. Soon rebellion spread into Chirakkal where armed bands of partisans launched operations and often fought against the Presidency troops openly. Raja's army by end of 1803 was ranging as far as Kannur and Thalasseri.{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=316}}{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=21}}{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=283}}{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=111}}{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=70}} An estimated 3350 partisans of Pazhassi Raja took part in this operation that extended south as far as Ernad.{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=69}}

In March 1803, a rebel force marched as far as Calicut and captured Sub-Jail where they killed all guards and seized their firearms and ammunition.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=106}} They also released prisoners, many of whom joined ranks of the rebel army.{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=21}} This was too much for MacLeod and he resigned immediately after this event.{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=283}}{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=107}}

In 1803, Wellesley left for Europe, after three years of inconclusive war with Pazhassi Raja, later destined to become Duke of Wellington, vanquisher of Napoleon at Waterloo.<ref name="Panikker">Historical preface of Kerala Simham, Sardar KM Panikker, [1941], DC Books, 2008 Edition, Kottayam 686,001</ref>

In 1803, the East India Company had 8,147 soldiers to fight Pazhassi Raja. But as the situation was slipping out of control, the EIC military command in Malabar requested for another 5,000 men. This reinforcement arrived in early 1804 and thus increasing their total force to 13,000 men.{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=70}}

In 1804, a large Presidency army arrived and 1200 Kolkar were also ready for action.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=111}} Most importantly Thomas Hervey Baber, a civil servant was appointed as Sub-Collector.{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=35}}{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=112}} It was he who crushed Pazhassi's Revolt forever. It is indeed ironic that what a military genius like Wellesley could not attain, was achieved by Baber&nbsp;– said to be just a 'civil servant.' Baber had both a personal motive&nbsp;– to avenge the death of his friend Major Cameron, the first husband of his wife Helen Somerville Fearon at the hand of Pazhassi Raja on 9 January 1797 at Periya Pass. Baber became a civil servant to protect the interests of a small but influential group of merchants that included his in-laws&nbsp;– the Inglis and Money families of Bombay. It is noteworthy that Baber's son Henry Fearon Baber married the Granddaughter of George Harris, 1st Baron Srirangapattam and the nemesis of Tipu Sultan.

In 1804, a huge rising led by Kalyat Nambiar [a powerful Chirakkal noble but Raja's sympathiser] and Raja's men in largely forested eastern Chirakkal was defeated by the company.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=111}}{{sfnp|Menon|2007|p=317}}{{sfnp|Rajayyan|1971|p=286}} If there was large and long revolt warfare in Chirakkal, it would have immensely profited Raja. Though there was a lot of supporters of Raja in Chirakkal, as revolt collapsed fast as rebels opted for open confrontation instead of time-honoured guerrilla warfare. Another cause for the failure of revolt was treacherous Kolkar also served their White pay-masters well.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}

So once more rebel force had retreated to Wayanad. They were hotly chased by East India Company who had 2000 Sepoys and 1000 allied Kolkars. 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.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}

But rebels, mostly Kurumbas, struck at Churikunji [?] in Wayanad.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=119}} Though they had to withdraw, they had devastated their enemy. That year, a party of Kolkar nearly caught Raja but he escaped thanks to timely warning of a Kurumba guard.{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=36}}

But monsoon and brutal climate of Wayanad soon aided Raja. Of 1300 Kolkar only 170 were not sick by October.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=120}} Raja and Edachena Kungan organised a large force of Kurichias and Kurumbas at Pulpally shrine and positioned them to as far as Kurichiyat.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=119}} Also, the effort of Kungan to rally Nayar nobles of Wayanad to support Raja's war-effort had also succeeded.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}

The EIC for past couple of years did not have to suffer the loss on a scale of Periya in 1797, but matters were not easy for the Company at all. Even in Kottayam which had become quiet might explode once more and a large rebel force with Raja as the head was still at large. But one must remember that the whole revolt is a one-man show as Wellesley himself remarked once-“''We are not fighting 1000 men [Raja's army]&nbsp;... but one man&nbsp;... Kerala Varma''.”-Raja's end would mean end of revolt.<ref name="Panikker" />

====Betrayal and death====
T.H. Baber went to Mysore to direct operations himself and began a large search for informants and traitors. The East India Company themselves admitted that they did not get a lot of informants as locals were devoted to Raja, but some of those few informants proved devastating to revolt-one of them a Chetti, found out where Raja had camped and informed Baber who took to field with 100 Kolkar and 50 Sepoys.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=121}}

There is one school of thought that blames Pazhayamviden Chandu as solely responsible for fall of Raja and end of his revolt.{{sfnp|Ramachandran|2008|p=95}} Pazhayamviden worked with the East India Company administration as an "adviser" like Pallore Eman, but in reality, spied for Raja. But in autumn of 1805 Pazhayamviden decided to betray all military secrets of his master for a large sum of money.

In light of the above points, it will not be far-fetched to believe that Chetti who guided Company troops to Raja's hideout mentioned by Baber in his letter could be a servant or agent of Pazhayamviden Chandu.

On 30 November 1805, Raja and retainers were camped close to Karnataka on the shore of a stream named Mavila or Mavila Tod [not far from Pulpally]. Raja and party were caught by surprise and an intense but short fight followed. Six rebels were killed. One of the earliest rebels to be killed was Pazhassi Raja.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}

But evidently, wounded Raja did live long enough for a few more minutes to raise his loaded gun and then tell Canara Menon, an East India Company minor official, not to come too close to his dying body and pollute it.{{sfnp|Kurup|2008|p=123}} Raja's contempt and sarcasm for a man who chose to serve unclean foreigner are evident. But it also showed his uncompromising stand towards collaborators and foreign invaders.

The precise nature of Raja's death is controversial. Folklore insists that he committed suicide by swallowing a diamond ring to avoid capture after he was wounded{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=15}} but Baber says he was killed by a clerk named Canara Menon.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} W. J. Wilson, who wrote on the history of the Madras Regiment, credits Captain Clafam and his six sepoys for killing. This third version is more likely as Baber was not on good terms with military authority throughout the war. He is alleged to have credited Menon so as to deny credit to Clafam and his superior Colonel Hill.{{sfnp|Kurup|1980|p=126}}

Kunjani, the wife of Raja who was taken the prisoner, committed suicide in captivity at Kappanaveedu, near Thalassery. As reprisal on his family, property was confiscated and the palace at Pazhassi was demolished and replaced with a highway.{{sfnp|Elayavoor|2007|p=27}}{{sfnp|Balakrishnan|2011|p=52}}{{sfnp|Ramachandran|2008|p=95}} The sorry state of his family aroused sympathy in local Thiyyas, who were loyal followers and built a new house for his family.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Elayavoor|first1=Vanidas|title=Vadakkan Aitihyamala|date=2002|publisher=Current Books|location=Kottayam|isbn=8124003963|page=108|edition=4th}}</ref>