Editing Pazhassi Raja (section)

====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}}