Showing posts with label PAZHASSI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PAZHASSI. Show all posts

Wayanad belongs to Karnataka

Is Wayanad belongs to Karnataka?



The geological position of Wayanad is not in line with the rest of Kerala. That is why my attention turns to this topic and a larger number of Kannada speaking communities around me in my childhood.  Even in Tribal languages in Wayanad, Kannada has more influence and resemblance than Malayalam. I think more studies and research is needed on this topic.

According to the ancient history of Wayanad, other than native Tribes, Jains are the first group who migrated to Wayanad. The Kannada speaking people in Wayanad are known as Jains, they belong to the Digambara sect and they are called Gowadas. Around the medieval period Saiva religion became a strong hold in Karnataka and the frequent attacks from Salva religion to Jain lead to the migration of Jains to Kerala and especially to Wayanad.
These names of wayanadan villages are Kannada names and it shows the influence of the Karnataka in Wayanad. All these Kannada names are the fool-proof evidence to justify the existence of Jainism this area and its influence from 12th centuary.Hoysala kings were the rulers of Kamataka'in the 12th century and Wayanad was a part of Karnataka. At that time Wayanad was known as Bailnad. The rulers of Hoysala Dynasty were Jains till Vishnuvardha. Around the medivial period Saiva religion became a strong hold in Karnataka and the frequent attacks from Salva religion to Jain lead to the migration of Jains to Kerala and especially to Wayanad.

Jainism was in its peak in Wayanad during the days of Hoysala Dynasty. Hoysala kings promoted Jainism and they sent many missionaries to the different parts to spread Jainism. There are many proofs, which justify the existence of Jainism in Wayanad. The history tells us that the Bathery Jain temple was built 800 years ago.

Earlier this temple was known as Kidangad Basti and the older name of Battery was Hennaredu Bedhi (twelve streets). These two names are Kannada names and it shows the influence of the Karnataka Jains. Some other similar place names are: Bennagode (Venniyode), Palagonthu (Palukunnu), Muthangadi (Puthangadi), and Hosengadi (Mananthavady). All these Kannada names are the fool-proof evidence to justify the existence of Jains in Wayanad.

It is believed that the wall inscriptions in Edakkal Caves (the oldest historical monument in Wayanad) are closely related to Jainism. The Swastik mark, the mark of the seventh Tirthankara, Suparswa Natha, has been engraved on the wall. The Chandrabimbamark, the mark of the eighth Tirthankara, Chandra Natha, also can be seen on the wall of the cave. The other inscriptions on the wall are the Hoysala kings'. The former Hoysalas were Jains.

In the thirteenth century, Jainism was in its peak in Wayanad. By the end of the eighteenth century the religion became too weak because of the increasing influence of the Hindu religion and the invasion of Saiva - Vaishnava religions. In this period many Jain temples were destroyed and some of them were possessed by Hindus. The relics of these ruined temples can be seen in Bathery, Puthangadi and Poothadi.

At present Wayanad is considered to be one of the important Jain centres. In Wayanad the main Jain centers are: Mananthavady, Panamaram, Anjukunnu, Varadoor, Kalpetta and Kaniyambatta

The migrated Jains first came to Panamaram on the banks of Kabani river. From there the Jain groups spread to the different parts of Wayanad. These Jains were basical1y farmers. Digging and ploughing were against their belief. So as to keep their belief they introduced eco-farming in Wayanad.  Hoysala kings promoted Jainism and they sent many missionaries to the different parts to spread Jainism.Some other similar place names with Kannada origin are given below.
 All of the place names sounds resemblance or influence of   Kannada.   I believe this the roots form is different from other names of places in plais of Kerala. But remember, Wayanad has a thriving activity of life in that era when most of the Present middle land in Kerala was covered by forest and without population.

Hennaredu Bidhi (twelve streets) Bathery.
Hosengadi ( Ondayangadi,Mananthavady).
Bennagode (Venniyode),
Palagonthu (Palukunnu),
Muthangadi (Puthangadi),
Dhottappan kulam -Dodappan Kulam,-
BAaradhoor-Varadoor,
Kolagappara Ambalavayal
Kanniya Betta, Kaniyampetta -
Kalpetta -Kalbetta ,
Hanjukonthu (Anjukunnu)
Arapatta,
Echome,
Beenachi,
Kollur,
Thaloor,Madhoor
Bavali
Muthanga -Muthangadi
Meenagadi,
Banasura, Brahmagiri. (Names of Hills)
Koottamunda
Varambatta
Bellure- Valliyoor- Valliyoorkavu( a temple of historic and social significance).

Vellamunda
Peruvaka
Ambukuthy
Nalloornad
Cherukattoor
Payyampally
Koilery
Puthiyidam
Aarattuthara
Thavinjal
Ozhakkody
Anjukunnu;
Kallumottamkunnu
Kakkanchirakunnu
Kappumkunnu
Vilakkupadamkunnu
Kacherikunnu
Panamaram
Tharuvana
Karingari
Paliyana
Kommayad
Ellumannam
Kallody (The word Kallody is derived from malayalam words kallu ( means stone ) and ody ( means run ). The combined word Kallody means running stone.Earlier this place was a forested area. The merchants from Calicut to Mananthavady town through Kuttyadi hill pass were attacked by the thieves from this area. To escape from attack, they used to carry stones with them and ran as fastly as possible. They used to pelt stones to defend from the thieves. Hence the name Kallody.
The land is divided into EDAVAKA and EDACHANA "desam". The disciple of the great Pazhassi Raja, Edachena Kunkan, belongs to this area


Balad(Valat)
Trissilery
Chundale
Edavaka
Kabanigiri
Kavumannam
Thariyode
Kidanganad
Kottebadi- Kottappadi
Kuppadi
Kuppadithara
Vaduvanchal
Muppainad
NAADBAYAL (Nadavayal)
Payyampally
Periya
Poothadi
Porunnanore
Pulpalli
Lakkidi,
Tharuvana
Thavinhal
Thirunelly
Thondernad
Trikaibetta-Thrikkaipatta
Thrissilery
Kommayad
Vellamunda
Vengappally

 AS we hear everyday these names in daily life ,we may miss the influence of Kannada in them. Try to compare these names to names of typical villages of Karnataka, or speak to a kannada speaking person.You may get some clues.












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Wayanad History

As  a local Young man I thought Wayanad covered with   full of forest and there may be a minimal human interaction and so historical importance will be less. But  when studied and  I reached the bottom, I feel it is so vibrant and  there are a number of tales to tell by these mesmerising hills.
We got evidence  from Edakkal cave- prehistory
Then numerous  narrations under Pazhassi and British rule- written history
I think most important3  books on modern Wayanad  are Logan’s Malabar Manual 1887,T.K.Gopala Panikkar’s Malabar and Its Folk 1900 ,C. Gopalan Nair,  Malabar Series : Wynad, Its Peoples and Traditions (1911).I depend  mainly these three books.
 
Logan’s Malabar Manual (1887) has inspired many of his successors to study the customs, traditions and the economy of the area in great detail. The most notable of these were Malabar and Anjengo (1905) by Evans and Innes; Malabar Gazetteer (1908) by C.A. Innes; and A Descriptive Memoir of Malabar (1906) by Lts. Ward and Conner.

Local writers were also inspired by Logan’s example to write on Malabar. The pioneering work in this vein was T.K.Gopala Panikkar’s Malabar and Its Folk (1900

A work, more in line with Logan, was that of Rao Bahadur C. Gopalan Nair, Deputy Collector, Malabar, published with a foreword from Mr.R.B. Wood, ICS, then Collector of Malabar. The book, Malabar Series : Wynad, Its Peoples and Traditions (1911) attempted a detailed study of the political and social history of the place, its people (both the rulers and the ruled) and a study of the beginnings of plantation in Wynad. The most valuable portion of this book is an anthropological study of the tribals and a good summary of the various non-tribal communities of Wynad. The author, who was posted at Mananthawady (Manantoddy, as it was then called) as the Deputy Collector, reveals the instinct of a social scientist in his analysis of the symbiotic relationships in this remote part of Malabar which had known peace only for a generation, after the bloody Pazhassi wars.


POLITICAL HISTORY

Wynad stands unique in its political history. This was the only taluk in Mala- bar which never bowed its neck to the Mysore yoke and which defied the British power until its ruler fell, fighting against thetroops of the East India Company. This ruler was the Kerala Varma Raja of Pazhassi Kovilagam (Pazhassi palace) of Kottayam dynasty and his history is practically the political history of Wynad from 1786 to 30th November, 1805.

Hyder Ali's hordes were devastating Malabar in 1766 and the rulers of Kottayam(North) had fled for safety to Travancore where the child Kerala Varma was living* with his relations. Wynad remained undisturbed until 1773, when a Mysorean army passed through the country by the Tamarasseri ghat on its way to Calicut.

In 1780 on the outbreak of the second Mysore War, Ravi Varma the senior Raja, returned from Travancore with his nephew Kerala Varma and assisted the beleaguered English factors at the seige of Tellicherry with an army of 2,000 Nayars, and in 1786 when Ravi Varma visited Tippu Sultan inCoorg, he the Sultan exacted from him a deed of relinquishment of all his rights over Wynad.

The Kottayam family had then three
branches :

1. Kizhekke Kovilagam Eastern Palace.

2. Patinhare Kovilagam Western Palace.

3. Thelcke Kovilagam Southern Palace.
 
PAZHASSI RULE

Wynad was under the sovereignty of the Western branch of which Kerala Varma was the head. Heresented the action of the senior Raja and refused to submit to the Mysoreans with whom he was engaged in desultory warfare from 1787 to the beginning of the Third Mysore War in 1790. On 4th May of that year, Robert Taylor, chief of the English settlement at Tellicherry granted a cowle to Kerala Varma Raja that the English East India Company would assist and protect him and do every thing in their power to render him independent of Tippu if he would enter heartily into  the war against the Sultan. The war was waged, and under the treaty of peace dated 18th March, 1792, Malabar was ceded to the Company by the Sultan of Mysore. It was a disputed point whether Wynad was included in this cession and it was not decided until the arrival of Lord Mornington in India in 1798, when it was finally settled that Wynad had remained part of Tippu's dominions.
East India Com pany

As soon as the treaty of Seringapatam was signed in 1792, the East India Com pany appointed Joint Commissioners for the administration of Malabar. They committed the initial mistake of entrusting Kottayam to the Kurumbranad Raja, who had no influence in the country, and Kerala Varma Raja, who was all-powerful in Kottayam, promptly showed his contempt for both the alleged authority of his uncle the Kurumbranad Raja and the regulations of the East ndia Company by stopping all collections of revenue in the district and by taking the law in his own hands against erring Moplas.

Efforts were made by the Company to surprise the Raja in his palace at Pazhassi, in Kottayam Taluk, but the Raja had a secure retreat in the wilds of Wynad. The troops sent against him were hamper- ed by difficulties of transport and lack of supplies, and a series of minor revers- es culminated on March 18, 1797, in a detachment of 1,100 men being cut to pieces in the Peria pass. The Governor of Bombay and the Commander-in-Chief visited Malabar to investigate the state of the District and cancelled the agree- ment with the Kurumbranad Raja; peace was restored through the good offices of the Chirakkal Raja, Kerala Varma being- paid Rs. 8,000 a year as pension.
In 1799, after the fall of Seringapatam, Wynad had been ceded to the British but Kerala Varma Raja resisted all attempts of the Company to take possession of the country and persevered in hostilities until 1805.
 
Baber, Sub-Collector
 
On November 30th of that year, Mr. Baber, Sub-Collector of North Malabar Division surprised him in his retreat in the neighbour- hood of the Pulpalli forest and had the "infinite satisfaction " of reporting to Govern- ment that he had " the good fortune to come up with the Cotiote Kerala Varma Raja alias the Pyche Eaja and with the assistance of Captain Clapham and 50 Se- poys and 100 Kolkars 1 to chastise this rebel chieftain by destroying him and five of his followers." The rebellion died a natural death afterwards.

The following extract from Mr. Baber's letter 2 dated 31st December, 1805, to the Collector of Malabar explains the events immediately preceding the Raja's death and contains the writer's views as regards the Raja's character. To the student of Wynad history it is interesting reading.

" Having said this much of the plan of
operations that had been adopted, I now
come to those which terminated the career
of the Pyche (Palassi) chieftain."

" I before said that one of my objects
by getting in the inhabitants of Pulpally
was to obtain accurate information
of the rebels. This I did not think prudent
to commence upon too early lest they
should take the alarm. I preferred trying
all my persuasive means to gain their con-
fidence and to wean them from their
connections. For this purpose I had them
before me and took every opportunity of
representing the folly of countenancing
a body of men so truly contemptible, and
who had no other end than to involve
them in one common ruin. I pointed to
them in the strongest colours the power
and lenity of the British Government, and
at last, what with exhortation and occasional
presents, had succeeded in inducing several
of these, who had been of most essential
service to the Raja's party, to send their
Paniyars (Paniyar agricultural labourers) out
in quest of information. I took the pre-
caution of swearing all whom I employed
to secrecy. With many agents, I could not
fail of success in some one of them. On
the 30th ultimo, three of them at last
brought me intelligence of the Pyche
(Palassi) Raja and all the rebel leaders,
with the exception of Palora Jamen (Pallur
Eman) being then in the opposite side
of the Kangara river, a short distance in
Mysore, and this so unequivocally that I
determined to act upon it. I accordingly
requested of Lieutenant-Colonel Hill to
assist me with 50 Sepoys and an Officer,
with which force and about 100 kolkars,
half Captain Watson's Police, half my own
locals, I marched at nine o'clock at night ; and
such was the secrecy in which we set off that
our guides even did not know my intention
until the moment we took our departure.
Previous to this I had deemed it expedient to
make a feint to divert the attention of the
rebels (who I thought it probable might
have their spies in camp) by detaching
70 of my kolkars, under the Sheristadar,
under the pretext of going in pursuit of
Palora Jamen who was reported to be in
the Komanpany Mala in the South-eastern
direction, while they had secret instructions
after marching half-way to this mountain
to strike off eastward to the Kallir Mountain
and there lie in ambush near to paths to
cut off the retreat of any fugitives who
would, in most probability, go off in that
direction in the event of our party coming
up with the rebels.

" Such was the nature of the country that
although we kept marching the whole
night we did not reach the Kangara river
until seven the following morning. Here we
divided ourselves into two parties, and pro-
ceeding along the banks, observed a vast
number of huts, all of them bearing every
appearance of recent habitation : we continued
marching until nine o'clock, when the
detachment being fatigued, a halt was pro-
posed. We accordingly halted, and having
taken some refreshment, we again started,
with the determination of tracing every
jungly path : so fully pursuaded was I,
as well from the earnestness of our guides
as the consideration that this was a part
of Mysore that our troops had at no time
penetrated or perhaps even thought of
doing, that the rebels must be concealed
in some parts of these jungles. After
proceeding about a mile and a half through
very high grass and thick teak forests
into the Mysore country, Charen Subedar
of Captain Watson's armed police, who
was leading the advanced party suddenly
halted and beckoiming to me, told me
he heard voices. I immediately ran to the
spot, and having advanced a few steps, I
saw distinctly to the left about ten persons,
unsuspecting of danger, on the banks of the
Mavila Toda, or Nulla to our left. Although
Captain Clapham and the sepoys as well
as the greater part of the kolkars, were
in the rear, I still deemed it prudent
to proceed, apprehensive lest we should
be discovered and all hopes of surprise
thereby frustrated. I accordingly ordered
the advance, which consisted of about
thirty men, to dash on, which they ac-
cordingly did with great gallantry, with
Charen Subedar at their head. In a
moment the advance was in the midst
of the enemy, fighting most bravely. The
contest was but of short duration. Several
of the rebels had fallen, whom the
kolkars were despatching, and a running
fight was kept up after the rest till we
could see no more of them. Just at this
time a firing was heard to the right;
we accordingly returned, when we saw the
sepoys and kolkars engaged with a fresh
body of rebels, who proved to be of
Ooongan's (Kungan's) party, but who fled
after a few shots had been fired at them
and though pursued, were seen nothing
more of. From one of the rebels of the
first party to the left, whom I discovered
concealed in the grass, I learnt that the
Pyche (Palassi) Raja was amongst those
whom we first observed on the banks of
the Nulla, and it was only on my return
from the pursuit that I learnt that the
Raja was amongst the first who had fallen.
It fell to the lot of one of my Cutcherry
servants, Canara Menon, to arrest the flight
of the Raja, which he did at the hazard
of his life (the Raja having put his musket
to his breast) and it is worthy of mention
that this extraordinary personage, though in
the moment of death, called out in the
most dignified and commanding manner to
the Menon, " Not to approach and defile
his person ". Aralat Cootty Nambiar, the
only one remaining of those rebels pro-
scribed by Colonel Stevenson and a most
faithful adherent of the Raja made a most
desperate resistance, but at last fell over-
powered by the superior skill of one
of the parbutties (pravritti) in Wynad ;
four other followers of the Raja were
also killed, two taken prisoners together
with the Raja's lady and several female
attendants. There was no other property
discovered, but a gold Cuttaram (Katharam
or Kattaram dagger) or knife and a waist-
chain ; the former I have now in my pos-
session, the latter I presented to Captain
Clapham. And from the accounts of the
Raja's lady, they had been reduced to the
greatest distresses in particular for the last
ten days. The Raja's body was taken up
and put into my palanquin, while the lady
who was dreadfully reduced from sickness
was put into Captain Clapham's. Finding
any further pursuit of the rebel useless,
we made a disposition of our forces and
returned to Chomady which we reached
about six in the afternoon without having
met with any further occurrences on the
road. The following day the Raja's body
was despatched under a strong escort to
Manantoddy, and the Sheristadar sent with
it with orders to assemble all the Brahmins
and to see that the customary honours
were performed at his funeral. I was
induced to this conduct from the considera-
tion that although a rebel, he was one of
the natural chieftains of the country, and
might be considered on that account rather
as a fallen enemy. If I have acted injudi
ciously, I hope some allowances will be made
for my feelings on such an occasion.

" Thus terminated the career of a man
who has been enabled to persevere in
hostilities against the Company for nearly
nine years, during which many thousand
valuable lives have been sacrificed and
sums of money beyond all calculation
expended.

" Notwithstanding that every effort of
moderation and lenity was pursued towards
the Kaja, nothing could get the better of
his natural restlessness and ferocity of dis-
position, which, aided by the evil counsels
of his advisers, impelled him to the most
desperate acts and produced an infatuation
which rendered him insensible to the dictates
of humanity or reason. His annihilation
became necessary for the stability and
security of the Government and its subjects.
While this severe necessity existed, the re-
collection of the services he has performed
during the infancy of our Government can-
not but inspire us with a sentiment of
regret that a man so formed should have
pursued a conduct that should have thrown
so insuperable a bar to all kinds of accommoda-
tions. To temporise further than was done
would have been to yield, and to have
yielded would have afforded a precedent
which might have been fatal to the British
Government in India.

"But it will not be necessary for me to
enlarge to you who are so well acquainted
with this chieftain's history, on the leading
features of so extraordinary and singular
a character. The records in England and
India will convey to posterity a just idea
of him."

Mr. Baber admired the great qualities of the Raja and remarked that the inhabitants entertained towards the Raja " a regard and respect bordering on veneration which not even his death can efface." These words were prophetic; more than a century has passed and his name is still cherished by the people as the Saktan 1 Raja.
 
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Pazhassi Raja Tomb

 
 

Pazhassi Raja Tomb, Mananthavady

Pazhassi Raja, a scion of the Kottayam Royal family was one of the earliest to strike the banner of revolt against British lordship in this part of India. He remained successful for a remarkably long period until finally the English brought in heavy reinforcements from Madras and Bombay.

The memorial of Veera Pazhassi Raja known as the Lion of Kerala who organised guerilla warfare against British East India company is situated at Mananthavady. The Pulpally cave near by is where the Pazhassi took refuge until he was captured by the British. He was downed in a ferocious encounter that took place at Mavilanthode in the last days of 1805. Pazhassi's tomb marks the point where he was cremated. Pazhassi museum is located nearby where a sword, which is believed to be of Pazhassi's era is kept.
 
 

Pazhassi tomb sign board.

Pazhassi Raja Tomb, Mananthavady present.
 

But there was a huge Tree was there exactly at the place of the Tomb. It was locally called Coly tree, a subspecies of banyan tree. lot of parasitic herbs and other trees are mixed with it and one cannot identify by only checking the leaves of  the tree. Because as my wonder the tree has 8 or 9 types of leaves....I played here in my childhood and was attached a lot.



I try to present a chronological order of photos in this blog taken from same position

 
Pazhassi Raja Tomb- old coly tree




Pazhassi Raja Tomb   the tree is going to die -last moments of the tree.

Pazhassi Raja Tomb when tree fell.


Pazhassi Raja Tomb- next   2 or 3 years it remained  in this condition


Pazhassi Raja Tomb  -occasional renovations only happened - Archaeological department plans to stuff the remains. Under the guidance of Pazhassi Library Mananthavady and WFF, we formed a group of nature lovers.We formed Green lovers under Pazhassi Library. I was the founder Advisor com President and designer of the theme and logo.

Green lovers  -last remains of the tree



Pazhassi Raja Tomb  Some of my friends joined with me to nourish a new banyan tree at the site.  But Government has an another plan.
 
 


Green lovers  started from this point and our  discussions held here in the evenings.
 
Pazhassi Raja Tomb Renovations on the go.


Pazhassi Raja Tomb-Looks  wonderful after the work in rainy day.
 


Pazhassi Raja Tomb- after some finishing touches. But we lost the shadow and freshness of the old big tree.


Other posts related to  Wayanad in this blog
 
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Wayanad Photos- Nostalgia

Jain Temple In Wayanad Long back Picture.
 



Narayana Gurukulam Gate In Pookode Lake

I  stayed there i for long days while i workied in Vythiry  TQ Hospital .
 
Thirunelli Temple Long ago.
I am frequent visitor from Childhood

The water well in deep forest in Ponkuzhy
Made up by tree trunk The tribals drink from it. for generations
 
Other posts related to  Wayanad in this blog
 
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RESTING PLACE OF PAZHASSIRAJA



 In the 1980s, as a young boy, I harbored a fear of our Mathematics teacher and his punitive measures involving a stick. I was an ordinary student at the Government UP School in Mananthavady, commonly referred to as the Board School. Among my peers, there was a widespread belief that carrying a leaf from the Pazhassi tree would exempt us from punishment. Remarkably, this belief proved effective. Consequently, I was drawn to the nearby tomb site, which was in close proximity to our primary classroom, and this initial visit soon turned into an obsession. The site appeared desolate and intimidating to children, attracting only the bravest among us. Surrounded by dense greenery, the area featured a large Banyan tree that enveloped a tomb constructed from red laterite blocks, which could only be discerned upon closer inspection.
I learned  my reading skills at this Board School, a generous contribution from the British to this underdeveloped region. The first letters I recognized outside of school were on the large wooden display board of the archaeological department, which briefly details the cremation of Pazhassi. I still recall the text, which was in Malayalam and stated: The valiant heart of Kerala, Veera Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, rests here. He was killed in battle against the British on November 30, 1805, and his body was transported to Mananthavady by the British in Colonel Baber's palanquin, where it was cremated with full military honors.
On lunch breaks we frequently goes there, sometimes with the free school made pudding with Amrican Wheat – Upma in Malayalam in a plastic cover.  We would place wildflowers on the tomb and made sure to clean the area after our meal, mindful of the warnings from the older boys that Pazhassi might awaken from his slumber if we were too loud. The tree at the site was enormous, featuring a significant fissure on its left side that led to a small cave-like structure within the tomb. A couple of ten-year-old boys could easily fit inside this cave. We frequently observed small snakes and various creatures around the tomb and cave, yet only the overly adventurous, like my friends and me, dared to enter. One day, around 1983-84, while exploring the cave, I discovered two small sword-like objects embedded in the mud within the tomb wall. One measured about two feet in length with a sword-like handle, heavily rusted and covered in dust, while the other was a one-foot-long, thicker object resembling a large knife. Unfamiliar with their significance, we brought them to school and presented them to our headmaster, Mr. Balakrishnan, who agreed to store them in his office. The fate of those artifacts remains unknown to me.
I strongly believe that some Pazhassis followers kept them there.
When I matriculate, and in my early youth, the place is our groups gathering point up to midnights..We saw every portion of society is coming there either to spend an evening or to put flowers in the tomb. We welcomed everyone. The archeological department of local government posted one Manager and one Gardener there. The Gardener was a native of Travencore and seems doesn’t care about his job. We became friends and we couldn’t see the Manager. He used to come once in a month to collect the salary. Government planned to renovate the tomb place and made a small museum and put laterite wall around the tree and planted some local herbs and flowes. But sooner the big tree became dried up within one year and ultimately fell down. Being a nature lover, we feel badly. We the youth made a non governmental organization on environmental issues. We called it Green Lovers and I was the founder Advisor. We decided to plant a same type tree and after long search we got permission and planted the sapling. We put seeds of all available wild trees around the vacant land of the tomb. We also included lots of local seeds of jack fruits, mangoes, figs etc. The aim is to attract birds and small animals when they give fruits. But thanks to governments decision to renovate again the site, they started work and all our efforts were gone in vain. We also separated in course of time to seek a Job. Today Green lovers attached with Pazhassi Library working outstandingly.

An old structure established in 1929, located just down the road from Mananthavady town, served as the Pazhassi Raja Memorial Library. In the 1990s, I held a position as one of the office bearers there. The original building was eventually demolished to make way for a new commercial complex that now houses the library, which has since become one of the finest libraries in Wayanad. Although my college major was Pure Science, I developed a keen interest in local history and explored various books on the subject. I had previously sought out William Logan’s Malabar Manual but was unable to read it until recently.


Years later, I was assigned to Tellichery General Hospital by the government, located near the British factory. I began to view the surroundings with a fresh perspective; the church, fort, and even the playground captivated my interest. I yearned to revisit the historical narrative of the area. Utilizing various online resources and maps, I gathered information about notable locations. With this objective in mind, I explored the historical sites of Tellichery, including its old city and ancient structures, on my motorbike. I observed that, due to our climate's six months of heavy rainfall, many buildings deteriorate rapidly, while new constructions are emerging, providing substantial income for the local populace. I extended my search to Calicut, Beypore Faroke,Kannur, Darmapatanum, Darmodam, Valapatnam, Mahe, Peria, Kottiyoor etc. most of the route are familiar to me before, because I have to travel these areas with work related trips, for example I can travel Tellichery to Mananthavady (My home) through kathiroor, KOTTAYAM, Kannavam, Kottiyoor, Elapedika, Peria, Palchuram etc, all relevant to history. I visited some of the Nambiars houses and spent time with elders to grasp an idea of old days.
And search now continues.
The term displayed on that board left a lasting impression of the British in my childhood mind, radiating significance. Specifically, this individual transported the deceased body of Raja in a palanquin and interred it with due respect and traditional customs. I was struck by the manner in which these foreign individuals honored even their adversaries.


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