Early Resistance Against EIC and Consolidation of Power | Kerala State PSC (KPSC) Preparation - Kerala PSC KAS PDF Download

 Page 1


EARLY RESISTANCE AGAINST BRITISH EAST INDIA COMPANY AND
CONSOLIDATION OF POWER BY THE COMPANY
Resistance Movements against the company rule
Pazhassiraja
Veluthampi Dalawa
Kurichiya Revolt
Agrarian unrest of 19
th
century in Malabar
Colonel Munroe as Resident-Diwan in Tranvancore and Cochin
Reforms of H. V. Canolly in Malabar
RESISTANCE MOVEMENTS AGAINST THE COMPANY RULE
A resistance movement is an organized effort by some portion of the civil
population of a country to resist the legally established government or an occupying
power and to disrupt civil order and stability. It may seek to achieve its objectives
through either the use of nonviolent resistance or the use of force, whether armed or
unarmed. In many cases a resistance movement may employ both violent and non-
violent methods, usually operating under different organizations and acting in different
phases or geographical areas within a country. The term resistance is generally used to
designate a movement considered legitimate. Resistance movements can include
any irregular armed force that rises up against an enforced or established
authority, government, or administration. Such resistance Movements can be visible in
every part of the world where the government or the powerful one used authoritative
measures against government without considering the welfare of both the people and
the existing political power. From the entrance of the European powers in the soil of
Kerala onwards, the native powers began to resist the foreigners who were trying to be
the masters of the land.
With the establishment of British supremacy, the history of Kerala subjected to
changes. The period after this can be considered as a period of challenge and response.
The British challenge of domination had an equal response from the native chieftains
and people. When the British tried to establish their supremacy over the land,
resistance against their domination broke out in various parts. The early native
resistances were mainly led by the disposed local princes, feudal chieftains, aggrieved
peasants, tribal communities and others. The revolts of Pazhassi Raja in Malabar,
Page 2


EARLY RESISTANCE AGAINST BRITISH EAST INDIA COMPANY AND
CONSOLIDATION OF POWER BY THE COMPANY
Resistance Movements against the company rule
Pazhassiraja
Veluthampi Dalawa
Kurichiya Revolt
Agrarian unrest of 19
th
century in Malabar
Colonel Munroe as Resident-Diwan in Tranvancore and Cochin
Reforms of H. V. Canolly in Malabar
RESISTANCE MOVEMENTS AGAINST THE COMPANY RULE
A resistance movement is an organized effort by some portion of the civil
population of a country to resist the legally established government or an occupying
power and to disrupt civil order and stability. It may seek to achieve its objectives
through either the use of nonviolent resistance or the use of force, whether armed or
unarmed. In many cases a resistance movement may employ both violent and non-
violent methods, usually operating under different organizations and acting in different
phases or geographical areas within a country. The term resistance is generally used to
designate a movement considered legitimate. Resistance movements can include
any irregular armed force that rises up against an enforced or established
authority, government, or administration. Such resistance Movements can be visible in
every part of the world where the government or the powerful one used authoritative
measures against government without considering the welfare of both the people and
the existing political power. From the entrance of the European powers in the soil of
Kerala onwards, the native powers began to resist the foreigners who were trying to be
the masters of the land.
With the establishment of British supremacy, the history of Kerala subjected to
changes. The period after this can be considered as a period of challenge and response.
The British challenge of domination had an equal response from the native chieftains
and people. When the British tried to establish their supremacy over the land,
resistance against their domination broke out in various parts. The early native
resistances were mainly led by the disposed local princes, feudal chieftains, aggrieved
peasants, tribal communities and others. The revolts of Pazhassi Raja in Malabar,
Paliath Achan in Kochi, the Kurichiyas in Wayanad and the Moplahs in Eranad and
Valluvanad are examples of such resistance movements.
The early recorded such native resistance against foreigners was against the
Portuguese by the native Mappilas and Nairs of Calicut in 1500 AD. In this brawl the
natives killed many Portuguese and destroyed their factory. Even though the
Portuguese under Cabral retaliated by killing many natives on the high seas, they were
compelled to leave Calicut and they moved and settled Cochin which caused for
clashes between Cochin and Calicut.
REVOLT OF PATINJARE KOVILAM RAJAS.
During the British period, lot of such violent resistance took place. One of the
most striking one among these was taken place at Anjengo in 1695, at Tellichery in
1704 and again at Anjengo in 1721. The Patinjare Kovilakam Rajas of the Zamorin’s
family also raised their arms against the British. It was an attempt of the dispossessed
princes to regain their lost status and privileges.   At the time of Mysorian invasions,
the Zamorin of Calicut and family left Calicut and took asylum in other places. After
the withdrawal of Tippu, the Zamorin returned to Calicut in 1792. When the Zamorin
made a compromise with the British resulting in the loss of status and territories, the
Western branch protested demanding restoration of the territories.  But the British
rejected this which frustrated the Prince of Patinjare Kovilakam and raised revolt
against them. The Raja was supported by local population and was joined by Unni
Muppan, a Moplah chief, Poliugar chiefs of Coimbatore, Palakkad Raja (Kunji Achan)
and others. The British forces under Captain Burnell pursued the Princes who escaped
to Thiruvitamkur and arrested his nephew and brother. Later the Prince retuned to
Calicut and came to an agreement with the British. He agreed to live in peace at
Calicut accepting a nominal pension from the company. Even though almost all these
early attempts against the British were failed, it created a new history of resistance
against the foreigners.
THE ANJENGO AND THE BRITISH- THE ATTINGAL OUTBREAK
(1695-1721)
When the British under Captain Keeling reached Calicut with three vessels in
1615, the Zamorin gave them wholehearted support and   concluded a treaty with them
according to which the English were to assist Calicut in expelling the Portuguese from
Crangannur and Cochin. The Zamorin gave the English freedom of trade in his
dominions. But the English didn’t help the Zamorin against the Portuguese in
accordance with the treaty signed with them. Instead they left the cost leaving ten men
to open warehouses at Ponnani and Calicut. In 1634-35 the English East India
Company entered into an agreement with the Portuguese through which they got
access to all Portuguese ports in Kerala. In accordance with this, the British merchants
exported pepper to England for the first time from Cochin in 1636.In 1664 the Zamorin
Page 3


EARLY RESISTANCE AGAINST BRITISH EAST INDIA COMPANY AND
CONSOLIDATION OF POWER BY THE COMPANY
Resistance Movements against the company rule
Pazhassiraja
Veluthampi Dalawa
Kurichiya Revolt
Agrarian unrest of 19
th
century in Malabar
Colonel Munroe as Resident-Diwan in Tranvancore and Cochin
Reforms of H. V. Canolly in Malabar
RESISTANCE MOVEMENTS AGAINST THE COMPANY RULE
A resistance movement is an organized effort by some portion of the civil
population of a country to resist the legally established government or an occupying
power and to disrupt civil order and stability. It may seek to achieve its objectives
through either the use of nonviolent resistance or the use of force, whether armed or
unarmed. In many cases a resistance movement may employ both violent and non-
violent methods, usually operating under different organizations and acting in different
phases or geographical areas within a country. The term resistance is generally used to
designate a movement considered legitimate. Resistance movements can include
any irregular armed force that rises up against an enforced or established
authority, government, or administration. Such resistance Movements can be visible in
every part of the world where the government or the powerful one used authoritative
measures against government without considering the welfare of both the people and
the existing political power. From the entrance of the European powers in the soil of
Kerala onwards, the native powers began to resist the foreigners who were trying to be
the masters of the land.
With the establishment of British supremacy, the history of Kerala subjected to
changes. The period after this can be considered as a period of challenge and response.
The British challenge of domination had an equal response from the native chieftains
and people. When the British tried to establish their supremacy over the land,
resistance against their domination broke out in various parts. The early native
resistances were mainly led by the disposed local princes, feudal chieftains, aggrieved
peasants, tribal communities and others. The revolts of Pazhassi Raja in Malabar,
Paliath Achan in Kochi, the Kurichiyas in Wayanad and the Moplahs in Eranad and
Valluvanad are examples of such resistance movements.
The early recorded such native resistance against foreigners was against the
Portuguese by the native Mappilas and Nairs of Calicut in 1500 AD. In this brawl the
natives killed many Portuguese and destroyed their factory. Even though the
Portuguese under Cabral retaliated by killing many natives on the high seas, they were
compelled to leave Calicut and they moved and settled Cochin which caused for
clashes between Cochin and Calicut.
REVOLT OF PATINJARE KOVILAM RAJAS.
During the British period, lot of such violent resistance took place. One of the
most striking one among these was taken place at Anjengo in 1695, at Tellichery in
1704 and again at Anjengo in 1721. The Patinjare Kovilakam Rajas of the Zamorin’s
family also raised their arms against the British. It was an attempt of the dispossessed
princes to regain their lost status and privileges.   At the time of Mysorian invasions,
the Zamorin of Calicut and family left Calicut and took asylum in other places. After
the withdrawal of Tippu, the Zamorin returned to Calicut in 1792. When the Zamorin
made a compromise with the British resulting in the loss of status and territories, the
Western branch protested demanding restoration of the territories.  But the British
rejected this which frustrated the Prince of Patinjare Kovilakam and raised revolt
against them. The Raja was supported by local population and was joined by Unni
Muppan, a Moplah chief, Poliugar chiefs of Coimbatore, Palakkad Raja (Kunji Achan)
and others. The British forces under Captain Burnell pursued the Princes who escaped
to Thiruvitamkur and arrested his nephew and brother. Later the Prince retuned to
Calicut and came to an agreement with the British. He agreed to live in peace at
Calicut accepting a nominal pension from the company. Even though almost all these
early attempts against the British were failed, it created a new history of resistance
against the foreigners.
THE ANJENGO AND THE BRITISH- THE ATTINGAL OUTBREAK
(1695-1721)
When the British under Captain Keeling reached Calicut with three vessels in
1615, the Zamorin gave them wholehearted support and   concluded a treaty with them
according to which the English were to assist Calicut in expelling the Portuguese from
Crangannur and Cochin. The Zamorin gave the English freedom of trade in his
dominions. But the English didn’t help the Zamorin against the Portuguese in
accordance with the treaty signed with them. Instead they left the cost leaving ten men
to open warehouses at Ponnani and Calicut. In 1634-35 the English East India
Company entered into an agreement with the Portuguese through which they got
access to all Portuguese ports in Kerala. In accordance with this, the British merchants
exported pepper to England for the first time from Cochin in 1636.In 1664 the Zamorin
gave the English permission to build a factory at Calicut, but as he was suspicious of
the motives of all foreign traders he was not inclined to give them further sites in his
territory.
Due to such difficulties at Calicut, English turned their attention to other parts of
Kerala. In 1684 AD, they obtained from the Rani of Attingal, a sandy plot of land at
Anjengo for the construction of a factory. In 1690, they also obtained permission to
build a fort at Anjengo and its construction was completed in 1695. A depot for
military stores was also opened there. They mainly constructed this factory here for
breaking the Dutch monopoly in pepper trade.  Alexander Hamilton who visited the
place in 1721 expressed a poor opinion of Anjengo, particularly scarcity of water. But,
at the same time, it had strategic importance also. It had water communication by the
Vamanapuram River, the largest producer of pepper in South Kerala and also water
connection with Kathinakulam, the southern terminal of the water way enabled it to be
an ideal location for a trading factory. Soon Anjengo developed in to the most
important British possession on the West Coast, next only to Bombay. It also provided
a convenient grip from where the English East India Company could extend its sphere
of influence in South and Central Kerala.
Under pressure from the English, Rani of Attingal was compelled to grant them
the monopoly of pepper. After getting this, the English manipulated the price of pepper
against the interest of the local cultivators, which provoked the wrath of the local
population. In November 1697 the factory at Anjengo was subjected to a violent attack
by the local people. They attacked English factories there and massacred Englishmen.
Their attempt to capture the fort failed and the rebels were forced to retreat in the face
of the superior military power of the British. The Rani of Attingal was forced to sign a
fresh treaty by which Rani agreed to rebuild the factory and to pay 80,000 panams as
compensation.
Attingal Outbreak of 1721.
In 1721 a crisis occurred in the functioning of the Anjengo factory. The British
continued their policy of economic exploitation at Attingal. The local people were
antagonized by realizing this kind of exploitation and corrupt practices of the British.
At the same time the British followed a completely different policy towards Rani and
they tried to please her by providing costly presents every year. The immediate
provocation for the revolt was the Easter Dinner given by the Company. In course of
the celebrations a mistress of the company’s interpreter insulted a Muslim merchant by
throwing colored water or powder to him. When this was reported to the chief factor
Mr. Gyfford, instead of punishing the real culprit, he ordered to punish the Muslim
which provocated the Muslim and he was looking an opportunity to wreck the
vengeance on the chief factor for this inhuman deed. The situation was aggressed by
the policy of British government to give costly presents to the Rani of Attingal to win
Page 4


EARLY RESISTANCE AGAINST BRITISH EAST INDIA COMPANY AND
CONSOLIDATION OF POWER BY THE COMPANY
Resistance Movements against the company rule
Pazhassiraja
Veluthampi Dalawa
Kurichiya Revolt
Agrarian unrest of 19
th
century in Malabar
Colonel Munroe as Resident-Diwan in Tranvancore and Cochin
Reforms of H. V. Canolly in Malabar
RESISTANCE MOVEMENTS AGAINST THE COMPANY RULE
A resistance movement is an organized effort by some portion of the civil
population of a country to resist the legally established government or an occupying
power and to disrupt civil order and stability. It may seek to achieve its objectives
through either the use of nonviolent resistance or the use of force, whether armed or
unarmed. In many cases a resistance movement may employ both violent and non-
violent methods, usually operating under different organizations and acting in different
phases or geographical areas within a country. The term resistance is generally used to
designate a movement considered legitimate. Resistance movements can include
any irregular armed force that rises up against an enforced or established
authority, government, or administration. Such resistance Movements can be visible in
every part of the world where the government or the powerful one used authoritative
measures against government without considering the welfare of both the people and
the existing political power. From the entrance of the European powers in the soil of
Kerala onwards, the native powers began to resist the foreigners who were trying to be
the masters of the land.
With the establishment of British supremacy, the history of Kerala subjected to
changes. The period after this can be considered as a period of challenge and response.
The British challenge of domination had an equal response from the native chieftains
and people. When the British tried to establish their supremacy over the land,
resistance against their domination broke out in various parts. The early native
resistances were mainly led by the disposed local princes, feudal chieftains, aggrieved
peasants, tribal communities and others. The revolts of Pazhassi Raja in Malabar,
Paliath Achan in Kochi, the Kurichiyas in Wayanad and the Moplahs in Eranad and
Valluvanad are examples of such resistance movements.
The early recorded such native resistance against foreigners was against the
Portuguese by the native Mappilas and Nairs of Calicut in 1500 AD. In this brawl the
natives killed many Portuguese and destroyed their factory. Even though the
Portuguese under Cabral retaliated by killing many natives on the high seas, they were
compelled to leave Calicut and they moved and settled Cochin which caused for
clashes between Cochin and Calicut.
REVOLT OF PATINJARE KOVILAM RAJAS.
During the British period, lot of such violent resistance took place. One of the
most striking one among these was taken place at Anjengo in 1695, at Tellichery in
1704 and again at Anjengo in 1721. The Patinjare Kovilakam Rajas of the Zamorin’s
family also raised their arms against the British. It was an attempt of the dispossessed
princes to regain their lost status and privileges.   At the time of Mysorian invasions,
the Zamorin of Calicut and family left Calicut and took asylum in other places. After
the withdrawal of Tippu, the Zamorin returned to Calicut in 1792. When the Zamorin
made a compromise with the British resulting in the loss of status and territories, the
Western branch protested demanding restoration of the territories.  But the British
rejected this which frustrated the Prince of Patinjare Kovilakam and raised revolt
against them. The Raja was supported by local population and was joined by Unni
Muppan, a Moplah chief, Poliugar chiefs of Coimbatore, Palakkad Raja (Kunji Achan)
and others. The British forces under Captain Burnell pursued the Princes who escaped
to Thiruvitamkur and arrested his nephew and brother. Later the Prince retuned to
Calicut and came to an agreement with the British. He agreed to live in peace at
Calicut accepting a nominal pension from the company. Even though almost all these
early attempts against the British were failed, it created a new history of resistance
against the foreigners.
THE ANJENGO AND THE BRITISH- THE ATTINGAL OUTBREAK
(1695-1721)
When the British under Captain Keeling reached Calicut with three vessels in
1615, the Zamorin gave them wholehearted support and   concluded a treaty with them
according to which the English were to assist Calicut in expelling the Portuguese from
Crangannur and Cochin. The Zamorin gave the English freedom of trade in his
dominions. But the English didn’t help the Zamorin against the Portuguese in
accordance with the treaty signed with them. Instead they left the cost leaving ten men
to open warehouses at Ponnani and Calicut. In 1634-35 the English East India
Company entered into an agreement with the Portuguese through which they got
access to all Portuguese ports in Kerala. In accordance with this, the British merchants
exported pepper to England for the first time from Cochin in 1636.In 1664 the Zamorin
gave the English permission to build a factory at Calicut, but as he was suspicious of
the motives of all foreign traders he was not inclined to give them further sites in his
territory.
Due to such difficulties at Calicut, English turned their attention to other parts of
Kerala. In 1684 AD, they obtained from the Rani of Attingal, a sandy plot of land at
Anjengo for the construction of a factory. In 1690, they also obtained permission to
build a fort at Anjengo and its construction was completed in 1695. A depot for
military stores was also opened there. They mainly constructed this factory here for
breaking the Dutch monopoly in pepper trade.  Alexander Hamilton who visited the
place in 1721 expressed a poor opinion of Anjengo, particularly scarcity of water. But,
at the same time, it had strategic importance also. It had water communication by the
Vamanapuram River, the largest producer of pepper in South Kerala and also water
connection with Kathinakulam, the southern terminal of the water way enabled it to be
an ideal location for a trading factory. Soon Anjengo developed in to the most
important British possession on the West Coast, next only to Bombay. It also provided
a convenient grip from where the English East India Company could extend its sphere
of influence in South and Central Kerala.
Under pressure from the English, Rani of Attingal was compelled to grant them
the monopoly of pepper. After getting this, the English manipulated the price of pepper
against the interest of the local cultivators, which provoked the wrath of the local
population. In November 1697 the factory at Anjengo was subjected to a violent attack
by the local people. They attacked English factories there and massacred Englishmen.
Their attempt to capture the fort failed and the rebels were forced to retreat in the face
of the superior military power of the British. The Rani of Attingal was forced to sign a
fresh treaty by which Rani agreed to rebuild the factory and to pay 80,000 panams as
compensation.
Attingal Outbreak of 1721.
In 1721 a crisis occurred in the functioning of the Anjengo factory. The British
continued their policy of economic exploitation at Attingal. The local people were
antagonized by realizing this kind of exploitation and corrupt practices of the British.
At the same time the British followed a completely different policy towards Rani and
they tried to please her by providing costly presents every year. The immediate
provocation for the revolt was the Easter Dinner given by the Company. In course of
the celebrations a mistress of the company’s interpreter insulted a Muslim merchant by
throwing colored water or powder to him. When this was reported to the chief factor
Mr. Gyfford, instead of punishing the real culprit, he ordered to punish the Muslim
which provocated the Muslim and he was looking an opportunity to wreck the
vengeance on the chief factor for this inhuman deed. The situation was aggressed by
the policy of British government to give costly presents to the Rani of Attingal to win
more concessions. In 1721 the gents of the Pillamar (Nair chieftains) demanded that
the presents to the Rani should be handed over to them for transmission to her. Gyfford
turned down the demand and proceeded to Attingal along with 140 (or 14) English
men to hand over the price to Rani in person. Actually he tried to show the strength of
the English, but it turned against them itself. On their return, they were attacked by the
provoked local people. In this attack almost all the English men except two or three
were murdered including Gyfford. The hostile mob then turned against Rani. They
proceeded towards Anjengo fort which was defended by Gunner Ince. The siege lasted
for six months and it ended with the arrival of reinforcements from Tellichery. Canter
Vischer observed this event as “in the course of the night, the inhabitance fell up on
their unfortunate guests and massacred them and this so thoroughly that not a single
English man escaped”. Following the failure of the revolt, the English and Rani entered
into an agreement under which the Company was compensated for all the losses
sustained during the attack on Anjengo and were also given the sole monopoly of trade
in pepper as well as the right to erect factories in places of its choice.
Results of the Anjengo Revolt
This revolt was the first organized revolt against British authority in Kerala. The
immediate result of the Anjengo revolt was that the pepper supply from Anjengo fell
down. Rani compensated the British loss by giving two gardens to the
English.  The most important result was that it paved way for Marthanda Varma’s
alliance with the English. It paved the trend in Travancore political development,
resulting in the consolidation of royal power and its extension over kingdoms in the
North. In his wars of conquest, Marthanda Varma made use of the military assistance
provided by the Anjengo factors. But there is no evidence in Mathilakom records in
connection with the help given by the company.
PAZHASSI REVOLT (1793-97)
The most serious and widest revolt against the British in South India was of
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja who is pictured by the British as Cotiote Raja and is
popularly known as Kerala Simham. As he belonged to the Patinjare Kovilakam
branch of the Kottayam royal family (Purakizhnad) which had its headquarters at
Pazhassi,the rebellion is called as the Pazhassi revolt. The most important source
material to study the revolt of Pazhassi Raja was the Thalssseri Rekhakal (Thalasseri
consultations) of the English East India Company. Inaddition to this, there are lot of
secondary sources also to study the revolt of pazhassi. William Logan’s Malabar
Mannual gives a detailed description of the rebellion in the British point of view and
his A collection of treaties, engagements and other papers of importance relating to
British affairs in Malabar1841-1914  gives the original documents such as
proclamations and declarations of  Pazhassi. KKN Kurup’s Pazhassi Samarangal, T P
Sankaran Kutty Nair’s A Tragic Decade in Kerala History, P K K Menon’s Freedom
Page 5


EARLY RESISTANCE AGAINST BRITISH EAST INDIA COMPANY AND
CONSOLIDATION OF POWER BY THE COMPANY
Resistance Movements against the company rule
Pazhassiraja
Veluthampi Dalawa
Kurichiya Revolt
Agrarian unrest of 19
th
century in Malabar
Colonel Munroe as Resident-Diwan in Tranvancore and Cochin
Reforms of H. V. Canolly in Malabar
RESISTANCE MOVEMENTS AGAINST THE COMPANY RULE
A resistance movement is an organized effort by some portion of the civil
population of a country to resist the legally established government or an occupying
power and to disrupt civil order and stability. It may seek to achieve its objectives
through either the use of nonviolent resistance or the use of force, whether armed or
unarmed. In many cases a resistance movement may employ both violent and non-
violent methods, usually operating under different organizations and acting in different
phases or geographical areas within a country. The term resistance is generally used to
designate a movement considered legitimate. Resistance movements can include
any irregular armed force that rises up against an enforced or established
authority, government, or administration. Such resistance Movements can be visible in
every part of the world where the government or the powerful one used authoritative
measures against government without considering the welfare of both the people and
the existing political power. From the entrance of the European powers in the soil of
Kerala onwards, the native powers began to resist the foreigners who were trying to be
the masters of the land.
With the establishment of British supremacy, the history of Kerala subjected to
changes. The period after this can be considered as a period of challenge and response.
The British challenge of domination had an equal response from the native chieftains
and people. When the British tried to establish their supremacy over the land,
resistance against their domination broke out in various parts. The early native
resistances were mainly led by the disposed local princes, feudal chieftains, aggrieved
peasants, tribal communities and others. The revolts of Pazhassi Raja in Malabar,
Paliath Achan in Kochi, the Kurichiyas in Wayanad and the Moplahs in Eranad and
Valluvanad are examples of such resistance movements.
The early recorded such native resistance against foreigners was against the
Portuguese by the native Mappilas and Nairs of Calicut in 1500 AD. In this brawl the
natives killed many Portuguese and destroyed their factory. Even though the
Portuguese under Cabral retaliated by killing many natives on the high seas, they were
compelled to leave Calicut and they moved and settled Cochin which caused for
clashes between Cochin and Calicut.
REVOLT OF PATINJARE KOVILAM RAJAS.
During the British period, lot of such violent resistance took place. One of the
most striking one among these was taken place at Anjengo in 1695, at Tellichery in
1704 and again at Anjengo in 1721. The Patinjare Kovilakam Rajas of the Zamorin’s
family also raised their arms against the British. It was an attempt of the dispossessed
princes to regain their lost status and privileges.   At the time of Mysorian invasions,
the Zamorin of Calicut and family left Calicut and took asylum in other places. After
the withdrawal of Tippu, the Zamorin returned to Calicut in 1792. When the Zamorin
made a compromise with the British resulting in the loss of status and territories, the
Western branch protested demanding restoration of the territories.  But the British
rejected this which frustrated the Prince of Patinjare Kovilakam and raised revolt
against them. The Raja was supported by local population and was joined by Unni
Muppan, a Moplah chief, Poliugar chiefs of Coimbatore, Palakkad Raja (Kunji Achan)
and others. The British forces under Captain Burnell pursued the Princes who escaped
to Thiruvitamkur and arrested his nephew and brother. Later the Prince retuned to
Calicut and came to an agreement with the British. He agreed to live in peace at
Calicut accepting a nominal pension from the company. Even though almost all these
early attempts against the British were failed, it created a new history of resistance
against the foreigners.
THE ANJENGO AND THE BRITISH- THE ATTINGAL OUTBREAK
(1695-1721)
When the British under Captain Keeling reached Calicut with three vessels in
1615, the Zamorin gave them wholehearted support and   concluded a treaty with them
according to which the English were to assist Calicut in expelling the Portuguese from
Crangannur and Cochin. The Zamorin gave the English freedom of trade in his
dominions. But the English didn’t help the Zamorin against the Portuguese in
accordance with the treaty signed with them. Instead they left the cost leaving ten men
to open warehouses at Ponnani and Calicut. In 1634-35 the English East India
Company entered into an agreement with the Portuguese through which they got
access to all Portuguese ports in Kerala. In accordance with this, the British merchants
exported pepper to England for the first time from Cochin in 1636.In 1664 the Zamorin
gave the English permission to build a factory at Calicut, but as he was suspicious of
the motives of all foreign traders he was not inclined to give them further sites in his
territory.
Due to such difficulties at Calicut, English turned their attention to other parts of
Kerala. In 1684 AD, they obtained from the Rani of Attingal, a sandy plot of land at
Anjengo for the construction of a factory. In 1690, they also obtained permission to
build a fort at Anjengo and its construction was completed in 1695. A depot for
military stores was also opened there. They mainly constructed this factory here for
breaking the Dutch monopoly in pepper trade.  Alexander Hamilton who visited the
place in 1721 expressed a poor opinion of Anjengo, particularly scarcity of water. But,
at the same time, it had strategic importance also. It had water communication by the
Vamanapuram River, the largest producer of pepper in South Kerala and also water
connection with Kathinakulam, the southern terminal of the water way enabled it to be
an ideal location for a trading factory. Soon Anjengo developed in to the most
important British possession on the West Coast, next only to Bombay. It also provided
a convenient grip from where the English East India Company could extend its sphere
of influence in South and Central Kerala.
Under pressure from the English, Rani of Attingal was compelled to grant them
the monopoly of pepper. After getting this, the English manipulated the price of pepper
against the interest of the local cultivators, which provoked the wrath of the local
population. In November 1697 the factory at Anjengo was subjected to a violent attack
by the local people. They attacked English factories there and massacred Englishmen.
Their attempt to capture the fort failed and the rebels were forced to retreat in the face
of the superior military power of the British. The Rani of Attingal was forced to sign a
fresh treaty by which Rani agreed to rebuild the factory and to pay 80,000 panams as
compensation.
Attingal Outbreak of 1721.
In 1721 a crisis occurred in the functioning of the Anjengo factory. The British
continued their policy of economic exploitation at Attingal. The local people were
antagonized by realizing this kind of exploitation and corrupt practices of the British.
At the same time the British followed a completely different policy towards Rani and
they tried to please her by providing costly presents every year. The immediate
provocation for the revolt was the Easter Dinner given by the Company. In course of
the celebrations a mistress of the company’s interpreter insulted a Muslim merchant by
throwing colored water or powder to him. When this was reported to the chief factor
Mr. Gyfford, instead of punishing the real culprit, he ordered to punish the Muslim
which provocated the Muslim and he was looking an opportunity to wreck the
vengeance on the chief factor for this inhuman deed. The situation was aggressed by
the policy of British government to give costly presents to the Rani of Attingal to win
more concessions. In 1721 the gents of the Pillamar (Nair chieftains) demanded that
the presents to the Rani should be handed over to them for transmission to her. Gyfford
turned down the demand and proceeded to Attingal along with 140 (or 14) English
men to hand over the price to Rani in person. Actually he tried to show the strength of
the English, but it turned against them itself. On their return, they were attacked by the
provoked local people. In this attack almost all the English men except two or three
were murdered including Gyfford. The hostile mob then turned against Rani. They
proceeded towards Anjengo fort which was defended by Gunner Ince. The siege lasted
for six months and it ended with the arrival of reinforcements from Tellichery. Canter
Vischer observed this event as “in the course of the night, the inhabitance fell up on
their unfortunate guests and massacred them and this so thoroughly that not a single
English man escaped”. Following the failure of the revolt, the English and Rani entered
into an agreement under which the Company was compensated for all the losses
sustained during the attack on Anjengo and were also given the sole monopoly of trade
in pepper as well as the right to erect factories in places of its choice.
Results of the Anjengo Revolt
This revolt was the first organized revolt against British authority in Kerala. The
immediate result of the Anjengo revolt was that the pepper supply from Anjengo fell
down. Rani compensated the British loss by giving two gardens to the
English.  The most important result was that it paved way for Marthanda Varma’s
alliance with the English. It paved the trend in Travancore political development,
resulting in the consolidation of royal power and its extension over kingdoms in the
North. In his wars of conquest, Marthanda Varma made use of the military assistance
provided by the Anjengo factors. But there is no evidence in Mathilakom records in
connection with the help given by the company.
PAZHASSI REVOLT (1793-97)
The most serious and widest revolt against the British in South India was of
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja who is pictured by the British as Cotiote Raja and is
popularly known as Kerala Simham. As he belonged to the Patinjare Kovilakam
branch of the Kottayam royal family (Purakizhnad) which had its headquarters at
Pazhassi,the rebellion is called as the Pazhassi revolt. The most important source
material to study the revolt of Pazhassi Raja was the Thalssseri Rekhakal (Thalasseri
consultations) of the English East India Company. Inaddition to this, there are lot of
secondary sources also to study the revolt of pazhassi. William Logan’s Malabar
Mannual gives a detailed description of the rebellion in the British point of view and
his A collection of treaties, engagements and other papers of importance relating to
British affairs in Malabar1841-1914  gives the original documents such as
proclamations and declarations of  Pazhassi. KKN Kurup’s Pazhassi Samarangal, T P
Sankaran Kutty Nair’s A Tragic Decade in Kerala History, P K K Menon’s Freedom
Movement in Kerala and also novel Kerala Simham by K M Panikkar and play
Pazhassi Raja by Kappana Krishna Menon are some of the Secondary sources that can
be used for studying on Pazhassi Raja. In addition to all these, we have diaries, revenue
reports, political and military collections, Confidential Records etc. in the Archives and
India office library.
Relations of Pazhassi with East India Company
In the early days Pazhassi had maintained cordial relations with the company.
During the second Anglo-Mysorian War when Mysoreans attacked Tellicheri. Pazhassi
sent 2000 Nair soldiers against Sirdar Khan in order to help the English. They even
captured an outpost at Muttungal(Badgara). By 1782, Kottayam, Eravinad and
Kadathanad became free from Mysorean authority. By the Treaty of Mangalore in
1784, all territories were given back to them by the English. But, afterwards Kottayam
Ravi Varma,the elder brother of Pazhassi Raja  contacted Tippu and agreed to pay
Rs.65000/- as tax to Mysore. But Mysore demanded Rs.81000/- which was heavy
burden to the peasants. Thus the peasants opposed this and started struggle. In this
struggle Pazhassi was with the peasants and he gave leadership to the struggle and
organized the natives. The most important event which exasperated Pazhassi even
more was that his brother who paid visit to Tipu in 1786 for peace talks and compelled
to sign in a treaty with him which caused for ceding Wynad to Tipu Sultan. Pazhassi
was not ready to leave Tipu to enjoy Wynad and decided to make problems to Tipu. He
started a guerilla warfare that constantly harassed Mysore troops in Wynad and
neighborhood.  In this time, he entered in to a treaty with the English against Tippu
and by 1790 he assumed the leadership of Kottayam. In 1790, the British recognized
Pazhassi Raja as the head of Kottayam instead of the original Raja who was in refuge
at Travancore. But by the Treaty of Seringapattanam signed between British and Tipu
in 1792, Malabar was ceded to the British. Afterwards British began to work for
establishment of their supremacy in Malabar. From here onwards a completely
different relations had started in between Pazhassi and the British and he started to
resist British imperialism from 1793 onwards till his death in 1805. He fought two
wars to resist British intervention in the domestic affairs of his kingdom.
The First Pazhassi Revolt (1793-1797)
The primary cause of the first revolt organized by the Pazhassi Raja was the
mistaken revenue policy of the British. The Mysoreans had collected their revenue
directly from the cultivators through their officials. But the British reversed this policy
and framed out the collection of revenue to the different Rajas for lump sums. This
policy of the British had lot of implications. The assessments of the local Rajas were
harsh and beyond the capacity of the peasants to pay. Pazhassi was not on good terms
with his uncle Vira Varma, Raja of Kurumbranad. In 1793, Vira Varma surrendered
Kottayam to British and convinced the British commissioners to let him collect tax in