Showing posts with label PAPANAINI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PAPANAINI. Show all posts
TIRUNELLI TEMPLE legend
History of Thirunelli
There is only limited historic and archaeological information on the place. It is said that Thirunelli was an important town and pilgrim centre till the16th century. Some earlier Malayalam works of 11th and 12th century like Unniyachi Champu, has references to the place. Archaeologists have also discovered copper plate inscriptions belonging to the period of Bhaskara Ravi Varma I and II (10th and 11th century) from the village. The Malabar Manuel, written by William Logan too has mentions on the place. While laying roads to the place, it is said that, people got coins which dated back to 9th and 10th centuries, indicating the importance of the place during the reign of Kulasekhara. All these facts show that Thirunelli was an important town and pilgrim centre in north Kerala for centuries.
Legend behind the temple
There is no recorded history on the origin of the temple, but it is believed that the temple is more than 1000 years old. There are many legends and stories associated with it. Though they do not have evidences, they are fascinating.
The temple is believed to have been built by Lord Brahma. He was travelling round the earth upon a swan and noticed the enchanting beauty of the Brahmagiri Hills. He descended on the spot and found an idol of Vishnu under an Amla tree. He installed the idol there and called the temple Sahyamalaka temple. Lord Vishnu, as per the request of Lord Brahma, made the waters of the area also sacred and blessed it with the capability to wash away all sins. Hence, the river there is known as Papanashini, meaning the stream that washes away all sins. According to some other legends, the King of Birds, Garuda, was flying with Amritakumbha, (the pot of Amrut, the nectar of life) above Thirunelli when Lord Brahma was consecrating Vishnu’s idol. Garuda circled over the place and a few drops of Amrut fell into the stream nearby, thus making the Papanasini to attain the power for purifying sins.
People believe that Lord Brahma worships Perumal in the temple on the wee hours every day, hence the head priest of the temple leaves a fresh quantity of worshiping materials required for pooja in the temple before closing the temple at night.
The name of the place too is derived from this legend – Thirunelli means the holy gooseberry in Malayalam.
The reference to the Sahyamalaka temple, in the picturesque Sahya Valley can be seen in many ancient Puranas and Hindu texts too. Legends say that Parasurama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu visited Thirunelli and performed last rites for his dead father, sage Jamadagni. It is also believed that he took a dip in Papanasini to atone for his sin of killing Kshathriyas.
Papanasini and spectacular views
The temple surrounded by mountains, hidden in dense wood, provides a refreshing view of nature. It faces east and a view of sunrise from here is fascinating. The Brahmagiri range with its shades of green on the north, the greenery of Karimala and Narinirangimala on the west and south respectively adds to the mystic nature of the temple.
Papanasini, the mountain stream emanating from the heart of Brahmagiri is about 1 km away from the temple. Panchatheertham is the temple pond seen on the temple premises. There is a boulder with the image of a footprint in the middle of the pond and it is called Vishnupada (footprint of Lord Vishnu).
The temple is a fine piece of architectural wonder of yore. There are 30 granite pieces supporting the shrine and the floor is also paved with huge square granite blocks.
The temple also carries some characteristics of typical Kerala architecture such as tile roofed structure of the inner sanctorum, the open courtyard around the sanctorum, the granite lamppost at the entrance etc. The temple also has a narrow corridor (Vilakkumaadam) which is constructed of granite pillars, though they are incomplete on the eastern side.
TIRUNELLI TEMPLE 1911
TIRUNELLI TEMPLE LEGEND
this Temple is described in Stalapuranam. as
The
village was granted with God Vishnu
(Devadeves'an),
his shrine, its revenues, and power to protect and punish, to the eminent
Brahmins of two different families and this grant was made by pouring water
into their hands as signifying transfer of proprietorship.
The village referred
to is Amalaka gramam, and the temple, the Amalaka kshetram or Tirunelli temple,
as it is known in Malabar, and the grant was made by Brahmadeva under the
following circumstances to the Brahmins who were first appointed as its priests
and proprietors.
On the summit of the Brahmagiri mountain, Brahmadeva performed
yagain (sacrifice) and there Vishnu with four hands bedecked with numerous fine
jewels, seated on an Amalaka tree appeared before him. The figure however
suddenly vanished. Brahmadeva then founded a temple at the spot dedicating the
same to Vishnu and gave it the name of Amalaka kshetram or Tirunelli temple
(Tiru sacred, Nelli gooseberry tree). Brahmins were appointed priests to whom
the temple was entrusted as also the small village that sprung about it, relics
of which still exist in the shape of old foundations of houses.Brahmadeva
departed but visits the temple every night to worship Vishnu.
The pujai
(worship) in every shrine closes ordinarily at about 9 to 10 P.M. and in this
shrine, where the ordinary puja is done five times, from morning till 10 P.M.
the priest prepares for
a sixth puja before leaving the place. On opening the doors next morning he
finds that all the materials for the puja have been utilised during the night.
It was Brahmadeva who performed the sixth puja and
this has been going on every day and will go on for ever. The priest before
entering the temple in the morning swears thrice that he will not divulge what
he sees there on opening the door, and no priest dare give out the secret at
the risk of being bitten by cobras emanating from the shrine. Whatever the
present generation may think of a superhuman agency performing an unusual sixth
puja in this shrine, the
fact
remains that it is arranged for every night in the belief that Brahmadeva
visits the temple and worships Vishnu. As already mentioned Brahmadeva
appointedBrahmins as priests : but nothing is known as to how they or the
gramam disappeared. There is a long blank in the history of the temple and a
Sannyasi, who in this wilderness took up his residence in the deserted temple
had an inspiration in obedience to which he brought down four Bmbrandiri
Brahmins from Gokarnam (Canara) to take charge of the temple.
The puja was naturally neglected during the Mysore invasion but subsequently
the Sannyasi known as Samiyar returned. He found one of the Embrandiris
returning with another person, who was the ancestor of the present Uralers
(trustees). To them the Sannyasi handed over the temple, the Bmbrandiri to
perform the puja and the other individual to manage the affairs. Subsequently
the manager claimed proprietorship and succeeded in establishing his right.
His
family was divided into north and south branches, represented by Vatakku
Moothannan, and Thekku Moothannan, the present
(Uralers) trustees of the temple. The junior members in their familiesare known
as Elayannan and Kunjannan. They claim kinship with the Musads of Malabar and
follow their customs and manners as in Malabar proper, the name Moothannan
being composed of Moothathu (i.e., Musad) and Annan, evidently a courtesy title
common in Coorg which province adjoins Tirunelli amsam. The idol is of granite
stone and is said to be of excellent workmanship. After destruction by fire
during Tippu's invasion the temple was first reconstructed with thatched roofs.
The Srikovil (central shrine) has since been roofed with copper and surmounted
by a golden spire. The ground in and out of the temple is paved with granite
stones. Shrines and sacred springs surround the temple and a brief description
of the same is extracted below from the Malabar Gazetteer. " At the back
of the temple a stream of clear water comes tumbling down from the hill-side in
a succession of pools and cataracts, and many of these pools are holy.
Their
names are Papanasini, the extinguisherof sins, Panchatirtam, Rinamochinitirtam,
Qiwnik-atirtam, Satavinnu, Sahasravinmi and Varaham.
The water of the last is
brought for temple use in a stone aqueduct half a mile long. The water of
Papanasini falls on a rock called Pinnapara where offerings to the spirits of
the departed are made.
This rock is a bone of an Asuran or demon, named
Pashana-bhedi, slain by Vishnu,
whose body was at his own prayer converted into a rock extending from Tirunelli
to Gaya, Tirunelli representing his foot, Godaveri his middle, Gaya the head.
Just
by Gunnikatirtam is a small cave temple dedicated to Siva
which are found several
interesting caves known as Pathalam (nether world) where hermits in the ancient
days lived and which as the story goes, were visited by Mr. Baber, Sub-
Collector of Northern Division, Malabar, in the beginning of the nineteenth
century.
He met the hermits and built a flight of steps for them to climb up to
their caves,the cement used being still visible in parts.
The Bavali river
deserves mention as derived from Vari water and Avail collection collection of
waters the right name of the river being Varavali. The junction of Nanda stream
with the Bavali is known as Nandabavali Sangamam and is a sacred spot where low
castes who are not allowed to enter the temple make their offerings.
On the
eastern side of Grunnika temple is a rock
on which Sudras perform funeral rites on the forty-first day after the death of
their relatives.
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The Punarjanini (re-birth) has a sacred function attached to
it. This is a cave in the rock with opening two sides, and any person who
is stuck midway in attempting to pass through is considered a sinner, and his
way of escape out of the difficulty is by praying to God Vishnu when he could
retreat.
It is only one free from sins, and sincerely devout, who need attempt
to pass through scatheless. The above is a brief notice of the famous Tirunelli
shrine "the resort of many a pious Hindu under the promise of remission of
sins and eternal bliss". Its sanctity, antiquity and divine origin have
never been disputed by Hindus and it is a matter of regret that the two copper
plates preserved in the temple and the inscription on the granite wall could
never be deciphered as those would have given a clearer idea as to the origin
and history of this famous shrine. As it is, one has to depend on the "
Stalapuranam "(local legends) for information and this is given here as
succinctly as possible.
Other posts related to Wayanad in this blog
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.
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.
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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