Karunakara Menon Admitted It
Pazhassi Raja was shot dead on 30 November 1805-but by who?
Pazhassi Raja's end came close to Karnataka on the shore of a stream named Mavila or Mavila Thod,not far from Pulpally. Raja and party were caught by surprise and an intense but short fight followed. Six rebels were killed.The wounded Raja did live long enough for a few more minutes to raise his loaded gun,put it on the breast of Karunakara Menon and then tell him not to come too close to his dying body and pollute it. Raja's contempt and sarcasm for a man who chose to serve an unclean foreigner are evident in this action.It also showed his uncompromising stand towards collaborators and foreign invaders.
Aralathu Kuttyappa Nambiar was the only one among Pazhassi followers,who tried to defend at the grave, then he also was killed by them.The Company army confronted at Pulinjal the agitators and killed Emman, the nephew of Edachena Kunkan. Kunkan was also killed with Pazhassi. The Company army tried to catch Pallur Rayarappan, but he killed one of the Company men then committed suicide.Edachena Komapan caught by the Kolkkaranmar and Mundottil Mootha Nair were also killed. Emman, once the friend of Colonel Arthur Wellesley and others caught by the army and condemned to exile to the Island Prince of Wales, North to Australia.
The nephews of Pazhassi, Ravivarma and Viravarma were sheltered at Samoothiri Kovilakam before the assassination of Pazhassi Raja. The Company army smashed the Samoothiri Kovilakam at Kalladikkod, raided for the hidden storage for the weapons of the agitators, imprisoned the ruler and condemned him to Dindigal. He died during the trial.
The precise nature of Pazhassi Raja's death had been controversial. Folklore insisted that he committed suicide by swallowing a diamond ring to avoid capture after he was wounded,but Baber said he was killed by a clerk named 'Canara Menon'.W. J. Wilson, who wrote the history of the Madras Regiment, credited Captain Clafam and his six sepoys for killing. Baber was not on good terms with military authority throughout the war.He is alleged to have credited Menon so as to deny credit to Clafam and his superior Colonel Hill.
Kunjani, the wife of Raja who was taken the prisoner, committed suicide in captivity at Kappanaveedu, near Thalassery. As reprisal on his family, property was confiscated and the palace at Pazhassi was demolished and replaced with a highway.
Baber also believed that the Chettiars arrived for the meeting after getting a
sanction from Pazhassi. He particularly targets the Chettiars and warns them that
he is out to find out their real loyalties. “I warned them against giving me the
smallest shadow to suspect they were continuing in the rebels interest.” Baber
slowly made himself a frequent figure in the region, taking marches day and night.
He notes the changes in the people’s demeanor. “They began evidently to alter
their conduct and in some instances they came forward with information."
“The following day the Raja’s body was dispatched under a strong escort to
‘Mananthavady’ and the Sheristadaar sent with orders to assemble all the
Brahmins and to see that the customary honours were performed at the funeral.”
Finally comes Baber’s salute to Pazhassi: “He was one of the natural chieftains of
the country and might be considered on that account rather as a fallen enemy...Thus terminated the career of a man who had been enabled to persevere in
hostilities against the Company for near nine years”. Pazhassi’s
“annihilation became necessary for the stability and security of the Government.”
Baber calls Pazhassi an “extraordinary and singular character” and “the records of
India and England will convey to posterity a just idea of him.”
The precise nature of Pazhassi Raja's death had been controversial. Folklore insisted that he committed suicide by swallowing a diamond ring to avoid capture after he was wounded,but Baber said he was killed by a clerk named 'Canara Menon'.W. J. Wilson, who wrote the history of the Madras Regiment, credited Captain Clafam and his six sepoys for killing. Baber was not on good terms with military authority throughout the war.He is alleged to have credited Menon so as to deny credit to Clafam and his superior Colonel Hill.
Kunjani, the wife of Raja who was taken the prisoner, committed suicide in captivity at Kappanaveedu, near Thalassery. As reprisal on his family, property was confiscated and the palace at Pazhassi was demolished and replaced with a highway.
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| Palanquin of Karunakara Menon |
The doubts over who killed Pazhassi Raja should be laid to rest because,a report sent by Karunakara Menon the Head Shirasthadar of Calicut in 1834 to Malabar Principal Collector F Clemenston, admits that he killed Pazhassi Raja.Here is the report:
I Killed Him:
For the information of the Principal Collector of the Malaya*province, Mr. Clemenston, 'Shirasthadar', Kalpulli Karunakara Menon writes,
"While I was patrolling the forests of Wayanad and Kottayam with my senior officer Thomas H Baber with the aim of relieving the woods of the scourge of Pazhassi Raja and his men, the revolutionary King himself landed in front of me. From point-blank range, Pazhassi Raja pulled his trigger at me thrice.But by fate or accident, the gun did not pump any bullets.I managed to save myself and eliminate Pazhassi Raja following this.At this juncture, Edachena Kungankutty Nambiar and around a hundred of his soldiers started firing at us.In the resulting crossfire, we managed to eliminate Kungankutty Nambiar and many of his soldiers.Several of his soldiers were also taken prisoners. This includes the late Pazhassi Raja's wife too.The sepoy detachment including me and other associated with us were rewarded Rs. 10,500 by the British Government.Following this I presented myself in the office of the governor, Lord Benedick along with the Collector.He was delighted at the short account of the assault that brought Pazhassi Raja down. We also presented before him the several arms and ammunition that we had confiscated during the battle.The Governor was pleased and rewarded us well.He also insisted that the arms thus confiscated should be kept in my custody and gifted them to me.Not only had we killed Pazhassi Raja, but had also eliminated Kannoth Nambiar and his accomplices.Wayanad regained its peace after this and this situation continued till 1812.
"In 1812, two of Pazhassi Raja's nephews, who were incarcerated in the Kannur Fort, escaped and reached the Wayanad Hills.They actively mobilized the tribes like Kurichyar, Kadar and other hill people to revolt against the British.They took refuge in the Wayanad Hills and murdered government officials and disrupted the postal services via Wayanad.They effectively took over the administration of Wayanad stationing themselves at Mananthavadi.Upon this, the district Judge, Baber sent me and 60 soldiers to tackle them. Upon reaching Manathavadi, I realized that the rebels were stationed in the Puthiyedath Hills near Mananthavadi.Havaldar Chandukkutti and a Naik, accompanied by 20 personnel, were sent to the banks of the Bavali River to reopen the disrupted postal channel.Of the several Kurichyar who stood watching them, two who were dressed as velichappadu (the temple oracle) came forward and imprisoned the Naik and Havaldar, taking them by their hand.They also imprisoned others, who were accompanying the officers.The prisoners were immediately taken to the Puthiyedath Hills.This convinced me that the rebels were disguised as velichappadu.They were also plotting attacks on the British forces camping in Mananthavadi.Mr. Baber entrusted me the responsibility of crushing these rebels too.I along with Subedar Mavila Kannan and Subedar Ahmed Kutty and 70 personnel set out on the mission.Baber also entrusted a copy of the proclamation and a royal decree to be handed over to the rebel leader Vengalan Kelu.With these preparations, we set out for the Puthityedath Hills.
"These were men sent to the banks of the river Bavali for surveillance but changed sides to that of the revolutionaries from the British Army.
"I successfully contained the rebellions at Bilki, Aleyan and Sambrani.But the King of Bilki had escaped to Pune and was under the protection of the Pune noble, Venkatarao.He was camping in a place called Jamuthi. He had abducted three women, two men and two children, who were protected by Baber.Baber assigned me with the task of rescuing the hostages and bringing the king back. I set off with 60 sepoys and a letter for Venkatarao.
"Venkatarao had preempted our arrival and met us at the riverbank in Jamuthi with 300 sepoys and a 200 strong horse-mounted force. He ordered us not to cross the river.
"I handed over the letter from Mr. Baber to Mr. Venkatarao. He took me and four other sepoys to the camp.He informed us that the King of Bilki was not living in Jamuthi and there were no hostages either.I stayed at the camp for another seven days and during this time built a strong rapport with Venkatarao.He handed over all except a young woman among those kidnapped back to me.I realised the missing woman was in the custody of Venkatarao's nephews.It took extensive deliberations and finally she was also handed over with great reluctance. I went to Sula where Baber was staying and handed over the rescued persons to him.It was only upon further correspondence with the Pune Resident that we realised that Venkatarao was a rebel and a known bad character.
"In 1816, I was assigned to assist the new Malabar commissioner, Thomas Munro, who had written a letter to Baber seeking a person, who knows the Malabar area very well.Baber had suggested me for the post.Even after Mr. Munro was transferred to Madras, we were regularly in touch through friendly correspondence.. Thereafter I assisted Gramme when he was posted as the commissioner of Malabar and Canara.It was I, who helped him organise the Malabar Survey and establish the 'Desavazhy' system in 1828.The next officer to assume that post was Vogan and he too sought my service. I worked with him till 1825 and then till 1831 under Sheffield. I had put in praiseworthy service even in the service of the next collector, Huddleston.
"Thereafter I had been working under your highness. I am strongly convinced that there are no black marks on my service record under you either.I was incarcerated for five months by the King of Coorg while on your mission there.I had supplied you with intelligence regarding the King's movements on October 18, 20, 24 and 28 in the year 1833. I was imprisoned as I put myself at an extremely vulnerable position defending Graeme during his Madikkara visit.I would like to remind your Highness that despite having several committed soldiers, you have just one who risks his life constantly in the service of the British Empire and that is me.Due to all these reasons I cultivated plenty of enemies and their tribe just keeps growing with each passing day. This has forced me to carry arms on a regular basis for self-defense.
"I offer free food to Brahmin pilgrims once every year.I also engage in feeding the poor five months in a year and have constructed a structure for the same.With all these in mind, I request the esteemed Empire to kindly declare the land I was gifted with during different instances of my 33 years of service to be tax-free.I also request you to kindly grant me a handsome pension that will take care of the well-being and security of my descendants and me."
Welsh on Menon
He was born on 12 March 1775, the son of Sir John Welsh, who sat on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Calcutta, and his wife Primrose Hook Gascoigne, the sister of the industrialist Sir Charles Gascoigne and daughter of Capt. George Woodroffe Gascoigne and his wife the Hon. Grizel Elphinstone. Grizel was the daughter of Charles, 9th Lord Elphinstone, and thus an aunt to several eminent imperial officials, including the admiral George Elphinstone, 1st Viscount Keith and the colonial administrator Mountstuart Elphinstone, who twice refused the post of governor-general of India, preferring to finish writing his book The History of India instead. Through her mother, Grizel was a great-aunt of the 5th Earl of Rosebery, who married Hannah de Rothschild and held, successively, the offices of Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Leader of the Opposition and Prime Minister.
With the assistance of his grandmother's Elphinstone relations, Welsh obtained a commission as ensign in the army of the East India Company on 22 May 1790, and arrived at Madras on 23 January 1791. He joined the 3rd European regiment at Vellore, and in November went with Colonel Floyd's detachment to serve in the grand army under Lord Cornwallis.On 6 February 1821 Welsh was appointed to command the troops in the provinces of Malabar and Kanara; on 6 May 1823 to command at Vellore; on 23 January 1824 to command in Travancore and Cochin.In between he went through a harrowing court martial.Early in 1829 Welsh went to England on furlough and was promoted colonel on 5 June. He published his informative Military Reminiscences (2 vols., 1830) with more than ninety illustrations, and also A Memorial, Addressed to the Court of Directors of the East India Company (1830), presenting, with commentary, an account of his actions at Palayammcottai in 1806, his court martial and unsuccessful attempts to obtain a complete vindication of his conduct, together with the government's refusal to allow him to act as a prize agent at Travancore in 1809.
For the information of the Principal Collector of the Malaya*province, Mr. Clemenston, 'Shirasthadar', Kalpulli Karunakara Menon writes,
"As per the orders of your highness, I had travelled to 'Kudak' and was imprisoned for five months.The happenings were reported to Your Highness last April.The affidavits certifying my exemplary services, granted by twelve different luminaries have already been submitted to you. These serve to prove my unquestioned loyalty towards the British Government.During this course, I have been in positions like the 'Thukkidi Shirasthadar' who handles financial matters and still no aspersions were cast on my honesty.I have worked in the district court and the revenue department. I have patrolled the forests and hills with arms.I have been instrumental in wiping out Pazhassi Raja and his men. I hope you remember that these men were a real challenge to your administration. Let me share those experiences.
"While I was patrolling the forests of Wayanad and Kottayam with my senior officer Thomas H Baber with the aim of relieving the woods of the scourge of Pazhassi Raja and his men, the revolutionary King himself landed in front of me. From point-blank range, Pazhassi Raja pulled his trigger at me thrice.But by fate or accident, the gun did not pump any bullets.I managed to save myself and eliminate Pazhassi Raja following this.At this juncture, Edachena Kungankutty Nambiar and around a hundred of his soldiers started firing at us.In the resulting crossfire, we managed to eliminate Kungankutty Nambiar and many of his soldiers.Several of his soldiers were also taken prisoners. This includes the late Pazhassi Raja's wife too.The sepoy detachment including me and other associated with us were rewarded Rs. 10,500 by the British Government.Following this I presented myself in the office of the governor, Lord Benedick along with the Collector.He was delighted at the short account of the assault that brought Pazhassi Raja down. We also presented before him the several arms and ammunition that we had confiscated during the battle.The Governor was pleased and rewarded us well.He also insisted that the arms thus confiscated should be kept in my custody and gifted them to me.Not only had we killed Pazhassi Raja, but had also eliminated Kannoth Nambiar and his accomplices.Wayanad regained its peace after this and this situation continued till 1812.
"In 1812, two of Pazhassi Raja's nephews, who were incarcerated in the Kannur Fort, escaped and reached the Wayanad Hills.They actively mobilized the tribes like Kurichyar, Kadar and other hill people to revolt against the British.They took refuge in the Wayanad Hills and murdered government officials and disrupted the postal services via Wayanad.They effectively took over the administration of Wayanad stationing themselves at Mananthavadi.Upon this, the district Judge, Baber sent me and 60 soldiers to tackle them. Upon reaching Manathavadi, I realized that the rebels were stationed in the Puthiyedath Hills near Mananthavadi.Havaldar Chandukkutti and a Naik, accompanied by 20 personnel, were sent to the banks of the Bavali River to reopen the disrupted postal channel.Of the several Kurichyar who stood watching them, two who were dressed as velichappadu (the temple oracle) came forward and imprisoned the Naik and Havaldar, taking them by their hand.They also imprisoned others, who were accompanying the officers.The prisoners were immediately taken to the Puthiyedath Hills.This convinced me that the rebels were disguised as velichappadu.They were also plotting attacks on the British forces camping in Mananthavadi.Mr. Baber entrusted me the responsibility of crushing these rebels too.I along with Subedar Mavila Kannan and Subedar Ahmed Kutty and 70 personnel set out on the mission.Baber also entrusted a copy of the proclamation and a royal decree to be handed over to the rebel leader Vengalan Kelu.With these preparations, we set out for the Puthityedath Hills.
"My conscience forced me to go to the site the same night. Colonel Welsh and his 80 sepoys were left with no choice but to march along with me.As we closed in on Ganapathyvattom we came under intense fire from the revolutionaries.We estimated that there must be around 500 of them.An intense encounter ensued. The revolutionaries withdrew into the forests following extensive casualties on their side.Colonel Welsh suffered an arrow injury on his back and was in intense pain. We spent the night at the armoury.We moved to Parakkady next morning and received information that the revolutionaries had left the camps and gone back to their homes.We had to capture the leaders and so camped at Mananthavadi. My old colleagues Havaldar Kandankutty and Naik Peringodan Kannan were among those we were searching for.
"These were men sent to the banks of the river Bavali for surveillance but changed sides to that of the revolutionaries from the British Army.
"Mr.Baber and Colonel Welsh showered me with praises and sent a report to the government regarding my gallantry and service.Following this the government sanctioned me a palanquin and granted Rs.70 as monthly allowance as wages for the palanquin bearers. The rebels we captured in Wayanad were tried in the Thalassery court and most of them were deported to the 'Prince of Wales' island.Recurring fever troubled me during my stay in Wayanad. Despite the earnest efforts of the physician Dr. Dyer, my health was severely affected.After the capture and conviction of the rebels in 1812, Wayanad stayed calm till 1815.Rebellions and riots hit Mangalore and Baber, who was then appointed the Mangalore district Judge, sought my services to manage the situation.Upon his request and with the permission of the Thalassery District Judge Wilson, I set off to suppress the riot.
"I successfully contained the rebellions at Bilki, Aleyan and Sambrani.But the King of Bilki had escaped to Pune and was under the protection of the Pune noble, Venkatarao.He was camping in a place called Jamuthi. He had abducted three women, two men and two children, who were protected by Baber.Baber assigned me with the task of rescuing the hostages and bringing the king back. I set off with 60 sepoys and a letter for Venkatarao.
"Venkatarao had preempted our arrival and met us at the riverbank in Jamuthi with 300 sepoys and a 200 strong horse-mounted force. He ordered us not to cross the river.
"I handed over the letter from Mr. Baber to Mr. Venkatarao. He took me and four other sepoys to the camp.He informed us that the King of Bilki was not living in Jamuthi and there were no hostages either.I stayed at the camp for another seven days and during this time built a strong rapport with Venkatarao.He handed over all except a young woman among those kidnapped back to me.I realised the missing woman was in the custody of Venkatarao's nephews.It took extensive deliberations and finally she was also handed over with great reluctance. I went to Sula where Baber was staying and handed over the rescued persons to him.It was only upon further correspondence with the Pune Resident that we realised that Venkatarao was a rebel and a known bad character.
"In 1816, I was assigned to assist the new Malabar commissioner, Thomas Munro, who had written a letter to Baber seeking a person, who knows the Malabar area very well.Baber had suggested me for the post.Even after Mr. Munro was transferred to Madras, we were regularly in touch through friendly correspondence.. Thereafter I assisted Gramme when he was posted as the commissioner of Malabar and Canara.It was I, who helped him organise the Malabar Survey and establish the 'Desavazhy' system in 1828.The next officer to assume that post was Vogan and he too sought my service. I worked with him till 1825 and then till 1831 under Sheffield. I had put in praiseworthy service even in the service of the next collector, Huddleston.
"Thereafter I had been working under your highness. I am strongly convinced that there are no black marks on my service record under you either.I was incarcerated for five months by the King of Coorg while on your mission there.I had supplied you with intelligence regarding the King's movements on October 18, 20, 24 and 28 in the year 1833. I was imprisoned as I put myself at an extremely vulnerable position defending Graeme during his Madikkara visit.I would like to remind your Highness that despite having several committed soldiers, you have just one who risks his life constantly in the service of the British Empire and that is me.Due to all these reasons I cultivated plenty of enemies and their tribe just keeps growing with each passing day. This has forced me to carry arms on a regular basis for self-defense.
"I offer free food to Brahmin pilgrims once every year.I also engage in feeding the poor five months in a year and have constructed a structure for the same.With all these in mind, I request the esteemed Empire to kindly declare the land I was gifted with during different instances of my 33 years of service to be tax-free.I also request you to kindly grant me a handsome pension that will take care of the well-being and security of my descendants and me."
Menon,From Rags to Riches
The life of Karunakara Menon,a stooge of Baber,who began as a petty Kolkaran in the East India Company,is a rags to riches story.He was a resident of Ramanattukara,who it is said,left his home in his teens.
There was a Dewan called Swaminatha Iyer from Palghat in the service of the Zamorin of Calicut,who had been also an agent of the British.It was his idea to have a native batallion,for the British to fight the local war lords,and the Kolkars batallion was formed.The Kolkars consisted mainly of Nairs,and was commanded by Captain Joseph Watson.
When Pazhassi Raja was killed by him,Menon possibly was a Kolkaran.Baber in his detailed report of the final battle, to the Pricipal Collector William Macleod on 31 December 1805,has mentioned one Subedar Charan,alongwith Menon.The report narrates how the body of the fallen king was carried in the palanquin of Baber and his ailing lady in the palanquin of Baber's captain,Hay Clephane. The king was given a proper funeral, despite English hostility. Baber wrote: "I was induced to this conduct from the consideration that although a rebel, he (Pazhassi Raja) was one of the natural chieftains of the country, and might be considered on that account rather as a fallen enemy."
When Menon found Pazhassi Raja,he had been wounded by an initial gun shot,probably from the gun of Charan.So,Menon the traitor grappled with a hapless Raja,who,hence considered him an untouchable,apart from a traitor.
Menon,in the letter quoted above,has admitted he and his group received Rs 10,500.The British had declared a reward of 2500 pagodas for the capture of Pazhassi Raja.A scheming Baber had definitely an eye on the reward.Menon has said that he was gifted the arms and ammunition confiscated.While Baber retained the dagger of Pazhassi,Menon carried the sword and the single barrel fowling gun of Pazhassi on his shoulder,which he wrested from the Raja after the murder .Pazhassi Raja,in turn had seized the gun from Captain Dickenson,whom the Raja had slain,at the Siege of Panamaram Fort.
Captain Clafam got the waist chain of Pazhassi,as gift.
Baber promoted Menon even in later years,as is evident from Menon's report.He retained Menon as his Registrar at Tellicherry and introduced him to Colonel James Welsh,who met Baber in 1812,seven years after Pazhassi's death.Welsh remembered Menon in his memoirs,as a rough person,in British army uniform,carrying sword and gun of Pazhassi.He spoke Hindi and Kannada fluently.Menon was the guide of Welsh,who had come to Malabar,to deal with the insurgency at Wynad.
Menon records that he was imprisoned at Coorg-he had been taken hostage by the king of Coorg,Chikkaveera Rajendra,when he went there as an envoy of the Collector.Chikkaveera had killed his own sister Devamma,her family and his tutor,Muddayya.British Resident in Mysore, J A Casamajor had warned Chikkaveera against his nefarious and inhuman activities.Menon was made a hostage,after the death of Pazhassi Raja.Infact,he had retired and was recalled to do a mission.He also went to Pune to rescue five people kidnapped by a local ruler of Bilki.The Venkat Rao mentioned in his letter maybe,Venkat Rao Ghorpade,husband of Anu Bai,the daughter of the Maratha Peshwa,Balaji Vishwanath.Venkat Rao riled Ichalkaranji,Kolhapur.
Both Baber and Menon died during the same period.
Prema Jayakumar,reputed translator,is a direct descendent of Karunakara Menon.
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| James Welsh |
James Welsh,in his Military Reminiscences Volume 2 records meeting Menon thus:
One of the bravest,most inteelligent,most indefatigable,most liberal,and most honourable men,I ever knew in life,was a native of Malabar;a Naire by birth and education,but divested of all their prejudices,and retaining their high spirit only,tempered with discretion and Christian charity.Much above the middle size,he was formed for strength and activity,with a countenance bespeaking his intelligence and goodness of heart.At our first interview,he appeared to me a rough manly fellow;I had then never been on the Malabar coast,and knew nothing about its inhabitants;and on the night of the 17 th,observing him very active in conversing in Canarese,with natives whom he sent away,I suspected him of treachery,in leading us for shelter from the rain,into houses so situated for a surprise;whilst my fatigued comrades were all enjoying a refreshing sleep,I,therefore,watched him narrowly during the whole night,determing,on the first alarm,to put him to death.
A soldier at heart,though not my profession,he had long been accustommed to such service,and had attended Mr Baber for years on similar wars,both on the coast and in Wynad.He was clad in the plainest garb;and on the march,wore a brown cloth waist coat,buttoned over his angrekaha or white jacket,and had an English hunting white cap on his head;carrying a single barrelled fowling piece over his shoulder,and a sword by his side.It was not till the next morning,when we arrived at Panawortahcottah,that I found out the object of his solicitude the night before,by seeing a quantity of grain,fruit and fowls,sufficient for our whole party,collected ready for our arrival;and taking me aside,he told me his scouts had actually traced the enemy,and he hoped to lead us to them that very day.This man no sooner opened his mouth,than his countenance displayed that candour and benevolence,which were the true inmates of his soul.I have known him intimately in all situatins for years since that period,and have never had occasion to alter the opinion then formed,of my friend Canararahmenoen,as he is generally called;indeed I am proud to call such a man my friend.Fortunately he talked the Hindoostanee like a Moorman,as I was not conversant with Canarese,or the Malabar language of the western Coast.
Arrived at Poorakandy,he got further intelligence,which he immediately imparted,and which deprived us of the meal,all hands were anticipating.When we got up with the enemy,he was the foremost man;and I was even annoyed at his always contriving to be in my front.The fowling-piece he always carries,he took in action from the Pyche Rajah,who after he had discharged it at him,and while struggling in his arms,intending him to take prisoner only,was killed by one of our people,who thought Canarahmeneoen's life in danger.It had originally belonged to Captain Davidson,who was treacherously slain by the Rajah at Panawortahcottah.**
From this account by Welsh,it is clear that the killing shot was not fired by Menon but "one of our people".It has to be Clafam.As Menon claimed,he was INSTRUMENTAL in killing the Raja.
James Welsh
With the assistance of his grandmother's Elphinstone relations, Welsh obtained a commission as ensign in the army of the East India Company on 22 May 1790, and arrived at Madras on 23 January 1791. He joined the 3rd European regiment at Vellore, and in November went with Colonel Floyd's detachment to serve in the grand army under Lord Cornwallis.On 6 February 1821 Welsh was appointed to command the troops in the provinces of Malabar and Kanara; on 6 May 1823 to command at Vellore; on 23 January 1824 to command in Travancore and Cochin.In between he went through a harrowing court martial.Early in 1829 Welsh went to England on furlough and was promoted colonel on 5 June. He published his informative Military Reminiscences (2 vols., 1830) with more than ninety illustrations, and also A Memorial, Addressed to the Court of Directors of the East India Company (1830), presenting, with commentary, an account of his actions at Palayammcottai in 1806, his court martial and unsuccessful attempts to obtain a complete vindication of his conduct, together with the government's refusal to allow him to act as a prize agent at Travancore in 1809.
Baber's Account
Thomas Harvey Baber ( 1771-1843 ) was born on 29 September 1771 at Slingsby Rectory,Yorkshire,England to Thomas Draper Baber and Elizabet Berriman;arrived in the new year of 1797, in Bombay.He came to Tellicherry and worked in the revenue department;became Sub Collector of Malabar,in 1804 under Thomas Warden.He was district Judge during 1808-1816 in Tellicherry and then was transferred to Mangalore,where he served as the third judge in the western provincial court,till 1824.He then moved to Bombay with health problems and then to Dharwar as Political Agent and Principal Collector,till 1827.He then became first Judge,retired in 1938,settled in Tellicherry.He deposed in the House of Lords in 1830,on EIC matters.He was married to Helen Somerville Fearon and had four children:,Thomas Francis Baber, John William Baber,Edward Henry Baber,and Henry Fearon Baber.Baber died on 5 August 1843 at Kannur.Helen was the daughter of James Somerville Fearon and Mary Douglas,of Richmond,Surrey.She was born in October 1777 and died on 10 April 1840 at Tellicherry.Baber's son Henry Fearon Baber was born at Tellicherry on 24 July 1819.He married Maria Jane Harris on 25 September 1841 and had four children.Henry died in Kursiani,near Darjeeling on 18 May 1861.
Baber’s letter from Kannur to the
Principal Collector of Malabar Major William Macleod on 31 December 1805, reveals that” the British excelled in mind games. They isolated Pazhassi and party by gleaning away
supporters and snapping the lines of subsistence ( Correspondence relating to Pyachi Rajas rebellion,july,23,1805,p.17).The capture of Thalakkal Chanthu was a turning point. Baber visited the
locality where Chanthu was hid captive and distributed goodies to those who lent
helping hands in the capture. He writes about that “to the Kolkars the reward you
authorized.” He goes on, “I did not fail haranguing the inhabitants on the occasion
and in particular enlarged on the magnitude of the crimes of Chanthu and I have
no doubt the circumstances will have a lasting impression.”
Baber took stock of the sentiments of the people towards
Pazhassi. He continues: “Throughout the Northern and Western parts of the
districts, I found the sentiments in our favors , at the same time a considerable
disinclination to afford the smallest information of the ‘Pychi Rajah’ or his
partisans.” He also understood the regard for Pazhassi in most regions. “In all
classes I observed a decided interest for the’Pychi Rajah’, towards whom the
inhabitants entertained a regard and respect bordering on veneration which not
even his death can deface.” He meticulously details the war-plan, the steepest
task being information gathering. His most arduous task was to tame the Chettiars.The wealthy of the region were the Chettiars and the Goundas. He
called a meeting of all communities to warn them against helping Pazhassi. He
nevertheless understood that they presented themselves “from no other impulse than a dread of the consequences of absenting themselves, neither did they thereby
throw off their connections with the rebels".
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| Wellesley Bungalow,where Baber Lived |
The “rebels”, he writes, sensing the change, retreated from Parakameetil to
the eastern extremities of Waynad. Stepping up his offensive, Baber took the
search to the next level. He chokes the lifeline of their subsistence as Pazhassi is
confined to the eastern frontier, close to Mysore. He writes to the Resident at
Mysore who in turn imposed severe penalties on people who facilitated movement
of goods and articles. Pazhassi’s gang began to feel the pinch. With the “rebels”
confined to “Wayanad Holy”, Baber decided to begin the quest. He recounts
marching down Pulpally with his men and not seeing even a single inhabitant on
the road. Most of them had fled to the mountains, sensing the climax was close.
Here, Baber adopted a different tactic. Instead of causing harm to the habitation of
the natives, he chose to send them invitations to come back. With the move, he
hoped to sever their ties with the “rebels” and also gather information about
Pazhassi’s exact whereabouts.
His days at Pulpally were action-packed. But Baber was putting together a
plan with the trickling information from the villagers who have returned. He says
“exhortations and occasional presents” finally induced many to part with
information. “I took the precaution of swearing all of them to secrecy,” he
writes. Finally, he gathered that Pazhassi’s men were on the opposite side of
Kaynara River. Baber set out with Lieutenant Colonel Mill and the troop in total
secrecy. After a trek of almost 10 hours, Baber describes that Charen Subedar who
was leading a party suddenly halted. Baber rushed to the spot and found, “about 10
persons unsuspecting of danger, on the banks of the Mavila, Toda or Nulla”. He
ordered an advance and thirty men dashed into the unsuspecting Raja’s party. The
contest was short. Most of Pazhassi’s men fell. Baber heard a gunshot and found a
new group of Pazhassi’s men who he says were Coongan’s party. They retreated
after shots were fired at them.
Baber writes: “From one of the rebels … I learnt that the Raja was amongst
those whom we first observed on the banks of the Nulla.” Pazhassi, he writes, was
among the first to fall.One of Baber’s servants, Canara
Menon, cornered Pazhassi and at this moment “the Raja having put his mosque to
his breast” is said to have spoken in a “most dignified and commanding manner to
Menon ‘not to approach and defile his person’.”A gold knife and waist chain
were retrieved from the arena. “The former I have now in my possession, the latter
I presented to Captain Clephen.”“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 Clephen’s.”***
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| Thomas Munro |
Thomas Munro
Menon claims he had assisted Thomas Munro.Thomas Munro ( 1761-1827 ) was, like so many other administrators of Madras Presidency, a Scot. Born in 1761, he had studied at the University of Glasgow and come to Madras in 1789 having secured an Infantry cadetship here. He was to see action in the war against Tipu Sultan that ended in 1792 with the latter having to cede districts of South India to the British. Cornwallis, the Governor-General and the man who had led the war from the British side, gave the responsibility of administering the new territory of Baramahal (present day Salem and its environs) to Captain Alexander Read and his lieutenant, Thomas Munro. Both men embarked on the task of assessing the revenue of the area and Munro was to write, “this is so teazing (sic) a business that it leaves room for nothing else. One man had a long story of a debt of thirty years' standing contracted by his father. Another tells me that his brother made away with his property when he was absent during the war; and a third tells me that he cannot afford to pay his usual rent because his wife is dead, she used to do more work than his best bullock.”
Having surveyed the territory completely, Munro came to the conclusion that the ‘King's share of revenue' from the land was too high, an assessment that was to shock his masters. He demanded a reduction in the rents to be fixed, arguing that what was lost that way would be more than compensated by better collection methods and ‘more exactness in accounting' (read less corruption).
At the end of his seven years tenure at the Baramahal, Munro had to reluctantly leave the area he loved, to assist in the final war against Tipu. By then the people there had come to love him too, and it was not common to find children named Munrolappa! Following Tipu's defeat and death in 1799, Munro was put in charge of West Canara.He was Governor of Madras during 1820-1827.
Having surveyed the territory completely, Munro came to the conclusion that the ‘King's share of revenue' from the land was too high, an assessment that was to shock his masters. He demanded a reduction in the rents to be fixed, arguing that what was lost that way would be more than compensated by better collection methods and ‘more exactness in accounting' (read less corruption).
At the end of his seven years tenure at the Baramahal, Munro had to reluctantly leave the area he loved, to assist in the final war against Tipu. By then the people there had come to love him too, and it was not common to find children named Munrolappa! Following Tipu's defeat and death in 1799, Munro was put in charge of West Canara.He was Governor of Madras during 1820-1827.
The palanquin of Karunakara Menon is kept at the History museum of Calicut University.
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*Malabar
** Panamaram Fort;it was not Davidson,but Dickenson
*** Captain Clephen:he is mentioned by Robert Drummond,who wrote,Grammar of the Malabar Language,as Hay Clephane,who belonged to the civil service of the Bombay establishment of the Company.His name is wrongly spelt as Clepham or Clefam is articles.
© Ramachandran
