I Killed Him:
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 |
Welsh on Menon
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
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. 
