Pazhassi Raja (January 3, 1753 – November 30, 1805) is known in the history of the Indian independence movement by the names Kerala Varma, Veera, Kodiyot Raja, etc. He was a Hindu warrior, prince and de facto chieftain. He ruled the Kottayam kingdom of Malabar, formerly known as Kottiyot, between 1774 and 1805. His fight against the British East India Company is known as the only person to defeat Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, in a battle. That was the Kottiyot War. Due to his fighting skills, he is known as the Kerala Simham (Kerala Lion).
For his fight against the British, Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja remains a resolute symbol of independence. Even today, songs of his heroic deeds are sung in North Malabar. Many educational institutions in Kerala are still named after him.
Pazhassi Raja was a warrior who wrote the epic Veere Itihasam, which was the largest war epic in the history of India. Pazhassi Raja was associated with many Bhagavati temples in Wayanad, Kozhikode and Kannur. There are records that Pazhassi visited the Mridanga Saileshwara temple in Kannur before his war. Similarly, the Sita Devi temple in Wayanad was famous for its visit and worship by Pazhassi Raja.
Pazhassi Raja is a name that should be at the top of the list of heroic legends in India itself. He created the most feared resistance in India for the British. He was also able to unite all kinds of people in his country. Not only tribals, Nayans and Kurichirs, warriors from all walks of life also joined his army.
History

• Born on 3 January 1753 in Kerala, Pazhassi Raja was a distinguished member of the Varma dynasty of the western branch of the Kottayam royal family.
• In 1773, Hyder Ali made his second incursion into Malabar.
• There was a great demand at that time for the possession of the whole of Malabar for the abundant supply of pepper, the ‘black gold’.
• The rich resources of this region made it a coveted target for the Kingdom of Mysore, which was constantly striving to expand its economic reach and territorial footprint. These ambitions often led to repeated invasions of the Malabar region.
• During one such invasion, the ruler of Kottayam found himself in a precarious position and decided to flee south, seeking refuge in Travancore.
• Most of the royal family accompanied him on this move. These unexpected developments effectively established Kerala Varma as the de facto ruler of the Kottayam kingdom.
• Kerala Varma, who had decided not to abandon his native land in the face of the invading Mysore army, instead decided to stay there and actively resist the intrusion.
• He was at the forefront of this resistance, leading his people with unwavering courage. His strong defiance and unwavering spirit won the respect and admiration of his subjects, cementing his legacy as a beloved and respected leader.

Resistance
The Pazhassi rebellion was in every sense a mass rebellion. Taking on the character of a popular movement, initially, the movement began as a separate revolt and focused mainly on individual grievances. But as the struggle continued, Pazhassi realized that his interests and theirs were one, merging with other disaffected groups in Malabar.

Modern historians consider Pazhassi Raja to be different from other rulers of his time because he did not have a selfish goal of personal power. He is described as a selfless personality who, while being obligated to protect his subjects from exploitation and oppression, upheld the interests of his subjects and the country above his own.