129

CHAPTER V

ZAMORINS’ RELATIONS WITH MYSORE

The politico-economic condition in the South during the second half of the

18th

century led to many changes which had been until then unprecedented. The

impact was felt in the Carnatic, which was then under Mohammed Ali Wallajah, who

kept under his control Mahpuzh Khan, his brother, and Mysore, whose ruler was

under the wrong influence of his ministers Devaraj and Nanjaraj. Hyder Ali, ‘a little

corporal’ in the army like Napoleon Bonaparte of France, took advantage of the

situation, established himself as a strong person to be reckoned with. Knowing fully-

well of the situation and instilling confidence in the minds of the people of Mysore, he

proved himself a worthy commander and administrator and a strategist in handling the

situation in several of the wars he fought against his neighbours. His military skill

and financial acumen transformed him into a supreme power in Mysore in 1761.

Interested in collecting the fertile Malabar Coast in the production of economic

articles, sea – ports, etc Hyder Ali adopted the policy of imperialism.1

Having become the supreme commander, Hyder undertook an expedition

against Malabar in 1766.2 He found that South India could not offer him a united

front of defence, because of the political weakness and disunity among its rulers, who

fought frequently among themselves. Further, many of them depended on one of the

European powers for military help. By this time, both the British and the French had

1 Praxy Fernandes, Storm over Seringapatnam, Bombay, 1969, pp. 26-32.

2 Report of a Joint Commission, Bengal and Bombay, Appointed to inspect into the

state and condition of the Province of Malabar in the years 1792, 1793, Vol. I,

Madras, 1862, p. 19.

130

access to these kingdoms. They were awaiting an opportunity to enter the fray. In

fact, the English had already brought Bengal, Bihar and Orissa under their control. At

this juncture, “Hyder realized that if the English East India Company was not

eliminated the same fate would soon overtake South India also. Therefore, the

conquest and consolidation of the South Indian kingdoms became his overriding

priority”.3 Besides, other situations led him to invade Kerala; of all the reasons, the

real one is said to be Hyder’s ambition to enlarge his domain and to establish his sway

over this resourceful country with natural harbours that were centres of world

contact.4 His eyes fell on the lucrative spice trade of Kerala with the European

countries. A subsidiary force from Mysore to the amount of 20 men was accordingly

stationed in the Palghat territory. It was this kind of connection between the Mysore

state and the principality of Palghat, which gave Hyder, when he became the Regent

of the Mysore a pretext for invading Malabar, in defence of his ally in retaliation of

aggression committed against him by the Zamorin and other Rajas.5

Zamorin on the eve of Hyder Ali’s Invasion:

At the time of Hyder’s invasion of Malabar, the Zamorin was loyal to the

English. However, the Zamorin was not so powerful enough to deal with Hyder. The

attempt of the Zamorin to block Hyder’s troops from crossing the river Kotta was a

miserable failure. To avoid the impending disaster, the Zamorin had to urge Hyder

for a settlement, offering all his property; but Hyder was strong enough to demand,

crore of gold. Unable to pay this, the Zamorin and the ministers were kept by Hyder

3 T. Madhava Menon, (ed.), Op.cit., (2000), pp. 172-173.

4 C.K. Kareem, Kerala under Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan, Kerala History

Association, Cochin, 1973, p. 13.

5 Malabar Collectorate Records, Vol. I, 4033, G.No. 24562, p. 15.

131

under restraint. The Zamorin was highly insulted and was mentally hurt by the

confinement which prevented him from fulfilling his daily religious duties.6 Haunted

by another sort of fear that he might be compelled to accept Islam, the Zamorin took

the fatal decision of ending his life. “The Zamorin, after sending the members of his

family to Ponnani, carried out his resolution by setting fire to the powder magazine

with his own hand and blowing himself up along with the fortress, from which his

ancestors had triumphantly marched to conquer and annex”.7 The Factors which were

closely watching the events in Malabar, reported that the Zamorin committed suicide

by setting fire to his own palace.8 Several reasons were put forward by different

writers about this tragic event. Meons says that the prince in fear of his life set his

palace on fire and was burnt to death.9 But, there is another view that the Zamorin

ended his life on account of some letters he received from his nephews and the Kings

of Travancore and Cochin.10

The Zamorin of Calicut assisted by the Kings of

Travancore and Cochin had collected a considerable army on the banks of Ponnani.

Immediately, Hyder passed the river and attacked Ponnani, which made little

resistance and almost the only fortress in the country. 11

6 K.V. Krishna Ayyar, Op.cit., (1938), p. 240.

7 Michaud, The History of Mysore, pp. 23-24. This account of the Zamorin’s death

was obtained in 1793 from the then Zamorin by Jonathan Duncan, President of the

first Malabar Commission, Asiatic Researcher, V, pp. 30-31.

8 Tellicherry Factory Diary, Vol. XX, pp. 344-46.

9 Meons, Memorandum, etc, p. 133.

10

M. Shama Rao, Modern Mysore from the beginning to 1868, Bangalore, 1936,

p. 56.

11

S.M. Chand, The History of Hyder Shah and of his son Tippoo Sultan, Jaipur,

1990, p. 72.

132

With the death of the ruling prince of Calicut under tragic circumstances the

glorious gates of the country kept wide open without any opposition. Thus Hyder

occupied the whole of Malabar without any difficulty. This indicated to what extent

the once very powerful ruler of Malabar was reduced in power and prestige by

unending wars either with his native states or his foreign potentates. The Zamorin

was already in fears of the rising power of the King of Travancore and of the English.

Feeling insecure he might have committed suicide and to escape the hands of a

Muslim. However, in the invasion, Nayar of Coringotte was not much affected,

because he was under the wings of the protection of the French Government of Mahe.

But “he went out and met Hyder on his march from Chirakkal to Calicut”.12

This

grand victory of Hyder with hands down is aptly remarked by K.M. Panikkar, as the

following: “Hyder being the master of the ancient territories of the Zamorin and the

inheritor, therefore, to all the claims which the powerful arm of the Manavikrama

kings had maintained through ages, was now in a position to contemplate the conquest

of Cochin and Travancore”.13

This victory of Hyder in Malabar is considered as a

remarkable event in the history of South India and also it was an important turning

point and peak performance in the military adventure of Hyder as Sheik Ali describes

“it gave him a long coast and made him a sea power”.14

Besides, the lack of military skills of the fighting community the Nayars was

also of great advantage to Hyder as they lacked “the essential quality of cohesion and

combined effort, they were not used to a disciplined and organized army movement”.

12

Malabar Collectorate Records - Foreign - Miscellaneous, S.No. 5, pp. 18-19.

13

K.M. Panikkar, Op.cit., (1959), p. 324.

14

Sheik Ali, British Relations with Haidar Ali, Bangalore, 1963, p. 48.

133

They fought in a single combat and put up a nice show of their valour and courage,

but on the face of a trained and disciplined force, they too failed miserably. This

mode of warfare and want of organization caused their rout and lessoned the task of

the conqueror.15

It has been aptly said by Sinha as “it would not have been possible

but for the complete disunion that prevailed among the fighting sections of the people

– the Nayars”.16

The set in of monsoon and the heavy rains forced Hyder to quit the

place, but he was wise enough to return only to Coimbatore in order to watch his

newly conquered area.17

Local Rebellion:

As soon as Hyder left for Coimbatore, and his troops left to garrison his

Malabar conquest departed from Calicut, the first instant as it is confidently said for

Coimbatore having preciously put the Zamorin in the possession of Calicut.18

Taking

advantage of Hyder’s absence and ferocious monsoon, the vanquished princes and the

routed Nayar soldiers, who had hidden in the forest area, then came out and planned a

revolt. The threatening and challenging local rebellion broke out all over Malabar.

The Mysorean block-houses at Ponnani and Calicut were besieged and the Kottayam

and Kadathunadu Nayars recaptured many of the places.19

The chief leader of this

15

C.K. Kareem, Op.cit., (1973), p. 38.

16

Narendra Krishna Sinha, Haidar Ali, Calcutta, 1969, p. 250.

17

Gholam Mohammed, History of Hyder Ali and Tippoo Sultan, New Delhi, 2001,

pp. 60-65.

18

Foreign Department Select Committee Proceedings, Vol. II, Serial No. 15A 20th

July 21 November, 1768, p. 498.

19

Tellicherry Factory Diary, Vol. XX, pp. 344-46.

134

revolt was the Nayars of Chirakkal and Kadathunadu.20

Raza Khan, Hyder’s

lieutenant tried to bring this storm under control; but the unfavourable weather and

the unexpected attacks of Nayars from unexpected quarters made him entrapped

between the mysterious swollen streams and the Nayar rebels. But, Hyder’s bold

dash on Malabar with 10000 infantry and 3000 horses, apart from 300 Europeans

newly assigned from Pondicherry and 12 pieces of Cannon tried to quell the revolt.

Though the initial trial was not much successful, Hyder’s orders to his European

troops to advance forth brought him a tremendous victory which made his enemies

taken aback. “Burning and pillaging, leaving a trail of ruin, he came like a

Tamerlane.21

This incident was also reported by the King of Travancore in his two

letters.22

Keeping Manjeri as the headquarters, Hyder’s troops started hunting Nayars

like hunting animals.23

The Nayars were either beheaded or hanged, but seeing the

large number of Nayar captives, Hyder decided to send them to colonies in Mysore.

But most of them died on the way as they could not tolerate the cruelty in the

concentration camps.

Hyder and the Anglo-Mysore Wars:

After suppressing the rebellion, Hyder planned the construction of a fort at

Palghat, which he thought would facilitate communication with the newly conquered

province.24

When the construction was going on Hyder had to leave Malabar to

20

Malabar Collectorate Records Foreign Miscellaneous, S.No. 56, p. 27.

21

K.V. Krishna Ayyar, Op.cit., (1938), p. 241.

22

Letter dated 22.8.1976 No. 192, Angengo Diaries (1) Factory, Vol. 1269, pp. 8-9.

23

C. Hayavadhana Rao, History of Mysore, p. 581.

24

Kozhikode Archives, 1670 / d.250, pp. 135-36.

135

Mysore since the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Maharattas, with the help of the

English, threatened Mysore with an invasion.

The English Company was haunted with a multifolded fear of Hyder’s

invasion on Malabar. They foresaw the worst impact on their trade by Hyder’s

domination over Malabar. Moreover, Hyder’s relation with the French was like

adding fuel to the fire of the English fear. So the English had to follow a hostile

policy towards Mysore,25

leading to the on break of the Anglo-Mysore wars.

The outbreak of the First Anglo-Mysore war resulted in many political

disturbances in Malabar. The vanquished chieftain of Malabar began to revolt with

the help of the English. In Kottayam a Mysorean force of 4000 soldiers was attacked

and routed.26

The block-houses were destroyed. Realising the bitterness of the

skirmishes Hyder came to an agreement with the Rajas of Malabar. It is said that he

“realized that the Nayars were a difficult people to be conquered and Kerala an

uneasy place to govern”.27

In fact, Hyder did not like to have any settlement, but the

situation forced him to do so since he had to focus his full attention on his own

country and he had to face the threats of the Mahrattas and the Nizam. He wanted, at

the same time, an interval to save his own land from the hands of his enemies. He

earned a time gap with speculative benefits and made three conditions for his

withdrawal from Malabar, which were huge compensation from the Rajas of

Malabar, a secured position for the Ali Raja of Cannanore and the possession of

Palghat with the newly constructed fort. All these conditions clearly show his future

25

T. Madhava Menon, Op.cit., (2000), p. 173.

26

Tellicherry Factory Diary, 1476, Part II, p. 98.

27

K.M. Panikkar, Op.cit., (1959), p. 232.

136

plans to re-establish his power in Malabar. But the critical situation and the hasty

nature of the Raja of Malabar made them thoughtless and they accepted the

conditions at once and paid a huge sum of money to “get the independence in their

own land”.28

In December 1768, Hyder withdrew his forces and traced them back to

his own mother land. Hyder desiring him not to be alarmed at the overtures he was

making towards us nothing was further from his cherished than the entering with a

peace. 29

Hyder’s Repeated Attempts:

However, this period of restraint was not a long lasting one. Hyder suppressed

the enemy forces around his own motherland in 1773, and then his eyes again fell on

Malabar. As a result, in the month of December 1773, a force was sent to Malabar,

under Sayyid Saheb, one of the military commanders of Hyder (whose daughter was

later married by Tipu), and Srinivasa Rao.30

This force reached Malabar through the

Wayanad passes.31

Hyders army occupied the territories belonging to the Zamorin

and demanded large sums from Cochin.32

In the year 1773 Hyder finally annexed the

territory of the Zamorin. He then took possession of all Cherruvai including the said

Raja’s country in 1773 - 74 to pay an annual tribute to Hyder. The Cranganore Raja

proved negligent in his payments from 1773/4 to 1776 so as to induce him to take

28

Mark Wilks & Murray Hammick , Historical Sketches of the South Indian History,

New Delhi,1980, Vol. II, p. 61.

29

Foreign Department, Select Committee Proceedings 5th

January to 20th

July, 1768,

p. 249.

30

Tellicherry Factory Diary, April, 2, 1780, pp. 35-40.

31

K.V. Krishna Ayyar, Op.cit., (1938), p. 243.

32

Translation of a Record Granthavari in the State Archives, Kerala Archives

Department Publication No. 1, State Archives, Kerala, 1973, p. 21.

137

steps for another expedition so as to make a complete reduction of the Raja.33

During

the Mysore wars the city of Calicut suffered severely and was twice pillaged by the

Muhammadan armies in 1773 and 1778.34

Realizing the approaching danger, the

Zamorin sought the help of the French and made a treaty with Governor

Mr. Duprat on January 12, 1774 by “submitting himself, his country and subjects to

the King of France and obtained promise of protection against his enemies”.35

As a

result of the treaty, the French Governor established his rule over Calicut with the

possession of the Zamorin’s fort at Calicut. This new arrangement was informed to

Hyder’s general, who never bothered; about that but continued his march towards

Calicut. Duprat did not expect this sort of behaviour from Srinivasa Rao and with a

great shock and being upset, he returned to Mahe on the same vessel he had landed.

Hyder’s troops acquired Calicut by routing out French signs of authority which were

enforced them. Being grief stricken and disappointed, the Zamorin tried to seek help

from the Dutch as well as the English, but he could not get any popular support

because it was evidently beyond trust to seek support from all the three European

powers one after another. “So he retired with his family by sea to the south on a

native vessel to the kingdom of Travancore”.36

In the mean time, Srinivasa Rao made

all arrangements for the direct administration of the country, under instructions from

Hyder.

33

Cochin Commission Diary, Vol. 2032 No. 20397, 1796-97, p. 557.

34

The Imperial Gazetteer of India Vol. IX, (Benjur to Central India), New Delhi,

ND. p. 290.

35

Moens, Memorandum etc., p. 133.

36

C.K. Kareem, Op.cit., (1973), p. 3.

138

Though the Zamorin kept himself away from Hyder, the princes of the

Zamorin’s family stayed in Malabar and Ravi Varma continued the war by handling-

the Kerala oriented guerilla tactics which were strange to the Mysore troops.37

Hyder

thought of a tactful political plan to utilize the Malabar Rajas as his nominees. The

Kadathunadu Raja made peace with Hyder and was received as a tributary on paying

a tribute of two lakh of rupees and his future annual jumma was fixed at 50,000

rupees.38

Nayars Rebellion and the Role of the British:

At the time of the outbreak of the war between the English and the French,

Hyder realized that he had to enter into an open, straight deal with the English. The

English forces occupied Pondicherry even at the beginning of the war, and they also

had an eye on Mahe, the French settlement on Malabar Coast. Hyder could sense

the danger of the English securing Mahe, but he was strong in his view of holding a

full sovereignty over the entire area including the European settlements. He himself

had mentioned this in his letter to the Governor of Madras.39

Using the urging

political situation and the cutthroat competition between the Major European powers,

the local chieftains, the Zamorin and the Rajas of Kadathunadu and Kottayam tried to

recover their lost territory from the authorities of Mysore by helping the English in the

war against French. At the same time, the Nayars revolted in many parts of Malabar.

The English kindled and organized the rulers of Calicut, Kadathunadu and Kottayam

37

J. Spencer, J. Smee and A. Walter, A Report on the Administration of Malabar,

p. 3.

38

Foreign Secret Proceedings of Select, Committee 4th

January to 20th

June 1779,

Haidar Ali to Governor, March 19, 1779.

39

Bombay Secret Political Diary, Vol. 26, pp. 50-52.

139

to join together to throw off the yoke of Mysore.40

Hyder tried to help the French by

sending two contingents. But, a powerful naval and armed force was arranged under

the strong and skilful leadership of Captain Walker. Besides, on March 1779, Colonel

Braithwaite reached the Malabar Coast with a powerful battalion, and it was

continued by the arrival of Major Clifton with 3 companies of artillery and thus the

position of the English became a matchless one. Seeing the strong power of the

English, the Zamorin and the king of Kottayam openly declared their support to the

English and this fact is clearly stated in the Tellicherry Diary.41

Finally, in spite of

Hyder’s great support to the French, Mahe was captured by the English on 9th

February 1779. For some time, in the later 18th

century, Mysore under Hyder and

Tipu Sultan attempted to achieve profits from Oceanic trade similar to Travancores.

Tipu Sultan overran Calicut in 1780 and organized both a monopoly and a

commercial fleet in the Arabian Sea.42

Hyder’s Decline in Malabar:

After getting Mahe, as the grand prey, the “British had no time to care the

Zamorin and other princes of Malabar as they turned their cannon points towards

Hyder and soon war broke out between the English and Hyder. The Zamorin and the

other princes too joined the English. The Nayars found it was the apt moment to rise

against Hyder and they began to revolt throughout the country. In the mean time,

Sardar Khan arrived in February 1780 after suppressing the ruler of Kottayam and

Kadathanadu. Meanwhile, Hyder with an army of 90,000 men descended upon the

40

Tellicherry Factory Diary, Vol. LIX, pp. 69-71.

41

Mohibbul Hussain, History of Tipu Sultan, Calcutta, 1971, p. 24.

42

Ashin Das Gupta, Op.cit., (1994), p. 142.

140

plains of Carnatic and began the Second Anglo-Mysore War on February 8, 1782. In

the war there ensued, Sardar Khan was defeated by Major Abington and was taken

prisoner with 1200 men. Feeling highly ashamed of this defeat Sardar Khan

committed suicide”.43

The English troops under Major Abington took Calicut on

February 13, 1782.44

The attack of Mangalore or Hyders dominions and some other

places provided an access towards Hyder dominions. Mr.Sulivan at Tanjores proposed

plans to Colonel Thumberton to take upon himself the command of the Company’s

troops at Calicut. The efforts they made against Hyder with the support of the forces

under Major Abington resulted in the utmost extension of the situation as would

admit. 45

In this context, one has to consider the situation by which Hyder got control

over Palghat. The Zamorin attacked Palghat. Immediately the Raja of Palghat

approached Hyder the Governor of Dindigul for help. The Palghat king had already

entered into an alliance with the king of Mysore. It was on this basis that the Raja of

Palghat approached Hyder. The latter despatched an army of 4000 soldiers under the

command of Mukhdum Ali. Then the Zamorin surrended and moved for peace and

agreed to pay 12 lakh rupees as compensation. But the money was not paid. Due to

internal problems Hyder was in different towards Malabar. Palghat remained with

Hyder.46

43

Tellicherry Factory Diary Vol. V, pp. 34-41.

44

Bombay Secret & Political Diary, Vol. 26, pp. 341-347.

45

Foreign Department Secret Proceedings, Serial No. 53, 23rd

Sept to 24th

October

1782 pp. 2746-2750.

46

K.M. Bahaudheen, Kerala Muslim Kalcheruthinilpinte Charithram (Mal.),

Kozhikode, 2004, pp. 109-110.

141

With Palghat alone in his possession, Hyder sent Mukhdum Ali with a

powerful expeditionary force. Mukhdum entered Malabar through the Palghat pass

with 7000 troops and then towards Calicut. But then, Mukhdum’s forces were at

Tirurangadi. Mukhdum was defeated by Col. Humberstone and a large number of

men were killed by the English forces.47

Hyder, realizing the increasing strength of

the British forces, ordered his son Tipu to proceed to the West Coast. In the mean

time, Col. Humberstone had drawn highly skilful plans to capture Palghat, but

unexpectedly he was attacked by the large troops of Tipu. He heard about the arrival

of Tipu on June 16, 1782 that “Tipu Saheb will most undoubtedly command the army

on this side in the ensuing campaign”48

and he then realized the situation and

withdrew his forces from further advancement. Col.Humberstone, noticed that

Palghat was much stronger than what he expected, he was secretly informed that a

large forces were advancing towards him and “he very prudently determined to

retreat”.49

At the same time, Tipu was informed of the death of Hyder.50

And he

rushed back to Mysore to be crowned as Sultan. Before he left, he had appointed

Arshed Beg Khan to be in charge of the Government of Malabar and to remain on

the defence of Palghat.

Hyder’s victory and rule over Malabar were really remarkable events in the

history of the relations between Mysore and Calicut. So, Hyder’s death in the midst

of the Second Anglo-Mysore war left Malabar in an unsettled political state. Besides,

47

C.K. Kareem, Op.cit., (1973), p. 67.

48

Charles Stuarts, Catalogue and Memoirs of Tipu Sultan, pp. 264.

49

Military Consultations, Feb, 1783, Vol, 86, A.p. 719.

50

Malabar Commission, Foreign – Miscellaneous, Vol. 55, 1793, p. 39.

142

Arshed Begkhan was appointed commander and manager in the revenue areas of

Malabar from Nebishur to Cochin.51

In consequence the Bombay Presidency

recalled Macleod and Humberstone at Ponnani52

and appointed General Mathew at

this place.53

But the forces proceeded to Badnur instead of attacking Tipu’s forces.54

Calicut having with other parts of Malabar cast off the yoke of Hyder, was in 1773,

re-conquered by the Mysorean ruler, whose forces were, however, in 1782 driven out

by the British.55

Colonel Fullerton, from the Madras Council realising the strategic

importance of Malabar, marched from Palghat through the Anamalai forests and on

November 15, 1783 captured Palghat after a successful siege and handed it over to the

Zamorin.56

Tipu’s Ascendancy in Malabar:

During Tipu’s visit to Mysore, he heard that the Bombay Government recalled

Maclead and posted General Mathew instead.57

He did not show much interest in

fighting Mysore soldiers; instead he diverted his attention towards Bednur. But the

English having the coveted intention of abolishing Mysore rule from Kerala

strengthened their stand that Malabar should be captured, especially the fort of

Palghat, since it was the only stronghold of Tipu. Tipu Sultan re-entered also on that

51

Ibid., Vol, 55, 1793, p. 39.

52

Bombay Secret & Political Diary, No. 28, pp. 51-55.

53

Ibid., No. 27, pp. 918-920.

54

Ibid., No. 30, pp. 212-213.

55

Edward Thornton, Esq, Gazetteer of the East India Company, Delhi, 1984, p. 176.

56

C.K. Kareem, Kerala under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, Ernakulam, 1973,

pp. 76-78.

57

Bombay Secrets & Political Diary, No. 28, pp. 51-55.

143

occasion in to the small possession of the small boundary of Cannanore. The

Dutch – Records of 1783-84 must therefore see what extent of territory then

understood to be included under the head and terms of Cherruvai.58

But the Zamorin was very particular to re-establish his power in his own

territory snatched away by Hyder. So he pleaded with Fullerton to restore his

ancestral region. Fullerton promised him to do so and tried to keep him in Palghat

with other four battalions of the Travancore sepoys, but Zamorin just abandoned

Palghat and got back into the mountains. According to Fullerton, “The Zamorin and

his followers of the Nayar caste were rigid Gentous and venerate the Brahmins.

Tipu’s soldiers, therefore, daily exposed the heads of many Brahmins in sight of the

fort. It is asserted that the Zamorin, rather than witness such enormities, chose to

abandon Palghatcherry”59

. Waiting for this opportunity, Tipu’s forces captured their

fort. Tipu reconquered the territories occupied by the English. Tipu arrived at

Palacatheery. Colonel Thumberston stated reduction of Palghatcherry as necessary to

secure Malabar allies in possession of their countries and as open a passage into a

valuable part of Hyders dominions and the boundary of Coimbatore.60

Independent of

the war in which Tipu then was engaged with the noble Nizam Ally Cawn, he was

involved in hostilities with the Zamorin on the Malabar Coasts.61

The treaty of

Mangalore (March 11, 1784) which concluded the Second Anglo–Mysore War,

convinced Tipu about the strategic importance of his Malabar possessions. The

58

Cochin Commission Diary, Vol. 2023, No.20397, 1796-97, p. 560.

59

W. Fullerton, A View of the English Interests in India, pp. 26-30.

60

Foreign Department, Secret Proceedings, No. 55, 3-24th

March, 1783, p. 846.

61

C.H. Philips, B.S. Misra, Fort William – India House – Correspondence, Vol. XV,

Delhi, 1963, p. 678.

144

treaty of Mangalore is a remarkable document of Indo-British history. 62

This was a

great victory for Tipu, but in a pathetic turn, his officers suppressed the local people.

Moreover, Ibrahim one of Tipu’s chief officers acted against the terms of his treaties

with the princes of Malabar. There were rebellions everywhere, especially among

the Mappila Muslims of Ernadu, headed by Kurukkal kicked an open rebellion.

Arshad Beg Khan, with the help of Ravi Varma, controlled the rebellion.63

Arshed

Beg Khan conferred on a “considerable Jagir” with Ravi Varma.64

Thus several

considerations have strongly influenced the president upon the expected arrival of the

reinforcement under Sir. Richard Bickerton to propose sending troops to assist in

effecting an attack against the dominious of Hyder on the Coast of Malabar and

some troops to the northern and some to the southern provinces of the company on the

Coast of Coromandel.65

Tipu and his Administration in Kerala:

Early in 1788 Tipu, like his father, paid a personal visit to Malabar and built a

new town named after Furrukabad (Ferokhia) on the south bank of the river

Beypore, about 13 Kms south of Kozhicode. He planned to establish that new town

as the capital of his Kingdom in Kerala. Moreover, he brought many economic

changes there. In November 1785 he declared pepper, sandalwood and cardamom as

government monopoly and godowns were constructed to store them. Persons who

62

B. Sheik Ali, Tipu Sultan, New Delhi, 1972, p. 11.

63

C.A. Innes, & Evans (ed.), Op.cit., (1997), p. 73.

64

J. Speneer, J. Smee and A. Walker, A Report on the Administration of Malabar,

Para. 22, p. 7.

65

Foreign Department Secret Proceedings, No.55 – Several 3-24th

March, 1738,

p. 950.

145

sold them to outsiders were punished severely.66

Tipu wanted to develop Ferokhia

(Feroke) as a rival port to Calicut as well as an emporium of trade.67

Tipu perhaps

wanted to break the back of British monopolistic policy in pepper trade. Tipu said

that the expansion of the British as a threat to the entire Islamic world and called the

English “the enemies of the Islamic faith”.68

The changes in trade, in fact, threatened

the English a lot. They felt that these hasty measures of Tipu would force them to

close down their Tellicherry factory by making them suffer without getting proper

spices. So they handled the trick of encouraging the local rebels by supplying them

enough money and military weapons. But like Hyder, Tipu too resented such an act.

Tipu was very closely watching the movements of the Travancore Government. Tipu

infantry was of the greatest part of the camp.69

Tipu’s unexpected turn against Travancore was an important event. Hyder

had the “dear dream” of conquering Travancore, but till his death it had remained a

dream. “But the situation changed a lot in favour of Rama Varma Raja of Cochin,

when he was included by the English ‘as a friend and ally’ of the Company in the

‘Treaty of Mangalore’ after the Second Anglo-Mysore war”.70

Mr. Richard Secker to

the Commission for settling the treaty of peace at Mangalore dated 11th

March 1784,

but a copy of that letter was sent to the Commission at Calicut. As per the treaty of

66

Reports of a Joint Commission Bengal and Bombay Appointed to inspect into the

State and Condition of the Province of Malabar, in the years 1792 & 1793, Vol.

Madras, 1862, p. 60.

67

Y.J. Taraporewala, Fort William – India House Correspondence 1792 – 95,

Vol. XVII, Delhi,1955, p. 526.

68

B. Sheik Ali, Op.cit., 1972, p. 25.

69

Malabar Second Commission Diaries (Political), Vol. 1730, G.No. 20095, p. 58.

70

William Logan, “Treaties etc” i. XCIII, Select Committee, Oct. 1783, No. 5.

146

Mangalore, the Malabar Rajas became tributaries of Tipu, like wise Bebee of

Cannanore did not. By the treaty the district of Mount D’Ely was ceded to the

English.71

Unlike Hyder, Tipu was a shrewd politician and he did not follow the same

move of ‘demanding vassalage’ alone, but he followed the policy of appearing before

the Raja and winning him by settling all outstanding disputes. On the contrary to

Tipu’s soft approach, Ravi Varma just put Tipu’s appeal aside with the confidence of

English support, and tried to break the boundaries of the ‘Treaty of Mangalore’.

“Thus the Mysore-Travancore relations during the time of Tipu present an absolutely

different picture from that at the time of his father”.72

The treaty of 1784 with Tipu

provided that peace and friendship should immediately take place between the

contracting parties and their allies, including particularly the Rajas of Tanjore and

Travancore, as friends of the English.73

The Raja of Travancore had also tried to keep himself safe by encouraging the

rebellions and acted as the haven to the rebel chiefs of Malabar. He was sure that his

position would be safe and undisturbed till the rebel Rajas and chiefs of Malabar

were active. This rebellious atmosphere was not ever lasting “The Travancore Raja

had realized that as long as he supported them and kept them active against Tipu, his

own territory would be comparatively safe, but this policy boomeranged and led to the

Mysore invasion of Travancore”.74

71

Malabar Commission, Foreign, Miscellaneous, Part, 1-1793, p. 87.

72

C.K. Kareem, Op.cit., (1973), p. 91.

73

Peter Auber, Rise & Progress of the British power in India, Vol. II, London, 1837,

p. 112.

74

T. Madhava Menon, Op.cit., (2000), p. 173.

147

Tipu and Rama Varma:

Rama Varma did not like to approach Tipu, for the reason that Tipu had

unjustly deprived of his brother the rulers of Malabar of their possessions. He also

had the fear of Tipu, who, having Cochin as his vassal always remained a permanent

threat to his kingdom. He, therefore, did everything to please the English, including

strengthening his frontiers and improving his military forces against Tipu. By doing

so, he thought, that he could seek the support of the English later.

He had also extended the Travancore lines through the territory of Cochin up

to the fort of Cannanore. This line cut off about one third of the Cochin territory from

Cochin and Travancore and had claimed that the Raja of Cochin had agreed at the

time of its construction. Considering the help rendered by Travancore in driving out

the Zamorin from the Cochin territories, “The King of Cochin was in not in a position

to turn down Travancore’s demands”.75

When Tipu wanted Rama Varma to demolish

that particular part of the lines which ran through his own tributary i.e., Cochin

territory, Rama Varma just ignored the idea since he felt it was necessary for the

safety of his country.

The final flaw that Rama Varma did was the purchase of the two Dutch forts,

Ayakotta and Kodungalur. Tipu had negotiated for their purchase but the Dutch sold

them to Travancore. Perhaps, the Dutch might have feared that Tipu’s command over

them would damage their trade. Even then the Madras East India Company had

advised the King of Travancore to reconsider the idea of purchasing these Dutch forts,

but the Raja never bothered about their advice. The Madras Government mentioned

this act as a “very impolitic act” which made the Raja “liable for the forfeiture of the

75

Ibid., p. 173.

148

company’s protection”.76

Even the King of Travancore himself wrote a letter to the

Dutch Governor slightly mentioning that the purchase would cause a war between the

English and Mysore.77

The letter of Sir Eyrecoote to the Kingof Travancore says that

the Company’s forces under the Commander Colonel Humberston were moving from

Calicut towards Palamcottah.78

Tipu and the King of Travancore:

As said earlier the Travancore King kindled rebellions in Malabar and also

requested the Governor of Madras to provide the rebels with possible help to capture

their lost power and territories.79

He knew very well that he alone could not face Tipu

and so he entirely relied on the English. Beyond that, Tipu had his own methods of

solving problems and disputes. He sent messengers to the King of Cochin as well as

to the King of Travancore “with letter to this effect and some costly presents for his

kind acceptance”.80

Tipu hoped that he could settle the disputes peacefully without a

war through the Company. Their reactions, however, were not favourable. In the

mean time, he reached Palghat on December 4, 1789. Even if he thought of attacking,

he could have done so, but he sent his demands to the Raja since “he did not want a

war and he did not come prepared for the same”.81

Since Tipu thought that the

76

TNA 1789: Fq & TNA Military Consultations Vol, 129, C: F. 1447.

77

Kozhikode Archives, No. 47.

78

K.D. Bhargava, Calendar of Persian Correspondence 1792-1793, Vol.X, Delhi,

1959, pp.350-351.

79

Military Country Correspondence, Vol. 38, No. 59 dt. June 10, 1786, Rega to

Holland.

80

Mathilakam Records, (Mal.), Curuna, 1308, p. 75.

81

Secret Consultations No. 10, dated January 27. 1790.

149

English did not approve of the ways of the Raja, he would step down to peaceful

means. But, the Raja strongly believed that he could get the help of English and so

he did not mind Tipu.

Defeat and Death of Tipu:

Finally, on 28th

December 1789 Tipu attacked the Travancore lines and a

portion was completely destroyed. The English forces stationed nearby did not

involve in the war; instead, they returned to Ayakotta across the backwaters. Sensing

Tipu’s concentration on Travancore, the local rebel chieftains of Malabar began to

revolt all over the region. In the mean time, the English completed their negotiations

with the Mahrattas and the Nizam for a coalition against Mysore. Taking advantage

of Tipu’s compaign against Travancore, the English82

declared war on Tipu and the

Third Anglo-Mysore War commenced. Tipu was defeated and large parts of his

territories were ceded to the confederates. A treaty with the Madras Government was

concluded in 1790. The victors occupied the port of Ferokh permanently by the

Treaty of Seringapatnam.83

About two months period to this treaty Tipu ceded the

place with the Hon’ble Company in March 1792 all the districts in Malabar

dependents in the Cutcherry of Calicut which were from the Cochin district, and

Cannanore.84

General Abercromby of his intension to depend us to you to settle about

the countries ceded to the Honble Company by Tipu Sultan after setting some few

things with the different Rajas here, we shall proceed to Calicut. Mr.Agnew, the

82

Mohibbul Hasan, History of Tipu Sultan, Calcutta, 1971, p. 236. The Victory of

the British allied forces and the defects of Tipu’s allied forces led to the

establishment of British supremacy in Malabar.

83

Y.J. Taraporewala, Op.cit., Vol. XVII, (1955), p. 532.

84

Malabar Collectorate Records, Vol. 2565, Y. No. 20930, p. 16.

150

resident there to provide a proper place for an residence. Tipus country ceded to the

English east in the country you are to obey no other orders but such as you may

receive from us, you must there fore directly come to us at Calicut with amount of the

revenue of the country.85

Factors heading of the fall of Tipu:

Many were the factors that contributed to the sudden collapse of Tipu’s

authority in Malabar86

. He restored the factory and privileges possessed by the

English at Calicut until the year 1779 or (1193 Hijira) and he restored Mount Dilly

and its district belonging to the settlement of Tellicherry possessed by the English.87

Tipu’s Religious Persecution:

Bastolomes, who was then, in the vicinity: described the cruelty committed by

Tipu Sultan “The manner in which he behaved to the inhabitants of Calicut was

horrid. A great part of them, both male and female were hung. He first tied up the

mothers, and then suspended the children from their necks. The cruel tyrant caused

several Christians and heathens to be brought out naked, and made fast to the feet of

his elephants, which were then obliged to drag them about till their limbs fell in pieces

from their bodies. Neither the Brahmins nor the Christians, were forcibly subjected to

the initiatory rite of Mohammedanism, first had the option of submitting or being

hanged.88

Coconut trees and Sandal trees were cut down. The city was almost

85

Malabar Second Commission-Correspondence –Letters sent, Vol. 1896, G.No.

20261, 1792, p. 1&5.

86

Extract from Robert Taylor Esquire Chief of Tellicherry 1st May 1793, p.334.

87

D.C. Ganguly (ed.), Select Documents of the British Period of Indian History,

Calcutta, 1958, p. 116.

88

A. Aiyappan, Social Revolution in a Kerala Village, Bombay, 1965, p. 18.

151

completely smashed. Most of the materials taken at Nellura, 6 miles to the south and

eastward, where they were used to build a fort and town called by Tipu Sultan

‘Furruckabad’ or ‘Fortunate town’. In the later part of 1790, the Mysorean force,

having been concentrated in the neighbourhood of Calicut, was attacked by a British

attachment commanded by Coasel Hartleay, and totally defeated; Tipu’s general was

made prisoner with 900 of his men, and 1500 more laid down their arms at the

“Fortunate Town”.89

The years 1792 & 1799 were decided the political structure.

They were turning point in the establishment of sovereignty of the English East India

Company. The extra-territorial possessions occupied by the company as a matter of

political unrest from Tipu Sultan made the company one of the formidable sovereigns

in India than any other political authority.90

The victory of the British and the allied forces and the defeat of Tipu’s allied

forces led to the establishment of British supremacy in Malabar. Tipu died on 4th

May 1799. Britishers retained the provinces of Tipu. Finally, the Britishers annexed

Malabar which became a part of the Madras Presidency in 1800.91

Causes for the

defeat of Tipu are as follows:

� The chieftains of Kerala were never reconciled to the Muslim rule and hence

they were in a perpetual state of revolt.

� The geographical features of the country were best suited for the operation of

guerrilla forces.

89

Edward Thornton, Esq, A Gazetteer of the East India Company, Delhi, 1984,

p. 177.

90

K.K.N. Kurup, Early Revolts against the English East India Company in South

India, South Indian History Congress, Madurai, 2001, p. 448.

91

Krishna Chaitanya, Op.cit., (1944), p. 26.

152

� Muslim rule was an alien rule to the Nayars’ of Malabar.

� Tipu was merciless and vindictive.

� The steady flow of refugees to the South added the strength to the rebellions.

� The sudden departure of Tipu from Malabar left his troops without proper

leadership and guidance and they went out of control.

At the end of the war, Malabar became the booty of the British. The long

cherished ambition of the Company to establish monopoly over the lucrative business

in spices was thus achieved.

Social Schemes and Reformations:

The invasions of Mysore on Calicut or Kerala might have short lived. But

their impact on administration, society and economy and even religion was felt of

lasting nature. They were unique and remarkable. A systematic land revenue

administration was organized. The first land survey in the history of Kerala was

conducted only by the Mysorean administrators. They surveyed the land and fixed

the land tax on the basis of the produce. Such things were absolutely unknown in

Malabar.92

No land survey was known to the people and “the Malayala had no

means of determining correctly the extent of his cultivated land”.93

Only wet land

was taxed, but the dry land and the property held by the temples were exempted.

Crops like cashew, cardamom, cinnamon and garden produce like plantains,

vegetable, etc. were exempted from taxation. Coconut trees, jack trees and pepper

vines alone were assessed. In 1786, Tipu separated the civil and military functions of

the Government as an effective step to prevent corruption and improve the efficiency

92

John Waye, A Report on the Southern Division of Malabar, p. 8.

93

Malabar Collectorate Records, Foreign Miscellaneous Serial No. 56, Part I, p. 863.

153

of the revenue administration. Mysorean system was above caste and religious

consideration.

Transport:

The Mysorean rulers had excelled even in introducing and using the means of

transport. The network of roads furnished by them in Kerala can be considered as one

of their best achievements. Till the time of Hyder and Tipu, only waterways had been

used as the chief means of transportation.94

For the first time in Kerala, the wheeled

traffic was introduced after the invasion of Mysoreans. According to Ibn Battuta, “no

one travels in these parts upon beasts of burden which however any merchant has to

buy or sell goods, they are carried upon the backs of men who are either slaves or

coolies hired for these purposes. Big merchants may have hundred or more of these

men to transmit their goods from one place to another.95

In the same way, Francis

Buchanan who visited this country between 1800-1801 remarks, “In Malabar even

cattle are of little use for transportation of goods which are generally carried by

porters”. 96

Before Tipu’s time, as Innes says, “wheeled traffic was unknown and even

back bullocks were not used”. The first bullock cart was brought to Kerala from

Coimbatore.

However, the invasions of both Hyder and Tipu have left their lasting

expressions on the administration of the Malabar region. Though Hyder’s attempts

to lay roads did not materialise, his son Tipu proved himself a worthy administrator,

94

C.A. Innes & Evans, Op.cit., Vol. I, (1997), p. 267.

95

Ibn Battuta, “Travel (Malayalam Translation)” p. 27.

96

Francis Buchanan, Journey from Madras through the Countries of Mysore,

Canara and Malabar,Vol. II, New Delhi, 1988, p. 434.

154

who succeeded in laying a chain of road network established in Malabar and other

places.97

The following were the important roads laid by Tipu Sultan:

� From Calicut to the present Cantonment in Bangalore;

� From Malappuram to Tamaracherri;

� From Malappuram to Pudupani;

� From Calicut to Ferokhia, (the present Feroke);

� From Ferokhia to Coimbatore;

� From Palghat to Dindigul; and

� From Venkata Kotta to Coimbatore.

These new roads, in fact, made easy the transport of men (military) and

material from Malabar to Mysore and Vice Versa.

Extent of Roads in Malabar:

The speedy transmission of conveyance, quicker and easier arrangements for

communication and safer means of travel and transport are important for commercial

and industrial development. Tipu Sultan was the only Indian prince who felt the

significance of the Industrial Revolution as it affected the means of transport and

communication. Tipu’s network of roads guaranteed political security, economic

prosperity and commercial development. It also helped the establishment of

administrative machinery that worked with precision and speed.98

No one can deny

Tipu’s legacy to Kerala, particularly to the Malabar region. Zamorin of Calicut owes

to Tipu a lot in this respect. In other words, Mysorean invasion helped the Zamorins

97

C.A. Innes & Evans, Op.cit., Vol. I, (1997), p. 268.

98

B.K. Sankar, Inland Transport and Communication in Medieval India, p. 32.

155

modernise themselves, with particular reference to commerce communication and

even caste system which received a rude shock. It is well said that even if Tipu had

not made any other reform in Malabar, his road making effort alone would have

crowned him with lasting glory.

Trade and Industry:

One can witness a great advancement in trade and industry in Malabar during

the reign of Tipu. “He was alone among the Indian rulers to realize that a country

could be great and powerful only by developing its trade and industry”.99

He could

foresee how state monopoly on import and export of commodities be imposed. He

sought to set up State monopoly on gold ore and other precious minerals and metals

as well as on tobacco and sandalwood, elephants, teak wood, coconut and pepper.

This is to a great extent, prevented the European squandering of Indian resources.

As an Indian, Tipu did not like the foreigners earning their profits by doing

business in India. Tipu was very particular that the English should not enjoy the

monopolistic right over pepper and other commodities. He realized the great benefit

accruing to the European nations from their business in India. “He undertook the role

of trader, manufacturer, banker and money lender”.100

Tipu set up warehouses throughout Malabar and other areas with a view to

monopolizing the wholesale trade. It is mentioned in his letter to Raja Ram Chundar

that though the profit was less, ordinary people would be benefited much.101

99

C.K. Kareem, Op.cit., (1973), p. 162.

100

Mohibbul Hassan, Op.cit., (1971), p. 344.

101

Ibid, p. 331.

156

State trading corporation was another trade system introduced by Tipu. This

made even ordinary laymen to participate in trade. “Shares were sold to his subjects,

the values of which ranged from Rs.5 to Rs.5000.102

From Mysore Tipu arranged for

the export of sandalwood, ivory, rice, spices, cotton and silk fabrics and his

government agents in Malabar collected land revenue not only in cash but also in

kind and103

the people were not much burdened. No actual inspection took place in

any of the southern districts. The Canon goes accounts were prepared in the several

cutcheries from those delivered by the hobily and tarrah menon who in turn based

them on Tipu’s Jamabandhi.104

No other Indian King tried to establish factories and warehouses in foreign

countries. Tipu had his regular factory establishments in Muscat, Jiddah and Ormuz

and even he made efforts to establish factories in Aden and Basara.105

Tipu and Social Upliftment:

Not only trade and transport developments but also social upliftment was the

major concern of Tipu. In Malabar and other areas, a sort of the feudal set up existed

and the people of a few communities like Nambutiris and Nayars had got enormous

power in the society. According to EMS Nambutiripad, ‘what is called Kanan Janma

maryada – the totality of relations between the parts of India that outsiders were

102

Krik Patrick, Letters of Tipoosultan, No. XCVIII, p. 129.

103

Mark Wilks, Op.cit., Vol. II, (1980), p. 268.

104

Malabar Second Commission Diaries (Revenue) 1797, Vol. 1712, pp. 37-38.

105

Kirk Patrick, Op.cit., No. CCVI, p. 239.

157

dumb founded when they were told about it”.106

Women in general and low caste

women in particular had been treated badly in the period before the Mysorean

invasions. The traditional values were established and imposed on the society only by

the Brahmins.107

The Sudra women were expected to put off their chastity and the

social rule recommended that they should devote themselves to satisfy the desires of

Brahmins. A regular legal marriage was prohibited to the Nayars by caste rules.

Chastity of women was put off by the per microns practice of sambhanda by which a

Nambutiri could cohabit with a Nayar woman he liked, without incurring any kind of

future obligation or liability or even the displeasure of the Nayar man. Nambutiri

was considered the representative of God, pleasing him was considered equal to

pleasing God. Even the first nuptial of the Zamorins newly wedded wife was with the

priestly Nambutiri. This developed into polyandry and the system of matrilineal.

Peasantry was given importance during Mysroean period. Rent free concessions and

other incentives were generally offered to ease the promotion of cultivation. A vast

area of land was brought under the plough due to his persuasion and encouragement.

He also undertook a lot of irrigation works. The 18th

century Mysorean invasions

dealt a severe blow to the social fabric in the Malabar region. Those who had been

wedded to outmoded practice were butchered or persecuted or converted persecution

of Nambutiri and Nayars weakened the political and social position of these castes.

Antagonisms prevailed between the Mappilas and the dominant Hindu castes.108

Feroke near Calicut, the place of his choice of a Mysorean capital in Kerala was

106

E.M.S. Namboodiripad, Kerala Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Calcutta, 1968,

p. 3.

107

C. Achyuta Menon, Cochin State Manual, Ernakulam, 1911, p. 193,

108

R.H. Hitchcock, Peasant Revolt in Malabar, New Delhi, 1983, p.3 .

158

dominantly of Muslim population. It speaks much about Tipu’s systematic steps

taken to topple the caste system in the Malabar region.

The Mysorean interlude in Malabar witnessed the disintegration of the

Zamorin Kingdom of Calicut. This followed the emergence of a new political order

not only in the Calicut but also in Malabar as a whole. On the political and

commercial scene there had been a continuous rivalry among the natives, especially

Calicut Mysore and European powers. During the times of Mysorean invasions the

Zamorins sought the support of some European power, especially the British. The

foreigners utilized this opportunity and got more commercial benefits. At the same

time, the Britishers followed a diplomatic policy and expelled all the other European

powers. Finally, they became the masters of Malabar. The British followed a

treacherous policy on the one side and on the other, followed a policy of expansion

into the Mysorean territory. This they did by making alliance with the native rulers

and the neighbouring kingdoms of Mysore. Once the British could be the fall of Tipu

Sultan, they began to dictate terms to the Zamorins, who ruled their small regions

under the mercy of the British. Owe of the major causes for the fall of the Zamorins

was their unsteady policy with the Europeans, their hostile attitude towards the native

Rajas and inherent ambition to rule the whole of Kerala without the necessary

infrastructure. Had they aligned themselves with the Mysoreans, they could have

very easily overpowered the Europeans. But the Zamorin’s relations with Mysore

were hostile and they paid for it in the long run. The fall of Mysorean force at the

hands of the English had ulterior implications. With the subjugation of the Mysorean

the English turned their attention towards Kerala through the Malabar Coast.