Pallur Rayrappan

Pallur Rayrappan was a supporter of Kerala Varma Pazhassi Rajah of Kerala, India, who fought guerrilla type war against British East India Company during first decade of 19th Century.

Background

Pazahassi Rajah was defeated by British and Rajah was forced to hide in forests of Wynad along with his family and continued his struggle against British till his death in 1806. Pallur Rayrappan was one of his supporters and helped Pazahassi Rajah to fight against British forces in the forests of Kerala. British announced a prize of 300 pagodas for helping to arrest Pallur Rayrappan. He was the elder brother of Pallur Eman who was also a part of guerrilla force of Pazhassi Rajah, who had a prize of 1000 pagodas on his head.^[1]

Pallur Rayrappan was killed by British in January 1806^[2] in a hill named Tirumalapad of Nilambur and before his capture, he critically wounded one member of British troupe.^[1] The heroics of Pallur Rayrappan and his associates turned out to be of no use, as Pazahassi Rajah was captured by British forces under the leadership of Mr. Baber, deported to Dindigal fort as royal prisoner and died on 3 March 1806, without trial.^[1]

References

1. Logan, William (1989). Malabar Manual Volume 1 ([Facsim. ed.]. ed.). New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. pp. 545,555. ISBN 9788120604469.
2. Rajayyan, K (1971). South Indian rebellion: the first war of independence, 1800-1801. Mysore: Rao and Raghavan. p. 286.