DALAPATHI ANANTHAPADMANABHAN NADAR ------------------------------------------------------------ Ananthapadmanabhan was born at a house of 64 rooms in Thachanvilai in Kannannoor in the Venad nation in the Kollam year Chingam 24, 873 (1698 A.D.) to Thanumalaya Perumal Asan and Lekshmi Devi. Thachan vilai is located in the present day Veyyannoor Village of the Kalkulam Taluk in Kanyakumari District in Tamil Nadu state in India.
His father named him Ananthan Perumal, after the name of his grandfather. He had two brothers- Ponnam Perumal and Mayakonda Perumal –and two sisters – Thankapazham and Saraswathi Devi. His maternal uncle called him Padmanabhan. It was his pet name.
Some of his relatives called him either Babu Arasan or Ela Veera Rajan.Later, King Marthanda Varma clubbed Ananthan and Padmanabhan and called him Ananthapadmanabhan. Thanumalaya Perumal, was a descendant of the Thiruppapur Royal Family. This family traces its origin to a kingdom called Ay kingdom and later Chera kingdom. Thanumalaya Perumal had over one hundred slaves.
Thanumalaya Perumal had been the Principal Commander of King Rama Varma. He was the physician and Asan for the royal family. He had been in charge of making weapons. Moreover, he was in charge of the armory of Venad. Besides, he was the head of 108 martial arts - called kalari - training centres.
Note:
1.According to temple chronicles, Sri Vira Ravi Ravi Varma, the senior Tiruvadi of Thiruppapur ruled Venad from 1479 to 1512 (Travancore Manual by Nagam Iyya, Page.278). The importance of Thiruppapur could be discerned.
2. Asan is an erudite person in medicine or a skilled person in martial arts. He is usually named after his native village. The word"Asan" is suffixed to his village. Thus, in the name Mekode Asan, Mekode stands for the name of his village. In the name Punnaikkattu Asan, the first word stands for the village.
However, if his name is known, the word Asan is suffixed to his proper name. Thus, in the name Narayanaswamy Asan, Narayanaswamy stands for his proper name and Asan stands for his surname. Evidently, it is difficult to distinguish between the proper name, and the village.
3. It was customary for the Madura Kings to address the Kings of Venad as Nanchi-nattu Rajah, Nanjanad Rajah or Thiruvithankottu Raja. 4. Slavery was abolished only in 1859 AD 5. Thirparpur is a place between the present Thiruvithankode and Keralapuram in the Kanyakumari District.
6. St Thomas had built a church at Thiruvithancode. This indicates that Thiruvithankode had been the capital of Venad. 7. Perumal is the surname of the family.
Ref: 1. Thiruvadi Desam Thiruparpur Paramparai Maaveeran Ananthapadmanabhan Varalaru by Kumari Kavinger K.P.Varatha Rajan.
2. History of Travancore by Nagam Iiya
THE EARLY YEARS
The teacher of Ananthan Perumal was his father, Thanumalaya Perumal. He gave him intense training in Kalari (martial arts) in his Kalari fight practicing centre at Thachan Vilai.Ananthan Perumal mastered all the 64 skills of martial arts that included – in Tamil- vaal (sword), vil (bow = a weapon for shooting arrows), adivelai (a type of soad fighting), chilambam, kurunthadi and nedumthadi.
Besides, a horseman from an Arab country gave him training in horse riding. Prince Rama Varma made necessary arrangements for this along with his two sons - Pappu Tambi and Raman Tambi. The training was imparted at Kuthiraipantivilai in Kanyakumari District. Courage, speed, ruthlessness and wisdom were the inherited qualities of Ananthan Perumal.
The debut of Ananthan Perumal was before Prince Rama Varma at Suchindram in the year1713 during the Margali Thiruvzha (Margali festival). He was 15 at that time. Prince Rama Varma commended him and gave him the title – in Tamil- Paranthakan meaning a brave man.
Note: Later Prince Rama Varma ruled Venad from 1724 to 1728.
MARITAL LIFE
At the age of 21, Ananthan Perumal married the daughter of his maternal uncle, Parvathi Ammai. Parvathi Ammai gave birth to a son, Ayyam Perumal. But she died when the child was just two and a half years.Ananthan Perumal decided not to marry again. He considered this as his marriage vow.
A TURNING POINT
One day, Prince Marthanda Varma called on Thanumalaya Perumal –father of Ananthan Perumal - at his house in Thachan vilai and requested him to give asylum.Thanumalaya Perumal had been the Principal Commander of King Rama Varma. He had been making weapons for Venad.
He had been imparting martial arts to hundreds of disciples.
Above all, he had been the head of 108 martial arts schools (training centres) in Venad. In those situations, it was an intelligent decision on the part of Prince Marthanda Varma to enter his house. In fact, it was the turning point in the history Venad.
Thanumalaya Perumal accepted Marthanda Varma, changed heart, and vowed to prevent his death at the hand of his enemies. Further, he decided to stand by him. Firstly, he asked his son, Ananthan Perumal, to give training in martial arts and swordsmanship to the Prince. Ananthan Perumal taught all the 64 skills of martial arts -day and night - to him within a span of six months.
The Prince stayed in the house of Thnumalaya Perumal during this period. His whereabouts were not revealed to anyone. Whatever happened, none dared to attack the house of Thanumalaya Perumal or the Prince during this time. As a disciple of Ananthan Perumal (Refer Chapter 20), the Prince learnt all the skills and became a skillful swordsman and horseman. Even one hundred soldiers would fail to hurt him in a straight fight.
Then Ananthan Perumal became his body-guard, trusted friend, companion, adviser, Principal Commander of Venad, celebrity and finally his deity.The circumstances that forced Prince Marthanda Varma to seek asylum must be noted. The rulers of Venad followed a strange system of inheritance known as " Marumakkathayam" since 1304 A.D. As per the above system, when a king dies, his sister's son will succeed him.
A section of the people in all communities gradually became very powerful and plotted to change the system of succession. Some wanted the extirpation of the royal family for this. Their aim was to establish a republic. As it had a public interest political overtone, the people were vertically divided. Naturally, a section in every caste and religion opposed the system of succession.
Earlier, the opponents of the system had murdered King Aditya Varma. Besides, they had drowned five out of six sons of his niece Umayamma Rani at Kalippan Kulam in Kalkulam Palace. Prince Rama Varma had been taking a neutral stand in the question of succession till he became the King in 1724.
After ascending the throne, King Rama Varma apportioned the southern portion of Venad (Northern portion was under Attingal) into three parts. The areas surrounding Kalkulam and Nagercoil palaces were given to his two sons - Pappu Tambi and Raman Tambi (Tambi brothers)- and Neyyattinkara area was given to Prince Marthanda Varma.
At the instance of Prince Marthanda Varma, King Rama Varma in 1726 signed a treaty with Madurai Nayak. As per that treaty Madurai Nayak would supply his force in order to check the rebels. This strengthened the hands of Prince Marthanda Varma.
However, when King Rama Varma became sick, rebels closed ranks with the Tambi brothers. They said that Pappu Tambi -the elder son- would succeed his father on the throne. They took this political stand only to bring a division in the royal house. As soon as King Rama Varma died, Tambi brothers wanted to assassinate Prince Marthanda Varma.
The Tambi brothers issued orders to prevent the Prince from escaping to any place north of Neyyattinkara or to the Pandian Kingdom in the South. Many chieftains too wanted the destruction of the royal family. Now Prince Marthada Varma requested Attingal Rani to pay tribute to Azakappa Muthaliar. But she refused. The Prince was disappointed.
The King of Kollam, Jaya Singh, mobilized a force to claim Venad. He said that he was the legitimate ruler of Venad.
Despite the above situation, many in Venad were loyal to Prince Marthanda Varma. However, he felt that he was hemmed on all sides by enemies. Therefore, he left Neyyantinkara and ran for his life. Thus, he chose not to jump into the hand of the murdering crowd.
Reference:1. Thiruvadi Desam Thirupparpur Parambarai Maaveeran Ananthapadmababhan Varalaru by K.P. Varatharajan.
2. Travancore State Manual by V. Nagam Iiya.
3.."Times of Marthanda Varma"by Ibrahim Kunchu.
4. "Naattu Varalaru" by T.K. Velu Pillai
5. Wikipedia
Note:
1. The rich people in Marthandom, Ramanamatam, Kulattur, Kazhakuttam, Venganur, Chempazhanti, Koduman and Pallichal were entrusted with the collection of the Devaswam revenues. Some of them had been mere tillers. They were called "Chiefs of the Eight Houses ( In Malayalam, they were called Ettuveettu Pillamars). They did not belong to a particular caste or religion. Many present day - (2013AD)- castes were unknown about 250 years ago.
2. The East India Company, in the year 1728, obtained a permission from Prince Marthanda Varma of Neyyattinkara to construct a go-down at Colachel. This indicates that the East India Company considered Price Marthada Varma as the legitimate heir to the throne.
3. Kalippan Kulam still exists. It is at the Padmanabhapuram Palace in the Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu state. The name indicates that children were enticed to play in that pond.
4. Marthanda Varma was born at Kilimanoor in 1706 to the Queen of Venad, who was adopted in 1688 from Kolathini family of Malabar as Queen of Attingal.
The name of his father was Raghava Varma and his grandfather was Ittammar Raja. It is said that they hailed from the Kingdom of Thirupparpur, one of the branches of the Venad Royal Family.
THE DEATH OF THANUMALAYA PERUMAL
As Thanumalaya Perumal, father of Ananthan Perumal, could not be defeated in a straight fight, one Kunchu Neelan poisoned him to death. Ananthan suspected that the enemies of Prince Marthanda Varma had a hand in it.
After the passing away of Thanumalaya Perumal, Ananthan Perumal felt that his house was no longer safe for the Prince.
Therefore, he secretly took the Prince to Mankode Asan and left him under his care.
The Prince acquainted a slave called Mundan at Mankode Asan’s house. Earlier he had been a slave of Thanumali of Pottayadi- He was very intelligent. He used him as a messenger called –in Tamil- Oottan. Besides, he was being asked to roam in different places disguised as Prince Marthanda Varma. This was to divert the attention of his enemies.
THE RESOLUTION
The rebels started searching for Prince Marthanda Varma. They tortured the people suspected of harbouring him. They cut off the fingers, nose and the ears of some people.Some people were sent to prison.
The atrocities disturbed Ananthan. In accordance with the wishes of his father, he wanted to protect the life of the Prince. He considered this as his paramount duty.
He convened a meeting of the Asans. Separate letters - written on palmyra leaf - called ola - were sent to 108 Asans asking them to assemble at the Kalari centre in Purakkattur in the Thiruvattar path.
The meeting resolved to stand by Prince Marthanda Varma and put him on the throne. Besides, they resolved to sacrifice their lives - if necessary- for this. As it was a political problem, a few joined the rank of the rebels.
Reference: In Tamil - Oottan Kathai Nattupura Varalattu Kathai Padal, Page 14. A rough translation of the relevant part of the Tamil poem of Marthanda Varma era is given below. Invitation leaves flew to108 Kalaries Separate invitations for the wise and the venerable Congregated on Friday in the Purakkattoor Square Asans in hundreds; their children in thousands Gathered together for the growth of their clan The brave and the wise; the public and the household A crowd, a big crowd –a crowd of the learned With a heartbreaking mind, calmly they listened In the shadow of 16 umbrellas came the venerable One among them welcomed with folded hands And started to talk;
“ What if some are fighting- what if there is coronation
Lord is now running after the venerable Ear, nose and fingers of the people are being cut
For whom we live in this world”---
Suddenly Ananthan rose like a tiger And roared; “We will extirpate the Madan crowd And dance round and round the country We will put the lord on the throne Put a garland round his neck And carry him round and round the country He will marry a girl from the Thiruppapur area And we will take care of his child”. When they talked like this There came messenger Chathan saying “Asans and the venerable the house of Mankode Asan is burning Those Tambi children torture one and all Thinking that the lord was in the house They destroy everything”.
THE BATTLE OF MANKODE
While Prince Marthanda Varma was hiding in the house of Mankode Asan, the Tambis got wind of it and sent a large number of lancers to eliminate him. Suspecting that the Prince was hiding in one corner or other of the house of 64 rooms, they surrounded it and torched it. The Prince was not in the house but watched everything from a long distance. When Ananthan Perumal reached Mankode, the house of Mankode Asan was still on fire. He slaughtered the lancers with lightening speed. For the first time, he exhibited his superhuman skill in martial arts.
A few lancers escaped the sword of Ananthan, returned to the Kalkulam Palace and reported the matter to Pappu Tambi.
B.K. Menon had translated into English the Malayalam Novel, Marthanda Varma, by C.V.Raman Pillai. He has described the mode of fighting of Ananthan Perumal at Mankode as follows. "Holding a heavy sword in either hand, executing intricate steps to the tune of his own music, using both hands and feet with incredible ease and deadly precision, the slow witted Ananthan was advancing steadily towards them, displaying a new mode of fighting. Trained to the hair, and skilled warriors as they were, the Ananthan's style and mode of advance was new and perplexing to them. While not a single cut or thrust seemed so much as to touch him, his very breath seemed to spell death among their own crowd. His progress through their midst was marked all around by the number of dead or dying. To look upon his weapon was to look the last upon the world! But he had gone as he had come, and no one was in a position to say more about him."
Note: 1. Being a novel, C.V. Raman Pillai had not used the word Ananthan but had used another name.
2. Mankode is a place near to Thikkanamkode in the Kalkulam Taluk of Kanyakumari District.
THE REFUSAL OF THE PRINCE
There was no evidence to show that Prince Marthanda Varma had been killed in the Battle of Mankode. The lancers narrated what happened at Mankode to Pappu Tambi.The infuriated Pappu Tambi asked the guards in the Kalkulam Fort to arrest the person who saved the Prince after killing the lancers.
The guards trampled over the feelings of the people and dragged many suspects to Kalkulam Fort. Their kith and kin followed them. Yet, Pappu Tambi cut the throat of two suspects. A mini revolt occurred in the fort as some guards resented the action of Pappu Tambi and turned against him. Ananthan Perumal requested Prince Marthanda Varma to enter the fort along with the assembled crowd to seize power. But the latter refused to do so. The Prince considered the suggestion as a suicidal one, for he suspected the presence of guns in the fort.
Therefore, the Prince requested Ananthan Perumal to take him to the Madura King.
THE GREAT ESCAPE
Prince Marthanda Varma, Ananthan Perumal, Mundan, Mekode Asan and others discussed various options. The Prince wanted to confront the Tambi brothers with the help of Madura forces. But Mundan said that there was heavy security at Aralvaimozhi Pass and the act of going through that pass would be very risky. He suggested that Thanumalai of Pottayadi would welcome the Prince. He added that he knew many hiding places near Pottayadi. The Prince, Ananthan and Mekode Asan obliged.
They set out for Pottayadi – a border place about 35 km away from Mankode - and reached the house of Thanumalai in the morning.
Thanumalai welcomed the Prince with folded hands and gave him milk, honey, banana and flour balls. They avoided Kottar, Suchindram and Parakai because Tambi brothers had many supporters in those places. It was a great escape. Later, it was this Thanumalai who supplied rice to the armed forces of King Marthanda Varma during his annexation of many small kingdoms.
Reference:
In Tamil, the Oottan Kathai Nattupura Varalattu Kathi Padal of Marthanda Varma era.
The above folk song narrates the great escape. An approximate translation of that Tamil folk song (Pages 17 to 20) is given below. On hearing the lord, Ananthan became silent The messenger (The Oottan) began to talk There are many wicked people in Thovalai If you want to go to foreign country I know many tricks near Pottayadi My master, Thanumalai, will render all helps He has hundreds of slaves Thousands of relatives
His kith and kin are on either side of the thorn fort
Azhagappar also would send his force There were many suggestions Came to a conclusion without wasting time They made a bamboo ladder Requested the lord to sit over it Four men carried and forty followed Ananthan and Oottan with open eyes All single minded Shunning broad path and big villages They ran in the moonlit night They passed Manthankad and Kuzhimaikad Went through Valliyaru and Veeppanad Avoiding Veranarayanachery Entered Ayiramkanam Kuttikad Keeping away Kaliyankad, reached Peruvilai Cock crew when they went near Panchavankad Without going near Kottar they went towards Parakai Then they passed through Vaiyanivilai and pond Walking through the out-skirts of Suchindram They passed Mulaikad and Kalkad There were signs of daybreak when they crossed Pazhayaru Chose to go through Punnaikkavu and Ethankad Soon after that they saw Adukku Pottai Crossing the broad pass they went beyond Pottai And stood near the door of Thanumalai.
DEMANDS OF PRINCE MARTHANDA VARMA
After talking to Ananthan Perumal, Thanumalai, Mundan and others at Pottayadi, Prince Marthanda Varma said that:
1. Ananthan must meet Nava Kodi Narayanan of Kottar to fetch gold and silver. 2. Vadakkan Sahib must bring Peerukkannu Sahib of Midalam. This was to talk in Hindustani to the rulers of Nabab at Madurai and 3. Mundan must roam at Thovalai disguised as Prince Marthanda Varma to spread the rumour that the Prince was in that area.
Accordingly, they left Pottayadi to carry out the work detailed to them. The Prince remained in the house of Thanumalai.
Reference: In Tamil- Thiruvadi Desam Thiruppavur Parambarai Maaveeran Ananthapadmanabhan Varalaru by K.P. Varatharasan.
THE BATTLE OF PANCHAVANKAD
When Ananthan Perumal and his disciples were secretly returning to Pottayadi to report to Prince Marthanda Varma, Tambi brothers came in a cavalry and surrounded them at Panchavankad- a place near Nagercoil.
Ananthan and his men had no hiding place. It became a life and death problem to them. Instantly, Ananthan decided to attack. Walking back and forth, he stretched his sword. In the battle that ensued, he slaughtered the enemies with lightening speed. Here he showed his superhuman strength. Some managed to escape his sword and ran for life. Along with the dead bodies were the fatally wounded Tambi brothers.
The wounded Tambi brothers requested Ananthan to kill them. But the latter refused to do so. He said that he could not do anything without the specific orders from Prince Marthanda Varma. The news spread like wild fire. The people converged in large numbers. They saw the mortally wounded Tambi brothers.
The supporters of Tambi brothers deserted the palace at Nagercoil and the people seized the palace.
Prince Marthanda Varma heard the news and heaved a sigh of relief. Accompanied by Thanumalai, he reached Nagercoil. The wounded Tambi brothers were shown to him. He noticed that they would not survive. He then issued orders to kill them and bury them after putting some rice into their mouth. Their tombs are at a place near to the palace in Nagercoil.
Note: The present Office of the Superintendent of Police functions at the palace in Nagercoil.
Reference: 1. In Tamil- Oottan Kathai Naattuppura Varalattu Kathi, (The Tamil folk song of Marthanda Varma era).
THE END OF MUNDAN
Mundan stayed at a ruined hut in Thovalai. In the morning, he wandered around that area disguised as Prince Marthanda Varma. The soldiers of Tambi brothers mistook him as Prince Marthanda Varma. They caught him at Rajavoor. At that time he was eating balls composed of jaggery and sesame. Then they tied him in a ladder and carried him towards Nagercoil just to produce him before Tambi brothers. Now they stumbled upon the news that Tambi brothers had been cut in a battle. They, therefore, took him towards Pottayadi. When they reached near Pottayadi, Mundan smiled at them like a prince. Infuriated Madhava Madambi immediately cut him into two pieces with his sword. This incident occurred at the base of a Marutha tree in Pottayadi.
The news about the death of Mundan deeply moved Prince Marthanda Varma. He sent Ananthan, Thanumalai and Vadakkan Pattani (an assistant of Ananthan) for performing the last rites. Mundan was buried below the the marutha tree.
Reference: In Tamil –Oottan Kathai Varalattu Naattupura Kathai Padal Pages 27-28 (Tamil Folk songs)
THE DESTRUCTION OF ENEMIES
Now, the rebels and petty chieftains became very refractory. As a result, anarchy and confusion in their worst forms stalked the land. Further, Prince Marthanda Varma came to know – through spies and well-wishers – that they were waiting for a chance to eliminate him.
Above all, he considered the death of Mundan as his own death. Therefore, he declared war against his enemies. He issued orders to Anandan to destroy, kill or capture all those who wanted to kill him.
Accordingly, Anandan burnt, razed or destroyed the houses of the rebels in all communities in many places-Melankode, Neyyattinkara, Vangiyoor (later Thiruvananthapuram) included. All those who resisted his attack were killed. Their wives were married off to fishermen or auctioned.
In the present day standards (2013) those acts could be construed as human rights violations. The only consolation is that an act of murder is not a murder if it is committed by a soldier. In this way Ananthan suppressed the internal revolt and put the throne on the head of Prince Marthanda Varma.
Note: King Rama Varma died in 1728 and Prince Marthanda Varma became the King in 1729 only.
THE TRANSFORMATION OF MUNDAN
INTO A DEITY.
After thus ascending the throne of Venad-in 1729- King Marthanda Varma wanted to perpetuate the memory of Mundan.
He issued orders to construct a temple at the place where he was murdered. The main deity in that temple even today is Mundan. The temple is called Mundaswamy koil. In order to celebrate the festival every year, he granted land.
Besides, he issued orders to construct a separate alter for the statue of Mundan in every temple in Venad and perform puja using jaggery and sesame.Thus Marthanda Varma raised Mundan to the status of a deity because he died for him. No other King had done like this before.
Note: .1. The Tamil Nadu Devasom Board celebrates the festival of Mundan in the last Friday of the Tamil month Aadi.
2. The people of Pottayadi consider Mundan as their family deity.
3. Pujas are performed with jaggery and sesame because he was caught while eating balls composed of jaggery and sesame. 4. In expiation of the sins incurred by war, alters were constructed in many temples; and pujas performed for the victims. Pujas are being performed in many places even today (2013)
ANNEXATION OF SMALL KINGDOMS
After consolidating his position as the King of Venad, Marthanda Varma, wanted to annex Attingal with Venad. Attingal had sovereignty over Venad. Both Marthanda Varma and the Queen of Attingal - called Tamburetties - belonged to the same Chera clan. But she had taken some decisions affecting the sovereignty of Venad.Therefore, Marthanda Varma issued orders to his Principal Commander, Ananthan Perumal, to attack Attingal. Ananthan had become such a terror, the Rani of Attingal surrendered without resistance. She was pensioned off. Kilimannoor, ruled by the members of the Venad family, was also annexed. But he, later, granted autonomous status because this county had defeated the Dutch in a small battle. Kollam was attacked in 1731 and a treaty was signed.
Reference: 1.History of Travancore by Nagam Iyya.
2. Thiruvadi Desam Thiruparpur Paramparai Maaveeran Ananthapadmanabhan Varalaru.
Note; The King of Kollam was the cousin of King Marthanda Varma.
THE REFUSAL OF ANANTHAN
Dalawa Arumugam Pillai died in 1736. Then the King, Marthanda Varma, appointed his younger brother, Thanu Pillai, as Dalawa. He also died in 1738. After that Rama Iyen became the Dalawa. Ananthan Perumal did not want to become a Dalawa just for the sake of it. In fact, Rama Iyen was appointed only at the instance of Ananthan Perumal.
Now, the King wanted Ananthan Perumal to attack Kayamkulam as a preparatory step to capture Cochin. Ananthan Perumal refused. He requested the King not to be reckless. He pointed out the presence of guns in the hand of the enemies and returned to the Palace at Charode along with eight other Asans.
The King and the Dalawa stayed at Kayamkulam like birds without wings.
THE BATTLE OF COLACHEL
While the King, Marthanda Varma, and the Dalawa, Rama Iyen, were undertaking negotiations with the Raja of Kayamkulam, the Dutch East India Company landed at Colachel to invade Venad. As the Venad force was concentrated at Kayamkulam, Ananthan Perumal immediately requested Mankode Asan, Orappanavilai Asan, Chellamkonam Asan, Mekode Asan, Athankode Asan, Nadutheri Asan and his disciples to send their men with whatever weapons like chopper to Colachel.
Ananthan gathered information and intelligence from the local fishermen. He equipped his infantry with spears and swords and organized into an offensive formation. Ananthan had little experience with guns. But his father had taught him deception and guile to deflect the energies of his opponents and strengthen his own position. He decided to take a calculated risk.Ananthan entered Colachel at the front of a small cavalry unit and charged into a large contingent of well armoured Dutch. Slaughter followed and the Dutch infantrymen fell to the ground. The other Asans also made a lightning strike and started decimating them.
His attack was the most ruthless. He displayed his superhuman skill, strength, courage and ability.
The Dutch were not sure where an attack from Ananthan forces might come.They simply could not manoeuvre against the Ananthan forces. In fact, they could not neutralize his attack in any way. They did not want to put up a fight as the strategic advantage of guns and cannons were of no use to them and surrendered on 31 July 1741. Inclement weather, a fire in the depot and lack of reinforcement contributed to the surrender. However, the Dutch saw the resolve of a horse man fighting for his country on his own soil although they said that they had lost to base people.The battle was over within a day. Many in the Dutch died. Only 24 lived. They surrendered. Among them was their captain, Eustachius De Lannoy.
Besides, Ananthan got 389 muskets, a few pieces of cannon and a large number of swords. Ananthan was very magnanimous in victory. He promised that no retribution would accrue to them.
Reference. 1. Nattu Varalaru by T.K. Velu Pillai. 2. Travancore State Manual by V.Nagam Iiya 3. From the oral tradition as narrated by the 10th descendant of Ananthan Perumal, Mr. K.P. Varatharasan, in the month of April 2013 to the present writer. 4. The Dutch are, at present, known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands.
THE CELEBRITY OF THE NATION
When the King, Marthanda Varma, and the Dalawa, Rama Iyen, reached Kalkulam Palace, Eustachius De Lannoy had already been captured. Ananthan produced the Dutch prisoners before the King at the Kalkulam Palace. The latter pardoned De Lonnoy and requested him to modernize his army after European style. He obliged. He was thus made captain of Venad Army. De Lonnoy modernized the Venad Army by introducing better firearms and discipline. De Lonnoy then led the Venad Army for the subsequent expansion of territory upto Kayamkulam because martial arts were no longer an answer to guns. At the same time, Ananthan Perumal was raised to the status of a celebrity. Venad celebrated the victory over the Dutch in an unprecedented scale. In fact, he became the celebrity of the nation.
King Marthanda Varma decided to perpetuate the name of Ananthan even during his life time. Thus he renamed the Kalkulam Kottaram (Kalkulam Palace) as Padmanabhapuram Kottaram and the name of the capital of Venad as Padmanabhapuram. This happened in 1744. Having stayed in the house of Ananthan Perumal, he knew that the pet name of Ananthan Perumal was Padmanabhan. Immediately, the people followed suit. Many places all over Venad had been named in honour of Ananthapadmanabhan. Thus:
1. Ananthan Palam
2. Ananthan Theppakulam
3. Ananthan Kulam
4. . Ananthan Konam
5. Anantha Nadar Kudiyiruppu
6. Anantha Padmanabhapuram
7. Sree Padmanabha Nalloor
8. Anantha Mangalam
9. Padmanabhan Thittai
10. Ananthan Kaadu.
And Ananthan Paarai are some of the places named after Ananthan Perumal by the people.The people wanted to construct a beautiful (In Tamil – Azakia) hall (In Tamil- mandapam) in the name of Ananthan Perumal through public subscription. The hall was not constructed but the proposed site got the name Azakiamandapam. Then, the King -to the discomfiture of many- started giving large areas of land to Ananthan Perumal. He granted land to Mankode Asan, Nadutheri Asan, Chellamkonam Asan, Mekode Asan, Palavilai Asan and Athankottu Asan also for lending their support to Ananthan Perumal. He granted Ananthan Perumal about 1,40,000 acre of land in different parts of Venad through 24 copper edicts.
A copper edict given to Ananthan Perumal still exists in the hand of the 10th descendant of Ananthan Perumal. The present writer saw it on 1 April 2013. In that copper plate, the King clubbed his name and his pet name into one. Thus his name became Ananthapadmanabhan. The salient features of the copper edict are:
1. King Marthanda Varma acknowledged Ananthapadmanabhan as his relation.
2. He called him Brammakula Kahatriyan.
3. He extolled him as his right hand.
4. He praised publicly that he protected his life on many occasions.
5. He disclosed that he dedicated his life for him.
6.He said that he had extirpated his enemies.
7. He proclaimed that he was giving the properties because of his unlimited happiness.
Reference: Maaveeran Ananthapadmanabhan Varalaru by.K.P. Varatharasan.
Note: 1. The other copper plates were destroyed when the opponents of Ananthan Perumal set fire to his house at Thachenvilai later and many properties did not come under the possession of his descendants.
2. An expert in the Department of Archaeology, Government of Kerala, had officially authenticated the writing in the copper plate as that of Marthanda Varma era.
3. The population of Venad during the times of Marthanda Varma was not much (Refer the note under Chapter 21).
4. King Marthanda Varma had conferred many privileges to De Lannoy. The latter lived in a stone fort at Udagiri. When he died in 1777, King Rama Varma - successor of King Marthanda Varma - interred him inside a chapel at Udagiri Fort with full state honours. The fort and the tomb exist in their original form. The remnants of the chapel also exist today (2013). They are being protected, and are an important tourist centre in the Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu State in India. Recently, a few descendants of De Lannoy - living in the Netherlands - had called at Udagiri Fort and expressed their gratitude to King Marthanda Varma and his successors.
THE DEATH OF ANANTHAPADMANABHAN
When Venad was celebrating the superhuman deeds of Ananthapadmanabhan, Dalawa Rama Iyen wanted to go a step ahead of others. He announced that a State Dinner would be held once a month at his official residence in Aruvikkarai to felicitate Ananthapadmanabhan. This had the blessing of the Queen of Venad also. This Dinner went on smoothly for two and a half years.
However, on the Kollam Year 28 Chingam 925, during the State Dinner at Aruvikkarai, Velan and Kuttan – two servants of Dalawa-cut Ananthapadmanabhan at his stomach with their sword. Ananthapadmanabhan was not bearing any shield at that time. As they cut him while he dined, he could not defend his life. They stabbed his agitated horse also
Ananthanpadmanabhan tied his intestine with a long cloth, mounted the wounded horse and rode to Thachanvilai. After reaching Thachanvilai he fell down and died. His horse also died as it had been also wounded.
The melancholy news of passing away of Ananthapadmanabhan deeply moved King Marthanda Varma. Flanked by a retinue of bodyguards, he rushed to Thachanvilai, attended the funeral and returned to Padmanabhapuram Palace.The body of Ananthapadmanabhan now lies interred at Thachanvilai.
Reference; Thiruvadi Desam Ananthapadmanabhan varalaru by K.P.Varatharajan
TRANSFORMING ANANTHAPADMANABHAN INTO A DEITY
Perhaps because of the feeling that Lord Perumal Swamy appeared in the shape of Ananthapadmanabhan, protected him -and his nation - like a guardian and disappeared for good, King Marthanda Varma renamed Perumal Swamy Kovil at Vangiyoor into Sree Anatha Padmanabha Swamy Kovil. This is the present Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple at Thiruvananthapuram.
Accompanied by the entire Royal family, officials and priests, His Highness proceeded to the newly named Sree Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Koil. His Highness then laid his State sword before the deity on the Ottakkal Mandapam and dedicated his whole territory to the above deity. After that, His Highness assumed the management of the country as the disciple (Dasan) of that deity. Here, His Highness did not distinguish between Lord Perumal Swamy and his Kalari master, Ananthapadmanabhan. His Highness simply transformed him into the tutelary deity of the Royal family.
Alternatively, His Highness transformed Lord Perumal Swamy into Lord Anantha Padmanabha Swamy. His Highness then changed his own name into Sree Padmanabhadasan Vanchi Bala Marthanda Varma Kulasekara Perumal.This happened six months after the death of Ananthapadmanabhan ie Kollam Year, 5 Makaram 925.
Here, His Highness went a jump ahead of what he did to Mundan.
No other King had ever done like thi Further, His Highness converted Vangiyoor into Thiruvananthapuram (Thiru + Anantha + Puram = Thiruvananthapuram) after Ananthapadmanabhan. Furthermore, as his ancestors ruled from Thiruvithamkode, he changed the name of Venad into Travancore. Thus the amalgamated country got a new name for the first time and the History of Travancore started from this day.
Reference: 1. Travancore Manual by Nagam Iiya.
2. Ananthapadmanabhan Varalaru by K.P.Varatharasan.
Note: 1.According to the temple chronicles, Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Kovil had been called Perumal Swamy Koil from the 7th century to till Marthanda Varma changed its name.
2.Perumal Swamy Koil had been the tutelary deity of the Royal House of Venad.
3. Now a small area in Thiruvanathapuram possesses the name Vangiyoor. The present District Court functions at an old building in Vangiyoor. 4. Thiru is a Tamil word equivalent to Mr. in English.
5. When Dalawa Rama Iyen fell ill in 1756, His Highness Marthanda Varma sent heir-apparent Rama Varma to ascertain from the Dalawa his wishes as to the manner in which his name should be perpetuated. He disclaimed any personal right to the proposed honour. He said that he accomplished all his aims. But he added that he was only sorry that he was not permitted to conquer and annex Cochin.