ANANTHAPADMANABHAN : Part-I

This book deals with the heroic deeds of Ananthapadmanabhan. It shows how he became the master, bodyguard, companion, trusted friend, adviser, principal commander, celebrity and finally the deity of King Marthanda Varma.

It must be stated that there are no clear records to prove anything that happened 300 years ago in the Venad Kingdom.

This book is based on the existing evidences, folk songs of Marthanda Varma era retrieved by Dr.Palavesamuthu Sarveswaran of Chothavilai, Kanyakumari District, from the palmyra tree leaves and the oral statements of the descendants of Ananthapadmanabhan.

Introduction

One day, in March 2013, I happened to meet Mr.K.P. Varatharajan, the 10th descendant of Ananthapadmanabhan. He told me the story of Ananthapadmanabhan. As his native village (Thachan vilai) is quite near to my village (Vellicode), I called on him at his house in Thachan vilai just to know more about Ananthapadmanabhan. He showed a sword, a copper edict and some other materials belonging to Ananthapadmanabhan. Besides, he handed over some books containing –among other things- the folk songs- in Tamil- of King Marthanda Varma era.

Having read Travancore Manual by Nagam Iyya, Marthanda Varma by C.V. Raman Pillai and some other books, the folk songs retrieved by Dr.Palavesamuthu Sarveswaran of Chothavilai, Kanyakumari District, from the palmyra tree leaves, inspired me to write the story of Ananthapadmanabhan for the benefit of the posterity.

Sabarimuthu.V

Author

Vellicode

6-10-2018

Revised on 17-8-2026

Birth

Ananthapadmanabhan was born at his mother’s house in the Charode Palace, in the Kollam year Chingam 24, 873 (1698 A.D.) to Thanumalaya Perumal Asan¹ and Lekshmi Devi. Charode is a place – 700 metre away from the present Padmanabhapuram Palace.

He was brought up at his father’s house of 64 rooms in Thachanvilai in Kannannoor in the Venad nation. Thachanvilai is located in the present day Veyyannoor Village in Kalkulam Taluk in Kanyakumari District in the 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 Babu Arasan and some others called him Ela Veera Rajan⁷.

Later, King Marthanda Varma clubbed Ananthan and Padmanabhan and called him Ananthapadmanabhan.

Thanumalaya Perumal, was a descendant of the Thiruppapur²Royal Family. This family traces its origin to a kingdom called Ay kingdom, and later Chera kingdom³.A copper edict that exists today also indicates that he belonged to a royal family and was a blood relation of King Marthanda Varma.

Thanumalaya Perumal had over one hundred slaves⁴.

Thanumalaya Perumal⁵had been the Principal Commander of King Rama Varma. He had been overseeing weapon making. Moreover, he oversaw the armoury of Venad. Besides, he was the head of 108 martial arts - called Kalari - training centres.

Photo: About Ananthan (from the folk songs- Tamil)

Note:

1. 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 Mekkode Asan, Mekkode 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.

Further, the art known as the Royal Art of Warfare and Medicine, especially for fracture and war wounds, was very famous in in the Venad Kingdom, particularly in the Vilavancode and Kalkulam regions. Athankottu Asan refers to this art as Santor Marai – the science of Santors.

2. According to the temple chronicles, Sri Vira 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.

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 Thiruvithankode⁶and Keralapuram.

6. St. Thomas had built a church at Thiruvithancode. This indicates that Thiruvithankode had been the capital of Venad. A Maha Vishu statue chiselled out of a single stone was found in Tiruvithankode. It is now kept in the Padmanabhapuram Palace museum.

7. It is customary for the people of this area to have multiple names even now (2026). The proper name of the present writer is Sabarimuthu and his pet-name is Francis.

8. The copper edict given by King Marthanda Varma is confirmative record to prove the name ‘Ananthapadmanabhan’.

Ref: 1. Thiruvadi Desam Thiruparpur Paramparai Maaveeran Ananthapadmanabhan Varalaru by Kumari Kavinger K.P.Varatha Rajan.

2.Anotomy of a folklore “Ottan Kathai by Dr. M. Immanual.

2. History of Travancore by Nagam Iiya.

3. Wikipedia

Photo: Thachanvilai (1-4-2013)

The path to Thachanvilai (1-4-2013)

A tree in Thachanvilai (1-4-2013)

The path to Thachan vilai (Photo taken on 1-4-2013)

Photo:Path to Thachanvilai (1-4-2013)

Photo: Sri Bootha Sastha temple at Thachanvilai (1-4-2013).

Photo: At Thachanvilai (1-4-2013)

Iron ore that remains at Thachan vilai (2013). Iron for making weapons was extracted from this kind of ore

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.

Courage, speed, ruthlessness and wisdom were the inherited qualities of Ananthan Perumal.

The debut of Ananthan Perumal was before Prince Rama Varma¹ at Suchindram temple 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.

Later Prince Rama Varma ruled Venad for a short period of time from 1724 to 1728.

Above photo: The sword of Ananthapadmanabhan (Photo taken on 1-4-2013). It is present in the house of Kumari Kavinger K.P. Varatharajan.

A sward kept in the Padmanabhapuram Palace Museum. It resembles the sward present in the house of Kumari Kavinger K.P. Varatharajan..

Marital life

At the age of 21, Ananthan Perumal married the daughter of his maternal uncle, Parvathi Ammai from a Nadalwar family.

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 sought asylum.

Photo: About Marthanda Varma (from the folk songs-Tamil).

Thanumalaya Perumal had been the Principal Commander of King Rama Varma. He had been making weapons for Venad. Further, 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 that situation, it was a bold 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 knew that Marthanda Varma was the legitimate heir to the throne. Therefore, he decided to support him.

Firstly, he asked his son, Ananthan Perumal, to give martial arts training to the Prince as quickly as possible.

Ananthan Perumal imparted all the 64 skills of martial arts -day and night - to him within a span of six months.

Photo: The folk songs in Tamil mentions the period of stay in the house of Thanumalaya Perumal as 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 period.

As a disciple of Ananthan Perumal (Refer Chapter 20), the Prince learnt all the skills and became a skilful 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. His inheritance does not belong to his sons, or his brother, or any of his other relations. The reason attributed was that the king would keep many women outside the royal family and as such his children to such women may not carry the royal blood.

If the king has no sister, a girl from a royal family would be adopted, well-guarded and kept in great esteem. She would not be exposed to the common people and no man can approach her. It was the custom and there were many rigid rules of convention to perpetrate it. No one -it is said- reached the throne by means of the strong hand until the times of King Marthanda Varma. It is a unique system not seen in any other place. This system still exists in the Travancore Royal family.

The loyal subjects accepted it and worshipped the ruler on the throne.

However, a section of the people in every community gradually became very powerful and plotted to change the system of succession. They argued that the matriarchal system of succession that had been followed thereto was fundamentally wrong, as it violated the basic principles of birth right, ignoring the prerogatives of the male. Therefore, they said that the system must be changed forthwith.

Some conspired to extirpate 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 the 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 Aattingal) into three parts. The areas surrounding Kalkulam and Nagercoil palaces were given to his two sons - Pappu Tambi and Raman Tambi (Papu Tambi and Raman Tambi were called 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 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 cleavage in the royal house.

They openly stated in the streets that the matriarchal dynasty would end in the Venad Kingdom with the death of the King Rama Varma. The people, as a rule, considered this a bad portent for the nation.

Photo: About Tambi brothers (from the folk songs-Tamil).

As soon as King Rama Varma died, Tambi brothers accepted this new revolutionary school of thought and decided 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. To check the rebels, Prince Marthanda Varma requested Aattingal (or Attungal) Rani to pay tribute to Azakappa Muthaliar. She, however, refused. The Prince was disappointed. At the same time, 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, majority of the people in Venad were very loyal to Prince Marthanda Varma. However, the Prince felt that he was hemmed on all sides by enemies. He had two options: to escape or be killed. He opted for the former. 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 (Temple) revenues. Some of them had been mere tillers. They did not belong to the same caste or religion. Many present day - (2013AD)- castes were not there about 250 years ago.

2. The East India Company, in the year 1728, obtained permission from Prince Marthanda Varma of Neyyattinkara to construct a go-down at Colachel in the year 1728. This indicates that the East India Company considered Prince Marthanda Varma as the legitimate heir to the throne.

3. Kalippan Kulam still exists. It is in the Padmanabhapuram Fort in the Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu state. The name indicates that children were enticed to play in that pond. However, some historians say that it is at Manacaud, near Thiruvanathapuram. In fact, in rare cases, the same name is given to two different places. For instance, Aruvikkara. There is an Aruvikkara near Thiruvattar. There is another Aruvikkara near Thiruvananthapuram

4. According to some historians, Marthanda Varma was the son of the sister of King Rama Varma. The room in which Queen lived exists today in the Padmanabhapuram Palace.

According to some other historians Marthanda Varma was born at Kilimanoor Palace in 1706 to the Queen of Venad, who was adopted in 1688 from Kolathini family of Malabar as Queen of Aattingal.

The name of his father was Raghava Varma of Kilimanoor Palace 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. However, they say that Prince Marthanda Varma was brought up in the Kalkulam Palace.

5. It is said that a king of Venad had no heir. His sister’s son became the King of Venad. After that, “Marumakkathayam was perpetrated. This happened around the year 1300 A.D during the period of King Kulasekara Perumal. After that the Royal family split into two clans. There are no records to prove this.

6. Kulasekara Perumal is worshipped as a deity. He has separate alters in some temples as in Melankode temple. He is called Kulasekara Thampuran in such temples. Some people say that he gave land for constructing a Mosque at Thiruvitankode, became a Muslim and went to Mecca.

The death of Thanumalaya Perumal

As Thanumalaya Perumal, father of Ananthan Perumal, could not be defeated in a straight fight, one Kunchu Neelan – it is believed- poisoned him to death. Ananthan Perumal 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.

Mundan had been a slave of Thanumalaya Perumal of Pottayadi.

Mundan was a very intelligent man. The Prince 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 the enemies of Prince Marthanda Varma.

Photo: Ananthapadmanabhan was laid to rest in this place. An old vessel is seen.

Photo: Mr. K.P. Varatharajan holding the document- copper edict

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 others were put in prison. The atrocities disturbed Ananthan.

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 folk songs 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 heart-breaking 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 kids 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 strong force 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 lightning speed. 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."

Photo: Battle of Mankode mentioned in the folk songs in Tamil

Photo: The suggestion of Ananthan to enter the Kalkulam Palace (folk songs -Tamil)

Note:

1. Whenever Prince Marthanda Varmawas in danger, he used to think of Maha Vishnu / Perumal Swamy. Ananthan used to appear in the danger spot to save him. The Princecould not tell whether it was due to his divine power or due to the supernatural or magical power of Ananthan. This happened on many occasions. C.V. Raman Pillai’s narration does indicate that Ananthan possessed some supernatural / magical powers.

2. Being a novel, C.V. Raman Pillai had not used the word Ananthan but used another name.

3. Mankode is a place near to Thikkanamkode in the present Kalkulam Taluk of Kanyakumari District.

The refusal of the Prince

The lancers had no evidence to show that Prince Marthanda Varma was killed in the Battle of Mankode. They narrated what happened at Mankode to Pappu Tambi.

The infuriated Pappu Tambi asked the guards in the Kalkulam Fort to arrest the man who killed the lancers to save the Prince.

The guards trampled over the feelings of the people and dragged many suspects to the Kalkulam Fort. Their kith and kin followed them. One of the suspects had no connection with the Mankode incident. Hence, he could not furnish the required information to Pappu Tambi. In a minute his innocent head- according to C.V. Rama Pillai- rolled in the dust.

Soon more guards returned bringing in more and more suspects. All suspects belonged to the community of Ananthan Perumal. None of them were able to enlighten the enraged Tambi. They too paid their penalty with their lives. “Soon the palace courtyard became filled with corpses, and the air reeked with the sickening stench of clotted human blood and the plaintive cries of the innocent victims”. After some time, the guards brought another suspect. 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 with the support of the assembled crowd to seize power. But the latter refused to do so. The Prince considered the suggestion a suicidal one, for he suspected the presence of guns in the fort.

Instead, Prince Marthanda Varma requested Ananthan Perumal to take him to the Madura King.

Photo: The idea of Prince Marthanda Varma as given in the folk songs -Tamil)

A great escape

Prince Marthanda Varma, Ananthan Perumal, Mundan, Mekkode 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 crossing 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 Mekkode Asan obliged.

They set out for Pottayadi – a border place about 40 km away from Mankode. They avoided Kottar, Suchindram and Parakai because Tambi brothers had many supporters in those places.

They reached the house of Thanumalai in the morning.

Thanumalai gave them milk, honey, banana and flour balls.

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.

A folk song in Tamil 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

Concluded 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 Veeranarayanachery

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

After that they saw Adukku Pottai

Crossing the broad pass, they went beyond Pottai

And stood near the door of Thanumalai”.

Photo: Mention of Thanumalaya Perumal in the folk songs in Tamil

Reference:

InTamil, the Oottan Kathai Nattupura Varalattu Kathi Padal of Marthanda Varma era.

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.

Photo: Demands of Prince Marthanda Varma as mentioned in the folk songs- in Tamil.

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 to the present Holy Cross College, Nagercoil.

Ananthan and his men had no hiding place. It became a life and death problem to them. Ananthan had two options - to kill or be killed. He opted for the former.

Instantly, he unsheathed his sword from its scabbard and took a few deliberate steps to engage them. Then, walking back and forth he stretched his sword. In the ensuing battle, he slaughtered his enemies with lightning speed. Some managed to escape his sword and ran for life. Along with the dead bodies were the fatally wounded Tambi brothers.

Photo: Battle of Panchavankad as mentioned in the folk songs -in Tamil

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 without any resistance.

The supporters of Tambi brothers regrouped at Kalliyankad, a place near to Parvathipuram in Nagercoil.This place is about 4 kilometre away from Panchavankad. However, the Ananthan men ambushed them and killed them.

A few women survived. One among them was the sister of Tambi brothers called Kochu Thnagai.

However, Kochu Thangai, instead of being killed by the Ananthan men, plucked her own tongue and committed suicide.

She was a virgin. There was a belief that the virgins possessed some divine power. There exists a temple to remember her. It is called Kalliankattu Neeli Temple. Many people visit this temple.

The statue of Kalliankad Neeliplaced on an alter in front of theKalliankad Neeli temple.

Photo: The renovated Kalliyankad Neeli temple. The stone inscriptions are not seen after the renovation.

Photo: Kalliankad Neeli temple

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 the Palace in Nagercoil.

Note: 1.The present Office of the Superintendent of Police functions at the old Palace in Nagercoil.

References:1. In Tamil- Oottan Kathai Naattuppura Varalattu Kathi, (The Tamil folk song of Marthanda Varma era).

2. The people later named many places around Panchavankad after Ananthan such as Ananthan kal, Ananthan kulam, Ananthanadar Kudiyiruppu

The end of Mundan

Mundan stayed at a ruined hut in Thovalai. He wandered around that area disguised as Prince Marthanda Varma in the morning. The soldiers of Tambi brothers mistook him as Prince Marthanda Varma and 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 fatally cut in a battle. They, therefore, took him towards Pottayadi.

When they reached Pottayadi, Mundan smiled at them. Infuriated by this, 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 marutha tree.

Photo: Mundan mentioned in the folk songs in Tamil

Photo: Murder of Mundan mentioned in the folk songs in Tamil.

Reference: In Tamil –Oottan Kathai Varalattu Naattupura Kathai Padal Pages 27-28 (Tamil Folk songs)

The destruction of the enemies

After the death of Thambi brothers, the rebels and the 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 destroyed the houses of the hardcore rebels in every community in many places-Melankode, Neyyattinkara, Vanchiyoor (later Thiruvananthapuram) included. All those who resisted his attack were killed. In some places women were captured and auctioned.

In the present-day standards (2026) 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.

Photo: The reaction of Prince Marthanda Varma to the murder of Mundan in the Tamil folk songs.

Note: King Rama Varma died in 1728 and Prince Marthanda Varma became the King in 1729 only.

The sword of Anantha Padmanabhan in the hand his 10th descendant, Mr.K.P. Varatharasan.

Photo: Below: Mr. Murugaprasad, the 11th descendant of Ananthan Perumal

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 had been murdered.

The main deity in that temple is Mundan. The temple is called Mundaswamy koil. To celebrate the festival every year, he granted enough 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.

Photo: The statue of Mundan on the alter at the Kalliankad Neeli temple.

Photo: Another statue of Mundan in the Kalliankad Neeli temple

Thus, Marthanda Varma raised Mundan to the status of a deity because he died for him. He simply saw every selfless human being as an incarnation of God.

No other King had done like this for a slave.

Photo: Transformation of Mundan into a deity as mentioned in the Tamil folk songs.

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 (prayers) are performed with jaggery and sesame because Mundan was eating balls composed of jaggery and sesame when he was caught.

4. In expiation of the sins incurred by the war, alters were constructed in many temples and pujas performed for the victims. Pujas are being performed in many places even today (2026)

5. It was customary to deify men and kings for their valour or for their service to society in the Venad kingdom. King Kulasekara Perumal is worshipped as a deity in the Melancode temple as Kulasekara Thamburan.

Annexation of small kingdoms

After consolidating his position as the King of Venad, Marthanda Varma, wanted to annex Aattingal (also called Attungal).

It is said that Aattingal had claimed sovereignty over Venad. According to some historians both Marthanda Varma and the Queen of Aattingal - called Tamburetties - belonged to the same Chera clan. But she had taken some decisions affecting the sovereignty of Venad (Refer back – Chapter 4).

Therefore, Marthanda Varma issued orders to his Principal Commander, Ananthan Perumal, to attack Aattingal. Ananthan had become such a terror, the Rani of Aattingal surrendered without resistance. She was pensioned off.

Kilimannoor, ruled by the members of the Venad family, was also annexed. Later, he granted autonomous status to it. The reason was that this county had defeated the Dutch in a small battle.

Kollam was attacked in 1731 and a treaty was signed.

References:

1.History of Travancore by Nagam Iyya.

2. Thiruvadi Desam Thiruparpur Paramparai Maaveeran Ananthapadmanabhan Varalaru.

3.The Queen of Auttugal was a powerful ruler. She had a large territory of her own independent of Venad. It is said that Auttingal and Tiruppapur were two ‘Swarupams’

Note: Some historians say that 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 the Dalawa (Chief Secretary). 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 hands of the enemies and returned to the Palace at Charode along with eight other Asans.

The King and the Dalawa stayed in Kayamkulam like the birds without wings.

ANANTHAPADMANABHAN

Sunday, August 16, 2026

Part-I

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