https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Edachena_KunkanEdachena Kunkan - Revision history2026-07-30T15:38:08ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Edachena_Kunkan&diff=451342&oldid=prevSerzude at 19:31, 21 June 20252025-06-21T19:31:42Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}<br />
'''Edachena Kunkan''' (also known as Edachena Kunkan Nair) was a [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]] [[Nair]] noble from Tirunelli, Wayanad, [[Kerala]], India who joined the war effort of [[Pazhassi Raja]] during the 1770s and became commander of the Raja's army. His younger brothers (Edachena Komappan Nair, Edachena Othenan Nair and Edachena Ammu) joined him as generals. Kunkan was a popular leader in Wayanad, gathering support from people of many classes for Raja's war against the [[East India Company]].{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}<br />
<br />
==Commander==<br />
Under Kunkan's leadership, Pazhassi's troops fought against [[Hyder Ali]] and [[Tipu Sultan]] as far as the outskirts of [[Mysore]]. This enlarged the Raja's sphere of influence, and he claimed territories as far as [[Nanjangud]].{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}<br />
<br />
During Hyder's siege of Thalasseri, with help from Chirakkal and Kadathanad [1779–1782], Raja sent 1,000 troops commanded by Kunkan (who repulsed all assaults by the Mysore army). The siege was later broken by a joint British-Pazhassi attack in 1782.{{Citation needed|date= August 2018}}<br />
<br />
==={{anchor|Capturing of Panamaram fort}}Capture of Panamaram Fort===<br />
The British increased taxes on farmers and demanded half the rice crop, to the dissatisfaction of the Wyanad people. When a member of the British Raj demanded a [[paddy field]], Kunkan killed him and 150 [[Kurichiya]]ns under [[Thalakkal Chanthu|Thalakkal Chandu]] then joined him. With these troops and his brothers' support, Kunkan attacked the fort at [[Panamaram]]. It was guarded by 70 soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the 4th Bombay Infantry under Captain Dickenson and Lieutenant Maxwell; both commanders and 25 soldiers were killed on 11 October 1802.<ref name=memorial/> After massacring the detachment, Kunkan acquired 112 muskets and six boxes of ammunition, with a value of ₹6,000. The buildings were razed, igniting a widespread revolt in Wayanad against British rule.{{Citation needed|date= August 2018}}<br />
<br />
==={{anchor|Guerilla techniques}}Guerilla warfare===<br />
Shortly afterwards, Kunkan went to the [[Pulpally]] Pagoda and appealed to all Wayandians to join the rebel ranks; three thousand men volunteered. From then until early 1804, Pazhassi rebels launched guerrilla attacks on British positions throughout [[North Malabar]], reaching the coastal towns of [[Kannur]], [[Thalassery]] and [[Kozhikode]]. Kunkan confronted the British twice: in 1802 at Wayanad, where he tried to block British troops en route to Mananthavadi and in 1803 when he tried to besiege an outpost at Pazhassi. Both failed, leading him to concentrate on [[guerrilla warfare]]. The British announced a reward of 1,000 [[Pagoda (coin)|pagodas]] for Kunkan's arrest. By November 1805, the rebels were on the run and after Raja's death,{{citation needed|date=February 2019}} Kunkan ("that determined and incorrigible rebel") was killed by British troops at Panniyil (now Pannichal) in [[Edavaka]].<ref name=memorial/><br />
<br />
=={{anchor|Demand for memorial}}Memorial==<br />
The people of Kerala have asked the government to build a memorial at [[Panamaram]] to Kunkan and [[Thalakkal Chanthu]], since the Pazhassi rebellion is considered one of the most important uprisings against the British in South India.<ref name=memorial>{{cite news|last=E.M.|first=Manoj|title=Demand for memorial to tribal warriors|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/15/stories/2008111550740200.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103033555/http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/15/stories/2008111550740200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 January 2013|accessdate=22 October 2012|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=15 November 2008}}</ref><br />
<br />
==In popular culture==<br />
In the 2009 [[Hariharan (director)|Hariharan]] directed film ''[[Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (film)|Pazhassi Raja]]'', [[Mammootty]] played the title role while Edachena Kungan was portrayed, by [[Sarathkumar|Sarath Kumar]].{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}<br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
* [[Pallur Eman]]<br />
* [[Pallur Rayrappan]]<br />
* [[Wynad]]<br />
* [[Battle of Panamarathukotta]]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kunkan, Edachena}}<br />
[[Category:People from Wayanad district]]<br />
[[Category:Malayali people]]<br />
[[Category:Military personnel from Kerala]]</div>Serzude