Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (January 3, 1753 - November 30, 1805), popularly known as theLion of Keralawas a prince from the royal dynasty ofPazhassi Kottayamwhich now belongs toKannur DistrictofKerala, inIndia. He had three senior Rajas above him for his claim to the throne. However, when theMysorearmy occupiedMalabarfor a second time (1773–1790) all the senior members of the Kottayam Royal family fled to Travancore. Pazhassi Raja led a well organized guerrilla struggle against the Mysorean invaders, who were far stronger than the Kottayam army. He emerged in the course of time as the most powerful man in Kottayam as people stood firmly behind their beloved prince who had not abandoned them in their hour of misfortune.[1]His troops were drawn from ranks of warriorNairsas well as tribalKurichiasand MullukurumbasThe precise nature of Raja's death is controversial. Folklore insists that he committed suicide by swallowing a diamond ring to avoid capture after he was wounded.
