The late 18th-century conflicts between the Kingdom of Travancore, Rama Varma, and Tipu Sultan’s Mysorean forces highlight a significant period of South Indian military history. Central to Travancore’s successful defense was the coordinated resistance of its defenders, notably the warriors trained by the Alummoottil Channars. Their mastery of Kalaripayattu, combined with guerrilla and defensive strategies, contributed to thwarting Mysore’s attempts to breach the Nedumkotta fortifications.
Strategic Context: The Nedumkotta Fortifications
The Nedumkotta, or Travancore Lines, was a strategic defensive structure spanning approximately 48 kilometers along Travancore’s northern frontier. Constructed using clay, mud, stones, laterite, and granite, the fortification included bastions, trenches, moats, concealed passageways, and multi-layered walls. Designed to exploit natural barriers like rivers and marshes, the fortifications served as the first line of defense against invasions from Mysore’s heavily armed forces. The glacis design deflected artillery fire, while crenellations allowed defenders to fire projectiles while staying protected.
The Role of the Alummoottil Channars
The Alummoottil Channars—a martial family renowned for their expertise in traditional and hybrid warfare—were pivotal in organizing and executing the defense of Nedumkotta. They administered several Kalaris (training centers) and trained soldiers in Kalaripayattu, a martial art emphasizing agility, weapon handling, and close-quarter combat.
Their warriors demonstrated proficiency in traditional techniques like Silambam (staff fighting) and Adimurai (bare-handed combat), complemented by knowledge of European military drills. The combination of traditional and modern combat methodologies made them formidable opponents on both conventional and irregular battlefields.
Infantry Tactics and Terrain Exploitation
The infantry trained by the Alummoottil Channars excelled in utilizing the geography of Nedumkotta to their advantage. Defensive strategies included:
- Entrapment Tactics: Strategic placement of ambush points, leveraging natural cover and creating kill zones along anticipated enemy advance routes.
- Poisoning of Resources: Wells and water bodies along Tipu Sultan’s route were poisoned or rendered unusable, disrupting the supply chain of the invading army.
- Fortification Upgrades: Continuous reinforcement of weak points in the Nedumkotta, utilizing mud layers to absorb artillery impacts and repair breaches overnight.
- Use of Urumi and Valum Parichayum: The flexible sword (urumi) and sword-shield combinations (valum parichayum) were integral to countering heavily armored Mysorean infantry during breaches.
Amphibious Operations and Logistics
The proximity of the Vembanad Lake and its tributaries provided the defenders with logistical and tactical advantages. The Alummoottil warriors conducted amphibious operations using lightweight, maneuverable boats, executing precision strikes on Mysorean encampments. Their expertise in living off the land—fishing and foraging—ensured sustained operations despite prolonged sieges.
- Night Raids: Boats were used to approach enemy positions silently at night, allowing defenders to sabotage siege equipment and eliminate sentries.
- Floodgates and Resource Control: The defenders used floodgates to control the water levels in nearby areas, converting farmland into marshes to slow enemy advances and drown siege equipment.
- Rapid Evacuations: Amphibious mobility enabled swift withdrawal into inaccessible waterways, frustrating Mysorean pursuit.
Siege Countermeasures
During the month-long siege of 1791, Tipu Sultan deployed artillery and heavily armed infantry in a concerted effort to breach the Nedumkotta. The defenders countered these tactics through:
- Guerrilla Raids: Small, agile units launched surprise attacks, targeting supply lines and artillery emplacements.
- Obstruction Techniques: Defensive traps included hidden pits, caltrops to disable cavalry, chevaux-de-frise to block infantry, and false trails to mislead advancing troops.
- Fire and Decoy Maneuvers: Controlled fires were set to confuse and disorient Mysorean forces, forcing them into predetermined kill zones.
- Psychological Warfare: Mock troop movements and the use of sound to simulate larger forces demoralized the enemy.
- Burning Siege Engines: Night sorties targeted Mysorean siege towers and trebuchets, ensuring they could not breach fortifications.
Martial Techniques: Silambam and Adimurai
The Channar-trained warriors utilized:
- Silambam (Staff Fighting): The long staff was a versatile weapon for both offense and defense, especially effective in breaking enemy lines and countering mounted troops.
- Adimurai (Bare-Handed Combat): Specialized techniques were employed to incapacitate enemy soldiers during close-quarters engagements, focusing on joint locks and pressure point strikes.
- Shield Formations: Infantry often operated in shield walls, effectively resisting Mysorean charges and artillery bombardments.
Defensive Architecture Features
- Drawbridges and Portcullises: These mechanisms provided controlled entry and exit points, ensuring quick isolation of breached sections.
- Murder Holes: Located in gateways, these openings allowed defenders to drop boiling oil, heavy stones, or incendiaries onto attackers.
- Mangonels and Trebuchets: Defensive catapults targeted enemy siege equipment, ensuring attackers could not establish footholds.
- Ballistae: Large crossbow-like devices deployed on bastions provided precise long-range attacks to neutralize enemy engineers and commanders.
Coordination with Allied Forces
While largely self-reliant, the Channars coordinated with other defensive units and British East India Company allies. British artillery supplemented traditional defenses, while the Channars’ expertise in terrain exploitation ensured cohesive operations.
Leadership During Crisis
In a historic moment, the chief of the Alummoottil Channars reassured Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma, the Maharaja of Travancore, amidst escalating threats:
“Your Majesty, rest assured. Tipu will not cross Odanad and reach Venad as long as the Alummoottil Channars hold this ground.” In Malayalam “തമ്പുരാനെ, ആലുംമൂട്ടീ ചാന്നാർമാർ ഓടനാട്ടിലുള്ളപ്പ ഒരു സുൽത്താനും വേമ്പനാട് കായൽ താണ്ടില്ല. വേണാടിന്റെ ഒരു തരി മണ്ണുപോലും ടിപ്പു സ്വന്തമാക്കില്ല. അങ്ങ് ധൈര്യമായിരിക്കിൻ.”
This declaration symbolizes the unyielding resolve of the family and its chieftain.
Conclusion
The sieges of Nedumkotta underscore the effectiveness of combining traditional martial skills with adaptive defensive strategies. The Alummoottil Channars’ contributions, characterized by their application of Kalaripayattu techniques, terrain mastery, and innovative siege countermeasures, exemplify a comprehensive approach to medieval warfare. Their actions during this critical period not only safeguarded Travancore but also showcased the enduring relevance of indigenous martial traditions in resisting superior adversaries.
