Pauls Multiple Choice Quiz 1

1. Due to superstition, what didn't Bjorn Borg do at Wimbledon?
a. shave b. wash c. change his socks d. brush his teeth

2. Countries from which continent boycotted the 1976 summer Olympics in Montreal?
a. Europe b. Africa c. Asia d. South America

3. What is the old name for Sri Lanka?
a. Spice Islands b. Mandalay c. Ceylon d. East Pakistan

4. Karol Wojtyla is better known under which name?
a. Pope John Paul II b. Liberace c. Carole King d. Santa

5. What was he name of the infamous nuclear reactor in Harrisburg Penn.?
a. 1 mile island b. 3 mile island c. 9 mile creek d. 16 mile creek

6. Anna Pavlowa excelled in which of the following?
a. ballet b. chess c. painting d. tennis

7. Which three letters replaced CQD?
a. SOS b. KGB c. TNT d. FYI

8. The crown of which New York City landmark was originally built as an airship dock?
a. Chrysler Building b. Empire State Building c. Statue of Liberty d. Trump Tower

9. The Agony and the Ecstasy was a book and film about which man?
a. Churchill b. Jesus c. Michaelangelo d. Marquis de Sade

10. What was the number of the last Apollo mission?
a. 13 b. 14 c. 17 d. 22

ANSWERS
1. a. shave
2. b. Africa
3. c. Ceylon
4. a. Pope John Paul II
5. b. 3 mile island
6. a. ballet
7. a. SOS
8. b. Empire State Building
9. c. Michaelangelo
10. c. 17

General Knowledge - produced using the Multiple Choice Quiz ...

Introduction

This book is for the convenience of members of www.gkguru.com for referring Logical Reasoning Questions and Answers off-line. Book contains Multiple Choice, Logical Reasoning Questions and Answers from General Intelligence section of www.gkguru.com. This is Volume - 1 in this section. Total number of questions included here are 50 Nos. All the questions are of Analogy type. Analogy means 'correspondence' ie; it deals with some sort of similarity.
This book has been compiled keeping in mind the requirements of various competitive examinations in India [Bank, Railway, NDA, LIC, CDS, UPSC, Police Inspector's, Sale Tax Officer Tests, Entrance Tests (MBA, MCA, etc.) etc].
Near each question a value is given (A1, A2, A3 etc..), click on these when the mouse cursor changes from N to J , you will be guided to the Answer page containing solutions.
If you find any mistakes or errors in the contents, please inform us for correction. We are expecting your valuable suggestions about this book for improving our contents and future editions.

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Directions ( 1 - 4 ) : In each of the following questions , two words indicated by I and II have been left out . The correct word to come in place of I is given as one of the four alternatives against I and the correct word to come in place of II is given as one of the four alternatives against II . Read with the correct words , there is some relationship between the two words to the left of the sign ( : : ) and the same relationship obtains between the two words to the right of the sign ( : : ) . The correct combination is given as one of the four alternatives (a ) , (b ) , (c ) , and (d ) . Find the correct combination in each case .
1 I : Sword :: Thread : II
I. [A] Dagger [B] Knife [C] Warrior [D] Kill
II. [P] Needle [Q] Tailor [R] Rope [S] Stitch
(a) BR (b) DS (c) AP (d) CQ A1
2 I : Sheep :: Sanatorium : II
I. [A] Kennel [B] Fold [C] Bray [D] Farrow
II. [P] Horses [Q] Soldiers [R] Invalids [S] Fishes
(a) AS (b) DQ (c) BR (d) CP A2
3 I : Prison :: Curator : II
I. [A] Jailer [B] Culprit [C] Cell [D] Warder
II. [P] Cure [Q] Museum [R] Curiosity [S] Maturity
(a) AS (b) CP (c) AQ (d) BR A3
4 I : Ocean :: Stone : II
I. [A] Glacier [B] Lake [C] Continent [D] River
II. [P] Rock [Q] Pebble [R] Granite [S] Mountain
(a) AR (b) BP (c) CS (d) DQ A4
Directions ( 5 - 1 0 ) : The following questions consist of two words each that have a certain relationship to each other , followed by four lettered pairs of words . Select the lettered pair that has the same relationship as the original pair of words .
5 Yawn : Boredom
(a) Anger : Madness (b) Dream : Sleep
(c) Smile : Amusement (d) Impatience : Rebellion A5
6 Stare : Glance
(a) Gulp : Sip (b) Confide : Tell (c) Hunt : Stalk (d) Step : Walk A6
7 Embarrass : Humiliate
(a) Enquire : Ask (b) Embezzle: Peculate
(c) Gamble : Investment (d) Annoy : Exasperate A7






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8 Explosion : Destruction
(a) Talk : Exaggeration (b) Woman :Girl
(c) Success : Failure (d) Engagement : Marriage A8
9 Sigh : Relief
(a) Tear : Joy (b) Trembling : Fear (c) Carelessness : Accident (d) Hot : Sweat A9
10 Range : Mountain
(a) Point : Line (b) Bouquet : Flower (c) School : Class (d) String :Bead A10
Directions (11- 1 5 ) : In each of the following questions , some words are given which are related in some way . The same relationship obtains among the words in one of the four alternatives given under it . Find the correct alternative .
11 Evaporation : Cloud : Rain
(a) Sneezing :Cough : Cold (b) Accident : Injury : Pain
(c) Tanning : leather : Purse (d) Bud: Flower : Fragrance A11
12 Lizard : Reptile : Insects
(a) Fox : Wolf : Forest (b) Fly : Insect : Bee
(c) Man : Omnivorous : Meat (d) Tiger : Mammal : Deer A12
13 Smile : Laugh : Cry
(a) Sit : Sleep : Play (b) frown : Anger : Temper
(c) Morning : Night : Day (d) Touch : Catch : Release A13
14 France : Spain : Germany
(a) Japan : China :Turkey (b) Sri Lanka : Japan : India
(c) Iraq : Kuwait : Iran (d) Canada: California : Mexico A14
15 Morning : Evening : Dusk
(a) Triangle : Quadrilateral : Pentagon (b) Happy : Gay : Excited
(c) Summer : Winter : Autumn (d) Botany : Zoology : Physiology A15
16 In the following question, choose that set of numbers from the four alternative sets,
that is similar to the given set?
Given set : (49, 25, 9)
(a) [36, 16, 4] (b) [36, 25, 16] (c) [39, 26, 13] (d) [64, 27, 8] A16
Directions (17- 2 0 ) : In each of the following questions , a group of three
i nterrelated words is given . Choose a word from the given alternatives ,
t hat belongs to the same group .
17 Sitar : Guiter : Tanpura
(a) Trumpet (b) Violin (c) Harmonium (d) Mridanga A17
18 Potato : Carrot : Raddish
(a) Tomato (b) Spinach (c) Sesame (d) Groundnut A18

Abbreviations

AIDWA : All India Democratic Women’s Association.

BVRAAM : Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile.

CJP : Citizen for Justice and Peace.

CBEC : Central Board of Excise and Customs.

CIET : Central Institute of Educational Technology.

CAMPA : Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority.

C–DAP : Comprehensive District Agriculture Plan. It is a plan formulated by the government of Haryana to boost agriculture in the State

.DPCC : Delhi Pollution Control Committee

.DUAC : Delhi Urban Art Commission

.EGOM : Empowered Group of Ministers.
FIA : Federal Investigation Agency. The FIA is the Central Investigation Agency of Pakistan which probes criminal acts, especially terrorist attacks.

GPS : Global Positioning System.

IDP : Internally Displaced Persons. The reference is to persons in the LTTE held territories in Sri Lanka, which were overrun by the Sri Lankan military during zts operations against the former.

ICFAI : Society—The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India, Society, Hyderabad.

IUCAA : Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics. The IUCAA is one of the five inter-university research centres of the University Grants Commission.IRNSS : The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System.

JUCCCE : Joint U.S.–China Cooperation on Clean Energy.

JEM : Justice and Equality Movement.

JEM is a rebel group active in Sudan against the incumbent President Omar al-Beshir.

JOC : Joint Operation Centre. It is the new command centre set up at INS Angre in South Mumbai for Navy and coast guard forces for ensuring India’s western coastal security.LSGIs : Local Self-Governing Institutions.

MRMR : Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance. The medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance (MR- MR) are the planes which India proposes to buy from the United States of America to strengthen the reconnaissance wing of its navy.

NBER : National Bureau of Economic Research.

NPCIL : Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.

NFC : Nuclear Fuel Complex.

NCPCR : National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

NCHAC : North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council.

NCPCR : National Commission for Protection of Child Right.

PEAIS : Panchayatiraj Empowerment and Accountability Incentive System. It is a system evolved by the Central Government in a bid to devolve power and funds to local self-governing institutions to make decentralization a success.

PAD : People’s Alliance for Democracy.

PHWRs : Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors.

RGGVY : Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana. This rural electrification project was launched at Kollumedu village, near Chennai in Tamil Nadu in February 2009.

SJVN : Satlaj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd.TAR : Trans-Asian Railway.

UNRWA : The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (for Palestinian refugees).
[ Read More... ]
0 comments Labels: Abbreviations Current Abbreviations
A.C.D. — Asian Co-operation Dialogue

A.D.S. — Air Defence Ship

A.I.D.S. — Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

A.T.G.M. — Anti-Tank Guided Missile

A.P.E.D.A. — Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority

A.U. — African Union

A.W.A.N. — Army Wide Area Network

B.P.O. — Business Process Outsourcing

C.C.I. — Consumer Confidence Index; Cricket Club of India

C.D.M.A. — Code Division Multiple Access

C.I.S. — Commonwealth of Independent States

C.I.B.I.L. — Credit Information Bureau (India) Ltd.

C.N.G. — Compressed Natural Gas

C.R.I.S.I.L. — Credit Rating and Information Services of India Ltd.

C.S.T.O. — Collective Security Treaty Organisation

D.M.R.C. — Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

D.O.T.S. — Directly Observed Treatment Short Course

E.A.S. — East Asia Summit

E.E.C. — Eurasian Economic Community

E.D.C.I.L. — Educational Consultants India Ltd.

G.C.M.M.F. — Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation

G.P.R.S. — General Packet Radio Service

G.S.L.V. — Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle

G.U.A.M. — Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova

I.C.D.S. — Integrated Child Development Services

I.F.C.I. — Industrial Finance Corporation of India

I.G.C.A.R. — Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research

I.G.N.O.U. — Indira Gandhi National Open University

I.I.S.E.R. — Indian Institutes of Science and Educational Research

I.N.M.A.S. — Institute of Nuclear Medicines and Allied Sciences

I.P.C.C. — International Panel on Climate Change

I.T.E.R. — International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor

NASSCOM — National Association of Software and Service Companies

N.B.R.C. — National Brain Research Centre

N.C.A. — National Cricket Academy, Nuclear Command Authority

N.C.A.O.R. — National Centre for Antarctica and Ocean Research

N.D.I.C. — Natural Disaster Information System

N.D.M.A. — National Disaster Management Authority

N.E.A. — National Environment Authority

N.F.W.P. — National Food for Work Programme

N.P.C.L. — Nuclear Power Corporation of India

N.R.E.G.A. — National Rural Employment Guarantee Act

N.R.H.M. — National Rural Health Mission

N.S.G. — Nuclear Suppliers’ Group; National Security Guards

O.C.I. — Overseas Citizen of India

O.I.C. — Overseas Indian Citizenship

O.S.C.E. — Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe

P.H.D.C.C.I. — Progress, Harmony and Development Chambers of Commerce and IndustryP.H.F.I. — Public Health Foundation of India

P.O.S.C.O. — Pohang Steel Company

P.O.T.A. — Prevention of Terrorism Act

Q.I.B. — Qualified Institutional BuyerQ.I.P. — Qualified Institutional Placement

R.T.R.A. — Rail Tariff Regulatory Authority

S.A.I. — Sports Authority of India

S.A.A.R.C. — South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation

S.C.R.A.M.J.E.T. — Supersonic Combustion Ramjet

S.G.R.Y. — Sampoorna Grameen Rojgar Yojana

S.M.S. — Short Message Service; Subscriber Management System

S.R.S.F. — Special Railway Safety Fund

T.I.N. — Tax Payers’ Identification Number

T.R.A. — Tea Research Association

T.R.I.P.S. — Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights

U.A.P.A. — Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act

U.N.F.P.A. — United Nations Fund for Population Activities

V.A.A. — Virgin Atlantic Airlines

VAT — Value Added Tax

W.C.C.B. — Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

W.E.M. — World Environment Forum

WIPO — World Intellectual Property Organisation

W.L.L. — Wireless in Local Loop

W.M.D. — Weapons of Mass Destruction [ Read More... ]

10 Success Sutras to Crack IAS Exam

1. What makes one successful and another failure in Mains?All the candidates are having books, all the candidates are dedicated to work and most of them attend coaching institutions, take guidance from seniors and friends but what makes one success and another failure. Students say they studied for 18 hours and still they couldn't make mains. Others say they studied only for 8-9 hours and could make mains. Why these differences. The difference between successful candidates and the failure candidates is same as difference between ordinary and extra-ordinary persons.
One who is able to make mains never counts the hours and how many books he/she has read. But they know what to read, what not to read, how much to read, how to use when required writing the answers. Civil Service exam never wants one to be ideal. It requires creativity, innovativeness within the candidates, who lack to use his/her knowledge properly they feel tough to clear the exam. Before starting the preparation find out properly what to read, what not to read, what types of question are asked from particular topics. After taking guidance from others put your own strategy, don't follow their strategy it may not be suitable for you,
Better strategy makes one success in mains.
2. Going through SyllabusThis year there is change in the syllabus of General-Studies and also optional paper. Don't get tense when somebody says there is change in syllabus. Civil Service exam tries to select candidates who are creative and innovative and aware of day to day life. Accordingly, syllabus has been changed.
First go through General Studies syllabus thoroughly and try to be perfect with the syllabi. If you know syllabus, 20% of your work is over. It helps you what to read and what not to read. Don't neglect the added syllabus. Always questions will be asked from the new syllabus. Try to think what type of questions may come from particular topic. What is the relevance of particular topic in today's life?
In the same way go through the added topics of both optional and try to cover them first. Old candidates may know other parts of the syllabus only added syllabus they have to be perfect. New-comers have to know whole syllabus before starting their studies.
3. Having balanced approach towards OptionalCandidates have to select too optiona1 for mains. Most of the candidates take one optional same for both prelims and mains. Some may have different optional papers for prelims and two different optionals for mains. Both the optional papers should be given same weightage. Don’t neglect the optional which you were having for prelims.. Don't think already that you have studied for prelims and can give less time for mains. There are many students who are unable to score more than 300 marks in first optional but easily they can score more than 300 marks in second optional. This is because way of approach for study differs. Student might know concepts but unable to use where it is required. Therefore study both optionals simultaneously. Marks of both optional are important to be successful in exam.
Considering question number 1 and 5 is equally important Question number 1 and 5 play very important role in getting good score. From both the optionals we have 480 marks for these questions. Therefore, practice writing short answers while preparing. Study previous year questions and analyze what type of questions has been asked from particular topics. Try to cover all the points within 200 words. Read the questions properly and answer according to the nature of the question. While studying try to note down topics where short notes can be asked and write points for that topic and keep. That will help during revision.
4. Exclusive skills for presenting answerAfter the prelims exams and till the exam date everyone study. But, in Civil Service main exam only studying is not important. But here important is how one is using his knowledge to write particular paper within three hours. What one writes during these three hours makes one topper and anther failure. Here how much you studied it doesn't matter, but how you are using your knowledge to write particular answer. Therefore while studying, always think what type of questions may be asked from particular topics and what points to be included to make different from others.
Many times we hear students saying they have done their exams very well. Question paper was very easy. But still they are unable to make mains. Why? When question paper is given they never try to read full question. If they come across the words they know they start writing answers. They might have written wrong answer also. There they make mistakes. First, study questions properly and understand what has been asked. Then think what to be written for that answer. Write up to the point answers. While writing 60 marks answers follow one strategy. When you read question, take always last page of your answer booklet and start writing the points what all to be included in that answer. Because while writing suddenly you may forget the points, these points give hints to continue the answer and make to be within the track. .
Don't repeat the paragraphs. If graphs, pie-charts, flow charts are required draw them to make examiner know what you have written. Always follow word-limit. If you think you know more about that answer and start writing more on that answer, you cannot complete the paper within a given time. Always try to give positive points. Don't mention anybody's name. Write such type of inputs which makes your answer different from others.
5. Current AffairsCurrent Affairs play leading role in the Civil Service main exam. Students try to buy many current affairs magazine and they think they studied more instead of that studied from one magazine and be a regular reader of newspaper. Whatever you read, try to make note of it, It helps to revise. Without revising you cannot remember the points. Study previous years question paper and try to analyse what type of questions have been asked from current affairs. See whether there is any change in asking questions from one year to another.
General Studies first paper contains national affairs, social issues, geographical issues and etc. And General Studies second paper includes international affairs, economics, science and technology, statistics. All these topics are related to current affairs. Therefore concentrate more on current affairs. The students having stronghold on current affairs are able to score more than 300 marks in General Studies. Current Affairs also play leading role optional. Same of the optionals like Public Administration, Political Science, Science, and Sociology require current trends. Therefore one must be aware what type of current affairs is required for particular topic. Here one should remember only reading current affairs never give marks. Try to revise it again and again and you will be able to recollect during the exam. Preparing current affairs should be continuous process and don't think some days can be allotted for it.
6. Two marker questions and 20 wordsAlways small things make great thing happen. That means, too marker questions are very important to score more than 300 marks in General Studies. Usually students think, it's only two marks, they can write them without any strategy. But when you really sit for writing you will understand how much difficult are those. To write these questions you must evolve good strategy. While reading newspaper you may come across some personalities, places and terms try to write on them about in 20 words. Keep on practicing. If answer is written up to the mark you can get full marks. If you ask any topper, he always says that he gave importance to two markers.
To make yourself different from others, prepare your own strategy in order to study these two marks questions. Go through previous years questions and try to write yourself for those questions. While reading any newspaper, magazine or book, note down the words and write on that topic.
In exam hall, write up to the point. This can come only by practice. Questions will be from Indian polity, economies, history, culture, science and technology, geographical concepts, personalities. While studying, make different note on different topics thus it helps to revise properly.
7. Selective StudyAll the candidates who are preparing for civil service main examination know the importance of selective study. Being selective is how much useful in preparation how it makes one comfortable.
When students, who are preparing for examination, see the vast syllabus, they find themselves in confusing state. It is like throwing one into the sea; That means syllabus is so vast if they sit for preparing simply without making any selection. One needs complete one year to read whole syllabus. By that time exams are on the head, candidates are not fully prepared in each topic and after reading the entire syllabus they are not even in position to tackle anyone question perfectly. Therefore, selective study is very important in civil service preparation. One should know what to study, what to be given more importance, what not to be studied and etc.
Once study whole syllabus completely. They should take some 3-4 previous year question .papers and study the topics thoroughly. This help to decide on which topics frequently questions are asked and on which topic analytical questions are coming, on which topic short questions are coming and so on. By going through previous year question paper one can understand what to study' in current affairs. This makes one to be selective while reading newspapers.' Otherwise one has to spend more time on newspapers.
Syllabus of optional subjects are also vast, sp candidates often have many books to cover the topics but they cannot read all of them so here also being selective is very important. Try to read standard books and recollect the points what you have read and how it is useful in writing the answers. Selective study hopes you to answer any question asked on that topic.
Most of the toppers follow strategy of being selective. It is not wise to waste time in reading which is not required for the exam. One should have proper approach towards study the optional subjects to get success at mains.
8. Importance of Compulsory PapersEnglish and any other Indian language and one essay paper are compulsory for civil service main examination. Its nature is of qualifying nature so often candidates think that hey easily can write them and clear these papers. But after each result actually we see that many students are unable to clear language papers. Even some candidates await there result positively and actually they did very well at there exam but finally language papers create a big hurdle. So never underestimate these too language papers and do not neglect them. Here their importance is more. Without qualifying these papers, you cannot at mains. Therefore, they cannot be neglected. These are considered as first step to clear mains. Therefore, be perfect with grammar, essay writing, precise writings.
The students who are getting good marks in essay can definitely get success in mains. Essay paper plays important role in getting good rank. This paper is for 200 marks. One Who writes good essay can get upto 140 marks. This makes great difference between an ordinary student and an extra-ordinary student. To write essay one should have comprehensive thinking. While preparing, don't prepare a few topics. Prepare general way. Select topics like global warming, social change, and development-oriented topics, globalization, terrorism, democracy' and prepare on these' topics in general way.
Particular topics won't be asked in the exam. But whatever you have studied can be used in anyway while writing essay. Read all the topics of essay at least once, and then select which topic you feel comfortable. Then take last page of your answer booklet and note down all the points you know so that you will not forget the main points while you writing the essay. Then arrange the points in accordance with their importance and there should be continuation of paragraphs. . .
Always write common language, don't use complicated words and don't bring optional concepts into the essay.' Essay paper also marks the assessment of your personality. Therefore be careful while choosing the topics and while writing the essay paper.
9. 2600 Marks to be covered in 100 daysCivil Service Main Examination is an examination of 2600 marks. In that two compulsory language papers have 300 marks each. They are qualifying papers and are important to clear the main examination. After preliminary examination there will be 150 days available for preparing for mains; But while choosing second optional and collecting books candidates waste some 40 to 50 days. Only reaming will be 100 days to go far mains. these 100 days are crucial for everyone. Aspirants have to cover some 100 topics in optional and some 100 topics in General Studies.
To achieve one's goal within 100 days, one has to follow proper strategy. Planning is very important to complete studies. 100 days can be split into two parts: first 80 days for studying and remaining 20 days for revision. Main examination requires how you analytically think over the .topic. Therefore, revision helps one to know how one can recollect the points. Study all the subjects simultaneously. Equal weightege should be given to all the papers. According to your comfortability with subject allot your time for study and make planning every week. Change the planning according to the topics to be covered.Planning helps to use 100 days fruitfully to achieve the goal.
10. What to follow: during preparation and in examination hall(a) Read limited books. Don't try to read more books. Read fewer books and gain more from them. Read only one or two newspapers and follow anyone book on current affairs.
Reading more books make you what to remember or not.(b) Be selective while reading a newspaper. From the beginning of your preparation build the habit of reading what is important from the exam point of view. Spend only 45 minutes to 60 minutes for newspaper daily.
(c) Always plan your studies. For a week and also for a day. This helps to complete the syllabus within a time.
(d) In the name of selective study don't leave what to be studied. Don't go only for popular topics study what may be asked in the mains.
(e) Prepare your own notes. But don't spend more time in preparing notes. Make point-wise notes which can be reversed very easily with less time.
(f) Don't run from difficult topics. Get clarified from somebody else and simply don't leave difficult topics. Don't give importance to what you know. Give less time for what you know and more time for studying difficult topics.
(g) Make more and more practices for writing answers. Don't be lazy. At least p1ake thehabit of writing points to be included in that answer.
(h) While writing answer in examination hall, I don't cross the word-limit. If you cross the word I limit, you cannot manage to write all the answers.
(i) Statistics carries 40'marks in General Studies. Give importance to this section while IIpreparation and also in the examination hall. In the examination hall, keep last 20 minutes for statistics and don't take it first. Practice makes you to solve the problem within a time limit.
(J) Last point is very important. Don't be hurry while reading the question paper. Read slowly word by word and you can understand what is asked. Otherwise, there is a chance of writing wrong answer. Therefore, follow questions' properly.[ Read More... ]

Current General Knowledge 2009

1. The Rs. 12,400 crore manned space mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is scheduled for launch by—
(A) 2020(B) 2015(C) 2030(D) 2012Ans : (B)

2. India plans a manned mission to the moon by—
(A) 2020(B) 2025(C) 2030(D) 2012Ans : (A)

3. A Judge (of a High Court) may be removed from his office by the President in the manner provided in clause (4) of ……… for the removal of a judge of the Supreme Court.
(A) Article 125(B) Article 124(C) Article 126(D) Article 127Ans : (B)

4. In order to remove judges of the Supreme Court or High Court through impeachment proceedings a motion is addressed to the President signed by at least—
(A) 100 members of Lok Sabha or 50 members of Rajya Sabha(B) 50 members of Rajya Sabha or 150 members of Lok Sabha(C) 80 members of Lok Sabha or 30 members of Rajya Sabha(D) 60 members of Lok Sabha or 70 members of Rajya SabhaAns : (A)

5. Recently India and US have signed a pact on—
(A) petroleum(B) biofuels(C) atomic energy(D) None of theseAns : (B)

6. According to the UNICEF’s flagship report, ‘State of the World’s Children’ (2009) the number of women dying every year in India in Child Births is—
(A) 75000(B) 77000(C) 70000(D) 78000Ans : (D)

7. The Planning Commission has approved an ambitious scheme known as the Van Panchayat Yojna aiming at achieving the target of covering …………… of India’s geographical area with trees.(A) 35%(B) 40%(C) 33%(D) 28%Ans : (C)

8. The Latest Forest Survey of India says that only ………… of the country’s land was covered with trees.(A) 30%(B) 22%(C) 23%(D) 20%Ans : (C)

9. India has recently signed a pact for supply of reactors with—
(A) Areva(B) U.S.A.(C) Russia(D) JapanAns : (A)

10. The last U.S.A. military base in Central Asia which was voted out by Kyrgyzstan’s Parliament was situated at—
(A) Manas(B) Astana(C) Bishkek(D) TashkantAns : (A)

11. Currently the Prime Minister of Iceland is—
(A) Geir Haarde(B) Hugo Chavez(C) Johanna Sigurdardottir(D) None of the aboveAns : (C)

12. ……… Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) was organised by The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) in New Delhi recently—Fill in the blank with—
(A) Tenth(B) Ninth(C) Eleventh(D) EighthAns : (B)

13. BDR stands for—(A) Border Development Force(B) Border District Development(C) Bangladesh Rifles(D) Bangladesh Development RiflesAns : (C)

14. Zillur Rahman is the new President of—
(A) Malaysia(B) Bangladesh(C) Maldives(D) KazakhstanAns : (B)

15. Slumdog Millionaire won the Oscar Awards in—
(A) Eight categories(B) Seven categories(C) Six categories(D) None of theseAns : (A)

16. The Oscar Award for Best Actress has been bagged by—
(A) Dustin Lance Black(B) Kate Winslet(C) Vicky Christina(D) None of the aboveAns : (B)

17. Sean Penn has got the Oscar Award 2009 for—
(A) Best Actor(B) Best Director(C) Adapted Screenplay(D) Original SongAns : (A)

18. According to a recent report the percentage of all immigrant founded companies in last ten years founded by Indian immigrant is—
(A) 26%(B) 30%(C) 35%(D) 40%Ans : (A)

19. STPF stands for—
(A) Special Task Protection Force(B) Special Tiger Protection Force(C) Special Tiger Police Force(D) None of the aboveAns : (B)

20. According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) report the country which tops the World Hunger Chart is—
(A) Sierra Leone(B) India(C) Somalia(D) PakistanAns : (B)

21. ‘Daughters of Shame’ is a book written by—
(A) Jasvinder Sanghera(B) Mehar Fatima Hussain(C) Kermit Roosevelt(D) Shazia AzizAns : (A)

22. Earth Day is observed on—
(A) April 22(B) April 17(C) April 30(D) April 24Ans : (A)

23. The winner of Chappell-Hadlee Trophy is—
(A) New Zealand(B) Australia(C) India(D) West IndiesAns : (B)

24. NPs Aulakh has been appointed as the new Chief of—
(A) National Security Guard(B) Research and Analysis Wing(C) Central Bureau of Investigation(D) National Investigation AgencyAns : (A)

25. According to recent estimates of Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) during 2008-09 India’s national income will grow at—
(A) 8·8%(B) 10%(C) 7·1%(D) 8·5%Ans : (C)

26. The winner of Australian Open Tennis Women’s Singles Title is—
(A) Dinara Safin(B) Serena Williams(C) Sania Mirza(D) Venus WilliamsAns : (B)

27. Navin Chawla has been appointed as the new—
(A) Director General of Border Security Force(B) National Security Guards Chief(C) Central Bureau of Investigation Chief(D) Chief Election CommissionerAns : (D)

28. The winner of Australian Open Tennis Men’s Singles Title is—
(A) Roger Federer(B) Mahesh Bhupati(C) Andy Murray(D) Rafael NadalAns : (D)

29. Indian Cricket team is the number …………… team in the latest ICC’s One Day ranking.
(A) Two(B) Three(C) Four(D) FiveAns : (B)

30. G-20 Finance Ministers meeting recently took place in—(A) London(B) Paris(C) New Delhi(D) HorshamAns : (D)

31. Who among the following personalities recently visited India ?
(A) Hillary Clinton(B) Bill Clinton(C) Martin Luther King III(D) Martin Luther King IVAns : (C)

32. The World Wide Web (WWW) on March 13, 2009 marked its—
(A) 25th anniversary(B) 30th anniversary(C) 20th anniversary(D) 35th anniversaryAns : (C)

33. Luther L. Terry Award has been given to—
(A) K. Srinath Reddy(B) K. Vishwanath(C) Ronald M. Davis(D) None of theseAns : (A)

34. Who has recently overtaken Warren Buffet as world’s richest man ?
(A) Mukesh Ambani(B) Anil Ambani(C) Bill Gates(D) Ratan TataAns : (C)

35. The President of which of the following countries visited India in March 2009—
(A) Yugoslavia(B) Benin(C) Macedonia(D) TurkeyAns : (B)

36. According to Economist Intelligence Unit recent Survey the world’s costliest city is—
(A) New York(B) Mumbai(C) Washington(D) TokyoAns : (D)

37. The former Israeli President who has been charged with rape is—
(A) Benjamin Nitinyahu(B) Shimon Peres(C) Moshe Katsav(D) Ariel SharonAns : (C)

38. According to Tobacco Atlas in India roughly the number of people who are consuming tobacco is—
(A) 250 million(B) 230 million(C) 220 million(D) 225 millionAns : (B)

39. INS Viraat—the sole aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean of the Indian Navy will celebrate its ………… in November 2009.
(A) Golden Jubilee(B) Silver Jubilee(C) Diamond Jubilee(D) Platinum JubileeAns : (A)

40. India recently launched Interceptor Missile on March 6, 2009 for—
(A) the fourth time(B) the fifth time(C) the third time(D) the second timeAns : (C)

41. The Chief Guest on 60th Republic Day of India was—
(A) Kazakhstan’s President(B) Uzbekistan’s President(C) Tajikistan’s President(D) Kyrgyzstan’s PresidentAns : (A)

42. The number of members of Global Advisory Council constituted by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is—(A) 20(B) 25(C) 27(D) 30Ans : (A)

43. This year Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was celebrated in—
(A) Mumbai(B) Madras(C) Chennai(D) KolkataAns : (C)

44. Which of the following recently celebrated its Platinum Jubilee ?
(A) Indian Space Research Organisation(B) Bhabha Atomic Research Centre(C) Indian National Science Academy(D) None of the aboveAns : (C)

45. The new Research and Analysis wing Chief is—
(A) Radha Vinod Raju(B) M. N. Prasad(C) J. K. Sodhi(D) K. C. VermaAns : (D)

46. Which of the following Indian cricketers has not been inducted in ICC’s Hall of Fame ?
(A) Sachin Tendulkar(B) Sunil Gavaskar(C) Kapil Dev(D) Bishen Singh BediAns : (A)

47. According to a recently published report, the State/Union Territory which has occupied top spot in Education index is—
(A) Lakshdeep(B) Kerala(C) Puducherry(D) KarnatakaAns : (C)

48. The runner-up in Australian Open 2009 (Men’s Singles) is—
(A) Rafael Nadal(B) Mahesh Bhupati(C) Roger Federer(D) Andy MurrayAns : (C)

49. The runner-up in Australian Open (Women’s Singles) 2009 is—
(A) Dinara Safin(B) Venus William(C) Serena William(D) Sania MirzaAns : (A)

50. The winner of Parsvanath International Open Chess Tournament is—
(A) Mikhail Ulibin(B) Surya Shekhar Ganguly(C) Samresh Jung(D) O. SullevanAns : (B)

51. The Chairman of Anti Doping Panel constituted by the Government is—
(A) Jasmeet Singh(B) Dinesh Dayal(C) Dr. Vikas Ahluwalia(D) Dinesh KhannaAns : (B)

52. This year National Games have been held in—
(A) Sikkim(B) Assam(C) Kerala(D) JharkhandAns : (D)

53. Which of the following was not the base of LTTE before being captured by Sri Lankan forces ?
(A) Muridke(B) Elephant Pass(C) Kilinochchi(D) MullaithivuAns : (A)

54. DRDO came into existence in—
(A) 1960(B) 1958(C) 1962(D) 1965Ans : (B)

55. This year Pankaj Advani has been given—
(A) Padma Vibhushan(B) Padma Bhushan(C) Padma Shri(D) None of theseAns : (C)

56. Who among the following has not been honoured with Padma Vibhushan ?
(A) Dr. Gurdip Singh Randhawa(B) D. P. Chattopadhyay(C) Govind Narain(D) Chandrika Prasad SrivastavaAns : (A)


57. ‘India and China—A Thousand Years of Cultural Relations’ is the book written by—
(A) Probodh Chandra Bagchi(B) K. Bikram Singh(C) Romila Thapar(D) None of the aboveAns : (A)

58. World Consumer Rights Day is observed on—
(A) March 12(B) March 15(C) March 23(D) March 24Ans : (B)

59. The Government of India has declared……as the National Day for the Girl Child.
(A) February 25(B) January 27(C) March 22(D) January 24Ans : (D)

60. In 2007-08, Enrolment rate for Muslim children increased to—
(A) 8·41%(B) 10·49%(C) 9·39%(D) 7·25%Ans : (B)

61. The 75th edition of Ranji Trophy was won by—
(A) Uttar Pradesh(B) Railways(C) Rajasthan(D) MumbaiAns : (D)

62. Recently, the scientist who came into news is—
(A) Albert Einstein(B) Charles Darwin(C) Newton(D) Vikram SarabhaiAns : (B)

63. In the Interim Budget 2009-10 the Government of India has allocated for its flagship programmes, the amount of—
(A) Rs. 112,571 crore(B) Rs. 122, 841 crore(C) Rs. 131,317 crore(D) Rs. 451,311 croreAns : (C)

64. The new Prime Minister of Zimbabwe is—
(A) Robert Mugabe(B) Morgan Tsvangirai(C) Thabo Mbeki(D) None of the aboveAns : (B)

65. In recently held elections in Israel, the political party which emerged largest in terms of number of seats is—
(A) Likud Party(B) Kadima Party(C) Labour Party(D) Yisrael BeiteinuAns : (A)

66. 35th National Games will be held in—
(A) Tamil Nadu(B) Karnataka(C) Gujarat(D) KeralaAns : (D)

67. Prashant Prakash and Kalki Koechlin are the winners of—
(A) Padma Shree(B) Metro Plus Playwright Award(C) Assam Ratna(D) None of the aboveAns : (B)

68. The winner of Duleep Trophy is—
(A) East Zone(B) South Zone(C) West Zone(D) North ZoneAns : (C)
69. The Punjab Gold Cup has been won by—
(A) Poland(B) The Netherlands(C) England(D) NorwayAns : (B)

70. World Social Forum meeting was recently held in—
(A) Paris(B) Belem(C) Davos(D) MoscowAns : (B)

71. The controversial Pakistani scientist who was recently in news is—
(A) Abdul Jamal(B) Shah Mahmood Qureshi(C) Kazi Hussain(D) Abdul Qadir KhanAns : (D)

72. The new Chairman of Satyam Computer Services is—
(A) Kiran Karnik(B) Prem Chand Gupta(C) Habil Khorkiwala(D) R. N. MittalAns : (A)

73. In Iraqi Parliamentary elections Prime Minister Nouri-Al-Maliki’s candidates have won in—(A) 14 provinces(B) 9 provinces(C) 8 provinces(D) 7 provincesAns : (B)

74. In the latest ICC ODI (Team) ranking, India has occupied—
(A) No. 2 position(B) No. 3 position(C) No. 4 position(D) None of theseAns : (A)

75. The Sustainable Leadership Award has been given to—
(A) R. K. Pachauri(B) Bill Gates(C) Ban Ki-Moon(D) Arundhati RoyAns : (C)

76. ‘QUARK 2009’ is—
(A) An exhibition on peaceful uses of Nuclear Energy(B) India’s ambitious project to Mars(C) India-Russia joint noval exercise(D) Annual-National level technical festival of BITs PilaniAns : (D)

77. ‘Best Executive 2008’ by Asia-money magazine has been given to—
(A) S. M. Natrajan(B) O. P. Bhatt(C) Ravinder Zutshi(D) C. B. BhavAns : (B)

78. Twelve new frog species have been found in—
(A) Konkan region(B) Malwa(C) Eastern Ghats(D) Western GhatsAns : (D)

79. Sheik Sharif Ahmed is the new President of—
(A) Uganda(B) Rawanda(C) Somalia(D) MoroccoAns : (C)

80. India’s Moon Impact Probe (MIP) landed on Moon’s Surface on—
(A) November 10, 2008(B) November 11, 2008(C) November 14, 2008(D) November 15, 2008Ans : (C)

81. Stolt Valor which was recently hijacked by sea-pirates belongs to—
(A) Germany(B) Japan(C) U.S.A.(D) Saudi ArabiaAns : (B)

82. During the Egyptian President’s visit to India in November 2008 five pacts were signed with Egypt. Which of the following was not signed ?
(A) Pact in the field of health and medicine(B) Agreement on purchasing petrol at cheaper rate(C) An extradition treaty(D) Agreement on abolition of visa for specific categoriesAns : (B)

83. Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian President who recently visited India, has been the President of his country since—
(A) 1971(B) 1981(C) 1961(D) 1990Ans : (B)

84. On November 12, 2008 India testfired successfully Shourya missile. It is a—
(A) Air to air missile(B) Air to surface missile(C) Surface to surface missile(D) Surface to sea missileAns : (C)

85. ITR stands for—
(A) International Tariff Rate(B) Integrated Trial Rate(C) Integrated Trial Range(D) Integrated Test RangeAns : (D)

86. Recently National River Status has been granted to—
(A) Mahanadi(B) Ganga(C) Sindhu(D) BrahmaputraAns : (B)

87. Pt. Bhimsen Joshi who has been declared ‘Bharat Ratna’ winner was born in—
(A) Gadag(B) Palakkad(C) Pune(D) MysoreAns : (A)

88. Under the revised pay scale of Judges as approved by the Union Cabinet on November 27, 2008, which of the following pairs/matches is not correct ?
(A) Chief Justice of India—Rs. 1 lakh per month(B) Chief Justice of the High Court—Rs. 90,000 per month(C) Judge of the High Court—Rs. 80,000 per month(D) Judge of the Supreme Court—Rs. 85,000 per monthAns : (D)

89. The Security forces of India launched……to flush out terrorists which wreaked havoc in Mumbai in the last week of November 2008.
(A) Operation Liberate Mumbai(B) Operation Sea Storm(C) Operation Black Tornadoes(D) Operation Thunder stormAns : (C)

90. The highest number of electoral college votes during U.S.A. Presidential Election belongs to—(A) California(B) Florida(C) Connecticut(D) VirginiaAns : (A)

91. In U.S.A. Presidential election, 2008 Barack Obama got—
(A) 371 electoral college votes(B) 320 electoral college votes(C) 364 electoral college votes(D) 360 electoral college votesAns : (C)

92. The author of which of the following is not Barack Obama ?
(A) Dream from My Father(B) Thoughts on Reclaiming Dream(C) It Takes a Nation : How Strangers Became Family(D) My Great AmericaAns : (D)

93. European Union-Russia summit was held recently at—
(A) Nice(B) Bonn(C) St. Petersburgh(D) LondonAns : (A)

94. Abu Dhabi was recently in news for hosting—
(A) Arab Women’s Conference(B) OPEC Summit(C) APEC Summit(D) Arab League SummitAns : (A)
95. By an agreement between Iraq and the U.S.A., the latter has committed to withdraw its troops from Iraq by—
(A) 2010(B) 2011(C) 2009(D) 2012Ans : (B)

96. BIMSTEC is—
(A) Seven-member nation organisation(B) Eight-member nation organisation(C) Nine-member organisation(D) Six-member nation organisationAns : (A)

97. Recently BIMSTEC held its—
(A) Third Summit(B) Fourth Summit(C) Second Summit(D) Fifth SummitAns : (C)

98. Which of the following countries leads space launch tally ?
(A) U.S.A.(B) Russia(C) Japan(D) E.U.Ans : (B)

99. The headquarters of APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) is situated at—
(A) Kuala Lumpur(B) Singapore(C) Lima(D) SantiagoAns : (B)

100. Who has recently been made the first ambassador to the Geneva based Global fund to fight Aids, tuberculosis and malaria ?
(A) Amitabh Bachchan(B) Britney Spears(C) Carla Bruni(D) Zinedine ZidaneAns : (C)

101. Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2008 has been conferred on—
(A) Dr. Mohammad El Bardei(B) Hosni Mubarak(C) Shabana Azmi(D) Nelson MandelaAns : (A)

102. The prestigious Jnanpith award winner for 2005 is—
(A) Abdul Rahman Rahi(B) Kunwar Narayan(C) Ravindra Kelekar(D) Satyavarat ShastriAns : (B)
103. ‘The Bikini Murders’ is a book by—

(A) Erez Mandela(B) J. V. Braun(C) Farukh Dhondy(D) Martin DupulsAns : (C)

104. LTTE’s administrative headquarters is situated at—
(A) Batticaola(B) Kilinochchi(C) Puthumu Rippu(D) Ariviyal NakarAns : (B)

105. UNO recently banned Pakistan based terrorist organisation—
(A) JKLF(B) United Taliban Front(C) Al-Humijat(D) Jamat-ud-DawaAns : (D)

106. The six important inscriptions which have recently come to light in Tamil Nadu’s 1200 year old Shiva Temple reveal—
(A) Early Chola history(B) Early Kushans history(C) Early Mauryan history(D) Early Sangam historyAns : (A)

107. LITE is the proposed Maiden Moon Mission of—
(A) Germany(B) France(C) Britain(D) JapanAns : (C)

108. The 2008 World Snooker Champion is—
(A) Pankaj Advani(B) Colm Gilcreest(C) Thepchai Un-Nooh(D) None of the aboveAns : (C)

109. The male sports man chosen as Athlete of the Year 2008 is—
(A) Usain Bolt(B) Dayron Robles(C) Angelo Taylor(D) Henry RonoAns : (A)

110. The Champion of 2008 Formula one Races is—
(A) Kim Raikkonen(B) Lewis Hamilton(C) Felipe Massa(D) Robert KubicaAns : (B)

111. According to Forbes latest list, the fourth richest Indian is—
(A) Anil Ambani(B) Kushal Pal Singh(C) Sunil Mittal(D) Lakshmi MittalAns : (C)

112. India ranks………..on Global Gender-Gap Index.
(A) 115th(B) 113th(C) 110th(D) 111thAns : (B)


113. IBEx is—(A) NASA’s Probe(B) EU’s Probe(C) EU NASA joint Probe(D) None of the aboveAns : (A)

114. According to Forbes Magazine the richest lady of India is—
(A) Indira Nooyi (B) Sonia Gandhi(C) Savitri Jindal (D) Teena AmbaniAns : (C)

115. National Women Excellence Award 2008 has been given to—
(A) Pritika Kalra Gandhi(B) Sheila Dixit(C) Sharmila Tagore(D) Shabana AzmiAns : (A)

116. The female Athlete of the Year Award has been conferred on—
(A) Yelena Isinbayeva (B) Tirunesh Dibaba(C) Pamela Jelimo (D) Anne FrazerAns : (A)

117. World Junior Badminton Championship (Woman’s title) has been won by—
(A) Sayaka Sato (B) Fu Mingtian(C) Saina Nehwal (D) Xie JingAns : (C)

118. India’s first 3G Technology-based mobile phone service of MTNL was launched on—
(A) December 15, 2008(B) December 11, 2008(C) December 10, 2008(D) December 8, 2008Ans : (B)

119. The new Chief Minister of Mizoram is—
(A) P. A. Sangma (B) Mr. Lalthanhawla(C) R. Lalzirliana (D) H. LiansailovaAns : (B)

120. According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) the number of farmers who committed suicides during 2007 is—
(A) 16,632 (B) 4,238(C) 11,026 (D) 1,21,617Ans : (A)

121. India–U.S. Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement was signed on—
(A) October 11, 2008 (B) October 20, 2008(C) October 15, 2008 (D) October 5, 2008Ans : (A)

122. The IIM Review Committee which recommended higher government control on IIMs is headed by—
(A) M. K. Prasad (B) R.C. Bhargava(C) Ravi Kumar (D) C. RangrajanAns : (B)

123. India launched its first Moon Mission Chandrayaan-1 on—
(A) October 10, 2008 (B) October 15, 2008(C) October 20, 2008 (D) October 22, 2008Ans : (D)

124. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle which put Chandrayaan-1 into its orbit is—
(A) PSLV-C-9 (B) PSLV-C-8(C) PSLV-C-11 (D) PSLV-C-7Ans : (C)

125. India is the ……country to send Moon Mission.
(A) Fifth (B) Fourth(C) Sixth (D) SeventhAns : (B)

126. The number of instruments which the spacecraft Chandrayaan carried is—
(A) 15 (B) 20(C)11 (D) 9Ans : (C)

127. Union Cabinet has cleared Right to Education Bill which is the enabling legislation to notify—(A) The 91th Constitutional Amendment(B) The 86th Constitutional Amendment(C) The 95th Constitutional Amendment(D) The 93rd Constitutional AmendmentAns : (B)

128. On October 15, 2008 the……IBSA Summit concluded in New Delhi.
(A) Third (B) Fourth(C) Fifth (D) SixthAns : (A)

129. The IBSA Dialogue Forum was formalised through the adoption of the Brasilia Declaration in—(A) 2004 (B) 2003(C) 2005 (D) 2006Ans : (B)

130. ACD stands for—
(A) Asian Cooperative Dialogue(B) Asia Cooperation Dialogue(C) Asia China Dialogue Forum(D) Asian-Chinese DialogueAns : (B)

131. The number of member countries who participated in Asia-Europe Meeting Summit held on October 24-25, 2008 was—
(A) 45 (B) 40(C) 35 (D) 30Ans : (A)

132. The new-President of Maldives is—
(A) Abdul Gayoom(B) Mohammad Anni Nasheed(C) Mohammad Irshad(D) Abdul QadirAns : (B)

133. Which of the following states has topped in Governments’ Primary Education Development Index ?
(A) Delhi (B) Madhya Pradesh(C) Kerala (D) Tamil NaduAns : (C)

134. EDI stands for—
(A) Enforcement Directorate Index(B) Education Development Infrastructure(C) Education and Development Identity(D) Education Development IndexAns : (D)

135. Which one of the following is not the winner of 2008 Nobel Prize in Medicine ?
(A) Professor Herald Zur Hausen(B) Martin Chalfi(C) Prof. Luc Montagnier(D) Francoise Barre-SinoussiAns : (B)

136. Which one of the following is not the winner of 2008 Nobel Prize in Physics ?
(A) Jean Marie Gustave Le Clezio(B) Makoto Kobayashi(C) Toshihide Maskawa(D) Yoichiro NambuAns : (A)

137. Which one of the following has not won the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry ?
(A) Martin Chalfi(B) Roger Y. Tsien(C) Osamu Shimomura(D) Franco Basse SinoussiAns : (D)

138. Traditionally, the first of Nobel Prizes awarded each year in the category of—
(A) Physics (B) Chemistry(C) Medicine (D) LiteratureAns : (C)

139. The Alternative Nobel Prizes are—
(A) Magsaysay Awards(B) Right to Livelihood Awards(C) Global Energy Awards(D) Grammy AwardsAns : (B)

140. National Consumer Rights Day is observed on—
(A) December 4 (B) December 7(C) December 24 (D) December 10Ans : (C)

Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja [1750-1805]

Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja [1750-1805], popularly known as the Lion of Kerala was a prince from the royal dynasty of Kottayam. He had three senior Rajas above him for his claim to the throne. However, when the Muslim Mysore army occupied Malabar for a second time [1773-1790] all the seniors of Kottayam Royal family fled to Travancore. It was Pazhassi Raja who led a well organized guerrilla struggle against Mysorean invader who were far stronger than Kottayam army. So he emerged in course of time as most powerful man in Kottayam as people stood firmly behind this beloved prince of theirs who had not abandoned them in hour of misfortune. [1]. His troops were drawn from ranks of warrior Nayars as well as tribal Kurichias & Mullukurumbas[2]
Kingdom of Pazhassi Raja
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja was born into Padinjare Kovilakam of Purannatt Swarupam, the royal dynasty of princely state of Kottayam. This Padinjare Kovilakam or Western Branch of this royal dynasty was located at Pazhassi. So came the nick name Pazhassi Raja. Kingdom of Kottayam covered what is today Talassery taluk [1000 sq.km] of Kannur District and Raja of Kottayam was also in possession of Wynad District [2000 sq.km]. Head-quarters of this kingdom was located in Kottayam, a small town not far from Tellicherry.[3]
[edit] War Against Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan
Hyder Ali invaded Malabar for a second time in 1773 on pretext that Rajas of Malabar had not paid him tribute as fixed in 1768.[4] Most of Malabar Rajas with their kin and kith fled to Travancore in terrified of Hyder's ferocious troops. Though resistance sprang all over Malabar in response to bigotry, plunder and atrocity perpetuated by Mysorean officers, it degenerated into anarchy as those who should have led resistance had bolted like rabbits. Only Pazhassi Raja declared loud and clear that escape in face of danger is cowardice and stayed in Kottayam where he gathered a force and engaged in guerrilla warfare as he had neither in numbers guns and troops to face Mysoreans in open field. Raja set up a large number of bases in the nearly impenetrable forested mountains of Puralimala* and Wynad and repeatedly inflicted grevious losses to Mysorean army in Kottayam as well as Wynad. [5]
[*Puralimala is a mountain range that extends east-west from Mozhakkunnu to Mattannur. It is not a part of Western Ghats] [6]
In 1778, Hyder’s vassal, Raja of Chirakkal besieged Talassery and enforced an economic blockade-under order from Hyder himself. British factors at Talassery armed Pazhassi Raja’s men to enable them to recover Kottayam from Mysorean occupation army. This move by British ensured that Chirakkal army was now in risk of being struck in rear by Pazhassi’s force. So Chirakkal troops began to retreat. But Pazhassi chased and devastated Chirakkal army and then marched in Kottayam where he obliterated Mysorean army of occupation and over-ran all of Kottayam. But at this critical moment when Mysorean army in Malabar could have been destroyed by a joint action on part of British and Rajas, British factors at Talassery was instructed by Governor not to upset the nominal peace with Hyder.[7]
Thus British decision not to exploit victory at Talassery was exploited by Mysore well. Chirakkal army reinforced by a Mysorean contingent under Balwant Rao marched into Kottayam. Pazhassi’s men, though secretly supplied with arms and ammunition by English, could not hold or defeat this huge host as he lacked numbers and soon Kottayam army was forced to disperse after a fight. Then Mysore-Chirakkal army captures Kadathanad and installs a puppet Raja who joins hand with Mysore. In 1779, a huge Mysore-Chirakkal-Kadathanad army besieged Talassery. Pazhassi Raja sent a force of 1300 Nayars to aid British defence of Talassery-and this enables factors to hold on successfully.[8]
By end of 1779, Sardar Khan, Mysorean general is sent to Talassery to speedily bring the siege to a successful conclusion. Sardar Khan knew that it was Pazhassi’s help that enabled British to resist him and so he opened negotiations with Pazhassi-his offer was restoration of Mysore occupied territories of Kottayam if Pazhassi was to ally with Mysore and pay an immediate tribute of 5 lac rupees. It was well beyond the capacity of Kottayam to raise so huge a sum in so short a time. But Pazhassi did his best to pay Sardar Khan [probably in hope that latter will make concessions] and 60,000 rupees was paid to latter. But Khan was not satisfied and rejected Pazhassi’s request that he be restored his possessions in Malabar. This greedy and tactless approach of Sardar Khan made sure that there was little chance for Mysore to capture Talassery.[9]
In 1780, Pazhassi Raja proposed to British a plan to break Mysorean siege of Talassery-He and his men will strike enemy in rear from east as British should come out of fort and strike Mysorean line in front and both armies are to effect a junction that will spilt enemy into two and then Mysorean and allied troops can be routed easily. But it was only in 1781 that British understood the value of this plan and their Bombay authorities agreed with Pazhassi and an operation was carried out as Pazhassi suggested-It ended with destruction of Mysorean force and Sardar Khan himself was killed. What followed was rebellion in Kottayam by Nayar militia led by Pazhassi Raja and soon Mysoreans were ousted from their country. [10]
By 1782, Kottayam was once more a free land. But by Treaty of Mangalore [1784] after Second Anglo-Mysore War, British recognised Malabar as Tipu’s sphere of action. Thus with only valuable ally lost, Kottayam was ready to become a vassal state of Mysore. But once more, as Sardar Khan did in 1779, Mysore made an exorbitant rate of tribute. While Ravi Varma, elder brother of Pazhassi Raja agreed to pay 65,000 rupees per year, Mysore demanded 81,000 rupees instead. Hiked rate of tribute meant greater hardship for peasantry [largely Tiyar/Izhava] who had suffered from years of foreign occupation. So Pazhassi Raja took up this issue and decided to launch a mass resistance struggle once more.[11]
By end of 1788, Pazhassi’s loath for Tipu had shot up on account of latter’s policy of forcible conversions and Pazhassi was convinced that British was definitely the lesser evil and so Pazhassi-British ties became stronger than before as now it was a fight to death with Tipu. Not surprisingly, Tipu had sent that year an army under Lally with a mission - Extermination of the Nayar warrior caste (chief opponent of Mysore terror) from Kottayam to Palakkad. But in 1790, Tipu abandons Malabar as war in Deccan forced him. Pazhassi Raja joined British with a force of 1500 Nayars in their capture of Mysorean strong-hold in Katirur [near Talassery]. After Katirur, Pazhassi and troops move south-east and captures Kuttiyadi fort from Tipu’s men. Thus once more whole of Kottayam was in control of Pazhassi Raja. In 1790, British also recognized Pazhassi Raja as head of Kottayam as actual Raja was in refuge at Travancore. Raja agreed to pay 25,000 rupees as tribute to British.[12]
But by Treaty of Seringapatam [1792] signed between British and Tipu after latter failed in Third Anglo-Mysore War, Malabar was ceded to English. British then began to work for establishment of their supremacy in Malabar. [Logan] This was where British and Pazhassi had opposite opinions-Pazhassi helped British not because he was ready to accept British suzerainty but he wanted his country Kottayam to be a free land. [13]
Pazhassi was disturbed when he read the terms which British put forward to Rajas of Malabar in 1792. Though he was unsure in beginning, he made up his mind and agreed to British terms. Their summary is as follows-
1. Raja can rule as before but British will control him “in case of oppressing inhabitants”.
2. A resident will be appointed to enquire about “complaints of oppression”.
3. Two persons on part of British and two persons on part of Raja to make valuation of land revenue of Kottayam.
4. Tax to be paid by each subject to be ascertained.
5. Raja’s tribute to be settled in October of 1792 according to appearance of crop.
6. English’s share of pepper to be delivered at a price fixed by British in December of 1792.
7. Remnant pepper to be bought only by merchants appointed by English.[14]
These terms converted monarchs to mere agents of English. Rajas now are stripped of their right to rule as they willed and they also lost control over their economies too.
Why did a man who fought for his country’s freedom for 17 years sign so unfair an agreement? Probably Pazhassi would have thought that British would not interfere in domestic administration of Kottayam as autonomy was practised by tributary Rajas even during Mysore days. If this was how Pazhassi had thought future would look like, he was to be disillusioned with British in near future.
[edit] War Between Pazhassi Raja and British

Pazhassi Kudeeram-a memorial for Pazhassi Raja at his burial spot in Mananthavadi, Wayanad, Kerala
Pazhassi Raja resisted British imperialism from 1793 onwards till his death in 1805. He fought two wars to resist English intervention in domestic affairs of his kingdom. From 1793-1797 he fought over the question of management of Kottayam and from 1800-1805 over the issue of who is master of Wynad.
[edit] First Revolt [1793-1797]
Pazhassi Raja was not on good terms with his uncle Vira Varma, Raja of Kurumbranad. In 1793, this foxy uncle Raja convinced British Commissioners to let him collect tax in Kottayam. He calculated that a good collection might please British and that will let him seize all of Kottayam. Needless to say that Pazhassi Raja was angry at this British move. He felt betrayed. After all he was the only Raja in Northern Malabar to have helped British consistently in war with Mysore.[15]
Vira Varma Raja was a real crook-on one hand he undertook to collect tax in Kottayam directly and on other hand he instigated Pazhassi Raja to oppose English. Moreover, British assessment was harsh and beyond peasant capacity to pay. They resisted forcible collection by agents of British and Pazhassi Raja took up their cause. As seen before, Raja was deadly opposed to extortion of peasantry. [16]
In 1793, Pazhassi Raja made sure that no tax was collected in Kottayam by English-as a mark of his protest. He also threatened that if British officials did not give up their enumeration of pepper vines, he will have vines destroyed. Local British authorities, however, debated with Raja and soon both discovered Vira Varma’s dirty games. So British put forward a solution acceptable to Raja by which 20 percent of gross revenue would go to Raja and another 20 percent would go for temples’ expense. No tax would be imposed on temple property in immediate future. [17]
In 1793, Tipu’s Vakils protested with British that Pazhassi Raja who was latter’s tributary had overrun most of Wayanad, still under Mysore. Soon Raja is supreme in Wayanad Plateau.[18]
But Governor General unwisely revoked the agreement in 1794 and gave Kottayam on a five year lease to Kurumbranad Raja. Raja was truly angry at this decision and decided retaliate by ruling his country as per customary law. That year before lease was concluded Raja provided asylum to a Nayar noble Narangoli Nambiar of Iruvazinad who had been declared an outlaw by British for murder of three men who killed his kinsman. Raja’s kind treatment to Nambiar irritated English. British also became angry that Raja impaled two robbers as per customary law. British planned to arrest Raja for ‘murder’ but gave up the idea as Raja had a bodyguard of 500 well armed Wayanad Nayars. [19]
In 1795, even after a year Vira Varma Raja got Kottayam on lease, he was not able to collect tax in Kottayam-thanks to his nephew Raja’s determination. So British troops arrived in Kottayam to help Vira Varma’s tax collectors, but Pychy Raja’s men resisted them with success. [20]
In 1796, orders were issued from Bombay to collect tax arrears for 2 years in Kottayam. For British no more pretexts were needed to arrest Raja. 300 men under Lieutenant James Gordon marched from Talassery and seized Raja’s fortified house at Pazhassi-but Raja fled four days earlier to Manattana [near Kottiyur]. Gordon plundered the palace where traditional treasure of Raja was kept. Raja was angry at this loot and sent a letter to Supervisor at Talassery.[21]
Raja was also angry that one of his former general named Pazayamviden Chandu had become an agent of Kurumbranad Raja and what angered him even more than that was that this turn-coat had the audacity to boss him with Vira Varma’s and British blessings.[22] Chandu was later killed by a follower of Kaitheri Ambu when latter was about to be killed by Pazayamviden. [23] Raja shifted his HQ to Purali Range and then into Wayanad. Raja then blocked all British communications between Wayanad and Low Malabar through Kuttiyadi Pass. British retaliated by cutting all communications between Raja and Low Malabar. But as they did not have enough troops to chase him they waited for reinforcements. [24]
British commandant was Colonel Dow, whom Raja knew well during Siege of Talassery. So Raja thought that this old friend might help him mediate with British government. Raja offered to give up struggle provided he was pardoned and his treasure and house restored. Colonel and Raja being old soldiers hated needless bloodshed and so he forwarded Raja’s request to Commissioners, who though were bitterly opposed to Raja’s independent style, agreed to Colonel’s suggestion as there was a risk that Raja might ally with join with Tipu. [25]
So Northern Superintendent orders restoration of house back to Raja [but not treasure] and pardon to Raja was confirmed by Bombay and Supreme Governments. But orders of government was communicated to Raja via Vira Varma-which meant uncle Raja took care not to report his nephew of British agreement of his demands. Uncle Raja had vested interest in war between Company and his nephew Pazhassi Raja.[26]
Vira Varma also removed Kaitheri Ambu, a favourite noble and general of Raja, form home administration of Kottayam. Ambu along with followers went to Kannoth, where he planned and executed a mass resistance with people’s support, which made sure that Vira Varma could make no tax collection in Kottayam. But Ambu acted clearly on guidance of Raja, who felt expulsion of Ambu was another of his uncle’s conspiracies to undermine him. [27]
Raja feared that British planned to seize him [not knowing that their truce terms were kept blocked from him by his uncle] and retreated into depths of Wayanad. British troop build up in Wayanad also accelerated his doubts. However Raja was still eager to avoid a war and came to meet Northern Superintendent with a bodyguard of 1500 armed men. Vira Varma Raja was also ordered to be present. Pazhassi Raja’s main demand was that Kottayam must be under his rule-a demand his uncle was not ready to accede. [28] British Commissioners’ attitude also was arrogant-they were already prejudiced towards Raja and so were blind towards Raja’s logical argument that Vira Varma had no business in Kottayam. As talks broke down, Commissioners’ issued a threat proclamation in Kottayam that if those Kottayam men in service of Raja does not desert him and come home, they would be declare enemies and their properties would be confiscated. But this proclamation had little effect in Kottayam where resistance to British-Kurumbranad rule became stronger. [29]
British, to their horror, found out that a large number of Vira Varma’s troops had deserted to join ranks of resisters and Vira Varma himself was not much interested to help British-after all his aim was to create a flare up between his nephew and British for sake of pure self-interest. [30]
Raja then visited to Mysorean commandant at Karkankotta in 1796 and in 1797 held an audience with old enemy Tipu in Mysore who posted 6000 men at Karkankotta to aid Raja in case of war and also to supply ammunition to rebels. He also began to collect troops and armament. War was imminent. 1200 troops and artillery under Major General was sent by Bombay Government to deal with Pazhassi. British also began to set up outposts in Kottayam and sent more troops to Wayanad.[31]
In early 1797, Nayar militia rose all over Kottayam and British outposts were trapped in a true state of siege. Partisan bands became active all over Kottayam and harassed reinforcements and supply convoys. Same was the case in Wayanad where British troops that moved out of safety of block-houses risked being way-laid by Kurichia bowmen. British suffered good loss in terms of men, ammunitions and stores in these ambuscades. [32]
Periya Pass Episode-
This event is the most important in the whole war. In 1797, Colonel Dow & force marches into Wayanad. His plan was to block Periya Pass and then crush a large rebel force in Kannoth once their retreat is blocked. [33]
Reinforcements under Lieutenant Mealy were to reach Dow at Periya, but on way they were severely harassed by a force of Nayars and Kurichias and suffered a casualty of 105 men. So instead of Periya they retreated to their original base. [34]
Dow’s troops suffered chronic shortage of supplies and so Dow applied for reinforcements and re-supplies to be sent under Major Anderson of Bowles’ regiment. But as Mappila guides of Anderson deserted at last moment. That caused a delay in journey of Anderson-a delay that had fatal consequence for British.[35]
Dow then received news that Tipu had sent sepoys to aid Raja as Tipu considered British entry into Wayanad a violation of Seringapatam Pact. Dow decided that he will go to Talassery to consult authorities there and to plan a greater operation to deal with troops of Raja and Tipu simultaneously in Wayanad. He left with a small band of men but was ambushed on way by Raja’s men aided by Mysorean sepoys but Dow escaped unhurt. [36]
Day after he left, British force of 1100 under Major Cameroon in Periya decided to descend into Kottayam via Periya Pass as their supplies have exhausted. [37]
But what they did not know was that Raja who learnt of true state of British army laid a trap for them-he ordered troops lay concealed in camouflaged stockades built on both sides of pass. Once the whole British force entered the narrow pass, hidden troops were to pounce on their enemy who must be caught unawares. [38]
Plan worked well and what followed was great slaughter of British. Had it not been for arrival of Major Anderson’s force the following day, hardly any would have survived due to lack of medical care. Most of enemy were killed and all their guns, ammunition, baggage and cattle were plundered along with Union colours. Senior British officers like Major Cameroon, Lieutenant Nugent, Lieutenant Madge and Lieutenant Rudderman were killed in action. [39]
Around this time, Commissioners took a decision on advice of Swaminatha Pattar, a Tamil Brahmin who was minister of Zamorin that sowed the eventual downfall of Pazhassi Raja. They decided to raise an irregular force of local traitors to harass Pazhassi Raja. This force was a fore-runner of the infamous Kolkar, a Malabar version of Turkish Bashi-Bazouks, who became infamous for their sycophancy to British and cruelty to resisters and people. [40]
A brief introduction to Shamnath-He is an arch rogue who helped to consolidate British rule in Calicut. He was so hated by right minded people of Calicut that near kin of Zamorin made a nearly successful attempt to have this rascal killed. [Logan] But for time being, Raja was in a strong position. On account of British disasters, Bombay Government sent a Committee of Government composed of men of highest ranks-Commander-In-Chief Lieutenant General Stuart and Governor Jonathan Duncan. They decided to make peace as they were anxious that guerrilla warfare in a mountainous and forested terrain could last long and that Raja might join forces with Tipu or French. They also decided that Kurumbranad Raja Vira Varma should be ousted form administration of Kottayam. Rajas of Chirakkal and Parappanad acted as mediators in negotiation between Raja and British and a peace pact was signed between Pazhassi and British in 1797. [41]
Treaty of 1797 agreed on following points-[42]
1. Pazhassi Raja was to be ‘pardoned’.
2. He will be returned his treasure.
3. He will be provided an annual allowance of 8000 rupees.
4. He will be given back his confiscated house at Pazhassi.
5. Ravi Varma, elder brother of Pazhassi Raja will be head of Kottayam.
A pardon and restoration of property was also extended to Narangoli Nambiar of Iruvazinad also.[43]
Thus Raja’s efforts of four years ended in a political victory. Peace dawned after four years of antagonism and war.
[edit] Second Revolt & Death [1800-1805]
After fall of Tipu, Wayanad fell to British. They sent a Mysore Commission to seize Wayanad and planned to annex it to either Canara or Coimbatore. But as Wayanad was a traditional possession of Kottayam Raja and that Pazhassi is in control of this region since 1793, Pazhassi correctly saw move was an encroachment on his country’s ancient provinces. Raja retaliated by collecting a large force of Nayars which was now supplemented by Mappilas and Pathans, latter being ex-soldiers of Tipu who became unemployed after Tipu’s death. [44]
British Government at Madras appointed Colonel Arthur Wellesley as British army commandant of Mysore, Canara & Malabar- He planned a double pronged move from Malabar Coast and Mysore into Wayanad and began preparations for that end. Raja observed Colonel-latter had brought reinforcements and building roads in Wayanad and outposts across rebel country. In response, Raja also recruited numerous men which so alarmed Wellesley that latter even wanted to kidnap kith and kin of rebels so as to check Raja’s recruitment. [45]
Raja learnt that Wellesley had left to Deccan on a military mission-Raja who understood that Colonel’s absence is a great chance swiftly made his move. He marched across Kuttiyadi Pass and below he made a junction with Unni Mutha Muppan, a Walluvanad Mappila leader & his men and soon several great nobles of Iruvazinad like Kampuratt Nambiar, Peruvayal Nambiar and Kannoth Nambiar also joined Raja with their men. [46]
By monsoon of 1800, rebels who controlled all of country-side of Kottayam threatened to overwhelm British outposts in Kottayam. Wellesley sent a large force under Colonel Sartorius to recapture rebel held Kottayam. But the plan could not be carried out as there were not enough troops in Malabar. Wellesley advised Commissioners to stop all communications with Wayanad so as to starve Raja of supplies. But shortage of troops also meant this plan too remained on paper. By the time, Wellesley decided to smash Raja by a double drive from Malabar Coast and Mysore into Wayanad, Manjeri Athan Gurikkal an Ernad Mappila leader along with his followers agreed to support of Raja. [47]
By 1801, a large British force of over 7000 men swarmed all over Kottayam and Wayanad and they blocked all passes that linked Wayanad with Malabar. Before so large numbers, rebels thought wise to go under-ground for time being. Raja also found that he could no longer contact his supporters in Southern Wayanad and Southern Malabar. Raja became a wanderer in forests but even then, to surprise of British, he ruled out compromise [48]-it seems he understood that there was no alternative to full freedom.
Raja had six close aides and 25 musketeers in his wanderings. First he went north via Payyavur along montane forests of eastern Chirakkal to rally support. But British were on his trail but failed to catch him. Raja then visited his secret bases in Kottayam and then moved into Kadathanad and into jungles of Kurumbranad. British were angered that where ever he went, nobles supported him in secret and decided to punish them for their help to rebel Raja. [49]
As a part of terrorization, Peruvayal Nambiar who was arrested was hanged. British also threatened brutal penalty and confiscation of property for all those rebels who failed to surrender in six weeks time. But a pardon was also issued for surrendered rebels. But none of these threats and temptations worked and Raja was still at large. But some of his chief supporters were arrested of whom Kannoth Nambiar was most famous. Kannoth Nambiar and his son were hanged too and their property was confiscated. [50]
Following murder of Kannoth Nambiar, a deceptive calm descended on North Malabar-calm before storm. Collector Major MacLeod believed that war was over and went ahead with exploitation program. He immediately declared a total disarmament of Malabar and threatened those who kept arms with death penalty. He also doubled the rate of tax and ordered a reassessment of tax of whole Malabar in a mere forty days. [51]
All these stupid ‘reforms’ paid back in 1803 when whole Malabar was on verge of revolt as people were pushed to wall. MacLeod tried to calm this with corrective measure-He cancelled all his ‘reforms’ and old system was reinstated. But it was too late for Wayanad where Raja’s men were prepared for a rebellion. [52]
Capture of Panamaram Fort
First major event was capture of Panamaram Fort. Edachena Kungan planned the operation and was helped by 150 Kurichia bowmen under Talakkal Chandu. Fort had 70 men under Captain Dickenson and there was a large force of 360 men under Major Drummond only a few miles away in Pulinjali. So if Major came to help Captain in time Kurichia force would be overwhelmed by gun-fire and numbers. But Kungan and Chandu decided to take risk. [53]
Whole garrison was slaughtered in the surprise attack led by the two generals and they lost only 5 dead and 10 wounded. Dickenson himself was killed. Rebels got 112 muskets, six boxes of ammunitions and 6000 rupees. They also destroyed the whole fort.[54]
Wellesley was enraged at this rebel audacity and dispatched 500 men to retaliate. But by then rebel victory had roused all of Wayanad and Kottayam. Edachena Kungan, hero of Panamaram success, went to Pulpally shrine and issued a proclamation to people to join Raja’s war. 3000 men volunteered. They were posted at Valliyurkav at Mananthavadi, Motimjarra [?], and Edappally and 100 of them under brother of Kungan posted themselves at Periya Pass and 25 men were posted at Kottiyur Pass. Rebel outposts were set up en route from Dindimal to Valliyurkav. Rebel army was mostly composed of archers and sword men, but some had muskets. [55]
Edachena Kungan led an attack on a British detachment headed from Mysore to Mananthavadi. Harassment began once this force entered Wayanad till it reached a stream between Manathavadi and Bhavully [?] river. There they were blocked by a rebel force entrenched on opposite side of stream. But to ill luck of rebels a reinforcement which had caught up with blocked British army outflanked the rebel entrenchment and took a large number of prisoners. All these prisoners were disarmed and marched to a road where they were murdered. [Logan]
Besides, British reinforcements arrived in Wayanad from all directions. But British could find rebels nowhere. [56]
Rebels now concentrated in Kottayam. In 1802, they raided a supplies convoy near Kottiyur. British were frustrated by Kottayam people’s total lack of cooperation. To add to their trouble, in 1803, a rebel force took to field in Kurumbranad* & Payyormala* and people were sympathetic to rebels. Kungan marched towards Pazhassi to wipe out the British outpost there but had to retreat with large loss of men. But rebellion spread into Chirakkal where armed bands of partisans launched operations and often fought British openly. Raja’s army by end of 1803 was ranging as far as Kannur and Talassery. [57]
[*Both in northern and eastern parts of modern Calicut District]
In March 1803, a rebel force marched as far as Calicut and captured Sub-Jail where they killed all guards and seized their firearms and ammunition. They also released prisoners, many of whom joined ranks of rebel army. This was too much for MacLeod and he resigned immediately after this event.[58]
In 1803, Wellesley left for Europe, after three years of inconclusive war with Pazhassi Raja, later destined to become Duke of Wellington, vanquisher of Napoleon at Waterloo.[59]
In 1804, a large British army arrived and 1200 Kolkar were also ready for action. Most importantly Thomas Harvey Baber, a cunning man was appointed as Sub-Collector. [60] It was he who crushed Pazhassi Revolt forever. It is indeed ironic that what a military genius like Wellesley could not attain, a puny civil servant could!
In 1804, a huge rising lead by Kalyat Nambiar [a powerful Chirakkal noble but Raja’s sympathiser] and Raja’s men in largely forested eastern Chirakkal was crushed by British. If there was large and long revolt warfare in Chirakkal, it would have immensely profited Raja. Though there was a lot of supporters of Raja in Chirakkal, as revolt collapsed fast as rebels opted for open confrontation instead of time honoured guerrilla warfare. Another cause for failure of revolt was treacherous Kolkar also served their White pay-masters well. [61]
So once more rebel force had retreat to Wayanad. They were hotly chased by British who had 2000 Sepoys and 1000 Kolkar. A reward of 3000 pagodas was offered for Raja along with 10000 Pagodas for Edachena Kungan and bounties were put on heads of 10 other associates of Raja. [62]
But rebels, mostly Kurumbas, struck at Churikunji [?] in Wayanad. Though they had to withdraw, they had devastated their enemy. That year, a party of Kolkar nearly caught Raja but he escaped thanks to timely warning of a Kurumba guard. [63]
But monsoon and brutal climate of Wayanad soon aided Raja. Of 1300 Kolkar only 170 were not sick by October. Raja and Edachena Kungan organized a large force of Kurichias and Kurumbas at Pulpally shrine and positioned them to as far as Kurichiyat. Also effort of Kungan to rally Nayar nobles of Wayanad to support Raja’s war-effort had also succeeded. [64]
British for past couple of years did not have to suffer loss on a scale of Periya in 1797, but matters were not easy for British at all. Even in Kottayam which had become quiet might explode once more and a large rebel force with Raja as head was still at large. [65] But one must remember that the whole revolt is a one man show as Wellesley himself remarked once-“We are not fighting 1000 men [Raja’s army]...but one man...Kerala Varma.” [66] Raja’s end would mean end of revolt.
T.H Baber went to Mysore to direct operations himself and began a large search for informants and traitors. True, British themselves admit that they did not get lot of informants as locals were devoted to Raja, but some of those few informants proved devastating to revolt-one of them a Chetti, found out where Raja had camped and informed Baber who took to field with 100 Kolkar and 50 Sepoys. [67]
On 1805, November 30, Raja and retainers were camped near close to Karnataka on shore of a stream named Mavila or Mavila Tod [not far from Pulpally]. Raja and party were caught by surprise and an intense but short fight followed. Large number of rebels fled away. Six rebels were killed. One of the earliest rebels to be killed was Pazhassi Raja. [68]
Raja’ wife and her female servants along with 2 rebels were caught. Baber made arrangements for medical care of Raja’s wife who was dreadfully sick due to privations and made sure she got good treatment in captivity. [69]
To credit of T.H Baber, he treated Raja’s body with due respect and arranged for cremation with full traditional honours. Baber justified his respectful treatment in following word- [70]
“I was induced to this conduct from the consideration that, although a rebel, he was one of the natural chieftains of the country, and might be considered on that account rather as a fallen enemy.” [71]
Baber also added-
“Thus terminated the career of a man who has been enabled persevere in hostilities against the Company for near nine years, during which many thousand valuable lives have been sacrificed and sums of all money beyond all calculation expended” [72]
[edit] Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja - About the Man
Opinion of T.H Baber in 1805 that-
“...but in all classes, I observed a decided interest for the Pyche [Pazhassi] Raja, towards whom the inhabitants entertained a regard and respect bordering on veneration, which not even his death can efface.”[73]
Pazhassi Raja was only a junior prince of his dynasty and it was Fate that he rose to leadership. As foretold, people of all castes, tribes and classes of Kottayam & Wynad adored him as their beloved Raja.[74] They came to love this man so much that he became a hero of folk songs in Northern Malabar[75]
In film Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja [2009] as is in popular legend, Raja is depicted as a tall man. But eye witness account of Jonathan Duncan, Bombay Governor in 1797, who held peace talks with Raja describes him as a man with pleasing looks, short in height, fair in color, and had mustache as well as a light beard[76] That makes picture of artistic depiction of Raja at beginning of this article some what inaccurate.
Raja had two wives-first named Avinjikkat Kunjati who was much nearer to him in age, was neice of Payyormala Nayar, a nearly independent chief in modern northern Calicut [77]. It was this wife who accompanied Raja to forests [78] and was captured as a sick woman by British in 1805. His second was named Kaitheri Makom, who was sister of Kaitheri Ambu, Raja's close aide. Makom was much younger to Raja in age and this alliance was handiwork of Pazayamviden Chandu in those days when he was loyal to Raja[79].
Following are some reasons why he can be viewed as a great man-
1. When Mysorean army invaded all kings and princes fled in terror leaving their people and land to its fate. But Pazhassi Raja preferred hard life in mountain fastness than comfortable sanctuary in Travancore. [80]
2. He led mass resistance against Mysoreans and British, in which all sections of people, directly or indirectly took part.[81]
3. His troops worshiped him as he was a fearless warrior and a first rate general who led from the front and lived during wartime as an ordinary soldier-he shared all soldierly hardships with them. He had great physical endurance that enabled him to fight in in the cruel mountain fastness of Puralimala and Wynad.[82]
He knew well how to use his limited armed ability to resist far superior enemies. Remember, Raja's men were mostly armed with sabers and bows as gunpowder was short in supply and his enemies were superior in terms of numbers and fully armed with firearms. Yet, he defied Mysoreans for nearly 20 years and British for 10 years[83]-Perhaps one of best examples of the fact that good leadership can compensate other handicaps.
British could conquer great powers like Nawabs, Marathas & Sikhs with far more ease once they opened war with them. But it took well over a decade to crush this turbulent prince who had no more than 3000-5000 men armed with primitive weapons. By 1805, English had deployed a force of 15,000 men to face Raja's small army[84]! More important is the fact that Raja WAS NOT defeated and killed by military methods-it was PURE TREACHERY that led to his downfall in winter of 1805. We can say that he was "undeafeated in the field, but stabbed in the back".
What greater tribute is needed to Pazhassi Raja's military genius other than the fact that even Arthur Wellesley aka Duke of Wellington could not subdue him even after 3 years of severe struggle? Wellesley's experience in war with Pazhassi enabled him to use Raja's tactics in Spain to bleed Napoleon's army to death[85]
4. Some historians like Woodcock have denounced Pazhassi Raja as a casteist and feudal obscurantist who have no feeling for low caste majority[86]. But Pazhassi Raja cannot be expected to mouth slogans of French Revolution about which he had only a dim idea, if ever he knew of it.
But Raja's attitude towards low caste majority was generous and kindly indeed. For e.g-unlike his contemporary princes and lords of Malabar who on return from exile in 1792, launched a wave of inhuman tax extraction from Malabar people who had suffered endless privation in 20 year Mysorean terror, Pazhassi Raja borrowed a large sum from rich merchants and encouraged his farmer-folk with free seeds and saplings to resume agriculture[87].
Also as mentioned before [88] Raja was opposed to exorbitant taxation of peasantry, who were majority of his subjects and mostly low caste,and it was this issue that led him to war in 1784 and 1793.
5. Raja took special care of his aides and troops. In fact, he was so brutal in revenge if any of his follower or his kin is harmed that not even most fearsome of bandits dare not to threaten Raja's followers' homes, where during war, only women and children were present.[89]
6. Raja promoted capable men to key posts. All of them remained loyal to Raja to the bitter end. Only Pazayamviden betrayed his master. Had it not been for these able and loyal lieutenants, of whom Edachena Kungan, Talakkal Chandu, Kaitheri Ambu & Kannoth Nambiar are most important, Raja could not have held out against foreign aggressors for so long. [90]
[edit] List of Raja's Renowned Supporters[91]
Most important of them are in bold letters
1. Vira Varma [Raja’s nephew]
2. Ravi Varma [Raja’s nephew]
3. Pallur Eman Nayar
4. Pallur Rayrappan [Killed in 1806 while attempting to escape]
5. Talakkal Chandu [Kurichia-aide of Kungan/Hero of Panamaram]
6. Edachena Kungan [Directed Raja’s operations in Wayanad/Hero of Panamaram]
7. Edachena Othenan
8. Edachena Komappan
9. Edachena Ammu [Killed in 1805-British dreaded him, if one were to believe British records][7, 8, & 9 are Kungan's brothers]
10. Aralat Kutty Nambiar [Died fighting along with Raja in 1805-a 'notorious rebel' in British view]
11. Karverialli Kannan
12. Yogimulla Machan
13. Ittikombetta Kelappan Nambiar
14. Parappanad Raja
15. Kannoth Sankaran Nambiar [Raja’s Minister]
16. Kaitheri Ambu [Raja’s brother in law, also directed Raja’s operations in Kottayam]
17. Kaitheri Kammaran
18. Kaitheri Eman
19. Elampullyan Kunjan
20. Puttamvittil Rairu
21. Kuran Menon
22. Sekhara Variyar
23. Puttalat Nayar
24. Melodam Kanachan Nambiar
25. Chattappan Nambiar
26. Chingot Chattu
27. Pulliyan Shanalu
28. Punattil Nambiar
29. Kampuratt Nambiar
30. Peruvayal Nambiar [Hanged]
Edachena Kungan, who was perhaps most important of Raja's follower outlived his master only to commit suicide in 1806 to prevent capture by British. [92]
Talakkal Chandu was arrested and hanged in 1805 shortly before Raja's death.[93]
Kannoth Sankaran Nambiar was hanged along with his son in 1801[94]
Kaitheri Ambu was killed in action in 1805 before Raja's death.[95]
Pallur Eman who once was close to Wellesley and leaked all his plans to Pazhassi Raja from 1800 to 1802 and in 1802 escaped to forests to join Raja when his spying was discovered by British. It was Pallur Eman Nayar who mobilized Kurumbas [with whom he had nice relations] to join Raja's army. Eman was arrested in 1806 and deported to Prince of Wales Isle, Australia.[96]
Raja's nephews, Vira Varma and Ravi Varma, however, were pardoned in 1806.[97]