Eruvayil Achyutha Warrier, the Great Patriot of Kayamkulam

As all are aware, the present state of Kerala has been divided into different princely kingdoms and being ruled by different kings. Venatt Swaroopam (Travancore Dynasty) and Kayamkulam were two among them. When Marthanda Varma became the King of Travancore, he fought many wars with neighboring kingdoms and brought all of them under his rule. However, Kayamkulam remained as a separate kingdom even then.

Marthanda Varma decided to bring in Kayamkulam too under his rule and he entrusted the duty of his trusted Lieutenant Ramayyan Dalava. Ramayyan Dalava, went to Kayamkulam with a force of about ten thousand warriors to capture the state. At that time Kayamkulam army had the strength of just 3000 members. Still, they fought with the Travancore army. Eruvayil Achyutha Warrier was the commandant in chief of the Kayamkulam army. He was a brave soldier at the same time a brilliant war strategist too. He changed the strategies every now and then and it has become difficult for the Travancore army to defeat Kayamkulam. They lost many lives too. Finally, Ramayyan Dalava realized that it was not possible to capture Kayamkulam as long as Achyutha Warrier is alive. He returned to Thiruvananthapuram and apprised the king about war. Marthanda Varma too of the opinion that they cannot conquer Kayamkulam when Warrier is leading the battle. Hence both of them hatched a plan to content Warrier.

Ramayyan Dalava sent his spies to gather more details about Achyutha Warrier and they informed him that Warrier is a great devotee of Lord Shiva and he spends the whole day in the Shiva Temple on first Saturdays of every Malayalam Month. On those days he observes fasting and will not even drink water. Ramayan waited for the first Saturday of the next month.

On that fateful day, Warrier entered the temple as usual and notice a saint who speaks the Tamil language. As he smiled at Warrier, Warrier too smiled back and went nearer to him. He inquired about the saint where he stays. Saint said him that he was there today and cannot say where he will be tomorrow. Sensing the philosophy in his words, Warrier spent quite some time with him discussing many spirituals subjects.

As usual, Warrier spent the whole day inside the temple, and while returning home in the evening, he invited the saint too. Saint accepted the invitation with great pleasure and accompanied him. As they were walking alongside the Kayamkulam Lake, a group of four or five young men attacked Warrier. They slapped him on his neck and on the waist. As it was quite unexpected and as he was too tired of not having food for the whole day, Warrier falls down. Then he jumped up and looked at the saint who was watching the incidents calmly. Warrier stared at the saint and shot a question.

“Are you Ramayyan Dalava?” The saint nodded as if he is agreeing then instructed the young man to take Warrier to a boat waiting in the lake. They conquered Warrier very easily as he was totally tired after observing the whole day's fasting. They took him to Thiruvananthapuram by boat and as they reached the palace, King Marthanda Varma was waiting there for Warrier.

King instructed Ramayyan to free Warrier and gave him a glass of water. Then the king approached him with folded hands and started talking.

“Warrier, it is my long cherishing wish that Kayamkulam should come under my rule. If you can help me, you will become the commander in chief of our country. Besides, you will be awarded with a lot of wealth and land.”

A calm and confident Warrier smiled at the King and replied.

“Your Majesty, I have regarded only one person in my life as my father. Similarly, I have only one country that is Kayamkulam, and only one king that is Kayamkulam King. Now it is left to you to make a decision.”

Saying these brave words, Warrier bowed in front of King Marthanda Varma and shown his neck, as if he is ready to be beheaded.

The very next day people saw a headless body floating in the lake and they identified it is of Eruvayil Achyutha Warrier, the great patriot of Kayamkulam who sacrificed his own life for the country.