All of them remained loyal to Raja to the bitter end. Pazhayaveetil Chandu, though a Nayar, came from a wretched background. His most famous general, Thalakkal Chandu was a member of forest tribe.
A general of his named Pullambil Sankaran was of lower Tiyyar caste. One of his eighteen viceroy Palliyath Ambu was a Vaniyan, a lower caste. Raja promoted capable men to key posts with no regard of caste, tribe or class. Had he been ruler of a larger and more powerful kingdom like Travancore or even Calicut, course of Kerala's history would have been different. His tragedy was that he was ruler of too small a country. He always desired for good relations with great powers that surrounded his country, but had little hesitation to fight them if need be. In that sense, there was remarkable continuity in his political approach throughout his life. But he was not ready for any foreign policy based on political servility or financial exploitation of his people. He did make serious efforts for a rapprochement between Kottayam and Mysore in 17. Truth was that Pazhassi Raja was also keen on an understanding with Mysore. Another point to be noted was that before 1792, British had made no attempt to dominate any part of Kerala whereas Mysore army had invaded, occupied and devastated large parts of North and Central Kerala and committed terrible atrocities on local population. Pazhassi Raja's alliance with British from 1774 to 1792 was based on political common sense. He had no hesitation to fight British when it became clear to him that British will not accept independence and unity of Kottayam. Pazhassi Raja had no objective to accept British suzerainty. Pazhassi Raja allied with British from 1774 to 1792 only because they have a common enemy called Mysore. This view is entirely wrong as it does not have a foundation in historical facts. They even go so far as to claim that Tipu Sultan was the real patriot for being an enemy of British from beginning to end whereas Pazhassi Raja became a patriot only when British harmed his interest. Some people allege that Pazhassi Raja did a crime by making alliance with British to fight Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Neither threat nor temptation could make them betray their Raja. They steadfast in their determination to stand with their Raja to the end. British offer of huge reward for head of Raja and his close aides too did not cause any change of mind for his subjects. Yet, people of Kottayam disregarded even such terrible consequences and supported Raja. Those who supported Raja or his men and had the ill luck to be caught by British were hanged, their near and dear ones ill treated or murdered and their property confiscated. They fought as his troops, provided him with money and arms, fed and hid him and his men, misled British with false information and faithfully reported British troop movements to Raja and his men - with no desire for any reward in return. To the bitter end, his subjects, high and low, gave all help they can to their Raja. How much his subjects loved Raja is attested by the fact that despite terrible persecution by British troops, most people refused to betray or abandon Raja and his men. They came to love this man so much that he became a hero of folk songs in Northern Malabar. This was due to the fact that he was willing to do anything to ensure their safety and welfare. As foretold, people of all castes, tribes and classes of his country adored him as their beloved Raja. He took up leadership and went to war only because he felt it was his duty to protect his land and people from alien oppression. Pazhassi Raja was only a junior prince of his dynasty and it was due to fate that he rose to leadership.
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