Consequent History

The year 1791 was marked by the terrible persecution of the konkanies at the hands of Raja Rama Varma, Known in Cochin Historyas Sakthan Thampuran. Shortly after ascending the gaddi the Raja demanded a contribution of jaggery from the Konkanies. On refusal, the Raja arrested a number of Konkanies and ordered them to pay customs to the king thereby violating the agreement which the Dutch had made in the year 1772.

Letters were exchanged between the Raja of Cochin and the Dutch Governor, an abstract from which reads thus. "Owing to H. H. 's oppression of the Konkanies and imprisonment of the T. D Authorities , the Dutch have determined to station a military detachement at Chellayi to protect them, and insist on recall of H. H. 's guard stationed there and warns of the serious consequences of the conduct of H. H. 's (NO. IXVI / 1 State Archives, Ernakulam dated 17-7-1771) I series ( No. 379/5, State Archives Ernakulam, dated 26-7-1771 is a reply communicating the conditions proposed in negotiation with the Valiah Sarvadhi Kariakar and two Sarvadhi Kariakars deputed by H. H., namely that the Dutch will recall their detachment leaving only a small guard near the temple site, provided H. H. will not subject the Konkanies for any new demand and summon them to palace. I Series No: 379/14-9-1771 is a reply to H. H.'s letter. The Dutch Council informs the Raja that the Council will not order the recall of Dutch detachments unless H. H. gives a written assurance that the konkanies will not be troubled by new demands. I Series No: 379/15 dated 16-8-1771 is a letter of warning given by the Dutch to the Raja of Cochin. It states, "H H. will be held responsible for the loss of Thirumala Devasom by H. H.'s injunction not to allow gathering of crops on Devasom Kanam fields, the trustees being unable to appear before H. H in the present time". But in disregard ogf the warning, on 12th October 1791 the leading merchants of the Konkani community were massacred including Deweresa Kini. Again, Raja caused three overseers of Temple Thirumala Devasom to be put to death because they won't surrender to him any part of the trasure belonging to it, and also plundered the shops and carried away the merchant's property. The Duth on seeing the Raja's atrocities sent an army and attacked the King' Palace at Mattancherry, but were repulsed. Letter I, Series No: 379/19, of the Dutch Dated 15-101791 (State Archives, Ernakulam) explains why guns were discharged against Cochin Palace, viz. protection of the Konkani subjects who, frightened by devastation in the Devswom shops by H. H.'s men, left the country in ship for personal security, some having persuaded and given shelter in Cochin fort". The Raja plundered the temple of Thirumala belonging to the comunity. Prof: Das Gupta writes, "The loot was calculated at over Rs. 1,60,000 from the temple alone." (Malabar in Asian Trade p.121).

The story that Sakthan Thampuran, Raja of Cochin , demanded the head of Devaresa Kini to be shown as "Kani" to him is related by Saastri Poy in his account given latter. He says that on that day the Sambadi Menon (Sec. of King of Cochin) came to Pandyashala of Devaresa Kini and said that for the money due to him pepper could be given in payment. He then, apparentely to speak very privately to him, took him to a room in Pandyashla. When engaged in conversion, 2 or 3 country boats sailed up & stopped to the North of the godown. First stepped out "Balia Gammaan" or Capt. of the Infantiry, and the no. of men with swords drawn. The former entered the room where Devaresa Kini was talking with Menon. Menon pinned Devaresa down while two men murdered him. The rest of the men who were on the main hall murdered the Konkanies whom they could catch hold of. The head of Devaresa Kini was severed and that severed head of kini was exhibited to the Raja as a first thing ("kini") next morning. "Among the murdered included Krishen, Goga Kamath, Manuku Shenoi and son of Ranga Pai. Ofcourse the remaining , Saastra Pai, Morthu Patter were wounded but Baboden fortunetly escaped". (Ibid).