Pazhassi Raja was known as Kerala Varma and was also known as Cotiote Rajah and Pychy Rajah. He was a warrior Hindu prince and de facto head of the kingdom of Kottayam, otherwise known as Cotiote, in Malabar. Known for his gorilla warfare, the 18th century ruler of Malabar was the only person to defeat Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington in a war.