which promised to respect the independence of Kottayam. The summary of the East India Company terms in 1792 were as follows: The Raja to be able to rule as before, but the East India Company to control him “in case of oppressing inhabitants”. A resident to be appointed to enquire about “complaints of oppression”. Two persons on the part of the Company and two persons on the part of the Raja to make valuation of the land revenue of Kottayam. The tax to be paid by each subject to be ascertained. The Raja's tribute to be settled in October 1792 according to the appearance of crop. The EIC share of the pepper to be delivered at a price fixed by their administration in December 1792. The remainder of the pepper to be bought only by merchants appointed by the Company. These terms converted monarchs to mere agents of the East India Company. Rajas were now stripped of their right to rule as they willed; they also lost control over their economies. Kottayam was represented by Vira Varma, uncle of Pazhassi Raja during talks with the East India Company in 1792. Vira Varma concluded a treaty with Company = by which he accepted all terms and conditions put forward by them. Resistance to Company rule in India — the Cotiote War Pazhassi Raja resisted the East India Companyfrom 1793 onwards till his death in 1805. He fought two wars to resist Company intervention in the domestic affairs of his kingdom. From 1793–1797 he fought over the question of the management of Kottayam and from 1800–1805 over the issue of who was to be master of Wynad. The East India Company called their wars with Pazhassi Rajah as Cotiote War. First revolt (1793–1797) Pazhassi Raja was not on good terms with his uncle Vira Varma, Raja of Kurumbranad. In 1793, foxy Vira Varma who had surrendered Kottayam to the EIC back in 1792, convinced Company commissioners to let him collect tax in Kottayam. He calculated that a good collection might please the EIC and that they would let him seize all of Kottayam. The Company had by this time adopted a hostile approach to Pazhassi Raja who had consistently refused to accept Company suzerainty and hence they made the obedient Vira Varma head of Kottayam Pazhassi Raja was angry at this move. He felt betrayed. After all, he was the only Raja