Kannavath Sankaran Nambiar

During first war with British, Sankaran along with Kaitheri Ambu, played a major role. He was present in Todikulam when Pazhassi's troops, entrenched in a fortified temple, fought the British in 1797. The British suffered severe losses in this battle, including the deaths of senior leaders Captain Bachelor and Captain William Brown.^[1][4]

In June 1800, Sankaran collected a large band of rebels to fight the British again. The British, on 4 August 1801, proclaimed him an outlaw and imposed the death penalty on him.

Sankaran and his men helped the Rajah evade capture and came into agreement with rebels in South Malabar like Manjeri Athan Gurikkal. Sankaran also conducted guerilla warfare against the British troops.^[1][2]

On 27 November 1801, Sankaran and a small band of rebels were camped at Kuttiyadi. A local resident betrayed them to the British, who captured the rebels and transported them to Kannavam.^[1][2]

In Kannavam, on the execution grounds, the British repeatedly promised Sankaran a pardon and reward if he revealed Pazhassi Raja's hideout. Sankaran rebuffed the offer. He informed the British that "he will get a far greater reward in heaven if he remained loyal to his Raja." His son, his nephew, his brother and his other followers also refused.

Sankaran then reportedly put the noose around his neck with his own hands and his followers did the same.^[5] The following morning. the residents of Kannavam saw their corpses still hanging, as they had not yet been buried.

The place of execution for Sankaran and his followers is now a memorial site called as Kuritikalam or Plot of Blood Sacrifice.^[4]