Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, also known as Cotiote Rajah and Pychy Rajah, was the de facto head of the Kottayam Kingdom in the Malabar region of Kerala between 1774 and 1805. His struggle against the British East India Company is known as the Cotiote War, for which he has been touted as one of the earliest freedom fighters in India. He earned the epithet "Kerala Simham" on account of his martial exploits.