KAMMARAN NAMBIAR ALIAS MUHHAMED AYAZ KHAN ALIAS HYAT SAHIB

Some where in history is hidden a character whom not many have heard of but has his roots basically in our part of the world. The life and times of this man may not be directly linked to bangalore of today but it still seems relevant to me.

This is the story of a small boy who was forcibly brought from cannanore district to Sriranga pattana by Hyder ali during one of his expeditions only to later grow into a formidable ally of the ruler and then face misfortune in the hands of Tipu and the British establishment. From historical studies I understand that Hyder Ali had an ability to make use of people and their talents well , the secret behind his succesful military conquests.

The name of the boy was Kammaran nambiar and could be some relative of mine if some data is to be beleived. What the lad basically did at Srirangapattana is not clear but he gradually grew into becoming a very important confidant of Hyder. Hyder Ali renamed the boy Md. Ayaz Khan and there after he is known as Ayaz khan. Ayaz khan was illiterate and so was Hyder. To my mind it seems Ayaz was a good military strategist and Hyder Ali implemented the strategies and was in constant consultation with Ayaz in the battle feilds.

As a reward for the many succesful military conquests Ayaz Khan was made governor of Bidnur today I think called Nagara in Shimoga. Bidnur is also called bendore and bidurur which literally translates into the "Land of bamboo". Initially Ayaz was offered a larger county for Governorship namely Chitradurg but Ayaz politely refused for reasons unknown to be later given Bidnur.

Hyder Ali suddenly dies in Chitoor in present day Andhra Pradesh at the age of 60 reversing the fortunes of Ayaz. He is replaced as Governor by Tipu - the information of which reaches him in advance. Ayaz khan hands over his kingdom and wealth to General mathews of the British possibly for safe keeping. In a surprise military conquest Tipu Sultan retakes the bidnur fort and takes Gen Mathews prisoner and later has the general killed. Tipu was thirsting for the blood of Ayaz but could not lay hands on him possibly because the British provided him some kind of a safe haven somewhere in Bombay.

The only connection I possibly think ayaz would have had with bangalore is that he must have passed through the city if at all during the various military conquests with Hyder. I have got to like Hyder Ali for the affection he showered on Ayaz and the trust he put in him not to the liking of many people around.

It must be pointed out that the combine of Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan over looked a very vast empire by any standards covering the coasts of kerala from palghat to mangalore stretching nothwards into almost the midst of modern day karnataka state and south towards a sizeable chunk of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Though the empire did not last for more than 40 years due to incessant conflict head-on with British forces and their allies. Bangalore must have been a key place of reckoning for them for various reasons both as a tranit point and as a point of residence at times.

Whenever people travel through Srirangapattana they should remind themselves that the ruins were once upon a time a enlivened citadel which was the capital of a large kingdom and the blood of many a people from distant lands have been shed in the many skirmishes to which history was witness. How sad that the travellers on the highway alongside this place do not care to take a second look at the fort and its environs. From scots through a distant land to english to french to marattas to muslim soldiers of nizam to wodeyars and many lands possibly not known Srirangapattana had them all. I happenned to visit Srirangapattana fort recently which looks like a modern day residential layout. There is a large era of history encapsulated in this place and not known to many and only to few who care. The stones and walls of this place have many a story to tell and possibly we do not understand their language a impossible handicap to overcome. Many a authentic story ly deeply hidden at this place which only few intelligent could possibly piece together through conjecture and assume they were true.

Ayaz Khan had some descendants who is beleived settled in Bombay. If any one has something more about this character Ayaz Khan alias Kammaran Nambiar from our place please communicate and I would like to know them better.