1921 Malabar Mutiny and it’s Controversial ‘Khilafat King' - VariyanKunnath Kunjahammed Haji !
Oh White Men..
If you want to live long..
Escape to England soon!!
The excerpt from the War Song Padappattu about the 1921 Malabar Rebellion, a national movement verociously organized by Variyankunnath, a malabar-muslim chieftain in Kerala, where the British administrated the region directly.
Although, the reason for the outrage was the agitation of the malabar peasants who were incessantly exploited by the British; it however ended as a heinous communal bigotism.
Malappuram; Image: wikipedia
Brawling History of Malabar
In 1969, the Muslim League of Kerala demanded a separate district predominantly for malabar muslims; In response to the protests, the boundaries of Kozhikod and Palghat districts were redrawn to carve out a new Muslim-dominated district Malappuram. The critics claim it ‘Moplastan - The Illegitimate Child of the old Two Nation Theory' !
The 1921 Mappila Rebellion happened in this area, which ipso facto had a disturbing social turmoil.
During the British-colonial era, Malabar district belonged to the Madras Presidency, extending over two thousand square miles. It was primitively dominated by Namboodri Landlords who were oppressive against their Moplah/Muslim tenants with rack renting and unsure tenancy. The origin of the minority muslims can be traced to the descendants of Arab traders who then settled in the country.
With the successive invasions of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, the social and political hierarchy of Namboodris and Nairs got weakened and the Mappilas were freed from the restraints and the history of profound antagonism got gravely repeated.
Many Hindus fled in the fear of forced conversion and the areas of Ernad and Walluvanad became the sanctum of Mappilas. However, the defeat of Tipu and the subsequent land settlement policies of the British restored the heads of hindus and the malabar muslims were critically grounded.
This had documented as a spark of the Mappila Mutiny!
Radicles of the Rebellion
As with the sporadic protests of peasant bands, the roots of the mutiny were also traversed through the nationalist movements.
In 1916, All India Home Rule League’s first Malabar District Conference held under the presidency of Annie Beasant. Various political reforms against subinfeudation were emphasized in the meet and an idea of self-government system was inculcated in the young minds for the first time. This is when Malabar became political awakened.
The Khilafat & Non-Cooperation Movement
Despite various reform commissions, Malabar continued to be under suppression until Gandhi’s visit to Calicut in 1920 that aroused the mussalmans to preserve the integrity of Ottoman Empire which the British abolished the Caliphate at the end of the First World War.
The Khilafat Movement of Ali Brothers was deeply rooted in South Malabar.
In 1919, The Khilafat Committe was thus formed in Malabar for the anti-British issues to restore the Ottoman Caliphate along with the dire need for Swaraj through non-violence and non-cooperation.
Variyankunnath Kunjahammed Haji
Variyakunnath, a mappila rebel, with a history of stirring outbreaks was drawn to Khilafat Movement and became the key organizer of the rage. He enthroned himself as Khilafat King; took control of whole Ernad and Walluvanad taluks and even issued passports to the people who tend to exit his kingdom.
He assured beneficence declaring no Hindus will be harmed. At the initial stages, Hindus were seen participating in the riot..Infact, Khilafat movement in Malabar was led by M.P.Narayana Menon, who had supposedly adopted as a muslim. But not all mappilla leaders were benevolent despots. Many Nambudris and Nairs were claimed to be massacred by frenzied moplah leaders.
As the rebel forces were drifted towards communal violence, Congress workers had to put a foothold and call for non-violence.
Although Congress leaders refuted the religious fanaticism as a trigger for the riot, the South Malabar was indubitably slipping into the hands of Mappila rebels.
Battle of Pookottur
On 21 August 1921, the British retaliated by sending the troops to Pookottur under Captain McEnroy and CB Lancaster. On hearing this, Kunjahammed Haji plotted a warfare with Pookottur leaders Vadakkuvettil Mammad and Kunji Tangal.
It was however crushed by the British which also favored the Hindus who were brought to mosques for ‘forcible conversion’ which was later given up as a consequence of the battle.
Wagon Tragedy
Railroad Wagon; Image : Historicalleys.blogspot.com
Yet, with no signs of deterioration of internal disturbances Martial law was imposed by the Government of Madras. Hundreds of rebels were taken to the central prison of Tirur, in a small wagon. Near Podanur, most of the rebels were suffocated to death which historians claim it as a “Black Hole of Podanur" !
The rebel bands were then scattered and taken refuge in hills of Beypore. The military force with a sweeping operation captured Kunjahammed and other largest bands.
The execution of Variankunnath Kunjahammed Haji marked the collapse of 1921 Malabar Rebellion.
