The what, why and how of Malabar Rebellion and it's aftermath. Malabar rebellion is one of the most misinterpreted peasant uprising in the country. The hindutwa forces tries to demonize the rebels. Where islamic fundamentalists sees it a movement to establish Sunni Islamic state. But the studies confirm both were absolutely wrong.
Events leading to Malabar rebellion of 1921?
Tipu Sultan's regin (1793-1762) after the invasion of Malabar (present day Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram and parts of Kannur) many Jenmis (landlords) were displaced or was under refuge of neighbouring states. Those who didn't runaway converted to Islam for mercy and appeasement. But Tipu altogether abolished the Janmi system and introduced new taxation by which the government bodies have fixed share based on produce unlike before. Also massive land reforms and cultural reforms were introduced such as covering the breasts was made mandatory by law being one of them.
This ensured well-being of oppressed classes mostly consisting of kudiyaans (bonded labourers) which belonged to both muslim and hindu lower caste communities. Landless kudiyaans had most of the benifits under Tipu's land reforms. But like all the good things it didn't last. In 1792 treaty of srirangapattinam was signed which handed over Malabar to East India company. Swiftly the land reforms were rolled back, the displaced Janmis were able to return and East India Company, Zamorin and Travancore maharaja helped them re-establish. Now the janmis of malabar became undisputed
With the support of East India company's armor armory and backing form two powerful rajas. They began unprecedented land grab. East india company let the janmis have ownership of the land reverting land owner kudiyaans status to landless. Thus once again forced into slavery and poverty. This lead to a long series of violent outbreaks between muslim kudiyaans and Hindu landlords.
This didn't change even after East India company rule was transferred to royal government of England. Soon in 1920s kilafath (Caliphate as in Ottoman caliphate, a nostalgic reference to last sunni caliphate) movement , a pan-india islamist movement to protest British rule. Similarly in Kerala, after Gandhi's visit and in his speech he encouraged formation of kilafath committee. Hundreds of such committees, small and large were formed. British authorities as always tried to use iron fist and supress kilafath movement in Malabar.
In 1921 August, police force tried to arrest Eranadu kilafath committee secretary alleging he stole pistol from a hindu landlord's home. Large mob gathered foiled the attempt to arrest. On the following day many of kilafath members and leaders were arrested and records from Mambaram mosque was seized by the police. A mob gathered in no time infront of Thirurangadi police station. Police open fired at them.
This flared furious reaction from the crowd. They attacked police stations, goverment offices like courts, registrar office and treasuries. While burning the existing British records they also proclaimed swaraj (freedom/self rule). In two months the uprising would engulf almost 5200 sqkm in area. The immediate next step was reversal of land reforms back to Tipu's era. The rebels attacked and seized the land forcibly while executing landlord's without any proper trial. Many British sympathizers and those accused of being so were also executed regardless of religion. One such incident was execution of a mopla adhikari (muslim landlord) who was British sympathiser. It is believed that Variyamkunnath haji, a prominent leader of Malabar rebellion made a speech with this adhikari's head on display as a warning to traitors.
Did the rebels really try to establish kaliphate (Islamic state)?
Even though it began unorganised it quickly turned into a very systematic mechanic of a state by all means. It had an offical name "Malayalarajyam". It had offical currency and taxation system. It even had passports issued to those who went out of Malabar. There were districts and subdistricts with proper functioning jurisdictions,seal, unifirms and government agencies. The rebellion also had hindu leaders who were later executed. If they were trying to make an Islamic state kafirs won't be in key positions.
Rebel leaders Ali Musliyar, Variankunnath Kunjahammad Haji, Sithi Koya Thangal etc were agaisnt forced conversions. Ali Musaliar kept a very widened perspective where he wanted to establish a country for all, not just muslisms. Even though there has been forced conversions and sexual assault on janmi familes and British sympathisers. The first notion of religious conflict was being peddled by then mainstream newspapers because after the massive peasant uprising even congress ditched kilafath movement and Gandhi also distanced himself from it. This also made it easy to spread religious hatred as root cause of Malabar uprising. This was mainly done inorder to cut any support outside Malabar. Even after this some merchants from Palakkad both muslims and other religions donated money and other resources.
Ali musaliyar once wrote an open letter to The Hindu refuting the claims of religious hatred. Apart from Hindu refugees under Ali musaliyar. There were roughly 500-600 Hindu kudiyaans also who fought along side their muslim brethren. The communal angle was inserted long after the suppression of the rebellion. Until this day the same lies have been peddled by sangh parivar. Until a decade before we couldn't really see the actual picture in various dimensions. But today we have declassified materials available for proper studies are being conducted. These lies stand no chance whatsoever.
Post suppression and capture and execution of its leaders and other ranks happened after court martial in Coimbatore. Infamous wagon tragedy happened during one of the trips with prisoners in a goods train. All the leaders and rebels who held key posts were all shot. It is said that variyankunnath kunjahammad haji, a rebel leader requested to unshackle and uncover his eyes and to be shot in the chest, rather than his back. Some of the rebels were WW1 veterans who fought for British army. British faced several set backs until reinforcement came along with gorkha regiment.
Some 50000 were arrested. 2500+ were killed. Civilian casualties inflicted by rebels and British army will be around 10000. Post suppression the British army, ghurka regiment and the military police literally rampaged the areas and allmost all men were arrested. Leaving women and children to fend themselves. Massive pillages and extortion happened during those days. The army raided the defenseless homes, molested women and children alike. There were no religious discrimination both Hindus and muslims suffered alike in the hands of army. Most people fled to hills and forests. Survived on wild berries and small animals. The agro sector was totally unattended for at least a year and half after suppression of the rebellion.
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