The year 2021 marked a significant centennial: the Malabar or Moplah Uprising of 1921. This rebellion, occurring in Kerala’s Malabar region, was predominantly led by an esteemed freedom fighter, Variyamkunnath Kunjahammed Haji. He rallied against the British oppression and greatly impacted the course of Indian history.
The Life and Journey of Variyamkunnath Kunjahammed Haji
Born into a wealthy Muslim household around the 1870s, Variyamkunnath Kunjahammed Haji was exposed from a young age to stories of British brutality, as his father was incarcerated for his rebellious actions against British rule. Haji developed a deep-seated resentment towards the British, which was further nurtured by his fascination for traditional music-based art forms and poems that resonated with the locals’ plight against British cruelty.
Despite the British banning these lyrical forms of protest, Haji cleverly utilized them as instruments to ignite anti-British sentiments among the local population. His rich knowledge of Urdu, Arabic, and English combined with his vehement anti-colonial stand made him a respected figure in society.
Khilafat Movement and Resistance Against the British
Upon being introduced to the cause of the Khilafat movement and the Indian National Congress (INC), Haji pledged to join them against the atrocities committed by the British and the landlords. He decided to take up arms and soon emerged as a key leader in Calicut and South Malabar.
Haji was particularly keen on maintaining the secular nature of the movement, emphasizing Hindu-Muslim unity. He ensured the security of other faiths, which subsequently posed a challenge for the British who sought to create divisions within the movement.
However, as the uprising spread through Ernad and Valluvanad taluks of erstwhile Malabar district, British loyalists were forced to flee, leaving vast territories under the control of local rebels.
A Brief Period of Independence
In August 1921, the territory was declared an ‘independent state’, with Haji as its undisputed ruler. For almost six months, he led a robust Khilafat regime headquartered in Nilambur, introducing a separate passport, currency, and taxation system.
As part of his rule, tenants were granted rights over the lands they cultivated and given tax incentives. However, this period of self-governance was short-lived as the British betrayed Haji through his close friend Unyan Musaliyar, leading to his arrest in January 1922. He was later sentenced to death, alongside his comrades.
Malabar/Moplah Rebellion of 1921
The Malabar rebellion, also known as the Moplah rebellion, was an armed revolt executed by Mappila Muslims of Kerala in 1921. Following Mahatma Gandhi’s call for non-cooperation, a Khilafat committee was formed in Malabar. The worsening agrarian condition, marked by oppressive landlord measures backed by the British, added fuel to the fire.
The Moplah tenants rose up against these injustices, resulting in a strong response from the British government who enforced martial law and deployed Gurkha regiments for suppression.
Wagon Tragedy and Aftermath of Rebellion
A notable incident amidst this suppression was the wagon tragedy, where around 60 Mappila prisoners suffocated to death inside a closed railway goods wagon while being transported to prison.
Although the rebellion lasted just six months, it is remembered as one of the initial nationalist uprisings in Southern India. The motive behind this revolt has been a topic of debate among historians – some view it as religious fanaticism, others consider it a struggle against British authority, while some perceive it as a peasant revolt against the exploitative practices of landlords.
