Variyan Kunnathu Kunjahammed Haji

Chakkiparamban Variyan Kunnathu Kunjahammed Haji
Chakkiparamban Variyan Kunnathu Kunjahammed Haji
Born	Malabar, British India ; (now Malappuram, India)
Died	23 March 1922 (aged 44–45); Kottakkunnu, Malappuram, British India; (now Malappuram, India)
Organization	Khilafat Movement,[1] Indian National Congress
Movement	Indian Independence movement

Chakkiparamban Variyankunnathu Kunjahammed Haji (1877- 20 January 1922 ) was an activist of Indian independence movement who led the Malabar Rebellion against the British,[2][3] Subsequently he was executed by British.[4][5] He ran parallel government,[6] in open defiance of British rulers, for more than six months in most parts of the then Eranadu and Valluvanadu taluks.[7] The shadow fights spearheaded by his followers annoyed the British rulers. He stealthily raised an army of 75,000 strong natives,[8] seized control of a large area from the British rule and set up a parallel government against British in Malabar, now part of the Kerala State, Republic of India, with his long term mentor, friend Ali Musliyar.[7][9] It was the only single instance where the British had to concede an area as large as 5200 square kilometers to a parallel rule for about five months.[8][10][11]

Early life

Haji was born in a Muslim merchant family with a history of anti colonial struggles, in 1877 in valluvangad, later on moved to Nellikuth village, near Manjeri, Malappuram district. He was second child of his parents, Chakkiparamban Moideenkutty Haji and Kunjaisha Hajjumma. Moideenkutty Haji was merchant and farmer as well, a local leader and one among those who had been deported and imprisoned in notorious Jails of Andaman for taking part in the 1894 Mannarkkad Rebellion.[5][4]

He pursued his basic religious education from village Madrasa, later upgraded as 'Ezhuthukalari' where Malayalam language was also part of curriculam. He studied many Arabic texts from Mammad Kutty Musliyar. After his father was deported to Andaman, Haji was brought up in his mother's family. His grandfather was also a local leader, he appointed a teacher named Balakrishnan Ezhuthachan, from whom he learnt Malayalam and basic English along with other grandchildren of his grandfather. He was also trained in martial arts along with his primary education.[4][12]

Haji could also be seen as the one who was very passionate of traditional mappila art forms, he used to conduct Kolkkali, Daffumutt, and Katha Prasangam. It is also said that he was good singer too. The acceptance he acquired through performing arts soon made him popular in community. The deport of his father and other rebels and the seizure of their lands and properties followed, triggered his anger and hostility towards British could be considered as spark that led to birth of revolutionary leader.[5]

Marriage and Family

Haji returned from Mecca in 1905 and married Ruqiyya; daughter of Unni Muhammed . After her death in 1908, he married Sainaba ; sister of one of his friends. In 1920 Haji married his cousin Malu Hajjumma(Paravetti Fathima); daughter of his uncle Koyammu Haji . They were brought up in same home and this was third marriage for both of them. Malu had an important role in Haji's life. For Haji, she was more than a wife, in the time of revolution she assisted him like a minister, warrior and adviser.[13]

Art as Weapon

Variyankunnath as an artist started to use the performance art against British rule. He conducted speeches accompanied by songs against British and landlords. His speeches filled with Badr padappattu, Malappuram padappattu, Cheroorpadappattu; the songs which were banned by British, reminded the community the revolutionary tradition of Mappilas and aroused their anger against British rule.[4]

Manjeri Peasant Revolt

In 1896 Manjeri Kovilakam landlords started to evacuate the tenants from their lands. The conflict between tenants and landlords along with British following the evacuation of tenants from their lands. The landless tenants started to revolt under the leadership of Variyan Kunnathu Kunjammad Haji. They seized land and properties of the land lords. British army came to help the landlords. The conflict caused British to risk 94 out of 100 their soldiers. Inspector Khan Bahadhur Chekkutty tried to arrest Haji but CI Kurikkal, one of his friend helped him. Haji has become under constant surveillance of British spies. His friends and family insisted him to leave for Mecca when they smelt that Chekkutty is planning to arrest him immediately. sooner he left to Bombay, then to Mecca. During the self imposed exile, he visited home several times but was compelled to go back due to the continued surveillance before he finally decided to settle permanently at his native place in 1914.[4][14]

Malabar rebellion

There are many events that could be seen as undercurrents that caused Malabar Rebellion. The conflict between tenants and landlords along with British following the evacuation of tenants from their farming lands fired up the British. Tenants were mostly from lower caste and mappilas. The immediate reason of the Malabar rebellion was the rumor spread that the British army destroyed Mamburam mosque and Makkham following British army's raid in the mosque in the name of arm hunt. Ali Musaliyar, followed by a crowd went to Thirurangadi Kacheri(the compound including police station, register office, magistrate court, post office) to inquire about the incident. Seeing the Ali Musaliyar and the crowd with him the Collector ordered the Police to shoot them without any provocation. The crowd was huge enough, they got violent for the sudden action and stated to attack back. They killed some Policemen and seized the police station. Collector and other officials fled to Calicut.[7]

State declaration

Following Thirurangadi Mosque attack in 20 August 1920, people were up in arms. Haji mobulised them They attacked and seized police station, treasuries, courts, registrar and other government offices. The rebellion soon spread to the nearby areas of Malappuram, Manjeri, Pandikad and Tirur under leadership of Variyan Kunnath Kunjahammad Haji, Seethi Koya Thangal, Chembrassery Thangal and Ali Musliyar. Police, army, and other British officials escaped from areas like Malappuram, Manjeri, Thiruragadi and Perinthalmanna, become independent of British by 28 August 1921. They destroyed railway and telephone lines, bridges and roads etc. since they facilitated British access.[14][15]

In Thekkekalam meeting held on 22 August, Haji appointed commanders under these leaders, and it was duty of these commanders to recruit soldiers, train them and collect weapons. Nayik Chekkutty was the commander of Kunjahammed Haji. Anamundan Mammad, Thaliyil Unnenkutty Haji, Vadakkuvettil Mammad were some other commanders among them.[4]

Since the police and other forces escaped from Eranad, Valluvanadu and Ponnani, Haji declared it as an Independent state from British. According to Hitchcock,[16] the name of this state was Doula; Arabic equivalent word for state.

Haji had already planned well about the foundation of the state. He organised the ex-military officers who fought for British in First World War and were sent without adequate pension Nayik Thaami, the commander of Variyan Kunnath wrote in his diary that Doula had almost 60000 soldiers in his Army.[11]

On 24 August 1921, Variyan Kunnath Kunjahammad Haji took over command of the rebellion from Ali Musliyar. Public proclamations were issued by Variyan Kunnath and that those Mappilas who resorted to looting would receive exemplary punishments. In 30 August 1921 the mob rebels under Haji killed Khan Bahadur Chekkutty who was a cruel police officer and extremist British supporter.The state declaration was conducted in Manjeri. In his speech he reminded the people "this is not the war between Hindus and Muslims. British, landlords and loyal Mappilas are spreading news like this and they want to divide us on the basis of religion and kept majority of us as their slaves but we are not their slaves. We do not hate Hindus but we will punish the British supporters and the people who betray this state.Hindus are our natives, and one who attack the Hindus without any provocation will face punishments by the government and our intention is not to form an Islamic state or to destroy the properties of the Hindus. If anyone ask you for any help or anything give them, never let anyone to starve. Start farming, don’t ruin tenants’ life, they should get remuneration of their hard work.Every people should farm for their basic needs. And we are ready to fight and even to die for our native place. By 28 August 1921, British administration had virtually come to an end in Malappuram, Tirurangadi, Manjeri, and Perinthalmanna, which then fell into the hands of the rebels who established complete domination over the Eranad and Valluvanad Taluks.[4]

Ruling System

On 25 August Haji started armed training. He put an end to Kumbil Kanji, Kanabhumi. Tenants got the power over their farming lands. They were given one year free tax. They were given one year free of tax. The tax was charged for the goods from Wayanad to Tamilnadu. His ruling was as systematic as British government. The government had officers like Collector, Governor, Viceroy and the King. Haji led systematic, and well-disciplined government with court, tax center, police and army. He even issued passport[6] and currency for the people of his state.[11][17]

He was against the Hindu lynching and forced conversions.[7] He gave adequate punishment for these kind of activities, the enemies of Hajis were British and British supporters including upper-class Hindus and Loyal Mappilas. Haji ensured the protection of Namboodiri Bank from the robbers and gave security to Nilambur Kovilakam. The Pulloor Bank robbers were punished the money was given back.[15] There was a class of people who tried to split the unity among the people of the state. British supporters both Hindus and Muslims were subjected to Haji's punishment irrespective of their religion. He captured Pukkottur Kovilakam since they were pro-British and their properties were distributed among the tenants and poor people. He also attacked Kondotty Thangal, who was known to be pro-British.[14]

Army

Army under Haji's army was very powerful and well organised. Most of them were experienced soldiers, served for British in First World War. He officially recorded the details of the soldiers and gave them the receipts for the weapon transferring. Army had proper uniform. They had blacksmiths to make weapons in Malabar and the weapons that rebels seized from police stations. Almost five hundred of Hindus served in his army along with Mappilas. And it tenants who supplied food for the force. Rebels attacked spy workers and other British agents and protected Hindu families from robbers.[4]

Attacks

British faced many attacks in these six months of Variyan kunnath's rule, including direct fight and Guerrilla warfare. One of the most notable attacks that British had to face was Battle Of Pookkottur on 26 August and Battle Of Pandikkadu. In which British sustained many casualties and had to retreat from the field. On 1 September British declared Martial law in Malabar.[17]

Guerrilla warfare under Haji started on 13 September. This unexpected war again distributed a lot British since their army was not trained to fight in forest. On 16 September Variyan Kunnath declared |Martial Law against British, under this law he appointed guards on the border of his territory, established courts for the trial and issued passport for those who were travelling to other areas. In this month of September British faced many unexpected attacks.[11]

Betrayal and Capturing

British always used betrayal as a weapon for capturing and killing their political opponents like what happened in Battle of Plassey.[15] They called Unyan Musaliyar, Haji'd friend and talked him that they are interested in signing a treaty if Haji is ready to surrender. According to this treaty Hajji has to disperse his government and he has to surrender to the British and he will be deported to Mecca. Trusting their words Unyan went to Haji's hidden base to inform him about the treaty that British offered. Unyan went to meet Haji with CI Ramanatha Iyer but Iyer brought battalions along with him and they surrounded Haji's base, they showed him the letter from Commander but Haji was not ready to ready to trust them. Haji and Unyan were unaware of battalions arrested him on 5 January 1922. They captured all the documents of his government and confined all the rebels with him. On 6 January they have been taken to Manjeri and they tortured Haji brutally in front of the crowd beating and plucking his moustach. People could do nothing but watch their Sultan with a long sigh. He was sent to Malappuram along with his commander Nayik Chekkutty.[4]

"7 January, '21 : — Kunhamad Haji with 21 followers, one. 303 rifle, 10 police rifles, and four other B. L. firearms were captured by a specially organised Police Force under the leadership of Subadar Gopala Menon and Sub-Inspector Ramanatha Iyer at Chokad yesterday. "[18]

He was sentenced to death by a British military court. Kunahammed's death virtually ended the rebellion for a Caliphate, and peace and the order of the British government was restored in a few months from January. The following diary entry in that book record the date, and circumstance of his sentencing & death. No further details were available.

"20 January, '22: — Variankunnath Kunhamad Haji and six other Moplahs who were charged with waging war and tried by a Military court, were shot at Malappuram to-day.

The capture of the " Khilafat King ", Varian Kunnath Kunhamad Haji, marked the collapse of the rebellion. " There are only two bands of active rebels left to be dealt with. They are under the leadership of two minor leaders, Konnara Tangal and Moideen Kutty Haji. They are being vigorously pursued and are decreasing in numbers owing to surrenders and casualties. Various detachments of troops have already left the area and it is hoped that the two battalions will have left by the 25th instant, and the force will be reduced to approximately peace garrison by the middle of next month. The total approximate rebel casualties up to date are 2,266 killed, 1,615 wounded and 5,688 captured and 38,256 surrenders. (Madras Mail Jan. 23rd '22)[18]

Judgement in British court

The monstrosity of the crime committed by Kunjahammed Haji is described in the Appendix IX, which carries the text of the judgement passed the Court during the trial of Kunjahammed Haji.

" These were the two of the most brutal murders in the rebellion which cost the lives of two loyal Government officers who were killed for doing their duty and for their services to the Crown. It is difficult to say which of the two was the more dreadful and the callous crime. In Chekutti's case the murderers had the decency to send away the women-folk before they finished the deceased off, but they were guilty of appalling barbarity in subsequently parading the head on a spear. In the case of Hydross the murder was carried out in the presence of his wife and children and in spite of the entreaties of the latter and the efforts of his wife to protect her husband."

List of acts committed

The exact nature of acts committed by Kunhammed Haji is documented across the book in many places, and there are roughly around 4 to 5 references regarding Kunhammed Haji.

Killing of Police Inspector Khan Bahadur Chekkutti, decapitating the head, and parading the head on a spike.
Collection of taxes (collecting of harvest directly from the Tirumulpad Estate.)
Collection of money called Ayudha Fund, towards purchase of weapons for the uprising.
Issuance of passports to people to leave Malabar
Guerilla warfare on British officers in various militant engagements with the officers in 1921

Later life

Haji was sentenced to death by Martial law Commander Colonel Humphrey. He was shot dead on 20 January 1922 at Kottakkunnu. British officials burnt his dead body along with all government records and documents relating to his five months long parallel government.[14]

References

Miller, R.E. Encyclopaedia Dictionary Islam Muslim World, etc V 6. p. 459. Retrieved 29 February 2020. This course of events reached its final denouement in the Malabar Rebellion of 1921, frequently called the Mappila Rebellion. This was a spontaneous uprising (not one of "systematic preparation", as stated by T.W. Arnold, EI, Mappilas) that included the establishment of a temporary "Moplastan" in Ernad, South Malabar, under V.K. Kunyahamad Haji.
EncyclopaediaDictionaryIslamMuslimWorld Volume 6. 1988. p. 460. Contemporary evaluation within India tends to the view that the Malabar Rebellion was a war of liberation, and in 1971 the Kerala Government granted the remaining active participants in the revolt the accolade of Ayagi, "freedom fighter"
C. Gopalan Nair (1923). Moplah Rebellion, 1921. p. 77. Retrieved 28 January 2020. He styled himself Raja of the Hindus, Amir of the Mohammedans and Colonel of the Khilafat Army
Kodoor, AK (1994). Anglo Mappila Yudham 1921. Kozhikkode: Olive. p. 361.
Adul Kareem, KK Muhammed (1992). Variyankunnathu kunjahammed Haji. Kozhikkode. p. 24.
C. Gopalan Nair (1923). Moplah Rebellion, 1921. p. 78. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
K. N. Panikkar (1991). Peasant protests and revolts in Malabar. Indian Council of Historical Research.
Kodur, M. K. (1995). Anglo Mappila War.
"The Mapilla Rebellion : 1921-1922". Retrieved 9 November 2019.
Innes, charles A Malaar (1951). "Madras District Gazatters". Superintendent of Government Press.
Hitchcock, RH (1983). A History Of Malabar the Rebellion. Delhi: Usha Publications. p. 57.
Jaleel, Dr KT (2015). Malabar Kalapam Oru Punar Vayana. Thiruvananthapuram: Chinatha Publishers. p. 79. ISBN 978-93-86112-66-8.
GEETHA, P (2015). 1921 cHILA cHARITHRA vARTHAMANGAL. THRISSUR: CURRENT BOOKS. p. 71. ISBN 978-81-226-1265-3.
Menon, MPS (1992). Malabar Samaram MP Narayanamenonum Sahapravarthakarum. Kozhikkode: Islamic Publishing House. p. 77. ISBN 81-8271-100-2.
mozhikunnath Barahmadhatthan, Nambbodiripadd (1965). Khilafat Smaranakal. calicut. p. 54.
RH Hitch cock, 1983 Peasant revolt in Malabar, History of Malabar Rebellion 1921.
GRF, Tottenham (1922). The Mappila Rebellion 1921-1922. Madras: Government Press.
Gopalan Nair, Diwan Bahadur (1926). Moplah rebellion - 1921. https://archive.org/stream/MoplahRebellion1921/Moplah%20rebellion,%201921_djvu.txt: Normal Printing Bureau. pp. Many pages.CS1 maint: location (link)