The Saga of Mappila Revolts

The Saga of

Mappila Revolts

C Abdul Hameed

The revolts led by Mappila Muslims of the Malabar region in Kerala commenced with the advent of the Portuguese in 1498 and concluded with the revolutions of 1921. Those are heroic illustrations of the lives and struggles of a community that survived the repressions of foreign colonial forces aided by their local agents. They were a class of people not ready to surrender their identity and dignity: ready to sacrifice their lives, belongings and pleasures. Many thousands of Mappilas, including women, mostly commons, preferred death, jail and exile than leading a life of slavery devoid of freedom and justice. The saga of the centuries–long Malabar uprisings is written in the blood of martyrs, the sweat of warriors and the tears from the eyes of women and children. Their blood, sweat and tears continue to inspire generations even beyond Malabar.

‘The Saga of Malabar Revolts’ narrates and analyses those historical events in a concise manner primarily for readers who are living outside Malabar.