Variyan Kunnathu Kunjahammed Haji

Haji was not active in anti-British activities for some years.[19] RH Hitchcock says "for six years he lived an irreproachable life".[20] It was during the rebellion began after the firing incident took place in Thirurangadi by Collector Thomas at a large group of people gathered there that he again became active in the struggle against the British. Unlike Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of 1919, the Thirurangadi firing got suppressed. The firing occured when Ali Musliyar approached the British requesting to release the people arrested and at a time when he became ready to stop the protest. The firing was resisted effectively though casualties occured. The rebellion began bringing some area of South Malabar under the control of the leaders of the Rebellion started after suppresing the Thirurangadi firing on August 20, 1921. Next day of the Thirurangadi firing incident Haji took the leadership of the rebellion against the British.[21]

His military included a group of previous members of military who fought in the First World War. They had weapons those were seized and those were manufactured after the rebellion started.[22] Most of his military were Khilafat Movement members[23] His forces against the British included uniformed members and a certain number of ex-sepoys [24]

As the rebellion helmed by the Haji and others began to spread across the Ernad and Valluvanad taluks of erstwhile Malabar district, British officers and the local police loyal to them escaped[25] From the first day of war those fled to Kozhikode from Eranad include some pro-British Mappilas besides Jenmis.[26] In South Malabar, especially Walluvanad, many Hindus along with Muslims attacked government institutions. At this time even some Nambudiris were with Khilafat Movement members[27]

From the first day of war, looting also started. Looters include even CI Narayana Menon who participated in the looting wearing Mappila dress. CI Narayana Menon used criminals and prisoners to loot. One of the main looters of Thirurangadi was Kizhakan Mukari who was pretending as Variamkunnan. Fifteen looters including Mukhari was caught by on very August 21, 1921. All of them were militant employees of Khan Bahadur-Khan Sahibs. Those who tried to loot Namboori Bank were Mappilas loyal to the British[28] Thus the loot was carried out by those who are loyal to the British.[29] The main people who tried to thrawt the war against the British were the Mappilas loyal to the British. Intervention by Ali Musliyar and Variamkunnan stopped their attempt to an extent[30]

Around August 25, 1921 he declared an independent state in Manjeri [31] [32] with Haji it's undisputed ruler.[33] Later on its own passport, currency, and its own system of taxation were introduced[34] Even in the Manjeri proclamation which was made within few days after the rebellion started he said he knew it is propagated in the outside world that it's a war between the Muslims and Hindus. He also blamed Mappilas loyal to the British similar to Khan Bahadur Chekkutti and Jenmis for propagating this. He also said he did not intent to make it a Muslims' only country.[35]

He set up an armed force to attack the British force at Pookottur on their way to rescue the British military personnel stuck in the area ruled by Variamkunnath Kunjahammad Haji. And the Battle of Pookottur was fought on August 26 ,1921.[36]

On August 30, 1921, A firing occurred at Thirurangadi mosque in which 114 people including Ali Musliyar were present between the British force and those inside the mosque. A huge casualties occured on both sides. Seven people managed to escape. Ali Musliyar and 39 followers surrendered when he became certain that the mosque will be distroyed. Immediately after this Variamkunnath Kunjahammad Haji asked his soldiers to move to forests.[37]

Immediately after the surrender of Ali Musliyar, Variamkunnath Kunjahammad Haji had asked his forces to move to forests. On September 1, 1921, martial law was declared specifically targeting Mappilas by the British. Those who would allow Mappillas who come from certain area to live were to be punished and in case Mappillas come to live nearby, it was to be reported to the nearest police station to avoid punishment. Because of the law Mappilas could not go outside or shop or moque. But Mappilas loyal to the British got pass so that they could move freely.

Massacres of Mappilas 

Even a vast number Mappilas who did not take part in any protest were also tortured. The British conducted a series of massacres against Muslims, in several places. Women were raped. Mappilas' houses were burnt. On September 2, 1921, the British force which arrived at Manjeri attacked all Mappila houses. Then came an order from the British to shoot all Mappillas seen outside. A group of lower caste Hindus would shave their head like Mappilas. So even many lower caste Hindus as well as Mappillas were killed because of this.

Divide and rule policy 

Some Jenmis betrayed Mappilas. Under the pretext of revenge, militant employees of the Mappilas loyal to the British unleashed cruelty. They looted houses. Some ordinary Mapilas joined them for vengeance thereby causing the goal of Mappillas loyal to the British, to destroy Hindu-Muslim unity, to be fulfilled. Hindu-Muslim enemity grew. This was part of divide and rule policy of the British. They propagated it was a Hindu-Muslim riot through newspapers.[38] All this happed after the British marshal law was declared. And the British brought almost all area under their control.[39][40]

On 13 September 1921, guerrilla war was started by Variamkunnath Kunjahammad Haji. They carried out guerrilla war with separate small groups of 50-500 people. They began to seize the food for the British force. The British would not succeed in the war.[41]

On 16 September 1921, he declared martial law in Nalambur. As per the martial law orders a pass was required to leave the area under his control. Moreover the British and people loyal to the British were not allowed to come outside after afternoon ; if seen violating they may be fired at.[42] [43]He issued passports[44] for that purpose.[45] With his martial law the people denied freedom to move were the people loyal to the British.[46] The most important thing he did after declaring martial law was punishing those who helped the British and carried out riot.[47]

From October 12, 1921, force including Gurkhas, Chins and Kachins came to Malabar. Important reason for the failure of the First War of Independence was Gurkhas. They were more interested in conducting massacres of ordinary people than fighting war directly.[48] The Mappilas were becoming unsuccessful in the fight while the number of Gurkhas was more in number and with so many modern weapons.[49][50]

There were six or seven people who left from the Variamkunnan's movement.They made some violence in Areekode.Variamkunnan restored peace there. Knowing this, force from the British side reached there and made a fight. In the fight seventeen people from the Variamkunnan's force and as per the witnesses all from the British side got killed. Later Gurkhas threw bomb on the Variamkunnan's force who were hiding in the shrubs and a large number of people got killed.[51][52]

Variamkunnan decided to revenge Gurkhas, who killed children and raped woman.[53] Thus on November 13, 1921, the Battle of Pandikkad was fought. Variamkunnan's force made a pre-emptive attack on Gurkha regiment camp in which there were 150-300 Grurkhas, at night. 75-120 of the Gurkhas were killed.[54] Thus they revenged Gurkhas.[55]

Again a great series of massacres were unleashed against innocent Mappilas. There was no a day without the massacre of 200-300 Mappilas. This led to weakening of the fight against the British forces and started to surrender.[56][57]

Variamkunnan had camped at Hajippara. A group including Gurkhas and Kachins attacked here and became successful in taking so much rice and cattle. In the fight 17 from Variamkunnan's side and 35 from Gurkha-Kachins side got killed.[58]

He changed his hiding place to Kallaamoola hill storing food centering it valley Kurukkan Pottikkulam. On December 8, 1921, a large group consisting of Gurkhas and Kachis attacked this place as well. In this war a huge loss occured for Variamkunnan. Large amount of rice and thousands of cattle were captured from there. In this attack 13 from Gurkhas, 8 from Kachins and 24 from the Variamkunnan's side got killed. And Cherumas and Advasis also were captured and brought to Nilambur besides the food.[59]

Variamkunnan attacked Bangalow and saved his captured Cheruman-Advasi soldiers of this force on December 11, 1921. Right after this he went to Goodalloor were he attacked and killed a policeman, who was at Panthalloor training camp, belonging to British force. After this Variamkunnan's group got divided to three. One attacked a police station and killed three from the police under British rule. Another group attacked survey office under the British rule and killed three from them. The third group attacked a post office and killed a policeman. In this operation Variamkunnan's force got huge victory. In this fight 7 people got killed on Variamkunnan's side and 27 on the other.[60]

The soldiers of Variamkunnan began to surrender when genocide against Mappillas countinued.[61][62]

To avoid the genocide of the innocent, people including the leaders began to think of surrendering. Chembrasseri Thangal, Seethi Koya Thangal and Unneen Kutty Haji suggested surrender. Though it shocked Variamkunnan, he did not express it.[63][64]

He abolished the army after he could not make military operation at Palemad. He could not move to Palemad because he was surrounded by the British force. It's said that 25000 of Variamkunnan's forces had reached Palemad on December 18, 1921.[65][66]

Leaders Chembrasseri Thangal and Seethi Koya Thangal surrendered.[67] Chembrassery Thangal's right hand Unneen Kutty Haji and his 450 followers surrendered. Thus a huge number of surrenders took place this time.[68]

On January 5, 1922, through a planned operation, Variamkunnan was captured.Variamkunnan wrestled for half an hour and he was chained[69]

The British burned his body and all records related to his rule .They destroyed all records through raids in all houses and by offering rewards.[70][71]

When asked about his last wish by Humphreys he said shooting should be from front with the eyes are unfolded and hands are free. His last wish was accepted by Humphreys.[72][73]

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.[75]

Following Thirurangadi Mosque attack on 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.[75][77]

Since the police and other forces escaped from Eranad, Valluvanadu and Ponnani, Haji declared it as an Independent Islamic state from British. According to Hitchcock,[78] the name of this state was Doula; Arabic equivalent word for state.

Haji had already planned well about the foundation of the Islamic 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.[79]

On 24 August 1921, Variyan Kunnath Kunjahammad Haji took over command of the War from Ali Musliyar. On 30 August 1921, the mob rebels under Haji killed Khan Bahadur Chekkutty, a police officer.The state declaration was conducted in Manjeri.

He was of the opinion that the reported forced conversions during the Malabar rebellion were done by the Government Party and Reserve Policemen in mufti mingling themselves with the rebels (masquerading as rebels.)[81][82][83] He said in a cablegram to have put the British agents and spies joined his forces as partriots only to discredit his soldiers to death, after the report of alleged forced conversion of Hindus to Mohammedanism and killing the rest of the Hindus.[84]

In two American newspapers, report about his message to the Friends of Freedom for India was preceded by the following sentence : "Charges that the Moplahs of Malabar have put to death many Hindus and forcibly converted others to Mohammedanism were denied and characterized as part of a British plot to discredit the Moplah movement of India's independence in a cablegram from Variamkunnath Kunhamed Haji ..."[85][86]

The most important thing he did after declaring martial law was punishing those who helped the British and carried out riot.[87]