Malabar Rebellion or Moplah Riots of 1921 | UPSC

Malabar Rebellion or Moplah Riots of 1921 | UPSC | Why in the news?

• The 1921 Malabar Rebellion or Moplah Riots turns 100 next year.
• In other words, the year 2021 will mark the 100th year anniversary of the Malabar/Moplah uprising of 1921.

About Malabar Rebellion : 

• Malabar Rebellion of 1921 was the culmination of a series of riots by Moplahs (Muslims of Malabar) in the 19th and early 20th centuries against the British and the Hindu landlords in Malabar (Northern Kerala).
• The British had appointed high caste Hindus in positions of authority to get their support, this led to the protest turning against the Hindus.
• The resistance which started against the British colonial rule and the feudal system later ended in communal violence between Hindus and Muslims.
• The Moplah Rebellion or the Malabar Rebellion was an extended version of the Khilafat Movement in Kerala in 1921.

The main leaders of this rebellion were:

The main leaders of the rebellion were

• Ali Musliyar
• Variankunnath Kunjahammad Haji
• Sithi Koya Thangal
• M. P. Narayana Menon
• Chembrasery Thangal
• K. Moideenkutti Haji
• Kappad Krishnan Nair
• Konnara Thangal
• Pandiyatt Narayanan Nambeesan
• Mozhikunnath Brahmadathan Nambudiripad

Background:

• • In 1921 the Muslim peasants of the Malabar districts of Kerala known as the Moplahs rose against their landlords, the Namboodris and Nairs.

These upper classes exploited the peasants. 

• The Moplahs had no security of their tenure.
• The renewal of fees, high rents and other extractions by the zamindars, broke the backbone of the Moplahs. 
• They became united and made armed attacks on the Namboodiris, Nair’s and other higher castes. 
• The British Government became active and suppressed them.

Questions Based Moplah Rebellion : 

Q 1 – The Moplah Rebellion in 1921 in Malabar was Muslim Peasants Rabellion against :

1. Muslim Land Holders
2. The British Government Authority
3. The non-tribal outsiders
4. Hindu Land Holders

Q 2 : The Moplah Rebellion of 1921 took place in

1. Telangana
2. Malabar
3. Marathwada
4. Vidarbha