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{{Short description|Indian rebel (1883–1922)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{POV|date=June 2015}}
{{Tone|date=June 2015}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=December 2020}}
}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Chakkiparamban Variyan Kunnathu Kunjahammed Haji
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| predecessor = [[British Raj]]
| succession =
| successor =
| birth_date = {{birth year|1883}}
| birth_place = Malabar, [[British India]] <br />(now [[Malappuram]], India)
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1922|01|20|1883}}
| death_place = [[Kottakkunnu]], [[Malappuram]], British India<br />(now Malappuram, India)
| death_cause = [[Execution by shooting]]
| office1 =
| term1 =
| predecessor1 =
| successor1 =
| office2 =
| term2 =
| predecessor2 =
| successor2 =
| office4 =
| term4 =
| predecessor4 =
| order5 =
| office5 =
| term_start5 =
| term_end5 =
| predecessor5 =
| successor5 =
| spouse = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Ruqiyya|1905|end=Death}}
* {{marriage|Sainaba|1908|end=Death}}
* Malu Hajjumma (Paravetti Fathima) 1920
}}
| children =
| father = Chakkiparamban Moideenkutty Haji <ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Adul Kareem|first=KK Muhammed|title=Variyankunnathu kunjahammed Haji|year=1992|location=Kozhikkode|pages=24}}</ref>{{Request quotation|date=June 2020}}
| mother = Kunjaisha Hajjumma
| education = [[Ezhuthu Kalari]]
| alma_mater =
| known_for = [[Indian independence movement]]
| signature =
| signature_alt =
| party =
| movement = Khilafat movement & [[Indian independence movement]]
| organization = Khilafat Movement,<ref name="EDI459">{{cite book |last1=Miller |first1=R.E |title=Encyclopaedia Dictionary Islam Muslim World, etc V 6 |page=459 |url=https://archive.org/stream/EncyclopaediaDictionaryIslamMuslimWorldEtcGibbKramerScholars.13/06.EncycIslam.NewEdPrepNumLeadOrient.EdEdComCon.BosDonLewPel.etc.UndPatIUA.v6.Mah-Mid.Leid.EJBrill.1990.1991.#page/n480/mode/1up |access-date=29 February 2020 |quote=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.}}</ref> kunjahammed haji declared an [[:ml:മലയാള രാജ്യം|Malayala Rajyam]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/opinion/op-eds/trouble-with-being-a-muslim-freedom-fighter-in-india-the-story-of-variyan-kunnathu-kunjahammed-haji-1.73731307</ref>
}}
'''Chakkiparamban Variyankunnathu Kunjahammed Haji''' was an [[Indian independence activist]],<ref name="indianexpress.com">{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-variyamkunnath-kunjahammed-haji-the-khilafat-leader-6471224/}}</ref> Indian [[freedom fighter]]<ref>>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2020/jun/28/variyamkunnathu-kunjahammed-haji-freedom-fighter-or-religious-fanatic-2162403.html</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2021/08/25/malabar-rebellion-anti-british-anti-feudal-speaker-rajesh.html}}</ref> (1883 – 20 January 1922)<ref name="indianexpress.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/opinion/op-eds/trouble-with-being-a-muslim-freedom-fighter-in-india-the-story-of-variyan-kunnathu-kunjahammed-haji-1.73731307}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/after-97-years-forgotten-699719.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.madhyamam.com/kerala/book-portraying-varian-kunnan-as-martyr-causes-stir-563806}}</ref> was an active member of Khilafat Movement.<ref>{{cite book|title=EncyclopaediaDictionaryIslamMuslimWorld Volume 6|url=https://archive.org/stream/EncyclopaediaDictionaryIslamMuslimWorldEtcGibbKramerScholars.13/06.EncycIslam.NewEdPrepNumLeadOrient.EdEdComCon.BosDonLewPel.etc.UndPatIUA.v6.Mah-Mid.Leid.EJBrill.1990.1991.#page/n481/mode/1up|page=460|year=1988|quote=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"}}</ref><ref name="CGN77">{{cite book |last1=C. Gopalan Nair |title=Moplah Rebellion, 1921 |year=1923 |page=[https://archive.org/details/MoplahRebellion1921/page/n89 77] |url=https://archive.org/details/MoplahRebellion1921 |access-date=28 January 2020 |quote=He styled himself Raja of the Hindus, Amir of the Mohammedans and Colonel of the Khilafat Army}}</ref> He founded a State in Malabar In open defiance of [[British Raj|British]] rulers and landlords, for more than six months in most parts of the then [[Eranad]]u and [[Valluvanadu, Malappuram|Valluvanadu]] [[taluks]].<ref name=":3" /> He seized control of a large area from the British rule and set up a parallel government of his Malayalam State in Malabar, named '[[:ml:മലയാള രാജ്യം|Malayala Rajyam]]' and now part of the Kerala State, India, with his long term mentor, friend [[Ali Musliyar]].<ref name=":3">{{cite book|last=K. N. Panikkar|author-link=K. N. Panikkar|title=Peasant protests and revolts in Malabar|publisher=Indian Council of Historical Research|year=1991}}</ref><ref name="Rebellion45">{{cite web|title=The Mapilla Rebellion : 1921-1922|url=https://archive.org/stream/cu31924023929700#page/n54/mantiode/1up|access-date=9 November 2019}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Haji was born in a Muslim merchant family in 1883 in [[Valluvangad]]. His family later moved to [[Nellikkuth, Manjeri|Nellikuth]] village, near [[Manjeri]], [[Malappuram]] district. He was the second child of his parents, Chakkiparamban Moideenkutty Haji and Kunjaisha Hajjumma. Moideenkutty Haji was a merchant, farmer, and local leader. He was imprisoned in [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands|Andaman]] for taking part in the 1894 [[Mannarkkad]] Rebellion.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Adul Kareem|first=KK Muhammed|title=Variyankunnathu kunjahammed Haji|year=1992|location=Kozhikkode|pages=24}}</ref>{{Request quotation|date=June 2020}}

He pursued his basic religious education from village [[Madrasa]], later upgraded as [[Ezhuthu Kalari|'Ezhuthukalar]]<nowiki/>i' where [[Malayalam]] language was also part of [[Curriculum|curriculam]]. He studied many [[Arabic]] texts from Mammad Kutty [[Musliyar]]. After his father was deported to [[Andaman Islands|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.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Malabar Kalapam Oru Punar Vayana|last=Jaleel|first=Dr KT|publisher=Chinatha Publishers|year=2015|isbn=978-93-86112-66-8|location=Thiruvananthapuram|pages=79}}</ref>{{Request quotation|date=June 2020}}

Haji could also be seen as the one who was very passionate of traditional [[Mappila songs|mappila]] art forms, he used to conduct [[Kolkali|Kolkkali]], [[Duffmuttu|Daffumut]]<nowiki/>t, and [[Kadhaprasangam|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 deportation of his father and other rebels and the seizure of their lands and properties followed, triggered his anger and hostility towards British.<ref name=":1" />

=== Marriage and Family ===
Haji returned from [[Mecca]] in 1905 and married Ruqiyya; daughter of Unni Muhammed. After her death in 1908, he married Sainaba; the 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.<ref>{{Cite book|title=1921 cHILA cHARITHRA vARTHAMANGAL|last=GEETHA|first=P|publisher=CURRENT BOOKS|year=2015|isbn=978-81-226-1265-3|location=THRISSUR|pages=71}}</ref>
[[File:Malappuram Townhall.png|thumb|Variyankunnathu Kunjahammed Haji Memorial Municipal Town Hall, [[Malappuram]]]]

===Manjeri Peasant Revolt===
In 1896 Manjeri [[Kovilakam]] [[landlords]] started to evacuate the [[tenants]] from their lands.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}} 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 [[Kurikkala (surname)|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.<ref name="MPS77">{{Cite book|title=Malabar Samaram MP Narayanamenonum Sahapravarthakarum|last=Menon|first=MPS|publisher=Islamic Publishing House|year=1992|isbn=81-8271-100-2|location=Kozhikkode|pages=77}}</ref>

== Malabar rebellion ==
[[File:A letter related to Malabar rebellion 1921.png|thumb|A letter written by Variyan Kunnathu Kunjahammed Haji which appeared in the newspaper ''[[The Hindu]]'' on October 18, 1921]]
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 War 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 Musliyar|Ali Musaliyar]], followed by a crowd went to [[Tirurangadi|Thirurangadi]] Kacheri(the compound including police station, register office, magistrate court, post office) to inquire about the incident. Seeing the [[Ali Musliyar|Ali Musaliyar]] and the crowd with him the Collector ordered the Police to shoot them without any provocation. The crowd was huge, they got triggered by the sudden action and stated to attack back. They killed some Policemen and seized the police station. Collector and other officials fled to [[Calicut]].<ref name=":3" />

=== State declaration ===
Following [[Tirurangadi|Thirurangadi]] Mosque attack on 20 August 1920, people were up in arms. Haji [[Mobilization|mobulised]] them . They attacked and seized police station, treasuries, courts, registrar and other government offices[[:File:///C:/Users/Habz/Downloads/VARIYAM KUNNATH KUNJAMMAD HAJI (1).docx#edn2|.]] The rebellion soon spread to the nearby areas of Malappuram, Manjeri, [[Pandikkad|Pandikad]] and [[Tirur Municipality|Tirur]] under leadership of Variyan Kunnath Kunjahammad Haji, Seethi Koya Thangal, [[Chembrasseri, Manjeri|Chembrassery]] [[Thangal]] and [[Ali Musliyar]]. Police, army, and other British officials escaped from areas like Malappuram, Manjeri, [[Tirurangadi|Thiruragadi]] and [[Perinthalmanna]], become [[Independent politician|independent]] of British by 28 August 1921.<ref name="MPS77" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite book|title=Khilafat Smaranakal|last=mozhikunnath Barahmadhatthan|first=Nambbodiripadd|year=1965|location=calicut|pages=54}}</ref>

Since the police and other forces escaped from [[Eranad]], [[Valluvanadu, Malappuram|Valluvanadu]] and [[Ponnani]], Haji declared it as an Independent Islamic state from British. According to Hitchcock,<ref>RH Hitch cock, 1983 Peasant revolt in Malabar, History of Malabar Rebellion 1921.</ref> 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.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book|last=Hitchcock|first=RH|title=A History Of Malabar the War|publisher=Usha Publications|year=1983|location=Delhi|pages=57}}</ref>

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.

The letter written by Variyan Kunnathu Kunjahammed Haji, which appeared on the newspaper [[The Hindu]] on October 18, 1921:<ref>{{Cite news|title=Reports of Hindu-Muslim strife in Malabar baseless, wrote Variamkunnath Kunhamed Haji in The Hindu in 1921|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/reports-of-hindu-muslim-strife-in-malabar-baseless/article31918716.ece|last=K. S. Sudhi|date=25 June 2020|access-date=4 October 2020|work=The Hindu}}</ref>

{{quote|"Honoured Editor, I request you to publish the following facts in your paper. According to the Press Reports from Malabar which you will have got. Hindu-Muslim Unity in Malabar has thoroughly ceased to exist. It appears that the report that Hindus are forcibly converted (by any men) is entirely untrue. Such conversions were done by the Government Party and Reserve Policemen in mufti mingling themselves with the rebels (masquerading as rebels.) Moreover, because some Hindu brethren, aiding the military, handed over to the military innocent (Moplahs) who were hiding themselves from the military, a few Hindus have been put to some trouble. Besides, the Nambudiri, who is the cause of this rising, has also similarly suffered. The Hindus are compulsorily impressed for military service. Therefore, several Hindus seek protection in my Hill. Several Moplahs, too, have sought my protection. Now the chief military commander [of the government] is causing Hindus to evacuate from these Taluks. Innocent women and children of Islam, who have done nothing and possess nothing, are not permitted to leave the place. For the last one month and a half, except for the seizure and punishment of the innocent, no purpose has been achieved. Let all the people in the world know this. Let Mahatma Gandhi and Moulana know it. If this letter is not seen published, I will ask your explanation at one time."}}
[[File:Variyan kunnathu kunjahammed haji Digital Art.svg|thumb|Variyan kunnathu kunjahammed haji [[Digital Art]]]]

== Judgement in British court ==

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.{{Citation needed|reason=Reliable source needed for the whole sentence|date=January 2020}}

''" 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."''{{Citation needed|reason=Reliable source needed for the whole sentence|date=January 2020}}

=== 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.<ref name="MPS77" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|last=E. M. S. Namboodiripad|author-link=E. M. S. Namboodiripad|title=Kerala: yesterday, today and tomorrow|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JUYDAAAAMAAJ&q=Kunjahamed+Haji|publisher=National Book Agency|year=1967}}
*{{cite book|editor=Alok Mukhopadhyay|title=Roots, genesis of socio-economic development of modern India|url=https://openlibrary.org/b/OL20811432M/Roots_genesis_of_socio-economic_development_of_modern_India|publisher=Voluntary Health Association of India|year=2002}}
*{{cite book|last=Vallatt George|title=Discovery of Kerala: a Tourist Guide of Kerala|publisher=S. B. Press and Book Depot|year=1977}}
*The peasant Revolt in Malabar 1921, Robert L Hardgrave Jr
*Mappila Muslims of Malabar, Miller RE, Orient Longmans Madras 1976
*History of Freedom Movement in Kerala, Menon PKK, Government Press Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram 1972
*Rise of Muslims in Kerla Politics, Abdul Aziz, Thiruvananthapuram 1992
*Variyankunnathu Kunjahammed Haji, A Nisamusheen, Thiruvananthapuram January 1972
*Mappila Samudhyam Charithram Samskaram, T Muhammed
*1921 Chila Charithra Varthamanagal, P Geetha, Current Books Thrissur
*Moulaviyude Athma Kata, E Moidu Moulavi, DC Books, Kottayam 1985
*Ente Koottukkaran, Moulavi E, 1981
*Short History of Peasant Movements in Kerala, Namboothiripadu, Peoples Publishing House, 1943

[[Category:People from Malappuram district]]
[[Category:Mappilas]]
[[Category:Indian rebels]]
[[Category:Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:1922 deaths]]
[[Category:People executed by the British military by firearm]]
[[Category:20th-century executions by British India]]
[[Category:Executed Indian people]]
[[Category:1883 births]]
[[Category:India history-related lists]]
[[Category:Indian independence activists|*]]

Variyan Kunnathu Kunjahammed Haji - Revision history

>Grayfell: Undid revision 1048661900 by 2405:201:F008:F084:99AA:88A0:A7BE:A3A4 (talk) Unexplained removal of sourced content.