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@ asyncmind
2025-02-25 04:39:58
The Mallus (Malayalis) gave the British a serious headache in Kerala, but it wasn’t an outright "trashing" like in some other parts of India. Kerala had three main regions with different responses to British rule: Malabar, Cochin, and Travancore.
#HistoryLesson #RealHistory
1. Malabar Rebellion (1792-1921)
The British faced some of their toughest resistance in Malabar, especially from the Mappilas (Muslim peasants).
The Pazhassi Raja (Kottayam dynasty, 1793-1805) waged one of the earliest guerrilla wars against the British after they annexed Malabar in 1792. The British struggled to capture him, and he relied on Kurichya tribal warriors to conduct surprise attacks in the jungles. He was ultimately killed in 1805, but the resistance was so fierce that it forced the British to change tactics.
The Mappila Rebellion (1921) was another major uprising in Malabar, though it started as an anti-landlord movement. The Mappilas launched guerilla attacks on British forces, but the British responded with brutal repression, including aerial bombings.
2. Travancore: The Brits Were Kept in Check
Travancore was a princely state, so it was not directly under British rule. The British respected Travancore’s military, which had modernized under Marthanda Varma (18th century) and Velu Thampi Dalawa (early 19th century).
Velu Thampi's Revolt (1808-1809): He led an open rebellion against the British and called for Malayali unity against them. His forces launched a guerrilla war but were ultimately outgunned by the British. He was forced to flee and eventually died (either by suicide or execution).
3. Cochin: More Diplomatic Resistance
Cochin’s rulers were mostly pro-British and didn’t engage in direct military resistance, but Malayali intellectuals and reformers like Thycaud Ayya and Chattampi Swamikal played roles in fostering nationalist sentiment.
Did the British Get Trashed?
The British never fully "controlled" Kerala the way they did in northern India. They had to deal with guerrilla warfare, mass uprisings, and political resistance.
However, Kerala's resistance was fragmented – different groups (Nairs, Mappilas, tribal warriors) fought separately, and some elites sided with the British.
The final knockout came in 1947, when India gained independence.
So, while Kerala didn’t outright defeat the British militarily, the resistance in Malabar and Travancore made them suffer and rethink their strategies.
https://youtu.be/gAu2bZT52d4