FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN KERALA:-
Kerala has the unique distinction of being a region where patriotic Indians revolted against the British rulers even before the first freedom struggle of 1857, which was labelled by the British as ‘Sepoy Mutiny’. In the three zones of Kerala, namely, Malabar, Cochin and Travancore, there were uprisings against the British in the end of 18th century and in the beginning of 19th century. In Malabar, it was a native prince, Kerala Varma, Pazhassi Raja who led the revolt, while in Cochin it was spearheaded by Paliath Achan, the Prime Minister of Cochin State and in Travancore by Veluthampy Dalava, the Prime Minister of the State. All these revolts were brutally suppressed by the British. Towards the close of the 19th C National movement was spreading in India. Many prominent persons worked for Indian National Congress from Kerala. G.P. Pillai, Sir. C. Sankaran Nair and Rairu Nambiar deserve mention. C. Sankaran Nair of Ottapalam was the first Malayali who president over the Congress Sessions. He was the president of the Amaravathi Session of the Congress in 1897. By 1919 Congress activities gained momentum in Malabar. Gandhiji’s influence was increasing. Non Co-operation and Khilafat Movement and Salt Satyagraha fired up the national spirit in Malabar. Some of the early leaders were K. Kelappan, Muhamed Abdurahiman, K.P. Kesava Menon, and K. Madhavan Nair. It was after the First World war that the first signs of dissent surfaced. In 1922 the students protested against the fee hike in educational institutions. This soon became a rallying point for pro-home rule agitation. But it was the Khilafat Movement that really focussed the issue more forcefully. Hindus and Muslims stood as one against the British and the Landlords in the Malabar region. Severe police action and Martial law followed. But the movement lost its bearing when it finally took on communal overtones when armed Muslims targeted Hindus. This then became a simple law and order problem and the British gained complete supremacy by ruthless deployment of police, notably the Malabar Special Police, which to this day is a feared symbol of colonial oppression.The Independence movement at the National level had a direct bearing on Kerala’s political landscape too. The Salt Satyagraha found its echo here. The Vaikom temple entry Satyagraha for permitting lower castes entry into the temple gained the recognition as a direct challenge to the existing political and hierarchical supremacy of the rulers and by extension the British rule.
By the end of 19th century, people of Kerala began to take interest in the affairs of the country as they felt a new hope of liberation, with the advent of the Indian National Congress in 1885. The earliest leader of the organisation from Kerala was G.P. Pillai, the well-known Editor of “Madras Standard” who had initiated agitations for civil rights in Travancore State. A forceful writer and orator, he had wide contacts in India and Great Britain and became General Secretary of the Indian National Congress twice. Gandhiji who was then emerging as a leader, had acknowledged the help and guidance given to him by G.P. Pillai in the South African Indian issue and also in the Temperance Movement (Prohibition). C. Sankaran Nair, the noted jurist, was another person from Kerala who adorned the Leadership of the nationalist organisation. Sankaran Nair has the distinction of being the only Keralite to become the president of the INC during its long history spanning over a century.
The fifth Malabar District Political Conference held at Manjeri on April 28, 1920 in the presence of Anie Besant adopted a resolution rejecting the proposed Mongague-Chelmsford Reforms and this generated widespread enthusiasm among the people who wanted radical constitutional reforms and freedom from British regime.
In 1921, while trying to address a banned public meeting in Madras K. Madhavan Nair, U. Gopala Menon, Ponmadath Moideen Koya, Kurur Neelkantan Namboothiripad and Moothedath Narayanan Menon were arrested and sentenced to six months imprisonment. In the same year in April, people all over Malabar, Cochin, Travancore assembled on a common platform and held the first All Kerala Political Conference at Ottapalam under the presidency of Andhra Kesari T. Prakasam.
Vaikom Satyagraha
Historic Vaikom Satyagraha, which attracted all India attention was started on March 30, 1924. The Satyagraha was started to establish the right for all people to walk through the temple roads. Leaders like K.P. Kesava Menon and T.K. Madhavan led the agitation.
A ‘Savarna Jatha’ proceeded to Trivandrum and presented a mass petition to the Regent Maharani of Travancore requesting her to remove ban and give freedom to all people to walk through the Vaikom temple roads and to put an end to the practice of untouchability in the State. Gandhiji held discussions with the authorities of Travancore and later had correspondence with them. When Satyagraha entered the twentieth month, the temple roads, except the one on the eastern side, were opened to all people and the Vaikom Satyagraha ended.
Non Cooperation Movement and Salt Satyagraha
As decided at the Nagpur session (1920), Non Cooperation movement was started throughout the country.In Kerala, too, there was widespread boycott of foreign goods, courts and educational institutions. The Malabar Rebellion of 1921 and the students agitation of 1922 in Travancore were events of great political significance during this period.
The Salt-Satyagraha under the leadership of Gandhiji had its own repercussions in Kerala. Payyannur in Malabar, was the main venue of the Satyagraha in Kerala. Many batches of Satyagrahis from different parts of Kerala marched to Payyannur to take part in the Satyagraha.
Many leaders like K. Madhavan Nair, K. Kelappan and Muhammad Abdur Rahiman were arrested for breaking salt-law and were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment. Side by side with the Salt Satyagraha, picketing of toddy shops and the boycott of foreign goods were also organised and large number of satyagrahis courted imprisonment. As there was no salt satyagraha in native States, freedom fighters from Cochin and Travancore went outside the States and broke salt law in British Indian provinces and were imprisoned. Civil disobedience movement came to an end with the release of Gandhiji and Gandhi-Irwin pact was signed on March 4, 1931.
Temple Entry for Untouchables
At the fifth All Kerala Political Conference held at Badagara from May 3 to 6, 1931 under the presidency of J.M. Sengupta, many important resolutions including the one demanding temple entry for the so called untouchables, were passed. The famous Gurvayur Satyagraha (1931-32) was an off-shoot of this resolution. As Zamorin Raja, the hereditary trustee of Guruvayur Sreekrishna Temple did not agree to allow the untouchables to worship in the temple, local leaders decided to launch a satyagraha for achieving this end. Appeals of eminent people throughout India including Gandhiji, Mahakavi Rabindranath Tagore and others to allow the untouchables into the temple had no effect on the adamant Zanmorin.
A satyagraha was started under the leadership of K. Kelappan, with many satyagrahis being manhandled and arrested. As a last resort, Kelappan began ‘fast unto death’ to achieve the aim. When Kelappan’s condition became critical, and there were numerous appeals to save his life, Gandhiji intervened and persuaded him to end his fast. After that, a Referendum regarding temple-entry of untouchables was conducted among the Hindus of Ponnani Taluk, where the temple was situated and a huge majority of the people voted in favour of throwing open the temple to them.
The Quit India Movement launched in August 1942 was widespread in Cochin and Malabar, though not so extensive in Travancore. During the Quit India Movement there were sensational and violent incidents in Malabar involving disruption of Communication and attack on government offices and police stations. The Keezhariyur Bomb case, in which 27 persons including Dr.K.B. Menon, Socialist leader and Secretary of Indian Civil Liberties Union were charge-sheeted, was the important episode of the struggle in Malabar. Even underground papers like ‘Swathantra Bharatam’ were brought out during the struggle.
Agitation in Travancore and Cochin
After the Haripura session of the Indian National Congress which decided that separate organisations should be formed in native States for the agitation for Responsible Government, the Travancore State Congress and the Cochin State Prajamandal were formed.
Both in Travancore and Cochin the autocratic regimes tried their best to suppress the agitation for responsible government and complete Independence. In Cochin State, the Government’s Attitude was more liberal than that of Travancore government. In Travancore, Dewan Sir C.P. Ramaswami Iyer declared that Travancore will remain independent without joining the Indian Union, after the British left India. People of Travancore continued their struggle and they had to fight against ‘Independent Travancore Plan’ also. As a result of the agitation, at last, Dewan Ramaswami Iyer had to leave Travancore State. With India achieving Independence in August 1947, Travancore and Cochin acceded to the Indian Union.
Struggle in Mahe
Even after the British left India, The Portuguese and French governments were not prepared to leave their settlements on Indian Soil. So the people in these settlements had to wage war against these powers. In Mahe, which was a French enclave on the Malabar coast, the people underwent a heroic and prolonged struggle till the French left their settlements in India. Freedom fight in Mahe forms a part of the struggle for freedom in Kerala. It may be mentioned that Kerala had a proud share in the Indian Independence Struggle.
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The Freedom Movement in Kerala
The freedom movement in Kerala was a long and complex process that involved a variety of different groups and individuals. The beginnings of the movement can be traced back to the early 19th century, when a number of social reformers began to agitate for change. These reformers were concerned with the social and economic conditions of the people of Kerala, and they sought to improve these conditions through Education, social reform, and political agitation.
One of the most important figures in the early freedom movement in Kerala was Sree Narayana Guru. Guru was a social reformer and philosopher who campaigned for the rights of the lower castes. He founded a number of schools and institutions to educate the lower castes, and he also preached a message of social Equality. Guru’s teachings had a profound impact on the freedom movement in Kerala, and he is considered to be one of the most important figures in the history of the state.
Another important figure in the early freedom movement in Kerala was Ayyankali. Ayyankali was a social reformer who campaigned for the rights of the untouchables. He founded a number of schools and institutions to educate the untouchables, and he also led a number of protests against the discrimination faced by the untouchables. Ayyankali’s work helped to improve the conditions of the untouchables in Kerala, and he is considered to be one of the most important figures in the history of the state.
The freedom movement in Kerala gained momentum in the early 20th century, with the rise of the Indian National Congress (INC). The INC was a political party that was founded in 1885 with the goal of achieving independence for India. The INC quickly became the leading force in the freedom movement in Kerala, and it played a major role in the struggle for independence.
The INC’s first major campaign in Kerala was the Non-Cooperation Movement. The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in 1920, and it called for Indians to boycott British goods and institutions. The Non-Cooperation Movement was a major success in Kerala, and it helped to raise awareness of the freedom struggle among the people of the state.
The INC’s next major campaign in Kerala was the Civil Disobedience Movement. The Civil Disobedience Movement was launched in 1930, and it called for Indians to disobey British laws. The Civil Disobedience Movement was also a major success in Kerala, and it helped to further the cause of independence.
The INC’s final major campaign in Kerala was the Quit India Movement. The Quit India Movement was launched in 1942, and it called for the British to leave India. The Quit India Movement was a major success in Kerala, and it helped to bring about the end of British rule in India.
The freedom movement in Kerala was a long and complex process that involved a variety of different groups and individuals. The movement was successful in achieving independence for India, and it helped to shape the modern state of Kerala.
The Freedom Struggle in Kerala: A Timeline
1800s: The beginnings of the freedom movement in Kerala, with the rise of social reformers such as Sree Narayana Guru and Ayyankali.
1920: The Non-Cooperation Movement, a major campaign of the Indian National Congress (INC) that was successful in Kerala.
1930: The Civil Disobedience Movement, another major campaign of the INC that was also successful in Kerala.
1942: The Quit India Movement, the final major campaign of the INC that brought about the end of British rule in India.
The Freedom Struggle in Kerala: A Glossary of Terms
- Indian National Congress (INC): A political party that was founded in 1885 with the goal of achieving independence for India.
- Non-Cooperation Movement: A campaign of the INC that was launched in 1920 and called for Indians to boycott British goods and institutions.
- Civil Disobedience Movement: A campaign of the INC that was launched in 1930 and called for Indians to disobey British laws.
- Quit India Movement: A campaign of the INC that was launched in 1942 and called for the British to leave India.
- Sree Narayana Guru: A social reformer and philosopher who campaigned for the rights of the lower castes.
- Ayyankali: A social reformer who campaigned for the rights of the untouchables.
The Freedom Struggle in Kerala: A Bibliography
- A.K. Gopalan, Kerala: People’s Struggle and Liberation (New Delhi: People’s Publishing House, 1979).
- K.P. Karunakaran, Kerala: A Social and Economic History (New Delhi: People’s Publishing House, 1962).
What is the History of Kerala?
Kerala is a state in India on the Malabar Coast. It is the southernmost state in the Indian subcontinent. The state has a long and rich history, dating back to the 3rd century BCE. Kerala was ruled by a number of different dynasties over the centuries, including the Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, and Vijayanagara Empire. In the 16th century, the Portuguese arrived in Kerala and established a number of trading posts. The Dutch and the British also arrived in Kerala in the 17th century and competed with the Portuguese for control of the region. In the 19th century, Kerala was under British rule. The Indian independence movement also had a significant impact on Kerala. The state was one of the first states in India to achieve independence from British rule.
What is the culture of Kerala?
The culture of Kerala is a unique blend of different cultures. The state has a long history of contact with other cultures, including the Arab, Chinese, and European cultures. This has resulted in a rich and diverse culture. Kerala is known for its art, music, dance, and literature. The state is also home to a number of different religions, including Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.
What is the economy of Kerala?
The economy of Kerala is based on agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. The state is also home to a number of industries, including the IT Industry. Kerala is a major producer of rice, coconuts, and spices. The state is also a popular tourist destination. Kerala is known for its beautiful beaches, backwaters, and temples.
What are the challenges facing Kerala?
Kerala is facing a number of challenges, including POVERTY, Unemployment, and Environmental Degradation. The state also has a high rate of Literacy and a high standard of living. However, Kerala is also facing a number of challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and environmental degradation.
What is the future of Kerala?
The future of Kerala is bright. The state has a number of strengths, including a strong economy, a high standard of living, and a well-educated Population. The state is also facing a number of challenges, but it is well-positioned to overcome these challenges.
Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic “FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN KERALA”:
Who was the first Chief Minister of Kerala?
(A) E.M.S. Namboodiripad
(B) C. Achutha Menon
(C) K. Karunakaran
(D) Oommen ChandyWhich of the following is not a political party in Kerala?
(A) Indian National Congress
(B) Communist Party of India (Marxist)
(C) Bharatiya Janata Party
(D) All India Trinamool CongressWhich of the following is not a language spoken in Kerala?
(A) Malayalam
(B) Tamil
(C) Kannada
(D) HindiWhich of the following is not a tourist destination in Kerala?
(A) Thekkady
(B) Munnar
(C) Kovalam
(D) AgraWhich of the following is not a food item from Kerala?
(A) Idli
(B) Dosa
(C) Sambar
(D) BiryaniWhich of the following is not a festival celebrated in Kerala?
(A) Onam
(B) Vishu
(C) Durga puja
(D) ChristmasWhich of the following is not a dance form from Kerala?
(A) Kathakali
(B) Mohiniyattam
(C) Bharatanatyam
(D) KuchipudiWhich of the following is not a musical instrument from Kerala?
(A) Mridangam
(B) Ghatam
(C) Veena
(D) SitarWhich of the following is not a flower from Kerala?
(A) Jasmine
(B) Rose
(C) Lotus
(D) OrchidWhich of the following is not a tree from Kerala?
(A) Coconut tree
(B) Banana tree
(C) Mango tree
(D) Apple tree