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Malabar History journal

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Battle of Pookkottur

The Battle of Pookottur was a turning point and a threshold in the Malabar Rebellion that started in August 1921. The incident refers to the battle between the Mapila rebels under the leadership of Vadekkeveetil Mammadu, Secretary of Khilafat Committee, Malabar and the British troops on 26th August, 1921 in Ernad taluk.

It holds significance as the rebellion can be said to have started with the attempt of the British to arrest Vadakeveetil Mammadu on a false case of him having stolen a pistol from the Kovilakam where he worked. Since the British were very keen to suppress the khilafat struggles in the Malabar region, they tried everything to arrest active members of the Khilafat committees. However, Mammadu’s arrest was foiled by a huge mobilization of the khilafat committees. About this incident, it was noted that, the 6th Nilambur Tirumulpad relinquished their sovereignty over the Pookkottur area for three weeks after that, giving huge conviction to the Moplahs that the rule of the Raj can be put to an end.

Owing to the incidents in Tiruruangadi on 21st August, when the British tried to arrest Ali Musalyar and associates, the situation had been quite intense in the Malabar region. Many khilafat committees were active, alert and mobilized against the British in the aftermath of the insinuations there. Police stations were taken over and arms seized by the rebels in many areas.

In continuation, since the fight intensified, the rebels were keen on attacking the british troops and awaited opportunities for the same. It was believed that the British troops would definitely enter Malappuram region. Preparations were underway to attack the troops in guerilla style. Meetings were held on 24th August 1921 in the home of Karattu Moideenkutty Haji in which Variamkunnan Haji himself participated. It was decided that Vadekeveetil Mammadu would give leadership to the attack.

A contingent of 22 lorries and 25 cycles meanwhile had left from Calicut to Malappuram under the leadership of Captain McEnroy along with Asst. Superindentend of Police, CB Lancaster to rescue a small party of 30 troops and 29 special police which was stuck in Malappuram, part of the detachment that was sent to Tirurangadi previously. This party also had sub-divisional magistrate Austin. Onwards the journey, many bridges had been destroyed as well as roads blocked with huge trees by the rebels in order to stop the British from entering their territories. It is believed that 100 persons belonging to Leinster regiment, 20 cyclists of special police, 50 soldiers of special police and some officers comprised of the team. The team first reached 22nd mile in Kondotty and repaired a bridge that was destroyed, for their onward journey.

The Battle of Pookkottur refers to the attack done by the rebels onto this advancing convoy. The battle took place when a part of the contingent was surrounded by fields from all sides. The plan to was to attack from all sides. The plan was thus to attack the troops when they reach Pillackal Angadi, from where it was easy to surround them, and they would not be able to retreat to any place.

However, some people who were not part of the previous day’s meeting attacked the troop in the front before the entire troop was in the vicinity of the fields, alerting the colonial troops which led them to withdraw the vehicles. The troops fired tear gases and fired with machine guns. It is believed that the attack went on for 4 hours. Between 300-400 rebels were murdered during the standoff, including Vadekkeveetil Mammadu. British documents suggest that Inspector Lancaster, along with 3 soldiers and 4 policemen died during the battle. Upto 6 people were injured, as per the records. It is believed that Lancaster died when one of the rebels threw a grenade into the lorry in which he along with 4 other soldiers were travelling.

Once the British went ahead to Malappuram, Moideenkutty Haji is reported to have said that he arranged for the funerals of 42 rebels on the day of the battle followed by another 215 on the next day. Majority of the rebels who were killed during the battle at Pookkottur were poor tenant farmers.

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