Malabar History journal

Origin of the name ‘Kurikkal’

The Portuguese entered the Calicut coast displaying the motives of trade. Later, they insisted the Zamorin of Calicut to not allow Muslims to arrive at any of the ports nor to have trade relations and banish them from the city. However, Zamorin did not support the idea. Infuriated by the decision, on 2nd November 1498, a group of Portuguese bombarded the city. They robbed the properties of Muslims, seized and looted the ships on return from Mecca, burnt cities and mosques such as the Mishkal mosque of Kuttichira of Calicut, tore down religious scriptures and induced them to convert to Christianity. The Zamorin retaliated back in vain. Further, to equip the people to fight the Portuguese attack, he sought the help of people from different countries and communities. As a result, he appointed Hassan Kutty and Moideen Kutty who were the children of Sheikh Ahmed Hamadani to teach martial arts-Kalaripayattu to the common people. As a result, several centres for learning it were set up in the region. They were also appointed as the leaders of the army due to their proven skills in martial arts and war strategies. Zamorin honoured them with the title “Gurukkanmaar”(masters of martial arts) which shortened with time leading their whole family to later be known as the “Kurikkanmaar”.

Colonial resistance of the Kurikkals of Manjeri

Hassan kutty kurikkal and Moideen kutty kurikkal

Hassan Kutty Kurikkal and Moideen Kutty Kurikkal had proficiency in religious knowledge and Kalarippayattu. In 1651, the Zamorin of Calicut appointed them as the leaders of the military convoy at Manjeri Kovilakam to teach Kalarippayattu to the fellow army. They led the war in Chaliyam against the East India Company.

Athan Kutty Kurikkal

Athan Kutty Kurikkal was the son of Moideen Kutty Kurikkal. In 1788, he along with his father and children was arrested by Tipu Sultan for leading the fight against him for the Zamorin of Calicut. They were imprisoned at Srirangappatanam. Moideen Kutty Kurikkal died there in 1790. Further, Athan Kuty Kurikkal and his children were released in 1792 when the East India Company conquered Srirangapattanam. Further, they appointed him as the police officer in Ernad. However, noticing the discriminatory practices of the British on religious lines and the denial of land profit for poor peasants, Athan Kutty Kurikkal turned against the British and led the struggle along with Unni Moosa Moopan. Britishers produced arrest warrants against him and proclaimed to offer a sum of five thousand to those who produced them to the government. His palace ‘Kokkoottu kottaram’(Kokkoottu palace) was destroyed and the 200 acres of land given to him by the Zamorin was annexed.

While having a guerilla warfare training in a relative’s home in Mappattukara, he along with his children Ahmed and Moideen was caught by an army of five hundred Britishers and Nayars.The refusal to surrender led Athan Kurikkal to die in the fight that ensued. After his death his third son, Kunjahammed Kurikkal carried the anti-British struggle forward.

Athan Moyin Kurikkal

Athan Moyin Kurikkal is a renowned figure in the Kurikkal family with expertise in Kalarippayattu and shooting. He led the anti-British struggles in Manjeri and Angadippuram. His influence grew among the people through his involvement in issues that affected the Mappila community. Recognizing the threat it posed, the British banned him from training the soldiers and included him in a robbery offence. On 27 August 1849, Athan Kurikkal and his associates moved to a temple in hiding in Manjeri to escape from the British. After 8 days the British identified their location and reached the temple. Athan Kurikkal died in an attack that followed.

Khan Bahadur Ahmed Kurikkal

After constant riotous situations in Ernad, the Britishers appointed the son of Athan Moyin Kurikkal, Kunji Muhammad Kurikkal as the police officer of Ernad and later as the Circle Inspector(C.I). Further, in 1798, the 200 acres of land of the Kurikkals annexed by the British was regained by the family. He had four children. One of his children, Hassan Kutty Kurikkal became the captain of the military and his fourth son Ahmmeda Kurikkal became the Adhikari (administrative head) of Payyanadu. He renovated the Payyanadu mosque and appointed the Musliyarakathu family as the traditional Qazis. He also made his children marry to Musliyarakathu family. Later, he was arrested on the charges of an offence concerning the Thrikkalayur war. He died in 1897.

References

കുരിക്കൾ കുടുംബം. (2013). 2013 സെപ്തംബർ 15 ന് മഞ്ചേരി ജയശ്രീ ഓഡിറ്റോറിയത്തിൽ നടന്ന മഞ്ചേരി തുറക്കൽ – പട്ടർകുളം മഹല്ലുകളിലെ കുരിക്കൾ കുടുംബങ്ങളുടെയും ബന്ധുക്കളുടെയും സംഗമത്തിൽ പുറത്തിറക്കിയത്.

Profile – Kurikkal Ambiente. Accessed on 31.01.2023 from
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