ALI MUSLIYAR

SCHOLAR TURNED FREEDOM FIGHTER-MALABAR PAGES

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Hussain Randathani

In Malabar, on the coast of Arabian sea in South India, Musliyar is a familiar epithet to the Islamic scholars. The word owes it s origin to Arabic and Tamil, a south Indian language- Muslih an Arabic term meaning, one who refine and yar a honorific title used in the area. The word was coined by the Makhdums as a degree to those who completed their studies in the Ponnani mosque Academy and later it came to be used to all those who performed religious duties. The Musliyars, hither to remained as religious heads turned into politics during colonial period starting from 1498 with the coming o the Portuguese on the coast. Muslims, as a trading community had become influential in the area through their trade and naval fights against the colonial invaders. Islam is said to had reached on the coast during the time of the prophet Muhammad, ie., in the seventh century, and prospered through trade and conversion making the land a house of Islam (Dar al Islam). The local rulers provided facilities to the Muslim sufi missionaries accompanying the traders, to prosper themselves and the presence of Islam naturally did away with caste restrictions which had been the oar of discrimination in Malabar society.

Ali Musliyar (1854-1922), as told above, belonged to the family of scholars of Malabar, residing at the present Nellikkuthu, 8 Kilometer away on Manjeri Mannarkkad Road in the district of Malappuram, in South India. The Place is a Muslim dominated area, people engaging mainly in agriculture and petty trades. Ali Musliyar’s family was comparatively rich with large plot of land bearing coconut and other plants. His father Erikkunnan Palath Moolayil Kunhi Moideen Sahib, famous for his social and philanthropic services and mother Amina (d.1935), daughrter of Ottakath Mammad Kutty Musliyar were known to their scholarly tradition. Ali was given traditional education under Kunhikkammu Molla of Karakkad Kunnummal and Nuruddin Musliyar, his uncle. Then he joined Ponnani Academy and after spending ten years there, he left for Makkah in 1297/1880 for further studies. Here he studied under famous scholars like Sayyid Ahmad Zaini Dahlan, Muhammad Hizbullab bin Sulyman and Sayyid Husain al Habshi. He continued there for seven years.

After reaching home land in 1905, Ali Musliyar started his career as the chief instructor of Kavarathi Juma Masjid in Laccadievs where he served for nine years, teaching and preaching Islamic doctrines. After this he served as the Chief teacher in Thodukappualam Juma Masjid ,near Wandoor in Ernad, Podiyatt- Parammal, Alathur- Melmuri and in his own home town Nellikkuth. In 1907 he moved to the Eastern Masjid (Kizhakke Palli) of Tirurangadi, in the present Malappuram District of Kerala. Here he served for fifteen years until he was arrested for his anti British activities in the area. The people called him Moilyaruppappa (the grand Musliyar). Now he was about sixty five years old, a lean man wearing a long white shirt reaching his ankle and a green turban tied around a cap. He performed Hajj for fourteen times. The last journey to Makkah was from Tirurangadi in 1913 after appointing Ahmad Koya Shaliyathi, his disciple, as his deputy in the mosque.

The family of Ali Musliyar was closely related to the earlier anti British struggles in Ernad area of Malabar. In the revolts led by Athan Kurikkal of Manjeri in 1886 and the revolts of Mannarkkad in in 1891 certain members of the family had lost their lives in the encounters. Some of them were jailed for long years and others were banished from the country. Varian Kunnath Kunhahammad Haji, the prime leader of Malabar rebellion of 1921 was the neighbor and relative of Ali Musliyar and his family members also had participated in the earlier revolts.

Khilafat Movement

When the Khilafat Movement – a movement by Indian leaders against the deceptive attitude of the British against the Khalifa of Turkey- spread in various parts of the country, a committee was also set up in Tirurangadi in 1920as. P.M Pookoya Thanal of Munniyur as president, and Ali Musliyar and K.M Moulavi (Muhammad Kutty Musliyar) as Vice Presidents. The Musliyar actively organized Khilafat struggle along with the line of the Indian National Congresss. He attended the Khilafat and Congress conferences hels at Ponnani, Ottappalam and Kozhikode. The government took all efforts to suppress the khilafat and Pottayil Abubakkar, V.V Hassan Kuttty and Kallarakkal Ahamad, the local Khilafat leaders were arrested on 26 February 1921.

The government authorities smelled the movement against them by the joint efforts of Khilafat and Congress organizations. They tired to dissuade the Mappila community from agitation through the influence of loyal Mappilas and by other means. The Muslim officers of the British government were entrusted with the charge of convening a meeting of the loyal Mappilas at Ponnani. The meeting was attended by few Muslim scholars and one Mammad Musliyar distributed a monograph in the name Mahakkul Kalafa ala ismi al Khilafa (Creating rebellion in the name of Khilafat). The meeting was presided over by the Makhdum of Ponnani. Kunhan bava Musliyar, a leading scholar of Ponnani also signed a fatwa against the Khilafat agitation also was the chief scholar of the meeting. The Khilafat leaders under E. Moidu Moulavi convened another meeting at Ponnani itself under the banner of Majlisul Ulama, on the same day the loyalist Mappilas had their meeting. This meeting was presided over by Moulavi Abdul Aziz, the Principal of Latheefiya Arabic College of Vellore. A group of Police men prevented Ali Musliyar while they were nearing Ponnani. One Sub Inspector abused the Musliyar, but the followers of the Musliyar attacked the inspector and threw his turban to the Conolly Canal. Abdu Rahman Sahib and E. Moidu Moulavi, the Khilafat leaders rushed to the place and pacified the mob. The meeting was adorned by the leading scholars like Abdul Bari Musliyar of Valakkulam, Ahmad Kutty Musliyar Pang, Cherusseri Ahmad Kutty Musliyar, Kuttayi Bava Musliyar, Uppungal Bapputty Musliyar and Panayikkulam Abdu Rahman Musliyar.

On 30 March 1921at Kizhakkoth in Calicut Taluk, the Mappila leaders turned against a local jenmi (land lord) for his atrocities and they after demonstration under one Musliyar from Vazhakkad dispersed giving warning to the jenmi. From Calicut the agitation spread to other parts and it took a serious turn in the Ernad Taluk of Present Malappuram District. By now Ali Musliyar had taken the leadership of the agitation, up on his own shoulders He had attended the Khilafat conferences held at Ponnani, Ottappalam and Calicut. On 29 July 1921, the Musliyar after leading prayers in Tirurangadi mosque gave a speech in which he explained what the British doing in Turkey and how they trouble the Khalifa. He asked the Mappilas not to join the British army and those who joined already had to resign. This message spread in the surrounding areas and khilafat committees sprang up in Ernad area where the disciples of the Musliyar actively organized Khilafat meetings.

Mean while the British arrested Khilafat volunteers from the following areas:

Ponnani: Paramba Veetil Kunhammad, Kodambiyakath Koyamu, Panchilakath Moideen Kutty, Kolathil Parambil Moideen Kutty and Mussanti Endeen Kutti, Puisilan Kammu Kutty, Puisilan Bapputti, Bappanganakath Abdulla Musliyar, Parathikkal Imbichi Mammad, Chandana Veetil Kunhammad Vaidyar, Kolothipparambil Moideen Kutti, Padanganakath Pocker, Pazhayakath Kassim, Katilakath Cheriya Bavakkutti, Kozhappalli Kelappan nair, Kozhikkot Veetil Balakrishna Menon.

Calicut: Yaqub Hasan of Madras, K. Madhavan Nair of Manjeri, U. Gopala Menon, P. Moideen Koya, Nalu Kandam Parambil Abdullah, Nalukandam Parambil Veeran and Edavalakkandi Ahmad and 35 others.

Cheranad: Potta Kunhi nahmad, Kalarakal Ahmad, Villara Valappil Athan Kutti, Potta Abubakkar, Maliyekkal Hydru, Pattath Kunhippocker, Vellana Valappil Kunhahamamd, Vellana Valappil Athan Kutti, Puthan Peedikakkal Moideen Kutti, Kumban Alavi, Kumban Athan Kutti, Kandanath Mammad, Vallanakath Kunhahammad, Karthakath Athan, Karthakath Avaran Kutti, Kunhal Peediakkal Mothi haji, Kunhal Peediakkal Kunhokku.

Kanna Mangalam: Kurithodi Kunhi Moideen of Vengara, Charithodika Alavi of Iringallur Valiayora, Valiya Parambil Kunheen.

All of those were arrested on false charges and Kelappan and Balakrishna Menon were arrested for convening a meeting of Khilafat members at Mathur mosque.

After Ali Musliyar had taken the leadership of the agitation, his disciples from Pookkottur, Melmuri and other areas took active steps convening meetings and starting agitation against their respective jenmis. Police appointed Mr. Chekkutty, a retired inspector and some elders from the Chakkeri family to talk with Ali Musliyar for a settlement, but their suggestions were not acceptable to him. However, the Musliyar assured them that the Khilafat people wouldn’t make any provocations from their part as long as they have been provoked by the authorities. At the same time the British authorities executed a secret plan under the Moplah Act XX of 1859 to defeat the Khilafat Movement. As per the plan the army will secretly move to different place and arrest the ring leaders of the Khilafat. The chief in the hit list were Ali Musliyar, Karat Moideen, the assistant of Ali Musliyar, Kondachamparambil Kunhipocker Haji, Chenimathil Lavakkutty, Chittampara Kunhalan, Ossan Mammad, Ossan Moideen Kutty, Elampulasseri Moideen Kutty Haji, Potta Mammad Haji, Kattilassseri Muhammad Musliyar, Muthel Puredath (MP) Narayana Menon, Tayyil Muhammad Kutty Musliyar (KM Moulavi), Marambatt Avaran Kutty Musliyar, Aminummantakath parikkutty Musliyar (Tanur), Valiya Pediyakkal Kunhammad Musliyar (Tanur), Ottakath Kunhi Koya Thangal (Chembarasseri Thangal), P. K Alavi Musliyar (Pang) and M. Ahmad Kutty Musliyar of Pang. The leaders of the first Pookkottur incident Karatt Moideen Kutty haji, Kaladi Issappu, Manithodi Kunhalan, Kollapparamban Abdu Haji, Paradi Kunhammutty and Kizhikkat Kunhamutty Haji were also in the list.

On 10 August 1921 the District Magistrate wrote to Madras of the situation in south Malabar and the need of reinforcement. Colonel Humphreys reached Calicut, next day to discuss the situation. Arthur Knapp, Cap. P Evans, EF. Thomas, and Mr. Hitchcock, the District Superintend of Police, Malappuram jointly discussed the situation and decided to start action from Tirurangadi. Thus the district authorities set out to arrest 14 persons of Tirurangadi and the neighborhood, six persons connected with Pookkottur incident, one man of Chembrasseri and three other wandering agitators and to make a search in Tirurangadi and Pookkottur for arms.

Tirurangadi Raids

A special train left West Hill, Calicut at 1A.M on 20 August 1921 with two officers and 79 men under Captain Mc Encroy, B.P Evans and Captain Sullivan Medical Officer. The train halted at Calicut to pick up the reserve Police, 100 strong, under Hitchcock with Amu Sahib, the Deputy Superintendent of Police and proceeded to Parappanangadi. The Column marched to Tirurangadi and stationed at the court House. The Police proceeded to surround Kizhakke Palli where the men to be arrested stayed and Mr. Mc Conigal with 20 soldiers took post on the Kottakkal Road to prevent persons entering or leaving by the road. A special force of 60 persons came from Malappuram (12 miles away) under Asst. Superintendent Lancaster. The search started at dawn. Few of the leaders were still in their houses and there was no resistance from any one. One Pappadakkaran Attan Kutty pretending to be assisting the police went with them to the houses of the leaders and helped the leaders to escape. But two of them however, were captured. By this time Lavakkutty, the chief deputy of Ali Musliyar, disappeared from his house through upstairs. Much time was spent for searching the houses and lands, but without any result. Head Constable Moideen Kutti and Deputy Superintendent Amu Sahib made search in Kizhakke palli. It was informed that few leaders were in the mosque and Mr. .Moideen Kutty and Village officer Mussakkutty were entrusted to talk with them. On 20 August 1921 the army arrested three of Ali Musliyar’s volunteeres but his chief lieutenant Lavakkutty escaped leaving his uniform and his sword scabbard. Ali Musliyar by hiding himself somewhere send messages to his supporters at different parts particularly Kottakkal, Vengara and Tanur to protect the mosque if it is attacked. The army thinking that Ali Musliyar would be in the mosque, thought of demolishing it, but in the absence of demolishing tools it was a tedious job. However they waited outside the mosque, waiting the Mappila fighters coming out, but nothing happened.

Attack on the Mob

Hearing the message from Ali Musliyar of the plan of the British to demolish the mosque, people from different parts marched to Tirurangadi. The police got the news of a mob from Tanur, marching to Tirurangadi. At Parappanangadi they were stopped and in the encounter police fired at them. Umaithandakath Kunhi Kader was captured. The fighters damaged the Police Station and cut off the telegraphic wires and damaged the railway lines to destroy the police network. In the incident nine Mappilas including Kunhi Kader were killed and about 20 wounded.

Pottayil Muhammad Haji, Kozhisseri Mammad, his son Kozhisseri Moideen Kutty were arrested. They were close associates of Ali Musliyar. Hearing the news of arrests and the intention of the army of demolishing the mosque the people assembled in Kottakkal weekly market, also marched to Tirurangadi. Ali Musliyar and his disciples, in order to pacify the infuriated mob went to Police station with a memorandum requesting to release the prisoners. When the party reached close to the station, a group of police blocked them. Mr. Rowli, the Assistant Superintendent of Palakkad, who was in Tirurangadi Police station , now asked the petitioners their intention. Ali Musliyar told him that they came only to get the prisoners released. Mr. Rowli asked them to wait to get their demands fulfilled. Suddenly he gave order to the Police to fire at the innocent party without any provocation. People reacted fiercely with their local knives rushing towards the shooting police.The fighters killed Mr. Rowley, Lieutenant John Stone from the Indian Army who were leading the fight and, Head Constables Moideen and Govindan Nair. The police had to retreat to Court House. About 30 or 40 Mappila fighters laid their life in the fight. This happened on 20 August 1921. When the main commanders were killed the charge of opereation was given to McEnroy. After the incident some of the Mappila figters went to the mosque and others crowded at Panampuzha ferry waiting any army troop entering Tirurangadi. At 2 PM District Magistrate’s car and a motor bus, carrying soldiers came at the ferry. The Special Force inspector Mr. Reed Man crossed the river and reached the cross roads and due to rain took shelter in a shop. He abused those who were in the shop and when occured skirmishes he escaped towards Tirurangadi, after firing at the mob. When he reached near Chalilakath Ibrahim Kutty’s house Tayyil Ahmad Kutty felled him behind and the mob closed on him and murdered him. The driver of the car was also murdered and the vehicles thrown to river. The bus driver, even though spared for time being, was killed later by a Mappila contingent under Odakkal moideen Kutty Musliyar. This contingent also encountered with another bus of the army. The bus was thrown to river after murdering the driver and police men who were bringing arms to Tirurangadi.

At Tirurangadi some Mappila rich men and their supporters assisted the troops. They were the targets of the Mappila fighters. Kazhungum Thaottathil Moosa Adhikari, Chalilakath Ibrayan Kutty and his son Ahmad, Vettilakkaran Kunhi Ahmad and Thrikkulam Marakkarthodi Marakkarutti were chief of the British supporters. Ibrahim Kutty’s house was destroyed by the fighters for printing a leaf let against Khilafat on 20 August. At Parappanangadi, when the Mappila troops were looting the Police Station, Post Office and Telegraph Office, Achampatt family assisted the British troops to take action against them. When the family decided to serve foot to the troops the Mappilas prevented it and the army was left without food and retreated towards Calicut. They couldn’t travel on train since the railway lines were removed at different places. This made the movement of troops unsafe and impossible.

Khilafat Rule

At Tirurangadi, in the absence of the troops, the Mappila fighters entered the Court House and destroyed it burning all that had been inside. The mob looted the houses of Police Officers and Government officials. They blocked the roads by felling trees and destroying culverts. In the absence of a ruling authority Ali Musliyar took himself the affairs and convened an immediate gathering at Tirurangadi. The loyalists tried to exploit the opportunity, allowing their servants to loot the houses. Considering the seriousness of situation, as a warning to the loyalists and informing the people of the end of the British rule, a grand procession was organized and it ended in front of the Khilafat Office. Ali Musliyar gave a sermon in which he presented the seriousness of situation and the consequence if the British troops came back. People elected him as the Khalifa. Musliyar declared: Since Islam prohibits the land lord system, and all the lands belonged to God, the peasants were free to cultivate their lands and enjoy their freedom. He added that all including who supported the Khilafat and worked against it, and all the land lords will be safe under the Khilfat rule. He also warned that the Khilafat government will punish those who violate the rule and decreed that the wine and prostitution are strictly prohibited. Mr. Nalakath kunhippocker and Azhu Valappil Kunhi Ahmad were punished for their crimes. Nalalakath Kunhippocker , also known as Mullan Kunhippocker, was a manager of Musakkutty Adhikari, a British supporter. When the Khilafat government filed a case against a Poovumma, the notorious prostitute of the area, Kunhippocker was also a convict in the case. He was arrested by Khilafat police from Cherumukku. He was brought before Ali Musliyar, and released after warnig and making him to recite the Kalima (profession of faith). The same Kunhippocker appeared as a witness against AIi Musliyar in his trial at the instigation of the the Adhikari. Some Muslim land lords and officials actively supported the British cause by putting troubles in the way of Khilafat agitation. Among them there were Kalappadan Ali Adhikari of Malappuram, Perappuran Ayamutti Adhikari of Pookkottur, Kadaliyil Moossakkutty Adhikari of Pandikkad, Kalladi Moidutty of Mannarkkad, Parayil family of Cherpulassery and certain groups of Kurimannil valiya Mannil family of Anakkayam. All of them very close to the Mappila DYSP Amu sahib and Deputy Collector Ammu Sahib.

By now the Khilafat rule had been extended to different places and the troops have to suffer without proper assistance and ammunition. Tirur, Ponnani, Manjeri, Angadippuram and surrounding areas had become freed from the colonialism for the time being. When the news of Tirurangadi incident came to the leaders of Khilafat and Congress at Calciut a party including K. P Kesava Menon, Muhammad Abdu Rahman Sahib, Thayyil Muhammad Kutty Musliyar (K.M MOulavi), K.V Gopala Menon, E. Moidu Moulavi, U Gopala Menon, Comberbain, Manikyath Gopala Menon, Ponmadath Moideen Koya, Kodungallur Shekhara Menon, Kunhammad, K. Madhava Menon, T.V Chathukutty Nair, MP Moideen Koya and Madhuvanam Govinda Kurup left for Tirurangadi on 26 August 1921. The party was well received by the Khilafat volunteers at Mambram ferry. They moved to the Khilafat Committeee Office at Tirurangadi and discussed the necessity of keeping peace to avoid a further fight and Ali Musliyar asked his lieutenants to keep peace to avoid any further encounter.

Retaliation

The army, though retreated for the time being, decided to come back to re-establish the British suzerainty. Mr. Armitage, the Inspector general of Police sent a message to Calicut on 29 August 1921 for further action at Tirurangadi. Accordingly a column under Colonel Radcliff marched from Malappuram to Panampuzha river on 29 and crossed it with much difficulty. On 30 morning of August. Mr. Armitage, Mr. Elliot and E.V Amu Sahib accompanied this column. Another column left Tirur on 29 under Major Hope via Edarikode. The moment the arrival of troops was known, every Mappila left the place. At Kizhkke Palli there were four men and in Tirurangadi mosque another few. The troops suddenly put siege to the Tirurangadi mosque attempted to get surrended those inside. But no one came out of the mosque. It was decided to prolong the siege and at night one or two escaped through the bushes on the side of the river. At nine in the morning of the 31 August there was continuous beating of drum from inside the mosque, but not very came to fight with troops. The fighters fired at the troops from the upstairs of the mosque. Few men tried to escape through western gate killing the army officer Private Williams but six of them were shot to death. The troops taking their whole strength decided to capture Ali Musliyar even at the risk of destroying the mosque. Considering the seriousness of situation the Musliyar and his men waved a white flag from the window with the intention to surrender. Thirty seven came out and surrended including Ali Musliyar and Pappadakkaran Athan Kutty. Six men were found dead in the up stair of the mosque including Karatt Moideen. The fighters killed about twenty army men and on the side of fighters about the same number of men lost their life. Chennimattil Lavakkutti and Chittambala Kunhalavi, close associates of Ali Musliyar had escaped. They fought with the troops at different places. Maravakkulath Abdullakkutty Haji who had been forcibly released by the rebels from Manjeri sub jail also joined with the Lavakkutty and his group. Lavakkutti was killed in mysterious circumstances and Kunhalavi died fighting at Valiyora.

Judgement

Ater arresting Ali Musliyar and 37 men they were taken to Tirurangadi market place where they had to stay overnight. The army played havoc in the street destroying everything and burning the Khilaft and Congress offices. Next day the prisoners were taken to Calicut. The case (Code no. 7 of 1921) was trialed at the court of Special Tribunal at Calicut and the judgment came on the second day of November 1921. The judges J.R Huges , A. Edington and R. Narayana Ayyar were present on the occasion. The case of 38 prisoners who were arrested along with Ali Musliyar was decided. Those who arrested were the following :

1. Palathum Mulayil alias Erikkunnan Ali Musliyar

2. Kokkapparambil Rayan

3. Chelupattath Kunhi Chekku

4. Kotasseri Ahmad

5. Chericheel Mammad Kutty

6. Mattath Saidalavi

7. Panakkal Unneen Kutti

8. Thekke Chekkingathodi Abdu Rahman

9. Pachengal Kunhammad

10. Chalil Pocker

11. Achippurakkaran Saidali

12. Annasseri Unneen Kutti

13. Kakkidipparambath Mammad Kutti

14. Kattusseri Sooppikkutti

15. Chembilakkal Eni Haji

16. Kondath Pallipparambil Ahmad

17. Nechimannil Ahmad

18. Koolippilakkal Athan Kutti

19. Nechimannil Kunhammad

20. Eruman Mammad Kutty

21. Kizhakke Peedikakkal Kunhali

22. Charath Saidali

23. Kalathil Mammad

24. Pallippatt Mayan Kutti

25. Paramban Koyakkutti

26. Kozhippurath Saidalikkutty

27. Kallan Alavi

28. Purakkat Hydru

29. Tenhilam Kunhi Moidu

30. Elampulaseri Moideen Kutti

31. Mattara Pokkai

32. Pattalathil Kuttasseri Ahmad

33. Urunian Ahmad

34. Palasseri Ittilakkal Kunheedu

35. Karimbil Ahmad

36. Nechimannil Kunheen

37. Chemban Ali Kutti

38. Kolakkattil Kunhalan Kutty

The offence against the prisoners was waging war against the king; section 121 IPC, murder section, 302, IPC and section 149 IPC. Accused 1,2,3,4,5,7,18, 20, 30, 31,32, 33 and 38 were sentenced to be hanged by the neck until they be dead. Accused 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,15,16, 17,19, 21,22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 34, 35, 36 and 37 were sentenced to transportation for life under section 124 and 302 IPC. Under section 121 IPC the property of each of the accused be forfeited to the government. The accused were defended by AV. Balakrishna Menon, Vakil appointed by the court. The court found that it was not mere fanaticism or agrarian trouble, or destitution but it was the influence of Khilafat and Non Coperation movement that drove them to rebel. Unlike the previous riots in Malabar the court also found that the aim of the accused was to establish a Khilfat rule by force of arms.

The judgement explained the relation of Ali Musliyar with the other Khilafat leaders. “ Ali Musliyar, who had been a teacher of Koran in Kizhakke Palli for the last 14 years was one of the secretaries at Tirurangadi Khilafat Committee……Vadakke Veetil Mammad (Khilafat Secretary at Pookkottur) was his disciple, Kunhi Koya Thangal (The President of the Khilaft Committee at Malappuram) also his great friend and associate, Kunhi Kader (Secretary at Tanur), an influential man of Tanur attended a meeting at Tanur at which Ali Musliyar spoke and later on, as we shall see carried out vigorously the policy then outlined. One Varian Kunnath Kunhahammad Haji, a Khilafat leader at Nellikkuth, the birth place of Ali Musliyar, is a relative of Ali Musliyar by marriage.” Thirteen accused including Ali Musliyar were sent to Coimbatore Jail and twenty five were sent to Bellari Jail. All thirteen of Coimbatore jail were hanged. Three were deported to Andaman.

Ali Musliyar is to be hanged on Saturday 18 February 1922. At dawn he asked the jail official to bring some water for ablution. He immersed in deep prayer begging God not to be hanged on the British gallows. It is said that he died in his praye rmat during prayer. The British took his dead body and put it on the gallows and confirmed that he was hanged. His dead body was taken to the mosque and the Elder Pesh Imam of Coimbatore Abdu Razaq Alim Sahib led the first funeral prayer and the second was led by the Congress- Khilafat leader Yaqub Hassan. The body of Ali Musliyar and his associates were buried in the Shukran Petai grave yard at Mettupalayam. Ali Musliyar’s grave is on the western part of the grave yard (South of the gate) 10 feet away from the wall. (In 1958 a memorial building was inaugurated by Mr. Humayun Kabir, the Minister of India, at Coimbatore. Earlier Bafaqi Thangal, the leader of Malabar Muslims laid the foundation stone for the two storeyed building. Formerly it was a madrasa (religious schoool) with the name Mambaul Khairat.

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