The Mapillah uprising

Context: Mapillah revolt showcases that important historical events always have multiple causes and do not occur in a social, economic, and political vacuum.

Factors which led to the revolt:

• Immediate trigger: Non-Cooperation Movement launched by the Congress in 1920 in tandem with the Khilafat agitation. 

• The Malabar Congress led by Nairs, was the most active participant in these twin agitations.

• The anti-British sentiment : found fertile ground among the Muslim Mapillahs of south Malabar.

• The British had introduced new tenancy laws and instituted a more exploitative system. 
• The new laws deprived Mapillahs of guaranteed rights to the land and its produce. 

• Ire against Hindu landlords : most of the landlords were Namboodiri Brahmins and supported by British while most of the tenants were Mapillah Muslims.

• Fiery speeches : by Muslim religious leaders added to the religious fervour of  peasantry leading to the atrocities against Hindus. 

Conclusion:

• Various Factors: It was an agrarian revolt occasioned with economic distress, fuelled by anger against foreign rule, reaction to tenancy laws, and communalised through religious zeal.