GS Paper 1
Topics Covered: The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
Context:
A three-member committee was appointed by the Indian Council of Historic Research (ICHR) to review the entries in the fifth volume of the ‘Dictionary of Martyrs: India’s Freedom Struggle (1857-1947)’.
- The committee has recommended that Martyrs of the communist movement of Kerala, including the ones killed at the Punnapra-Vayalar, Kayyur, Karivelloor, and Kavumbayi uprisings, will remain as freedom fighters in the annals of India’s struggle for Independence.
Background:
Previously, the committee had recommended the deletion of the Malabar Rebellion leaders Variamkunnath Kunhamed Haji, Ali Musaliar, and 387 other ‘Moplah martyrs’ from the list.
About the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising:
- It was a militant communist movement in 1946 in the Princely State of Travancore, British India against the Prime Minister, C. P. Ramaswami Iyer and the state.
- This was a proper struggle against the declaration of ‘Independent Travancore’ by the then Travancore.
The significances of this revolt were:
(a) It was a unique agitation where the working class rose against the government.
(b) It saw the people of all classes up in arms against a common tyrant hence it dissolved class and religion distinction and induced unity among people.
(c) It resulted in establishing democracy in the region and also gave a decisive turn to the politics of the state.
Implications of the revolt:
- Historians maintain this was a proper struggle against the declaration of ‘Independent Travancore’ by the then Travancore.
- T K Varghese Vaidyan, a leader of the struggle, had gone on record saying it was a rehearsal for a larger revolution with the ultimate objective of establishing a “Communist India”.
Kayyur Incident:
- In 1940, peasants there under the leadership of communists rose against the two local jenmis, Nambiar of Kalliat and the Nayanar of Karakkatt Edam.
- Kayyur is considered the cradle of agrarian revolution in Kerala.
The Karivellur uprising:
It took place on December 20, 1946. The uprising was to fight the landlords who wanted to smuggle paddy from the village at a time of acute starvation.
Insta Curious:
Do you know about Patharughat: The forgotten peasant uprising of Assam in 1894? Reference
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- The above mentioned revolts are related to?
- Who took part in them?
- What were the main demands?
- About ICHR.
Mains Link:
Discuss the significance and issues surrounding the Punnapara-Vayalar revolt.
Sources: the Hindu.
