THE MOPLAH REBELLION, 1921

Any history of Khilafat -Non-co-operation movement which leaves out the role of the Moplahs in the horrible genocide of Hindus can never be taken as an authentic historical narrative. Thus, in the official historiography that we have since Nehru’s days, the dominant view is that India’s struggle for independence was primarily non-violent and it was thus entirely Gandhian. In this framework, many episodes, many personalities, many substantive issues–like the long history of violence-ridden Muslim separatism-communalism and much relevant explanations were strictly avoided This book based on the newspaper reports mainly the Madras Mail and the West Coast Spectator, and Government proceedings/statements, spread over two hundred pages, the author has done a factual and honest work that captures the horrible scenario in all its complexity. Thus, we can treat it as a primary source of credible information. Only if, all administrators could write like this, our history writing could have been so much easier!