Uplift of lower caste Hindus in Malabar: The role of Tipu and Mappila Revolts

Abstract

The Colonial narratives portrayed Tipu as a villain who killed Hindus and destroyed temples.  The paper questions the above notion and cites the examples of Tipu Sultan’s reforms which benefited much the lower sections of the Hindu society.  Likewise, the paper sees the Mapila riots as a reaction against the higher caste dominations in the Malabar. For the lower caste communities, it was Tipu who initiated the primary steps to eradicate racial discrimination on the name of Caste.  The war between the Mysore rulers and Nair army is reflected in certain writings as “Tipu versus Hindus”.  These writings were clearly used to tarnish the image of Mysore rulers and the same has been used in the right-wing narratives. Upper caste leaders have attempted to shape a Hindu community identity using the events of the Tipu/ Mappila revolt. They have attempted to hide the fact that the Mappila rebellion and the arrival of Tipu had a prominent role in improving the social security of the ‘lower’ castes, which comprise the majority of Hindus.