Socio-cultural Processes and Livelihood Patterns at Tirurangadi - CDS

y the early half of 19 th century, and Kundoor palli was built slightly later. Muttichira
was apparently blessed by Sayyid Alawi Thangal of Mamburam, and it is believed that
the same Thangal laid the foundation of Kunduchenappalli. Thangal is related to
kodinjippalli also and did not have any connection with Kundoor palli. Kodinjippalli,
situated near the large patam that connects venchali with moriyappatam is a large
traditional structure, which has been renovated recently, but the old prayer hall (mihrab)
has been retained. The most important function of the mosque is the practice of satyam
cheyyal, by which a person takes an oath in the mosque, and any false oath is believed to
incur divine retribution. People of all communities come for this ritual, and until recently,
several disputes and cases of theft and treachery were arbitrated and settled in the
mosque. People coming for getting their problems settled used to make voluntary
donations earlier. Now, the Management of the mosque charges a fee for this practice.
Muttichirappalli has a more ’Islamic’ architectural form, with minarets and dome and has
been renovated recently. The mosque became famous because of the conflict of a group
of Muslims with a local landlord, Thottassiiri Thachchu Panikkar, in 1841 and the
intervention of the British on behalf of the landlord, in which eleven mappilas were shot
dead. They are called Muttichira shahids (shuhadakkal) or warriors who died for the sake
of Islam. The Shahids are now venerated and given saintly status, and nerchas are
conducted in their name. The nerchappettis of shahids are maintained in several other
mosques and also in individual houses. The dead bodies of the shahids were dragged by
the British soldiers and thrown into a pit (kalluvettankuzhi) and they were recovered later
and buried in the khabr in the mosque. All this has resulted in the growth of several
myths on the shahids, and it is believed even now that the souls of the shahids demand
vengeance on the perpetrators of evil to them.