Socio-cultural Processes and Livelihood Patterns at Tirurangadi - CDS

The Mappila revolts in the area abated because after the murder of Connolly and the
appointment of the Strange Commission, the British imposed the virtual reign of terror in
the region. The Malabar Special Police was set up which first functioned from the West
hill Barracks and then functioned from Kozhichena near the field area, before being
shifted to Malappuram. The presence of the Special police had a terrifying impact on the
population. The use of weapons like Ayutha katty and Pisan Katty were banned. A virtual
man-hunt was organized for all those aided or abetted the criminals wanted for the
murder of Connolly, and collective fines were imposed on the cultivators of Desams
which were suspected of protecting the murderers. 719 Mappilas of 19 villages were
fined. 174 persons from Koduvayoor village near the field area were fined. The proceeds
of the fines collected were given to the widow of Connolly. It was clear that the entire
people were made to pay for the murder of a British official. Mappilas who were
apprehended for the murder and other acts were deported to Botany Bay, Austalia,
Andamans and Arabia. The Strange Commission also recommended the suppression of
fanatical outrages and restriction of the construction of mosques.Apart from all these the
there was no change in the British power structure, which was made clear in
unmistakable terms when the recommendations of Malabar special commission report by
Logan was rejected by the Government.
Another feature is also important. The deportation of Sayyid Fazl evoked very little
protests from other ‘traditional’ intellectuals. Apparently, the effort of Mamburam
Thangals, despite the popularity that it generated was an isolated phenomenon and was
not supported by the entire Ulema. When Sayyid Fasl and his family departed, their
properties were left with a few relatives including the related family of Puthiya
Malikakkal of Calicut. But these related families were mainly interested in preserving
and expanding their properties. After the death of Abdullakkoya Thangal to whom
Sayyid Fasl entrusted his properties, the infighting among the relatives came into the