Many people have played a role in the social and cultural history of Kerala in many ways and have contributed greatly to the struggle for freedom.
Kerala is proud of her immense contributions nationally and internationally. Listed below are some of the most famous activists and freedom fighters who have contributed in many ways. These are names we should never forget.
By the treaties of 1723 and 1795 between British East India Company and Travancore, Travancore accepted British supremacy and the company promised help to the State in case of external aggression.
A similar treaty was also made in 1791 between the British and the King of Cochin. So for a decade or two later Tippu’s exit, all Kerala fell under the political control of the British East India Company.
Then, in 180O, Kerala was divided into 3 political units namely Travancore, Cochin, and Malabar. Later many thinkers and journalists of Kerala brought awareness among people how they are suppressed with their rights.
[ Also, Checkout List of Freedom Fighters of India ]
The people fought for their rights without considering any particular religion, caste, or any discrimination, everyone set their goal to make India free from the British.
This list can also be useful for candidates who are preparing for the competitive exams.
List of Freedom Fighters in Kerala
1. A.V. Kuttimalu Amma
- Full Name: Anakkara Vadakkathu Kuttimalu Amma
- Born: 23 April 1905 Anakkara, Palakkad district, Kerala
- Died: 14 April 1985, Calicut, Kerala
- Spouse: K. Madhava Menon
A.V. Kuttimalu Amma was a great woman freedom fighter who was active in the freedom movement who showing the Keralians the right path to fight against the British. She has actively participated in many national movements like the Swadeshi Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement (during the protest she was arrested for leading a group, and sadly her 2 years daughter had to stay in jail with her).
2. K. Kumar
- Full Name: Krishnan Nair Kumar
- Born: 1894, Kerala
- Died: 1973
K. Kumar was the earliest socio-political leader who spread Gandhi’s message and brought spirit in the people of Travancore State to fight against the British by following “Gandhian Principles”. He has close ties with well known prominent leaders like Pandit Nehru, C.R.Das, etc. The entire efforts of his life were to bring communal harmony.
3. Accamma Cherian
- Full Name: Anakkara Vadakkathu
- Born: 14 February 1909 Kanjirapally, Travancore
- Died: 5 May 1982 Trivandrum, Kerala, India
- Spouse: V. V. Varkey
Accamma Cherian was popularly known as Jhansi Rani of Travancore, the name didn’t come just like that. She gave up her teaching profession and joined the freedom movement. the Travancore people started protesting for a responsible government where she led a group meanwhile British police chief ordered men to fire but she cried and told to shoot her first, even British officer got sympathy and withdraw their order, for her courage Gandhi hailed her as ‘The Jhansi Rani of Travancore’.
4. Mohammed Abdur Rahiman
- Full Name: Muhammad Abdu Rahiman Sahib
- Born: 1898 Kodungallur, Kingdom of Cochin, Kerala, British India
- Died: 23 November 1945 Pottashery, British India
Mohammed Abdur Rahiman was a great Muslim freedom fighter from Kerala, he tried to establishing peace in riot-affected areas and also participated in Salt Satyagraha for which he was imprisoned for 9 months. He was was editor and publisher of the Malayalam daily newspaper Al-Ameen in which he tried to nurture nationalism among the Muslim people of Malabar but finally, it was closed by British authorities.
5. K. Kelappan
- Full Name: Koyapalli Kelappan Nair
- Born: 24 August 1889, Muchukunnu, Calicut
- Died: 7 October 1971 (aged 82) Calicut, Kerala
- Spouse: T P Ammalu Amma
K. Kelappan is popularly known as Kerala Gandhi, he fought for social reforms such as untouchability and caste-based discrimination. He was active in politics after Independence and took an active part in Bhoodan Movement in Kerala. Kelappan was totally opposing the formation of the Muslim-majority Malappuram District in Kerala because he feared that it may create “mini Pakistan”.
6. Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai
- Full Name: K. Ramakrishna Pillai
- Born: 25 May 1878, Neyyattinkara
- Died: 28 March 1916, Kannur
- Spouse: Nanikutti Amma, B. Kalyani Amma
Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai used his writing skills as the weapon against the British by reaching masses in Travancore, Kerala with his criticisms in popular newspaper Swadeshabhimani and other papers. In the memory of Ramakrishna Pillai, a trust was created in the name Swadesha Abhimani Smaraka Samithi.
7. Vaikom Muhammad Basheer
- Full Name: Abdul Rahman Muhammad Basheer
- Born: 21 January 1908 Thalayolaparambu, Vaikom, Kottayam district, Travancore
- Died: 5 July 1994 (aged 86) Beypore, Calicut district, Kerala, India
- Spouse: Fathima Basheer (Fabi)
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer is a well-known writer known as Beypore Sultan, who received the fourth highest civilian award of the Padma Shri in 1982. He also participated in Salt Satyagraha and was in prison. Even after he was released he didn’t keep quiet, he organized an anti-British movement and took an active part in the freedom movement.
8. Vakkom Moulavi
- Full Name: Vakkom Mohammed Abdul Khader Moulavi
- Born: 28 December 1873 Travancore Princely State, Madras Presidency, British India
- Died: 31 October 1932 (aged 58) Travancore Princely State, Madras Presidency, British India
- Spouse: Aamina Umma
Vakkom Moulavi was the founder and publisher of the newspaper “Swadeshabhimani” which was banned by British officers because of critics against the Travancore Government. He stood as the voice of the Muslim community and brought social reforms like modern education, women education, and worked towards the elimination of bad customs followed by Muslim communities.
9. Veliyankode Umar Khasi
- Birth and Death dates are available online but we are sure because he was born in 1177 and died in 1273 but still participated in freedom, some misinformation. Some more research yet to be done until then below is his contribution.
Veliyankode Umar Khasi is a Muslim scholar and freedom fighter who took active participation in the Civil-Disobedience movement and fought against the British opposing to pay taxes. Interestingly at the time of his death, he was waiting for death to arrive by preparing his own grave.
10. Vakkom Majeed
- Full Name: S. Vakkom Majeed
- Born: 20 December 1909 Travancore Princely State, Madras Presidency, British India
- Died: 10 July 2000 (aged 90) Vakkom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
- Spouse: Suleha Beevi (Late)
Vakkom Majeed is a freedom fighter and was active in politics, when the National Movement started in Kerala he was in front to lead. He was arrested after he participates in Quit India Movement in 1942. He was one of the opponents of the Two-Nation theory and his goal was to see a casteless society and worked towards it.
Know more freedom fighters on next page…
