The Hindus of Malabar are greatly indebted to the brave of soldiers of 2/8th and 2/9th Gorkhas, 1/39th Gharwal Rifles and other military units who were dispatched to trouble-torn areas of Malabar to quell the genocide of Hindus by fanatical Moplahs in 1921. With their supreme fighting prowess, they proved that fanatical Moplahs — who were planning extermination of Hindus for setting up Khilafat — were no match to them in valour. Moplah fighting gang numbering over 10,000 had indulged in guerilla warfare, plunder and terrorism. They largely avoided direct encounter with the Gorkhas.
In this context, mention should be made about the role played by the Malabar Special Police, which was constituted to contain the recalcitrant Moplah goons. They managed to push the Moplahs to the forests and hilly terrain. Gorkhas and other military units were brought in to take on the Moplahs holed up in the forests.
Armed with kukris, the Gorkhas and Gharwalis inflicted maximum casualties on the Moplah gangs who mounted guerrilla attacks on them. For instance, on October 20, 1921, about 100 Moplahs attacked the Gorkhas near Morayur. In no time the Gorkhas felled nearly 50 of them. Rest of them escaped to the forests leaving behind firearms and other weapons. On November 14, 1921, a mob of 2000 Moplahs attacked Pandikad post held a company of 2/8th Gorkhas in an early morning raid. About 56 Moplahs managed to enter the post and all were hacked to death. Besides, in the onslaught, Gorkhas killed more than 250 Moplah fanatics. After Gorkhas started vigorously pursuing the rioters, Moplahs took refuge in forested areas and a large section had started surrendering. By November-December 1921, more than 27,000 had surrendered. Later, all the leaders of the Khilafat were captured.
Legacy of Gorkhas
Gorkhas trace their origin to Guru Gorakhnath, the founder of the Nath Sampradaya, known for their commitment to protect cows – Gau-raksha. Yogi Adityanath ji is the present chief of Gorakhnath peeth. As the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, his contribution to the cause of cows and Hindutva is immense.
The Nath sect had contributed immensely to safeguard Hindu Dharma when the Mughals had launched an onslaught on Hindu Dharma. The followers of the Nath order fought valiantly against the Mughals.
In this centenary year of Malabar Hindu Genocide, let us remember with gratitude the contribution of the valiant Gorkhas who conclusively crushed the Islamist movement called Khilafat in Malabar.
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