Kunjali Marakkar – History, Quiz, Free PDF

Everyone who has taken an interest in Indian history will know that the Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach India by sea route. Like any foreign powers, they desired to attain a monopoly in trade in the Indian coats. The demands they made to the king of Kozhikode, i.e., the Samoothiri or Zamorin were quite unreasonable.  His refusal to concede enraged these European merchants and led to a series of struggles. This is where the navy and title of Kunjali Marakkar comes into play.

Kunjali Marakkar – History, Quiz, Free PDF

The first question we need answers to in this scenario is who is Kunjali Marakkar. Or to be more precise, what is Kunjali Marakkar? Let us read to know more!

Kunjali Marakkar Summary

Kozhikode or Calicut, which is in present-day Kerala, which is a state of India, was previously a kingdom under the rule of Kings called Samoothiris (also referred to as Zamorins in some history texts). Kunjali Marakkar was the title that was given to the admiral of the Samoothiris naval fleet. It was a family title and was inherited from one generation to another. There were 4 Kunjali Marakkars in the history/ they are listed in their chronological order along with their real name below.

• Kunjali Marakkar 1- Kutti Ahmed Ali
• Kunjali Marakkar 2- Kutti Pokker Ali
• Kunjali Marakkar 3- Pada Marakkar/ Pattu Marakkar
• Kunjali Marakkar 4- Mohammed Ali

Key Points

Some key points that are asked for the exams about Kunjali Marakkar are listed below.

• Kunjali Marakkar is the title given to the admirals of the Calicut naval fleet.
• The title Kunjali Marakkar was awarded to the family by Samoothiri.
• The headquarters of Kunjali Marakkars is Puthuppanam Fort in Kottakkal.
• Puthuppanam fort was built by Kunjali Marakkar 3.
• Chaliyam Fort was built in 1531 by the Portuguese to defend themselves from the attack of Kunjali Marakkars.
• Chaliyam Fort is situated in Kozhikode.
• Chaliyam Fort was built by the Portuguese governor Kunha.
• Chalityam fort is known as a canon pointed to the throat of Samoothiri.
• Kunjali Marakkar 1 was killed in the year 1531.
• Kunjali Marakkar 3 captured the Chaliyam fort from the Portuguese in 1571.
• Kunjali Marakkar 3 took up the title of the hero/ lord of the Indian Ocean.
• Kunali MArakkar 4 was killed by the Portuguese in Goa in 1600.
• INS Kunjali is located in Mumbai.
• Kunjali Marakkar Memorial is situated in Kottakkal.
• The stamp commemorating Kujali Marakkar was released in 2000.
• Kunjali Marakkars followed the policy of “Hit and Run”
• They used guerilla warfare against the Portuguese.
• Fathhul Mubeen is a book written by Khasi Muhammad and it gives detailed descriptions of the capturing of Chaliyam fort by Kunjali Marakakar from the Portuguese.
• The title Fathhul Mubeen means “clear victory”. This book was written in the 16^th century and was in Arabic language.

Importance of Kunjali Marakkar During Portuguese Invasions

The Zamorins, who ruled Kozhikode from 1124 to 1806, were one of India’s most well-known, prosperous, and powerful kingdoms. This was made possible by the friendly trading relationships that the inhabitants of Malabar enjoyed for generations with Arab, Chinese, and Roman traders. Though Zamorins practised Hinduism, they were open to different religious ideologies and business relationships.

The arrival of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1497 brought about a change in this norm. A cordial trade discussion did not take place since Zamorin and Gama irritated each other. Gama left for Lisbon but returned to Kozhikode in 1503, this time to establish a Christian monopoly and control the spice trade. The Portuguese started dictating terms of commerce gradually to drive out Arab traders from the Malabar region. They even had the gall to demand that any ship transporting profitable products, even if they were Indian-made, obtain a pass from the Portuguese or risk having them seized. Needless to say, the Zamorins found this unacceptable.

The Portuguese wanted the Samoothiri to ban the Chinese and Arab traders from trading at their cost so that the Portuguese could take over and monopolise the trade in the Indian Ocean.  They had a system called Cartez, in which they gave a permission pass after taking some amount of money as tax from traders from other nations if they wanted to trade on the Indian coast.

Furthermore, to undermine the Zamorin and seize the trade rights held by the Muslim minority in the area, the Portuguese approached Cochin Raja as a trading partner. The Zamorins of Kozhikode and the Kochi Raja went to war as a result. Thus, rivalries, treachery, violence, and killing were witnessed in the region for the first time.

History of Kunjali Marakkar

The Marakkars are descended from a group of merchants who spoke Tamil and were settled in Kochi. Their activities included partnership and trade with the Portuguese. Zainuddin Makhdoom II, the 16th-century author who composed the Tuhfat-ul-Mujahideen, reported in 1524 that the Marakkars turned against the Portuguese because the latter damaged the former’s trade networks by buying spices and goods directly from locals in Kochi.

In the battle between Kochi and Samoothiri, rich Muslim maritime trader Ismail Marakkar, who had his headquarters in Kochi, provided the Zamorin with secret assistance in the form of men and a few ships. However, the Portuguese destroyed them all. The Marakkar family then departed for Ponnani, which was under Zamorin rule. The Portuguese assaulted Ponnani between 1507 and 1524, destroying the Zamorini fleet and army. The kingdom’s revenue and maritime trade were being negatively impacted by the Portuguese’s persistent attacks. The traders from this area migrated to Kottakkal, most likely further north. Few of these marine traders came to the Zamorin with a strategy for a counterattack of their own. Zamorin appointed Kutti Ahmed Ali as the fleet’s naval admiral, bestowing upon him the title “Kunjali Marakkar” and entrusting him with maritime defence.

According to Kunjali Marakkar history, there isn’t a clear picture of the Marakkar lineage, but the version that says they were Egyptian traders who first established in Kochi for trade before moving to Kozhikode is the most accurate. Eighty years of unrelenting struggle against the Portuguese were waged by Kunjali Marakkar I (1520–1531), Kunjali Marakkar II (1531–1571), Kunjali Marakkar III (1571–1595), and Kunjali Marakkar IV (1595–1600). They were disadvantaged by the Portuguese in terms of technology, vessels, and guns, but they were superior in terms of war strategy, leadership abilities, and guerilla warfare at sea.

War Tactics

Since jungle combat is most commonly linked with guerilla tactics, one may wonder which techniques were used. The Marakkars are reported to have employed war parties, which are little boats with 30–40 soldiers on board each. Lagoons and narrow waters might be navigated by rowing these war paroes. They would set up ambushes on the Portuguese from their strategically placed positions. The guerilla warriors found it simple to strategically withdraw from an ambush because of the small craft’s capacity to manoeuvre through narrow seas.

Turning Point

Years went by, and the conflict persisted. Every Marakkar performed their tasks with great zeal and commitment, one after the other. However, some kings were not as intelligent as others, and they made poor choices. One of the historical missteps was the 1528 peace deal the Zamorin and the Portuguese signed, which permitted them to construct a fort at Ponnani, a key strategic location. This was the first time that the Zamorin and Muslim sailors’ relationship had soured. This marked a significant shift in Kunjali Marakkar’s history.

Along with becoming well-liked within his community, Kunjali-IV also helped other Portuguese adversaries, such as the Sultan of Bijapur and the Rani of Ullal. In 1598, the Portuguese convinced the Zamorin that Marakkar IV planned to conquer his kingdom and establish a Muslim empire. In an act of betrayal, the Zamorin collaborated with the Portuguese, who cruelly murdered him.

The Mappila population of North Malabar still has great affection for Kunjali Marakkar’s valour since the Kunjalis’ maritime strength was always linked to Zamorin’s dominance. The kingdom of Zamorin’s political and economic power structure also began to decline with the passing of Kunjali Marakkar IV in 1600. Kozhikode’s kingdom was later subjected to colonization.

Kunjali Marakkar: Present Significance

The Tamil Nadu district of Thoothukudi has a temple honouring “Kunjali Marakkar” in Madhavan Kurichi the village. Known as Perumal Temple, it is located close to Manapad, a 16th-century Portuguese fortress. The villagers celebrate yearly holidays and revere Maraikkar as a divinity. Some of their Villu Paatu songs are based on Marakkar stories.

A modest museum with an old sword, cannonballs, and knife collection has been established in a hut that once belonged to the Marakkar family in the village of Iringal, approximately 35 km north of Kozhikode. It is kept up to date by the State Archeology Department.

In honour of Kunjali Marakkar, Calicut University has created the Kunjali Marakkar Centre for West Asian Studies.

Kunjali Marakkar, a 1967 Malayalam film directed by S. S. Rajan, starred Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair in the lead role. The movie took home the National Film Award for Best Malayalam Feature Film.

The 50th Kerala State Film Awards and the 67th National Film Awards were given to Priyadarshan’s Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea, which starred Mohanlal.

Kunjali Marakkar Quiz – Free PDF 

Kunjali Marakkar Quiz

1. Who wrote the book “The Zamorins of Calicut”?

• Rajarajavarma
• V. Krishnaiyyar
• Sardar K. M. Panickar
• Sukumar Azheekodu

2. Kannur Treaty is between which of the following powers?

• Zamorin and Portuguese
• Zamorin and Dutch
• Zamorin and Travancore
• Travancore and Portuguese

3. Ponnani Treaty is between which of the following powers?

• Zamorin and Portuguese
• Zamorin and Dutch
• Zamorin and Travancore
• Travancore and Portuguese

4. Which is the book describing the atrocities done by the Portuguese in Kerala?

• Kerala Charitham
• Thufathhul Mujahudin
• Fathhul Mubeen
• Aini Akbari

5. Who wrote Thufathhul Mujahudin?

• Seik Sainudin
• Kunjali Marakkar 3
• Al Baruni
• Fa Hein

6. Thufathhul Mujahudin was written in which language?

• Persian
• Iranian
• Arabic
• Urdu

7. Century in which Thufathhul Mujahudin was written is?

• 16^th Century
• 17^th Century
• 18^th Century
• 19^th Century

8. The year of Kannur Treaty was signed is in the?

• 1512
• 1511
• 1510
• 1513

9. The year of Ponnani Treaty was signed is in?

• 1520
• 1530
• 1540
• 1535

10. The book Fathhul Mubeen was written by the author.

• Seik Sainudin
• Kunjali Marakkar 3
• Khasi Muhammad
• Fa Hein

11. Which is the book describing the winning of Chaliyam fort by LKunali Marakkar from Portuguese?

• Kerala Charitham
• Thufathhul Mujahudin
• Fathhul Mubeen
• Aini Akbari

12. Fathhul Mibeen was written in which language?

• Persian
• Iranian
• Arabic
• Urdu

13. Century in which Fathhul Mubeen was written is?

• 16^th Century
• 17^th Century
• 18^th Century
• 19^th Century

14. Who built the Puthuppanam Fort?

• Kunjali Marakkar 1
• Kunjali Marakkar 2
• Kunjali Marakkar 3
• Kunjali Marakkar 4

15. Who captured Chaliyam Fort from the Portuguese?

• Kunjali Marakkar 1
• Kunjali Marakkar 2
• Kunjali Marakkar 3
• Kunjali Marakkar 4

16. What was the policy followed by Kunjali Marakkars in the war?

• Hit and run
• Blood and iron
• Appeasement
• Direct attack

17. Where is INS Kunjali located?

• Kochi
• Thoothukudi
• Calicut
• Mumbai

18. A stamp commemorating Kunjali Marakkar was released by the central government in which year?

• 2000
• 1999
• 2001
• 2002

19. Kunjali Marakkar memorial is situated in?

• Ponnani
• Kottakkal
• Kochi
• Mumbai

20. Which fort is known as the canon pointed to the throat of Zamorin?

• Kannur fort
• Puthuppanam fort
• Chaliyam fort
• St George fort

Quiz Answers: Kunjali Marakkar

1. V. Krishnaiyyar
2. Zamorin and Portuguese
3. Zamorin and Portuguese
4. Thufathhul Mujahudin
5. Seik Sainudin
6. Arabic
7. 16^th Century
8. 1513
9. 1540
10. Khasi Muhammad
11. Fathhul Mubeen
12. Arabic
13. 16^th Century
14. Kunjali Marakkar 3
15. Kunjali Marakkar 3
16. Hit and run
17. Mumbai
18. 2000
19. Kottakkal
20. Chaliyam fort