1921 – 1922

Also known as the Moplah (Muslim) riots, the Malabar rebellion in 1921 began as a peasant movement in response to exploitation by landlords, increasing land tax, and security of tenure. While the resistance was initially against British colonial rule, it later manifested a communal violence between Hindus and Muslims. Forcible conversions, massacres, desecration of temples, and a of number outrages upon women—from ripping open pregnant women, to pillage—ravaged the region.

It took more than four months for the British to control the rebellion. The death toll was estimated to be 13,000, along with 1,652 injured, and 45,500 imprisoned. Unofficial estimates put the number at 50,000 imprisoned, 20,000 of whom were deported and 10,000 went missing.