The National Movement was not borne in isolation. It was the result of numerous tributaries that fed the river of national consciousness at multiple points in order to form the 'zeitgeist,' or the spirit of the age. Hence, while tracing the origin of this magnificent river, we are bound to go back centuries.
The tributaries are diverse and comprise everything from tribal rebellions and cultural and intellectual uprisings to revolts by kings and queens that took offense at foreign powers violating the sovereignty and autonomy of their states. Whatever be the cause of their rebellion, personal, communal, religious, or otherwise, fact remains that they all snowballed into something special: the movement that gave us the glorious nation of India. Long before India the nation-state (in modern parlance) came into vogue, India as a nation did. Likewise, before historians and political theorists delineated the multiple phases of national movement, there were men and women who subscribed to this idea and valiantly laid down their lives for it.
One of the most significant names belongs to the Kunjali Marakkars, the naval chiefs of Kerala. They commanded the fleet of the Zamorin, the ruler of Calicut in the 16th century. The Marakkars bravely fought the Portuguese in the Arabian Sea for hundred years. They were the first admirals of Asia to challenge the naval superiority of a European power. The Marakkars were instrumental in confining the Portuguese Empire to Goa and pockets of the subcontinent, and were the main reason why they couldn't colonise the rest of India.
Of late, the Marakkars have been getting some of the credit due to them. The Indian Navy has acknowledged that their roots can be traced to the Marakkars, and hence, has honoured them by erecting statues and naming academies and battle ships after them. To quote from the memorial erected by the Indian Navy at Kottakkal, the erstwhile Marakkar stronghold:
"The Kunjali Marakkars occupy a special position in the history of the Malabar coast. They symbolise native resistance to foreign rule, and made lasting contributions to our glorious seafaring traditions. Their extraordinary feats of valour over the seas in the 16th century not only stand out as shining episodes in our rich maritime past, but also continue to inspire the Indian seafarer to this day,
This book is one such humble attempt to showcase their story to wider readership. It is a historical fantasy, a subgenre of historical fiction in which historical events are blended with a tinge of magic and fantasy in order to engage both the young adult and older readers. The fantastical elements one encounters in this novel may be read allegorically, as they have been used only to embellish what is already a heroic historical saga. The spirit of the Marakkars has been passed down through centuries, and has inspired many to revolt against injustice. In fact, the so called 'mutineers' of the 1946 Bombay Naval Uprising may also be called 'modern day Marakkars.' This writer hopes that once the readers finish going through their poignant story, they carry forward a piece of their bravado in their hearts.
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