The Moplah are Muslim residing in the costal region of Kerala (India). They are believed to be Arabs who landed in India in the 3rd century, later they converted to Islam.
They started remarkable resistance against the British rule at the beginning of the 20th century. As per Britisher’s usual tricks, they tried to recruit them and form a ‘Moplah Regiment’ to serve the British cause like they did with other Indians; including Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs. However the British miserably failed to tame them and make them loyal to British Empire. The ‘Moplah Regiment’ was disbanded in 1907.
Below is a rare photograph of Moplah Mosque in Kerala taken before the ‘Moplah Revolt’. Mosques were built according to local architecture and design using local materials. We can see worshipers are sitting out side the mosque sporting skull cap and turban.