The Unsung Hero of the Educational Renaissance: Pioneering Role of Chalilakath Kunjahammed Haji in Modernizing Kerala Muslims

Abstract

This article revisits the educational reforms in Modern Kerala, focusing on the oft-overlooked contributions of Chalilakath Kunjahammed Haji (1855-1919), a contemporary and associate of Vakkom Moulavi, the renowned Muslim reformer. By investigating into primary sources, including Malayalam and Arabic writings of the period, this study reveals Kunjahammed Haji's instrumental role in transforming Muslim education in Kerala. Challenging prevailing narratives that privilege Vakkom Moulavi's influence, this research demonstrates how Kunjahammed Haji's initiatives predated and paralleled those of his more celebrated counterpart, introducing innovative pedagogies, curricular reforms, and institutional innovations that indelibly shaped Kerala's educational landscape. Through a critical examination of archival materials, biographies, and institutional records, this article repositions Chalilakath Kunjahammed Haji as a pivotal figure in Kerala's educational renaissance, underscoring the need for a more nuanced understanding of the region's intellectual history.