500 Years old Ziyaram of Kunjalai Marakkar Rahimahullah (Naval Chief of Zamorin of Calicut , Kerala)

Kunjali Marakkar (Rahimahullah) was a Naval Chief of Zamorin of Calicut who came Srilanka on the request of Sittawakka Mayadunna King to fight against Portuguese occupiers. Commonly Zamorins Muslim naval commanders known as the Kunjali Marakkar. There were four Kunjali Marakkar who commanded the Zamorin’s armada between 1500 and 1600 C.E. Among them, Kunjali Marakkar I came to Srilanka to fight against Portuguese on request of King Mayadunna of Sittawakka Kingdom.

Kunjali Marakkar I's native name is Kuttyali Marakkar. Kunjali Marakkar I was a student of Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah). Kunjali Marakkar (Rahimahullah) fell a martyr in a war against Portuguese in Puttalam Costal Sea and lies buried in Chilaw Malay Mosque. A Tomb Stone placed in the maqbara of Kunjali Marikkar (Rahimahullah) where his name is written in Tamil and Malayalam. Some refers Kunjali Marikkar I as first freedom fighter of India who martyr in a war against western colonial force. At Iringal Village of Kozhikode, a small museum has been built in a hut that used to belong to the Marakkar family, with collection of ancient swords, cannonballs and knives. This is maintained by the State Archeology Department. Therefore, it is our duty to protect Ziyaram of Kunjali Marikkar who associated with Sri Lanka history.