ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

A work of historical research of this magnitude cannot be

undertaken without the support and service of a large number of

individuals and institutions. I a m grateful to all of them and the

following in particular.

I acknowledge my gratitude to Dr. K.T. Mohammed Ali, formerly

Head of the Department of Islamic Studies, University of Kerala. It is

under his meticulously thorough and inspiring guidance and

encouragement that this work has been prepared.

I a m thankful to Dr. KJ . John, Professor and Head of the

Department of History, University of Calicut for the help and

encouragement extended by him.

I express my gratitude to Dr. S.M. Mohamed Koya, formerly Head

of the Department of History, University of Calicut for providing the

benefit of useful discussion during the course of this work. No amount of

words can even partially express my indebtedness that I owe to him.

I acknowledge my indebtedness to Dr. M.G.S. Narayanan and Dr.

V. Kunjali, formerly Heads of the Department of History, University of

Calicut, for their valuable suggestions.

I extend my sincere thanks to the staff of the National Archives,

Delhi, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, Delhi, Tamil Nadu

Archives, Chennai, Regional Archives, Calicut, Kerala University Library,

Thiruvananthapuram, KCHR Library, Thiruvananthapuram, C.H.

Mohamed Koya Library and History Department Library, University of

Calicut.

I a m thankful to the Editors and staff of The Hindu, the

Mathrubhumi and the Madhyamam for permitting me to refer the back

volumes of the newspapers.

I express my hearty thanks to Prof: K. Mohamed Mustafa,

Department of English, E.M.E.A. College, Kondotty, for making necessary

corrections i n the manuscripts. I a m also thankful to P. Afzal Jamal for

translating some rare Malayalam sources to English.

I have no words to express my gratitude to Prof: P. Mohamed,

Principal, Governmeitt College, Malapuram and to my colleagues M.A.

Nishath and P. Kadeeja for their help and encouragement.

I have special thanks to Mr. Balu and the staff of Bina Photostat,

University Campus for their co-operation and efforts i n bringing out the

work in the present form.

C. U. Campus, 17.01.2005. Muhammed Poozhikuth