Tuhfat Al-Mujahidin: A Historical Epic of The Sixteenth Century

How did the Muslims of Kerala and the Malabar Coast resist Portuguese colonial aggression in the 16th century, and what role did jihad and religious leadership play in their struggle?

About the Book

Tuhfat Al-Mujahidin: A Historical Epic of The Sixteenth Century is a classic historical text written by Zayn al-Din al-Malibari in the 16th century. It documents the heroic resistance of the Muslim communities of Malabar (Kerala) against Portuguese colonial invasion and atrocities. The book serves as both a historical chronicle and a call to jihad, detailing the leadership of local Muslim scholars and warriors who organized defense and fought to protect their faith and homeland. It remains one of the most important primary sources for understanding early European colonialism in India and Muslim responses to it.

What You Will Discover

The historical context of Portuguese arrival and aggression on the Malabar Coast
The suffering and resistance of Muslim communities in 16th-century Kerala
The role of religious scholars in organizing jihad and defense
Key battles, leaders, and strategies used against the Portuguese
The religious motivation and spirit of the Mujahidin
The long-term impact of this struggle on the history of Indian Muslims
A valuable primary-source perspective on early colonial encounters in South Asia

About the Author

Zayn al-Din al-Malibari was a 16th-century scholar from Malabar who witnessed and documented the Portuguese invasions.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is essential for students and researchers of South Asian history, Islamic resistance movements, and early European colonialism in India.