On the banks of the Kadalundi River, between Iringallur, Parakkadavu, and Kanjirakadavu, stood the Paikkattu ancestral home, believed to have been built in the 1860s. However, the house no longer remains in its original form. Around 1992–93, the building was completely demolished and rebuilt by the owners at the time.

Brief History

In the early decades of the 18th century, the venerable family of "Moochikkadavan" dwelt in various locales that now encompass the Parappur and Othukkungal panchayats, situated within the Tirurangadi Taluk of Malappuram district.

Though no written chronicles have survived the ravages of time, oral traditions, preserved within the family, recount their migration from the regions of Kondotty and Nediyiruppu, now part of the present-day Eranad Taluk.

Owing to the linguistic proclivities of the region during that epoch—a manner of speech that endures in some measure even today—the family name underwent a subtle metamorphosis, with many adopting "Moochikkadan" in place of "Moochikkadavan."

By the 1830s, a certain Kunhippokkar, scion of the Moochikkadavan lineage residing in Othukkungal, entered into matrimony with a lady of the esteemed Umminikadavath family of Kaiparambu, also within the Othukkungal Panchayat. Following this union, he took up residence in Kaipata.

Kunhippokkar begot two sons, the elder of whom was known as Kunhimayin, affectionately called Kunjan. This Kunjan entered into wedlock with Kadiya, daughter of Kallan Kunnan Kammu Kekkannil, a man of great prominence in Iringallur. Urged by his father-in-law and paternal kin, Kunjan Sahib migrated to Iringallur in the 1860s.

Kunjan Sahib, together with his father-in-law, actively engaged in religious, social, and political pursuits. Their names are enshrined among the five eminent founders of the Palani Juma Masjid (Image1), erected during that era—a fact documented in the silver jubilee souvenir of the Palani Mosque and reiterated

Image1: The text above image is copy of a document in Arabi-Malayalam published in the annual souvenir of the Palani Mosque Dars. In the red square, you can see the names of Kammu Papa and Kunjan Papa.

When Kunjan Papa relocated to Iringallur, he built a residence in an area already home to three of his paternal cousins: Cherupaikkat Kunjan Kutty, Mattil Kunjahammed, and Puthanveettil Moideen. In later years, the family adopted the name "Moochikkadavan Paikkat," derived from the homestead of Kunjan Papa. While two of the cousins embraced this new family designation, Puthanveettil Moideen retained the name "Moochikkadavan Puthanveettil," distinguishing his lineage.

Elders recount that the Moochikkadan families of Palani and Kuttithara share ancestral ties with these branches. This connection is further illuminated by events tied to the Palani Mosque. Disagreements among its caretakers led Kunjan Papa and his family to establish a new mosque closer to their home, giving rise to the Madathil Mosque on their own lands. Insights into the timing suggest this occurred shortly after the Palani Mosque was completed, as only Kunjan Papa’s son, Kunhimoideen, was buried in Palani, with no subsequent family burials there.

Property division records penned during Kunjan Sahib’s lifetime reveal his sagacious foresight. A portion of the income derived from Madathil property was designated for the mosque’s upkeep, with one of his sons entrusted as custodian. Over time, additional lands were generously endowed to the mosque by the family, ensuring its sustenance. Notably, Kunjan Sahib’s long-term vision is further evidenced by his meticulous documentation, which anticipated potential challenges in the mosque’s administration and outlined measures to address them. In recent years, the mosque and its adjoining graveyard were bequeathed to the local community, whereupon Friday prayers were inaugurated.

Not only the mosque, but adjacent to it, the foundations of the Hayathul Uloom Madrasa were laid on family property. When financial adversity threatened the madrasa's continuity, Kunhalan Kutty Haji, Kunjan Sahib’s youngest son, bestowed land to secure its future. Today, the madrasa flourishes in edifices erected upon this land, its prosperity augmented by other family endowments. Among these are the properties of Pullattangadi and "Pengatt Thodika" in Cheenippadi, generously relinquished by Kunjan Sahib’s descendants and now under the madrasa's administration. In later years, the madrasa’s management was entrusted to the broader community, culminating in the formation of a local committee to oversee its affairs.

Image2: The text above image is copy of a document in Arabi-Malayalam published in the annual souvenir of the Palani Mosque Dars. In the red square, you can see the names of Kammu Papa and Kunjan Papa.

Beyond the Palani Mosque, the family also played an invaluable role in the establishment of the recently constructed Kottaparamba Mosque. Chenath Kunhimayin Haji (Kunjan Papa's grandson) donated a portion of the land required for the mosque’s construction. Mankavil Mohammed Kutty Haji (the grandson of Kunjan Papa's eldest son) made significant contributions, both financial and otherwise, while actively participating in the project. Notably, Kottatil Mammudu Haji (the grandson of Kunjan Sahib’s grandson Kunheedutty) mobilized a substantial portion of the construction funds through his connections with a member of the UAE royal family, under whom he was employed at the time. More recently, the family contributed further by raising funds equivalent to five cents of land for the expansion of the mosque’s graveyard.

The Moochikkadan family’s legacy extended beyond the Palani Mosque to the Kottaparambu Mosque, where figures such as Chenath Kunhimayin Haji provided land and other assistance. Their philanthropic endeavors continue to resonate through the annals of time.

Notable Descendants:

• Muhammad Kutty Haji Vadakkethodi: Known as "Ayamuttikaka Vadakkethodi," he distinguished himself as a freedom fighter, Congress leader, and revered elder.
• Kunhahammad Kutty Master Puthan Purakkal: A pedagogue esteemed for his virtue and integrity, he was the younger son of Kunhimmu, himself a son of Kunjan Sahib.
• Kammu Master Karat Thodiyil: Once a teacher in Iringallur East School and later an expatriate in Saudi Arabia, he devoted himself to local politics and the betterment of his community.
• Ayamu Haji Kottattil: A grandson of Kunhimmu, he was a respected leader and advocate for regional causes.
• Muhammad Kutty Haji Mankavil ("MP"): Renowned for his contributions to the Kottaparambu Mosque, he played an instrumental role in its expansion.
• Kunjalan Kutty Master: A visionary educator, he was the progeny of Kunjalavi and a grandson of Mattil Kunhahammed.
• Umminikadavath Kunjan Sahib: A distinguished merchant and a man of influence, his legacy endures in both socio-political and cultural spheres famously known as “Vadakkeel Kunhankakka.”
• Poovadan Moideen Musliyar: An eminent Islamic scholar of the Swathi tradition, he bridged the Moochikkadavan Paikkatt family and the celebrated Poovadan lineage.
• Kunjimahin Musliyar Al-Naqshbandi Kaipata: A Sufi saint of great renown, he upheld the spiritual heritage of his forebears and passed into eternity in 1912, leaving an indelible mark upon the region.

Note: Information about Kunjimahin Musliyar is sourced from Kaipata Paithrka Vazhikal, published during the Silver Jubilee of Pottikkallu Thaleemussunniyya Madrassa, 2023.