The history of Kerala witnessed several freedom movements especially after 1920. 

The movements include the following.

Non-Cooperation Movement and Salt Satyagraha: As decided at the Nagpur session (1920), Non Cooperation movement was started throughout the country. In Kerala, too, there was widespread boycott of foreign goods, courts, and educational institutions. The Malabar Rebellion of 1921 and the student’s agitation of 1922 in Travancore were events of great political significance during this period.

The Salt-Satyagraha under the leadership of Gandhiji had its own repercussions in Kerala. Payyannur in Malabar was the main venue of the Satyagraha in Kerala. Many batches of Satyagrahis from different parts of Kerala marched to Payyannurto take part in the Satyagraha.

Quit India Movement: The Quit India Movement launched in August 1942 was widespread in Cochin and Malabar, though not so extensive in Travancore. During the Quit India Movement, there were sensational and violent incidents in Malabar involving disruption of communication and attack on government offices and police stations. The Keezhariyur Bomb case, in which 27 persons including Dr. K.B. Menon, Socialist leader and Secretary of Indian Civil Liberties Union were chargesheeted, was the important episode of the struggle in Malabar. Even underground papers like ‘Swathantra Bharatan T were brought out during the struggle.

Agitation in Travancore and Cochin: After the Haripura session of the Indian National Congress which decided that separate organizations should be formed in native States for the agitation for responsible government, the Travancore State Congress and the Cochin State Praja Mandal were formed.