History Notes
History Notes
Biography: Born in Delhi in 1703. Father: Shah Abdul Rahim founded Madrassa Rahimya and also
helped to compiled Fatawa-I-Alamgiri a book of Islamic legal text under the direct supervision of
Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir. Education from Madrassa Rahimya for 12 years.
In 1724 he went to Arabia, he was greatly influenced by the teaching of Abu Tahir bin Ibrahim a
well-known scholar of his time. He returned to Delhi in 1732.
Beliefs:
o One of his major believe was that the terrible conditions of Muslims has occurred because of
incomplete knowledge of Quran. So, it was necessary to make them accessible.
o Secondly, he realized that reforms cannot come from weak leadership of Dehli, they have to come
from Community itself.
o Shah Wali Ullah did not liked the division of Shia and Sunni. He wanted to see them united, and
focus on Major principles of Islam.
o Fourthly, he knew that Muslims should focus on Moral and Spiritual principles of Islam
Workings:
o In Battle of Panipat, he was the one to Persuade Ahmed Shah Abdali to help in Battle, which was
won. However, it was not enough to unite Muslims
o He wrote 51 Islamic Books in Persian and Arabic
o Translated Quran into Persian, later hi two sons (Shah Rafi, Shah Abdul Qadir) translated it
into Urdu to make it further accessible
o Deep/High knowledge Scholar, Shah Wali Ullah was role model for Muslims
o Tried his best to heal Shia, Sunni difference
Importance:
o Madrassa Rahimya played a vital role later for the revival of true Islam
o First to find out the cause of decline as incomplete knowledge of Islam
o Translation of Quran made it accessible for huge population
o He believed in Unity as key to success
o Many future leaders were greatly influenced by him!
Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barailvi
Biography: Born near Lucknow in the town of Rae Bareli. Faithful follower of Shah Abdul Aziz.
In 1806 he enrolled in Madrassa of Shah Wali Ullah (Madrassa-I-Rahimiya). He graduated from
Madrassa & joined a Pathan military force led by Amir Khan. He learnt about European weaponry
including use of Artillery.
0. In 1821 he went for Haji & returned to Delhi in 1823 with a clear vision of Jihad He soon founded
the “Jihad Movement” which was aimed at nothing less than the rejuvenation & restoration of
Muslim power.
Beliefs:
o Syed Ahmed was more a man of action, who was right and perfect as a leader
o He identified the evils must be ended to improve corrupted Muslims Society
o British ensured that Muslims have very little power, and Sikhs in Punjab were dominant.
Syed Ahmed wanted to restore Mughals Power and overthrow Sikhs from Punjab, so he found ‘Jihad
Movement’.
Workings:
o He went on Haj in 1821, before that he circulated his words; when he was back on 1823, he was
ready to take action
o He soon found the cause, the Sikhs tynnaries in Punjab. Muslims were not allowed to do their
religious practices.
o Jihad Movement was launched from Peshawar headquarters.
o To enlist men for this action; he went to Rajasthan, Baluchistan, Sindh and Afghanistan.
However, Afghans were not quite ready.
o 1826, he sent a message to Ranjit Singh (Sikh ruler in Punjab, that allow Muslims to worship their
ALLAH (GOD) or face the mujahedeen.
o This lead to the first attack on Okara on 21st Dec, 1826. Shaheed Ahmed Barailvi led a force of
80,000. However, the major problem was that these peoples were from different communities. So,
they were exploited by Sikhs calling them un-Islamic.
o Soon, Muslims agreed that Shaheed Ahmed Barailvi should become Imam, because his words
have influence on Muslims.
o After the victory of Okara attack, he was preparing for attack on Attock, however, he faced
another army of 35,000 Sikhs. What he didn’t knew was that a man of his army Yar Muhammad
Khan was bribed. First, his servants tried to poison Shaheed Ahmed Barailvi. And then in battlefield
Yar Muhammad deserted in Battlefield creating confusion and Chaos in ranks, which led to defeat of
Shaheed Ahmed Barailvi. So they moved to Panjtar near Kashmir
o Although Yar Muhammad was killed his brother Sultan Muhammad waged the war against
Shaheed Ahmed Barailvi.
o There was no option but to move, so Shaheed Ahmed Barailvi along with forces disappeared and
hided into Hazara, protected by mountains. But local peoples told the way in, which led to Battle of
Balakot (1831)
o Battle of Balakot: Mujahedeen fought bravely but they were heavily outnumbered. It was a
surprise to them, the huge army of Sikhs. Along with Shaheed Ahmed Barailvi and brave
Commander Shah Ismail 600 Mujahedeen were killed.
Importance:
o Jihad Movement was able to unite Muslims
o One of first movement to get away from foreign rulers
o It indicated freedom of worship
o Battle of Balakot, decline of Jihad movement, which was later ended by British
o It defined culture and religion
o Regarded mostly as fore-runners of Pakistan Movement
Haji Shariatullah
Biography: Ever since the loss of independence, the Muslims of India were not only hovering in the
domain of uncertainly but also many un-Islamic ideas were taking place in the minds of Muslims. It
was at that time that some Muslim thinkers thought that unless the Muslim were brought back to the
teachings of the Quran & Hades, would not be possible to save Muslims from their ruin. This shows
that growth or Religion & national Movements in the subcontinent was not a spontaneous act. All
these movements started not only in one part of Indo-Pakistan but throughout the country. One of the
movements started by Haji Shariatullah in Bengal was Faraizi Movement’.
Haji Shariatullah was born in the district of Faridpur in the year 1781. After receiving his early
education in his village he got an opportunity to perform Haji at the age of 18 He stayed there in
Hejaz for 20 years & studied religion & Arabic. He returned to Bengal in 1806. During his stay in
Arabia he was greatly impressed by doctrines of Sheikh Mohammad Abdul Wahab who had initiated
the Wahabi Movement in Arabia.
Beliefs:
o Miserable conditions of Muslims has led the country being Dar-ul-Harb (Area where non-
Muslims rule). He believed in such areas Friday and EID prayer should not be offered.
o He believed that Muslims Community is no longer close enough to Islam. He wanted them to
return to original purity of Islam, which in observation was called faraiz
o It supported the Idea of Jihad against the non-Muslims who were undermining the true principles
of Islam
Workings:
o Muslims were near poverty and they were given less opportunities for jobs. He wanted to restore
their Pride
o Haji Shariat Ullah urged from his followers to adopt ‘Tauba’ as a manifestation of repentance for
all the past sins & a pledge to lead a righteous & God-fearing life in future. His followers as already
mentioned were known as Faraizi. His movement brought the Muslim peasants together against the
cruel treatment by the Hindus Zamindars.
o Haji Sahib was greatly opposed by the Hindus who were disturbed by the unity of the Muslim
peasants. They started harassing him by putting up false cases against him. Ultimately he was forced
to leave Dhaka. He thus returned to his birthplace in Faridpur district & continued his religious
preaching & fighting against the non-Islamic forces.
o He died in 1840
o His workings was later carried out by his Son, Mohsin-ud-Din:
He divided East Bengal into areas called circles, each had their own Khalifa, who was
responsible for their wealth
Helped to oppose high taxes, he was opposed, but he went further and
declared a Jihad. He was arrested and after his death in 1860, Faraizi
Movement declined.
Importance:
o It encouraged de-moralized Muslims
o Brought a Spiritual revival and Hindu influences of Islamic practices were removed. o It was
politically and economically important. Muslims rose against their harsh treatments and it is called to
be seeding Pakistan Movements
Aurangzeb
Shah Jehan left the Empire more peaceful and large than any other Emperor.
However, Aurangzeb soon found much of his money spent on fighting.
o War of Rajputs 1679-1681. Rebellions such as Sikhs, Jats in Gokal and Satnamis in
Mewar.
o Keen to extend empire towards north. He fought a campaign against Pathan tribes in
NWFP.
o The Most costly of all was campaign towards Marathas in Deccan. Their leader Shiva
was defeated in 1665 and prisoned in Agra. However, he soon escaped and was back as
leader for Marathas. Even 25 years of campaign was not able to overthrow Marathas in
Deccan. It just almost emptied the Treasury of Mughal Empire.
In 1707, death of Aurangzeb. The Empire was bigger than any other, however, there were
some weaken factors of it.
Aurangzeb’s Reforms
Historians are divided among Aurangzeb’s attitude towards Non-Muslims. Measure taken
by
Aurangzeb are:
o Jizya was Imposed (tax on Non-Muslims)
o Numbered Hindu Temples were destroyed
o Some old religious practices were banned, such as suttee
o Islamic Laws were enforced making Sikhs and Hindus to live according to Quran
Some Historians describe this as
Intolerant Attitude towards Non-Muslims
Indian Exploitations: Historians say, 150 years after the ‘Battle of Plassey’. 1000 million
euros have been taken from India Subcontinent to England. This explains that poverty
existed and why famines in 1877, 78, 89, 92 killed 15 million peoples.
Doctrine of Lapse
Lord Dalhousie applied a new policy for the expansion of the British Empire, which was
called ‘Doctrine of Lapse’ in 1852. According to the doctrine the rulers of state were not
allowed to adopt sons. As a result their states were annexed many states like Oudh, Jhansi,
Behar, etc. through this doctrine. These annexations created a sense of insecurity among
the general public. They became suspicious of the British policies.
Events of the war
1857 Jan: New guns were announced. It was rumor that the new guns cartridge is greased
by fats of cow and ham. Which was resentment to both Muslims and Hindus
1857 March: Mangal Pandey defied his British officers, he was executed
1857 May: Sepoys in Meerut refused to touch the new rifle/guns. They were ‘court-
martialed’ and prisoned. But, fellow Sepoys broke into prison and rescued them. Meerut
was sacked and British officers put to death. Soldiers marched to Delhi and captured it.
Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II became unifying symbol of uprising to gain help of both
Hindus and Muslims. War spread quickly and Kanpur, Jhansi, Allahabad and Lucknow were
captured.
1857 September: Dehli and Lucknow were regained, Bahadur Shah II was made to
surrender. But, his sons Mirza Mughal, Mirza Sultan and Mirza Abu Bakar were brutally
killed and presented to him as lesson.
1858 June: Rani of Jhansi, Lakshmibai was killed (Dressed as man in Battle). His supporter
of great ability Tatya Topee (Indian General) escaped. However, he was later caught and
executed.
1858 Aug: War was officially declared over.
Causes
A. Economic
1) Low pay of sepoys.
2) High tax
B. Social
1) Laws, clashing/not supporting religion
2) Arrogance by British… considered Indian an inferior race
3) Rumors about forced conversation to Christianity, resentment for Muslims
C. Political
1. English replaced Persian as National Language
2. Disrespect of Mughals. Especially Dalhousie decision to move royal family from Fort of
Dehli to more obscure Qutub Sahib
3. Doctrine of Lapse, by Dalhousie in 1852, was also resentment, even some of the
Indians stated that British were greedy land grabbers. Adding to this was seizure of Oudh in
1856
D. Military
A) New guns were announced. It was rumor that the new guns cartridge is greased by fats
of cow and ham. Which was resentment to both Muslims and Hindus
B) Indian were not ready to leave ‘mother India’ and go to Afghanistan
C) Indians were not able to reach higher post
D) This was rumor that Indians will forced to turn into Christianity, another resentment and
cause of unrest.
Reasons for the failure
Lack of Unity: Indians were not united. Peoples of different places fought for different
objectives. There was no central leadership, although in common was resentment against
British rule.
Some Indian Princes wanted to restore their power, which required British support.
This proves why ruler of Kashmir sent 2,000 troops to help British win
Punjab and Sindh were conquered by troops of Bengal and Central Asia. On the
orders of British officers. So not surprisingly when the troops rebelled. Punjab was not
interested to support them!
British Strengths: British were too powerful. One of the most powerful nation that time.
They had highly skilled diplomats, effective machinery, highly trained, modern methods and
disciplined. So the strengths of British was major reason for failure of WAR.
Effects
The Failure of war proved that British were one in Power.
o
Indians were largely excluded and they had a very little say in running their country
o British ensured their benefits more than needs of their population
o Ratio of Army British to Indian was decrease to 1:2 from 1:5 and employment from
trustless areas like Oudh was stopped
o
Viceroy, ended all import duties on cotton so British Cotton was sold more easily than local
one!