Saquib Salim

The British used the policy of dividing Indian resistance against their rule based on religions, castes, languages, regions, etc. They used historians to write about Indian history as a constant conflict among different religions, especially between Hindus and Muslims. The propaganda was so successful that even today, after more than seven decades of Independence Indian scholars repeat these distorted versions of history.

A Slice Of History

Syed Ahmad Barelvi, or Syed Ahmad Shahid, of Rai Bareilly, is a freedom fighter whose image was distorted by historians employed by the british. The perception is that Syed Ahmad was a fanatical militant Muslim leader who waged war against Sikhs and Hindus. His movement was erroneously called Wahabi by colonial officials to create rifts among Muslims in particular and Indians in general.

The fact is that Syed Ahmad was a military leader who wanted to reform Muslim society during the early 19th century. He organised Muslims against extravagance, promoted widow remarriage, and asked people to follow the path of religion. Like most of the movements of that period, his movement also became political. Foreign rule was considered one of the major reasons for the backwardness and corruption among the Indian Muslims. His teacher, Shah Abdul Aziz was the first to pronounce a fatwa to boycott and fight against British rule.

Contrary to popular opinion, Syed Ahmad did not raise arms to establish an Islamic state. His movement was not limited to Muslims, let alone Wahabis. In 1957, K. K. Datta wrote History of the Freedom Movement in Bihar, which was a project by the Government of Bihar.

In the book, he published a letter by Syed Ahmad which was given to him by his research assistant F. Balkhi. This letter was written to Raja Hindu Rai, a Maratha chief of the Scindia clan.

Syed Ahmad asked Raja to join hands with him against the British. The letter reads, “It is apparent to you that unfriendly foreigners of a distant land have become master of the country, that traders have assumed the dignity of ‘Sultanate’ and destroyed the rule of great rulers and chieftainship of high-placed chiefs by depriving them of their respect and honour.”

“Since the rulers and statesmen have sought refuge in privacy, a band of poor and helpless persons have girded up their loins. This weak band does not aspire to any worldly gains. They are inspired by the spirit of service to God without the least desire for wealth and power.

“The moment India is cleared of the foreigners and the arrow of efforts reaches its target, the offices and rulership shall remain intact for those who want it and their dignity and power shall be strengthened. This weak band wants only this much from the great rulers and high dignitaries that while they occupy the masnad of rulership, service to Islam with heart and soul should be done.

“Although this poor band has not got ample means, yet by the desire of the Lord, it is glad and cheerful and detests the desire for power and pelf, and keeps its hands off from wealth and riches which they do not want to enjoy either now or in future.

Any one of the rulers of old states that may come forward to help will only be strengthening the foundation of his state. The purport of this affectionate letter will truly be explained to you in detail by Haji Bahadur Shah who is an old associate of mine.”

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In another letter, Syed Ahmad wrote that his intent was not to carve out a state for himself to rule, or to establish a new system. He wanted to kick the Europeans out of India and let Indians, Hindus, and Muslims, rule among themselves like they were living before British imperialism.