Muharram Rebellion | |||||||
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Site of the battle | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
British East India Company | Bengali Muslims | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Robert Lindsay ContentsSupported by:
| Syed Pirzada † Syed Muhammad Hadi (Hada Miah) † Syed Muhammad Mahdi (Mada Miah) † | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
52 sepoys | 301 (mostly civilians) | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
1 sepoy killed 12 sepoys injured [1] | 4 killed (including leaders) Many injured |
Islam in Bangladesh |
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The Muharram Rebellion was a Bengali uprising which took place in early December 1782 against the East India Company in colonial Sylhet, eastern Bengal (now Bangladesh). The rebellion was under the leadership of the Pirzada and his two brothers, Syed Muhammad Hadi and Syed Muhammad Mahdi. [2] The main battle took place in the Mughal-built Sylhet Shahi Eidgah and its surrounding hills.
In 1778, the British East India Company appointed Robert Lindsay as the Supervisor or Collector of Sylhet. During his leadership, Lindsay started to trade chunam (limestone), rattan, betel nut and elephants found in the Sylhet region. [3] This business of Lindsay's stirred hate throughout the region. Lindsay describes in his autobiography, Anecdotes of an Indian life, that during his visit to the Dargah of Shah Jalal, he sensed some danger and also perceived it as a "potential hotbed of resistance". [4] During this period, Mubarak Ali Khan was the Nawab of Bengal under the crumbling Mughal Empire ruled by Shah Alam II and Warren Hastings was the Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William. [5]
In 1781, the region was afflicted with a major flood. Many farmlands and crops were damaged spreading famine throughout Sylhet. A third of the region's population died due to its effects. [6] This increased hate between the two communities as the natives accused the British of failure in minimising the flood's consequences. It is said that Lindsay sent a letter to the government in Fort William to excise taxes during this period. This request of his was declined. [7] : 47–48
Lindsay mentions in his autobiography that he was approached by the native Hindus at his home in which he was informed of the uprising by the Muslims. The Hindus informed him that the Muslims planned an attack on the British government as well as some Hindu temples in Sylhet town. [8] It is considered that this rivalry between the Hindus and Muslims existed due to the Hindus siding with British rather than helping the Muslims. Lindsay dismissed the Hindus as he could see no signs of riot and he was also aware that it was the Islamic month of Muharram in which the Muslims would be busy preparing for Ashura, which was just a few days away. [9] Lindsay also mentions that it was uncommon for the Muslims to be violent, most probably due to the fact that Muharram is a sacred month in Islam, during which warfare is forbidden. [10] [11]
One narrative identifies the rebellion's leading Pirzada as the head of the Syeds of the Jhornar Par neighbourhood in Sylhet. This was an influential family descended from Syed Hamzah Shersowari, a companion of Shah Jalal who participated in the Muslim conquest of the region in 1303 CE and then settled atop the Jhornar Par hill where he lies buried in a mazar. [12] The Pirzada's followers were not only in Sylhet, but also Mymensingh, Tippera (Comilla) and nearby areas. Muslims from across Bengal and Assam would travel to Sylhet during the month of Muharram for the processions. [13]
আমরা কি ফিরিঙ্গিদের কুকুর যে তাদের হুকুম তামিল করবো?
Amra ki firiṅgider kukur je tader hukum tamil kôrbo?
Are we the dogs of these firingis (foreigners), that we take orders from them?
আজ মারবার অথবা মরবার দিন
Aj marbar ôthôba môrbar din
Today is the day to kill or to die,
ইংরেজ রাজত্ব আজ খতম
Ingrez rajôttô aj khôtôm
The reign of the English is at an end
In the evening, the Pirzada led a tazia procession of 300 alongside his brothers, Syed Muhammad Hadi and Syed Muhammad Mahdi (known locally as Hada Miah & Mada Miah). [1] Many local civilians of the Muslim faith were also present during this procession. The parade marched through the Shahi Eidgah in Sylhet. [14] The Mourning of Muharram consisted of a matam as well, which is why blades and swords were carried to the grounds. [13] In a letter to the government at Fort William, Lindsay mentions that the Muslim rebels first killed Dewan Manik Chand in his house before setting many parts of the town to fire. [1]
At 5 p.m., the Hindus returned to Lindsay's house where they showed their marks of attack on their body. However, it is unknown whether this true as other sources claim that the Hindus were not involved during the day as during that time the Muslims were scattering on top of the hills around the Eidgah instead of being situated in the lowlands where inhabitants lived. [15] [1] [16] Lindsay then informed Masud Bakht, the Head Qanungo (Registrar) of Sylhet, and told his Muslim jamadar to ready 20 sepoys and go to the eidgah. Lindsay joined later on, marching with 30 more sepoys towards the eidgah, with some riding on horses. [13] Armed with over 50 contingents, he ordered the rebels to surrender, however they fled towards the hills surrounding the field. [7] [17] This led to Lindsay and his men to attack the rebels and they followed them to the hills. [16] Lindsay approached the Pirzada, ready for a swordfight. [13] The Pirzada broke Lindsay's sword with his talwar. The Muslim jamadar quickly gave Lindsay his pistol. Lindsay then shot the Pirzada, causing him to pass away. The sepoys then discharged a platoon allowing Lindsay to then set off and leave the premise. As Lindsay was about to leave, he saw a wounded elderly man dropped on his feet after being attacked by a sepoy. Lindsay told the sepoy to stop as he picked the man back up and saved him. [4]
Both Mada and Hada Miah also died with the latter being shot dead by Lindsay himself. [18] Lindsay mentions that one of his sepoys died and 6 were left injured. [11] The sepoy that died is said to have been the Jamadar himself. Lindsay mentions that 4 rebels died and many were injured. [1]
After the incident took place, Lindsay took his wounded soldiers to his hall where his rope-maker, Job Hinton, stitched up their wounds and provided treatment. Lindsay also imprisoned many important Muslims from the town as hostages in his home. Nevertheless, this was short-lasted as one of Lindsay's men known as Beck and other Europeans requested their release fearing another revolt as they reported seeing Muslim men lighting torches and fires around the town. Lindsay sent another military force to the town, not because there was another revolt, rather the Muslims were burying their dead men and required light due to it being late at night. Hada and Mada Miah were buried next to Sylhet Shahi Eidgah at a place now located east of Nayasarak Madrasa and west of Nayasarak missionary church. Lindsay then issued a statement stating that rebels to the government should not be allowed to be honoured. He also sent a letter, on 14 December, to the Governor of the Presidency of Fort William, Warren Hastings, of the event. Reinforcements of troops were considered in order to increase defence in the region in case of another rebellion, as two days remained of the Muharram festival which lasts for 10 days, ending at Ashura. [11] Lindsay mentioned that although two days remained, he was not expecting any more trouble from the local people as main "desperadoes" were killed and the survivors had suffered too much. [1]
This first uprising in the subcontinent inspired many others in the subcontinent. It also made the British rule even more unpopular in the Sylhet region, with the death of the Pirzada. A few months after the incident, Lindsay was having dinner his friend Hamilton. Lindsay's servant informed Lindsay that there was a faqir who urgently desired to speak to him. The faqir then came inside and complained of how he had been robbed of all his belongings. As a short discussion took place, the faqir then suddenly took out a poignard from his cummerbund and struck Hamilton, who pushed it back to the faqir's chest. The faqir died a few days later. [11] [1]
After Lindsay's return to Scotland many years succeeding the conflict, he came across a Bengali Muslim man from Sylhet named Saeed Ullah whilst visiting the house of his clergyman, Mr Small. After engaging in a conversation, Lindsay found out that Saeed came as an attendant of Mr Small's son, who was the ship purser. Saeed mentioned his intention to hunt down the Pirzada's killer and avenge his death. He was also the son of the old man whom Lindsay had saved. Upon finding out Lindsay's identity, Saeed drew his sword which Lindsay avoided. As the scene calmed down, the two men made peace and Lindsay obliged Saeed to make a curry for his family. Saeed agreed, although the Lindsay family were suspicious on whether the dish was poisonous as Saeed never tasted it once while preparing it. Lindsay denied this as he mentioned that he had never had a better curry in his life, and acknowledged the fact that Saeed only ate halal meat (dhabihah) which was the reason behind him not tasting it. [4] [11]
The northern hill of Sylhet Shahi Eidgah is named after Hada and Mada Miah, who fought on top of that exact hill. [1]
Sylhet Division is the northeastern division of Bangladesh. It is bordered by the Indian states of Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura to the north, east and south respectively, and by the divisions of Chittagong to the southwest and Dhaka and Mymensingh to the west.
Pirzada is historically described as official owners of Sufi mausoleums and shrines in Muslim lands, with their earliest mentions being in Baghdad, Iraq, during the period of the Ilkhanate, Timurids and Mamluks. Often a Pirzada was a descendant of those buried within the tomb they were assigned to, hence most of the Pirzadas are Syeds.
Borhanuddin is an upazila of Bhola District in the Division of Barisal, Bangladesh.
Bishwanath is an upazila of Sylhet District in the Division of Sylhet, Bangladesh.
Sylhet Shahi Eidgah, or simply Shahi Eidgah, is an open prayer hall situated in Sylhet, north-east Bangladesh, three kilometers to the north-east of the guru nanak international circuit house, meant for the Eid prayers. It was built during the rule of Mughal Sultan Sarfaraz Khan. More than 100,000 people can perform prayer at same time in this eidgah. It is also one of the most visited tourist spots in the city. Recently, the gates were rebuilt to ensure safety and security. As well as for prayer uses and Islamic congregations, the eidgah has historically been a place to give speeches and host rallies by the likes of Mohandas Gandhi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. There have also been battles taken place there such as the Muharram Rebellion.
Jalaluddin Fateh Shah was the last ruler of later Ilyas Shahi dynasty of the Bengal Sultanate reigning from 1481 to 1487. He was the uncle and successor of Sultan Shamsuddin Yusuf Shah.
Syed Shah Nasiruddin was a Sufi saint and military leader associated with the spread of Islam in Bengal in the 14th century. As the commander of the armed forces of Sultan Shamsuddin Firoz Shah, Syed Nasiruddin is primarily known for his role in the Conquest of Sylhet in 1303, alongside the celebrated Sufi dervish Shah Jalal.
The Greater Sylhet region predominantly included the Sylhet Division in Bangladesh, and Karimganj district in Assam, India. The history of the Sylhet region begins with the existence of expanded commercial centres in the area that is now Sylhet City. Historically known as Srihatta and Shilhatta, it was ruled by the Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms of Harikela and Kamarupa before passing to the control of the Chandra, Sena and Deva dynasties in the early medieval period. After the fall of these Buddhist and Hindu principalities, the region became home to many more independent petty kingdoms such as Jaintia, Gour, Laur, and later Taraf, Pratapgarh, Jagannathpur, Chandrapur and Ita. After the Conquest of Sylhet in the 14th century, the region was absorbed into Shamsuddin Firoz Shah's independent principality based in Lakhnauti, Bangladesh. It was then successively ruled by the Muslim sultanates of Delhi and the Bengal Sultanate before collapsing into Muslim petty kingdoms, mostly ruled by Afghan chieftains, after the fall of the Karrani dynasty in 1576. Described as Bengal's Wild East, the Mughals struggled in defeating the chieftains of Sylhet. After the defeat of Khwaja Usman, their most formidable opponent, the area finally came under Mughal rule in 1612. Sylhet emerged as the Mughals' most significant imperial outpost in the east and its importance remained as such throughout the seventeenth century. After the Mughals, the British Empire ruled the region for over 180 years until the independence of Pakistan and India. There was a complete list of the different amils who governed Sylhet which was recorded in the office of the Qanungoh of Sylhet. However, most complete copies have been lost or destroyed. Dates from letters and seal traces show evidence that the amils were constantly changed. In 1947, when a referendum was held, Sylhet decided to join the Pakistani province of East Bengal. However, when the Radcliffe Line was drawn up, Karimganj district of Barak Valley was given to India by the commission after being pleaded by Abdul Matlib Mazumdar's delegation. Throughout the history of Sylhet, raids and invasions were also common from neighbouring kingdoms as well as tribes such as the Khasis and Kukis.
Syed Abdul Majid, CIE, also known by his nickname Kaptan Miah, was a politician, lawyer and entrepreneur. He is notable for pioneering the development in the agricultural and tea industry in British India as well as his contributions to both secular and Islamic education in Sylhet.
Nūr al-Hudā Abū'l-Karāmāt as-Saʿīdī al-Ḥusaynī, better known as Ḥaydar Ghāzī, was the second wazir of Srihat (Sylhet) under the various Sultans of Sonargaon and Lakhnauti. Prior to this, Ghazi took part in the Conquest of Gour in 1303.
Mirza Agha Muhammad Reza Baig, also known by his followers as Pir Ferutupi, was a Mughal nobleman and Shia Sufi pir from Sylhet, of Iranian origin. He overthrew the Kachari Kingdom and revolted against the East India Company with the assistance of the local peasantry.
Farhād Khān, also known as Nizam-e-Zamanah or Nizam-e-Zaman, was a Mughal military strategist who had many positions throughout his life. He was the most well-known Faujdar of Sylhet Sarkar, governing in the late 17th century during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. He was renowned for the construction of numerous bridges and places of worship in the region.
Taraf, previously known as Tungachal, was a feudal territory of the Sylhet region in Bengal and was under many petty kingdoms in different periods of time. It was part of what is present-day Habiganj District in Bangladesh.
The Shah Jalal Dargah is the shrine and burial place of the 14th century Muslim saint Shah Jalal, located in Sylhet, Bangladesh. The site, known as a dargah, was originally constructed c. 1500, though many additions and alterations were made to its structures over the following centuries. It became a religious centre in the region, respected across multiple ruling administrations and greatly venerated among Bengalis, with local folklore and legends developing around it. The extensive surrounding compound serves several functions and includes four mosques, a religious school and a public cemetery among others. The Dargah is presently the largest and most visited religious site in Bangladesh.
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Mushāhid Aḥmad Bāyampūrī was a late-twentieth century Bengali Islamic scholar, teacher, writer, orator and politician. Bayampuri served as a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, the professor of Hadith studies at Sylhet Government Alia Madrasah, the principal of Darul Uloom Kanaighat and the president of the Eastern Sylhet Independent Religious Arabic Madrasah Education Board. His numerous works, which covered a range of disciplines in Islamic literature such as Sufism, Qur'anic exegesis and the political aspects of Islam, were written in the Arabic, Bengali and Urdu languages. Some of his books are part of syllabic studies under the Independent Religious Board of Education.
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Karāmat ʿAlī Jaunpūrī, born as Muḥammad ʿAlī Jaunpūrī, was a nineteenth-century Indian Muslim social reformer and founder of the Taiyuni movement. He played a major role in propagating to the masses of Bengal and Assam via public sermons, and has written over forty books. Syed Ameer Ali is among one of his notable students.
Ḥāfiẓ Aḥmad Jaunpūrī was an Indian Muslim scholar, religious preacher and social worker. As the son and successor of Karamat Ali Jaunpuri, he led the Taiyuni reformist movement in Bengal.
Shāh Sulaymān Fateḥ Ghāzī al-Baghdādī, or simply known as Fateh Ghazi, was a 14th-century Sufi saint and ghazi who took part in Muslim expeditions in northeastern Bengal. His name is associated with the propagation of Islam in Madhabpur.