Munshi Mazahar Ali was a freedom fighter of Belgaum who lived near HESCOM counter at Kacheri Road, Shaniwar Khoot, Belgaum.
He was said to be a butler in the British army at the Belgaum regiment and being a staunch Muslim, was a follower of Wahabi moment. This movement was strictly against British rule in India and played an important role in First Independence war of 1857.
The Belgaum gazette (page 133) refers this great son of the land as “One Muslim Munshi in the army at Belgaum, who had been a Wahabi, was discovered instigating the others, transported for life in the connection “
Munshi Mazahar Ali was involved in the “Reshmi Rumal Movement “and was arrested by the British. He was assassinated at the Race Course grounds in presence of thousands of people.
The Corporation of the City of Belgaum has given the name of Kacheri Road as “Munshi Mazahar Ali Road”. But even now Kacheri Road is used by Govt and the public.
source: http://www.allaboutbelgaum.com / All About Belgaum / Home> History / by editor / August 14th, 2009
Bijnor District / executed in Moradabad, UTTAR PRADESH :
Koi gul baqi rahega na chaman reh jaayega
Par Rasoolullah ka deen-e-hasan reh jayega
(No flower will be left, nor will any garden remain; but the beautiful religion of Muhammad (pbuh) will forever endure.)
Maulana Syed Kifayat Ali Kafi, a prominent Islamic scholar, poet, and freedom fighter, was executed by the British on May 6, 1858, at the crossroads of Moradabad. His execution marks a significant, yet often overlooked, chapter in India’s struggle for independence.
Early Life and Education
Born in Bijnor district, Maulana Kafi hailed from a respectable Sadat family. He pursued his education in Moradabad, Bareilly, and Badaun, gaining expertise in religious studies, traditional medicine (Hikmat), and poetry. His teachers included Sheikh Abu Saeed Rampuri in religious knowledge, Sher Ali in medicine, and Maulvi Mehdi Ali Khan and Zaki Moradabadi in poetry. Maulana Kafi was not just a scholar but also an accomplished poet, with works such as Diwan-e-Kafi, Diwan-e-Tanha, Kamalat-e-Azizi, and Naseem-e-Jannat to his name.
A Patriot’s Call to Arms
As British rule continued to oppress India, Maulana Kafi’s determination to see a free Hindustan grew stronger. When the First War of Independence erupted in 1857, Maulana Kafi actively participated in the struggle. His fatwa of Jihad against British rule, posted on the walls of the Jama Masjid in Moradabad, was a rallying cry for Muslims to rise against the oppressors.
Joining General Bakht Khan Rohilla’s forces, Maulana Kafi fought bravely from Delhi to Bareilly and Allahabad. After liberating Moradabad, he helped establish a local government under Nawab Majiduddin Khan, also known as Nawab Majju Khan. Maulana Kafi was appointed Sadar-e-Shariat, where he oversaw judicial matters according to the Sharia law.
Betrayal and Capture
Despite the initial successes, the freedom movement in Moradabad faced significant setbacks due to betrayals by local traitors and the Nawab of Rampur who had aligned with the British. As a result, the British recaptured Moradabad, and on April 30, 1858, Maulana Kafi was arrested, following a tip-off by a local informer named Fakhruddin Kalal.
Martyrdom
Maulana Kafi’s trial was swift and brutal. On May 6, 1858, after enduring severe torture and refusing to renounce his faith and commitment for his motherland, he was hanged by the British. His final moments were marked by an extraordinary sense of calm and composure.
Maulana Syed Kifayat Ali Kafi’s sacrifice remains a poignant reminder of the countless unsung heroes who fought and gave their lives for India’s freedom. His legacy, though forgotten by many, continues to inspire those who remember the courage and conviction of one of the nation’s noble martyrs.
source: http://www.themilligazette.com / The Milli Gazette Online / Home> News> Special Reports / by Sahil Rizvi / August 18th, 2024
His fort at Kurnool was turned into an ordnance factory
Ghulam Rasool Khan, the Nawab of Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh, who created terror among the officials of the East India Company, came to power in 1823.
Since his childhood, Ghulam Rasool Khan never cared foreign rulers. After coming into power, he took every care to protect his state from the British. He was sure that he had to fight against the British, and was prepared for the same. He befriended Gohar Ali Khan alias Mubariz-ud-Doula, a prince of Nizam state. He turned his fort at Kurnool into an ordnance factory.
The jealous cousins of Nawab Ghulam Rasool, who wished to capture power, colluded with the English and hatched conspiracies against him. They informed General Fraser, who was the British Resident, about the preparedness of Ghulam Rasool for war on 23 August 1839.
Alarmed at this, the East India Company appointed Edward Armstrong to probe into the matter and report it immediately. Edward wrote a letter to General Fraser stating that ‘the armoury of the Nawab of Kurnool is enormous. His preparedness for war is hard to describe. He turned the gardens and the royal palaces into ordnance factories.’ This information sent shivers down the spine of General Fraser, who sent the East India Company forces immediately under the command of Colonel A .B. Dyce to capture the fort of Kurnool and arrest Nawab Ghulam Rasool Khan.
East India Company troops attacked and rounded the Kurnool fort on 12 October, 1839. After six days of fierce fighting, the enemy was able to detain Ghulam Rasool Khan, on 18 October, 1839 at Joharapuram, a village near Kurnool.
Later on, they took him to Tiruchinapalli and imprisoned Rasool Khan in Tiruchinapalli Jail. The British rulers wished to eliminate the Nawab of Kurnool. So they bribed his personal servant into serving poisoned food to Nawab, due to which Nawab Ghulam Rasool Khan died on 12 July, 1840.
The Company charged the servant of murder and sentenced him to death. The British rulers tried their level best to hide this conspiracy, but history revealed the fact in course of time.
Ghulam Rasool Khan is still remembered by the people of Rayalaseema region of Andhra pradesh, where they still eulogize him singing the ballad titled ‘Kandanavolu Nawabu Katha’ (Story of Kurnool Nawab).
Syed Naseer Ahamad is a Telugu writer and journalist who has written several books on the role of Muslims in the struggle for the freedom of India. Many of his books have been translated into other languages. He can be contacted at naseerahamedsyed@gmail.com and cellphone number 91-9440241727.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Opinion / by Sued Naseer Ahamed / September 04th, 2022
Prayers being offered at Jama Masjid in memory of Maulana Habib-ur-Rehman Ludhianvi. Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan
Ludhiana :
A prayer was organised at the local Jama Masjid in remembrance of Maulana Habib-ur-Rehman Ludhianvi, the man who stood up and raised his voice against the Divide and Rule policy of the British. Today, was his 68th death anniversary.
Maulana Habib-ur-Rehman Ludhianvi
Ludhianvi was one of the founders of Majlis-e-Ahrar-e-Islam and was the direct descendant of Shah Abdul Qadir Ludhianvi, who fought against the British colonial rule during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. In British records, he has been described as a fiery speaker who exercised considerable influence on people in the region.
In 1929, to oppose the idea of partition, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the Tricolour on the banks of Ravi for the first time and at the same time, Ludhianvi hoisted the same flag at Jama Masjid in Ludhiana in the presence of over 300 British policemen and was arrested.
“When the entire nation was suffering under the Divide and Rule policy of the British, it was he who stood up and raised his voice,” said Mohammad Usman Rehmani Ludhianvi, the Shahi Imam of Punjab, remembering his great grandfather.
Voices calling out “Hindu paani lelo, Muslim paani lelo” were common at the railway stations as there were separate pitchers of water for the Hindus and the Muslims. But in 1929, Maulana Habib-ur-Rehman Ludhianvi raised his voice against this and protested at Ghaas Mandi Chowk, Ludhiana and, with the help of his volunteers, broke earthen pots.
As a result, the British government was forced to install one common pitcher at all railway stations across the country giving the message “sabka paani ek hai”. In this activity, nearly 50 volunteers were arrested and sent to jail, he shared.
“My great grandfather decided to stay back in this part of Punjab although many of their relatives migrated to Pakistan. He was deeply pained by the Partition and later in order to help women to get back to their respective families, he had set up a ‘Phir Basau’ committee. Thousands of women returned to their parents under this exchange programme,” he said. Maulana, though not a poet, was well-versed in poetry and used to host poetic evening once a month, he shared.
Subhash Chandra Bose took refuge for three days at his home while on his way to Japan. Similarly, Bhagat Singh’s mother, brother and sister also stayed at his place during the freedom struggle.
Habib-ur-Rehman had to spend 14 years in prison in various places including Shimla, Mianwali, Multan, Ludhiana and Dharamsala.
He was confined in cold places during winters and hot ones in summer. He contracted a serious infection in jail due to which he died on September 2, 1956.
source: http://www.tribuneindia.com / The Tribune / Home> Ludhiana / by Manav Mander / Tribune News Service / September 03rd, 2024
On this day, Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daulah was at the gates of Fort William in Calcutta with an army of 50,000 soldiers, 50 cannons and 500 elephants.
Siraj-ud-Daulah / File image
On this day, Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daulah was at the gates of Fort William in Calcutta with an army of 50,000 soldiers, 50 cannons and 500 elephants. By that time the British had retreated to the British East India Company’s ships. John Zephaniah Holwell was in charge of the British side, which had less than 200 soldiers left at the fort. Holwell surrendered to Siraj on June 20 afternoon.
June 20, 1756, is marked by “the Black Hole Tragedy”. According to Holwell, the surrendered British were forced into a small chamber at the fort by the Nawab’s army.
More than a hundred of the prisoners died. Only 23 of them survived, Holwell’s account said. Later, commentators and historians have questioned Holwell’s account and claimed that fewer people had died.
source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> West Bengal / by Chandrima S Bhattacharya / June 19th, 2024
The City Jama Masjid located in Pune’s Shukrawar Peth was built in 1839 for Rs 15,000 from public contributions.
The Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency of 1885 describes the mosque as a “chief Muhammadan place of worship in the city” built around 1839 by public subscription for Rs 15,000. (Express Photo)
On May 10, 1857, Indian sepoys in Meerut broke into an uprising that is now remembered as India’s first war of independence. While Pune, then Poona, did not see any active conflict unlike several other cantonment towns in the country, tension was palpable as the news reached the city through newspapers and word of mouth. The city did see surreptitious meetings, pamphleteering and a surge in rumours, as per accounts by historians.
Among the reactions to the mutiny that have been recorded by historians is that of prayers offered at City Jama Masjid on May 22, 1857, a Friday, for the success of the mutiny.
“After the usual Friday prayers, some 10-12 men remained in the mosque and commenced talking about the war operations before Delhi. The whole party simultaneously rose clapping their hands in the attitude of prayer, bought with the aid of the Prophet on behalf of the mutineers,” as per a contemporary government report quoted in South India in 1857 War of Independence by V D Divekar.
The attendees were identified as Jaffer Mulla, Mahomed Hayat, Hussain Arab, Rhaimu Naichiwala, Maddar Naichiwala, Imam Pattewala and Jamaluddin who were later reported to the police by the informers. It is not known if any punitive measure was taken against the attendees.
The Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency of 1885 describes the mosque as a “chief Muhammadan place of worship in the city” built around 1839 by public subscription for Rs 15,000.
“The back wall has a niche with a step against it, and is covered with texts from the Kuran. In front of the mosque is a well-sanded yard with a fountain in the middle. On one side is a washing cistern or haud. Attached to the mosque is a Persian school, a rest house and some dwellings whose rent go to the mosque fund. All Muhammadan social and religious meetings are held in this mosque,” reads the Gazetteer.
The mosque’s imam, says that a few decades ago, the mosque’s roof was extended by 15 metres to accommodate more namazees. (Express Photo)
Presently, the entrance of the mosque in busy Shukrawar Peth is easy to miss as vintage shops stand shoulder to shoulder. The narrow entrance opens into a moderately spacious courtyard, 100 feet in width and 15 feet in length, before the enclosed mosque starts. There is a wuzukhana, the washing cistern, on the left side with a small fountain-like structure in the middle and the cistern’s edges lined by stools for the namazees to sit on as they do the ablutions before prayers.
That the mosque is over 180 years old is barely recognisable – due to the fresh construction of the front Sahan, the courtyard where namaz is offered, and several coats of paint on the exteriors – until one enters the innermost area which reveals its stone build, topped by a dome.
Maulana Zameeruddin, 64, the mosque’s imam, says that a few decades ago, the mosque’s roof was extended by 15 metres to accommodate more namazees. The move, however, shortened the length of the courtyard and also required the removal of a fountain that was in front of the mosque.
Zameeruddin has been the imam here for the last 40 years. “Before me, my elder uncle was the imam. Earlier, people from far-off areas such as Khadki, Dapodi and Deccan used to come to offer Friday prayer here as this is a historic place. Now, people have shifted to newer areas of the city, such as Kondhwa, where bigger mosques have come up and people prefer to pray there. Still, some people make it a point to come here, especially for Friday prayer,” he said.
For a long time, the Pune civic body’s Urdu-medium school (School No 22), operated from inside the rooms constructed within the courtyard until it shifted to a nearby location later.
Siraj Tamboli, a 65-year-old namazee who visits the mosque several times a day, said, “I belong to the third generation from my family that prays in this mosque. My sons and grandsons also come here.”
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> News> Cities> Pune / by Atikh Rashid, Pune / July 29th, 2024
We, The Indian Muslims are proud to be citizens of this great country. We have been an architect of this land all through centuries since the days of dynastic rule. Whether it was construction of world class network of transport facilities like Grand Trunk Road linking major cities, founding new cities of highest standards for that age, huge monumental structures to attract the world, development of living standards and maintain cordial relationships between groups belonging to various religions, languages, castes and cultures, we pioneered justice and maintained the system.
With the passage of years, decades and turn of events, the foreign forces got attracted to it and slowly took over the rein of rule.
We were first to challenge and fight for country’s independence valiantly. Even our clergymen took to streets and fought, thousands laid down their lives. Colonel Balwan Singh Nagial, a third-generation Indian Army officer who retired in 2019 wrote in Times of India (April 23, 2022), thus: “Muslim leadership contributed enormously to divergent phases of the Indian struggle for independence. They (Muslims) played a larger-than-life role and made significant sacrifices in this struggle for independence.
From the last Mughal ruler Bahadur Shah Zafar to nawabs, princes, landlords of all sizes, clergy, ulema and the ordinary people, they all stood for the cause and took on enormous challenges and made supreme sacrifices.
When the INC was formed in 1885, the Muslims responded enthusiastically and supported all its efforts throughout the freedom struggle until India became free. The most enthusiastic support for the INC was from the Muslims of the conservative Ulama of Deoband. Earlier, the Ulama had participated in the 1857 uprising with heart and soul.
They made great sacrifices, and hundreds of them were sent to Andaman-Nicobar and many to Malta, an island to the south of Italy.
Muslim leaders who contributed to India’s struggle for independence were:
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Maulana Muhammad Ali, Maulana Shaukat Ali, Allama Iqbal, Muhammad Barkathulla, Bi Amma (mother of Ali brothers), Badarudeen Tyabji, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Dr M.A. Ansari, Dr Siafudeen Kichlu, Dr Basheer Ahmad, Syed Ameer Ali, Dr Syed Muhammad, Hasrat Mohani, Nawab Abdul Latheef, Altaf Hussain Hali, Syed Ahmad Sirhindi, Syed Ahmad Bareilly, Maulana Shibli Numani, Munshi Karamat Ali, Munshi Zakaullah.
Hindus and Muslims together fought the foreign forces shoulder to shoulder. A report by the ‘Milli Chronicle’ says that names of 95,300 freedom fighters are etched on the India Gate in Delhi, and remarkably, 61,945 of these names belong to Muslims, signifying that 65% of these brave individuals were Muslims. The significance of this statistic is eloquently captured by the renowned writer Mr. Kushwant Singh, who boldly declared that the story of Indian freedom is etched in the blood of Muslims, emphasizing their large contribution to the freedom struggle, considering their dis-proportionately smaller population percentage.
The annals of history are adorned with the stories of Muslim freedom fighters who put their lives on the line to liberate India from the shackles of British oppression. These individuals, driven by an unwavering determination to secure their homeland’s independence, demonstrated exceptional courage and resilience.
All through ages we find tall personalities like Sultan Haidar Ali, father of Tipu Sultan, (he pioneered the fight against British colonial forces); Tipu Sultan, son of Haider Ali; (he pioneered the use of iron-cased rockets); Ashfaqullah Khan,(noted for his daring attacks on British government trains); Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, the youngest President of the Indian National Congress,(who rallied Hindus and Muslims alike against British oppression); Maulana Hasrat Mohani, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, (a pivotal figure in the Khilafat movement); was jailed for 13 years by the British), Sirajud Daula, (the last Nawab of Bengal), Badruddin Tyabji (of Indian National Congress); his wife, Suraiya Tayabji, who designed the present Indian flag., Zain-ul-Abideen, an officer of the Indian National Army (INA), coined the iconic patriotic slogan “Jai Hind.”
While recounting the names of every Muslim freedom fighter may be an impossible feat, their contributions and sacrifices in the fight against British colonialism are immeasurable and undeniable. The fact that many chose to remain in India underscores their deep-rooted connection to the land. Despite attempts to distort history, India will forever be the cherished home of its Muslim citizens. We gave the independent India Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister, Dr. Rafi Ahmed Qidwai, Dr.Zakir Hussain (an Educationist and Vice President), and numerous figures as servants to the country in the form of politicians, officers, industrialists, entrepreneurs, researchers, technocrats etc. in every field.
Our very recent contribution to the nation’s public service has been the world famous Scientist/Technocrat and President Dr.A.P.J. Kalam. He set the highest, un-believable standard of honesty, transparency and clean image in public life. A glimpse into the life he spent in the Rashtrapati Bhavan as President gives a shocking information. The same is as under: Mr. P M Nair, (retired IAS officer, then Secretary to Dr. Abdul Kalam, the President writes in his book “Kalam Effect” that Dr. Kalam used to receive costly gifts whenever he went abroad (as it is part of custom & protocol) used to ask the gifts to be photographed and then catalogued and handed over to the archives. Afterwards, he never even looked at them. He did not take even a pencil from the gifts received when he left Rashtrapathi Bhavan. It was a regular practice for every President to host an Iftar party, a routine. Upon being reminded about it Dr. Kalam asked Mr. Nair why he should host a party to people who are already well fed. Instead he estimated and donated Rs.22 lac being the cost to a few selected orphanages in the form of food, dresses and blankets besides a cheque for Rs.1.lakh from his personal funds. Though himself a devout Muslim, he never organized Iftar parties in President’s house at Public expense. Once Dr. Kalam invited 50 of his relatives to come to Delhi and they all stayed in Rashtrapathi Bhavan. He organized a bus for them to go around the city which was paid for by him.
No official car was used. Their lodging and food bill which came to Rs.2 laks was paid by him as per his instructions. Dr. Kalam’s elder brother stayed with him in his room for the entire one week as Dr Kalam wanted his brother to stay with him. When they left, Dr. Kalam wanted to pay rent for that room also. Imagine the President of a country paying rent for the room in which he is staying. This was any way not agreed to by the staff who thought the honesty was getting too much to handle. When he was to leave Rashtrapathi Bhavan at the end of his tenure, every staff member went and met him and paid their respects. Mr. Nair went to him alone as his wife couldn’t as she was confined to bed due to fracture. Upon noticing her absence and knowing the reason Dr. Kalam visited his house and chatted with her for some time. The following property was left behind by Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam: 16 doctorates, 1 website, 1 twitter account, 1 email id, 2500 books, 1 Padmashri, 1 Padmabhushan, 1 Bharat Ratna, 1 flat (which he has donated), 6 pants & 4 shirts (DRDO uniforms), 3 suits (1 western, 2 Indian). He didn’t have any Car, jewelry, stocks, TV, AC, land or any bank balance. He had even donated the last 8 years’ pension towards the development of his village. He was a real patriot and true Indian Muslim. We are proud of him.
Our character building efforts continued even through the present 21st century in the country with unique results as records vouch. For example, the city of KAYALAPATTANAM (in Tamil Nadu) with 100% Muslim population goes. There is no Police Station, no cinema and no crime in the city because there had been no crime there for decades.
The present day situation in the country may appear to be disheartening and disappointing for some. The irresponsible attitude towards Muslims by some extremist groups in the country belonging to a certain ideology should be viewed as a momentary period. Their efforts to demoralize, degrade, deny civil rights are synonymous with their declared intentions. A great majority of country-men still believe and practice true Hinduism as had been for centuries in the past. True Hindus do not endorse hatred, support arson and distrust.
A long history of peaceful co-existence of Muslims and Hindus for centuries with mutual respect, rejoicing specially the occasion of festivals and long socio-economic ties in every nook and corner of the country is its evidence.
Our country has been an example of ‘Unity in diversity’ for the world for a long time. Nobody from either community can imagine a survival without another. The bond has been and will surely be strong as Steel. The ever increasing social evils like Corruption, nepotism, frauds, woman-bashing and vandalism like termites in the country have made the life of common man miserable.
Decline in the values like increased greediness, and wide spread of dishonesty, revenge, vindictiveness, and non-adherence to law need to be challenged and controlled. The ‘PLEDGE’ we used to read in our text books once in first page is long missing both from the book and in practice.
We the Indian Muslims, whether a common man, clergy, intellectual, and technocrat, worker or even those with any political group should realize that notwithstanding the company or area, we have a responsibility towards the country and duty-bound to work for our own community. We need to understand todays challenging scenario and strengthen its unity. We are the inheritors of a great legacy, and not followers of the ilk of this day. We Muslims should remember that we are ordained by the Almighty Allah to be united, behold his Commands; make efforts to spread virtuous deed and work eradicate evils. The entire country is looking forward for the honest.
As the phrase rightly goes, ‘Service to humanity is service to God’. Our population in the country according to 2011 census stands at about 200 million which constitutes 15%. We need to contain our extravagant life-style especially in matters of functions and festivals.
We should stop depending on politicians, their promises and focus on a self, collective effort. We need to move forward together in the fields of education, employment opportunities generating plans through mutual cooperation. For this purpose and as in the days of our Prophet, we should make our area Masjid a center for gathering, deliberation, planning, guidance and service as per law.Experts and experienced in relevant fields can be roped in for the purpose and the available resources can be put to work.
سبق پڑھ پھر صداقت کا، شجاعت کا، عدالت کا۔۔ لیا جائیگا تجھ سے کام، دنیا کی امامت کا۔۔
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim / by Syed Ilyas Basha / October 03rd, 2023
Maulvi Baqir was among the first to be arrested when the British Army entered Delhi on September 14, 1857.
Maulvi Muhammad Baqir was Editor, Founder and Owner of “Delhi Urdu Akhbar“. He was shot dead on September 16, 1857 for writing articles in Nationalist tone. Maulvi Muhammad Baqir was the first journalist to lay his life during the Independence Movement of India and the Freedom Struggle of India.
Maulvi Baqir, his name sometimes also spelled as Maulvi Maqar, started the first Urdu newspaper of Delhi, Delhi Urdu Akhbar, in 1835 – a year after the British government amended the “Press Act” and allowed publications.
“Delhi Urdu Akhbar” survived for nearly 21 years, proving to be a milestone in the field of Urdu Journalism. With the help of this newspaper, Maulvi Muhammad Baqar played key role in highlighting social issues as well as bringing political awakening in public and uniting them against foreign rulers.
When the Indian revolutionaries started the first war of national independence in 1857, he dedicated his newspaper to the national cause. Soon after the revolt or mutiny broke out in Meerut on May 10, 1857, Baqir gave his newspaper a new name “Akhbar uz Zafar” (Paper of Zafar) to pay tribute to Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar who was leading the mutinying sepoys and the revolt against the British.
A staunch supporter of Hindu Muslim unity, Journalist Maulvi Baqir on June 04, 1857, printed articles in his newspaper appealing to both the communities to unite and come together, “Don’t miss this opportunity, if missed, no one will come to help, this is a good opportunity for you to get rid of British rule”.
Mohammad Baqir was used to publish his newspaper on Sundays, instead of Saturdays as a mark of his own rebellion and protest against the British, who observed Sabbath – a day of religious observance and abstinence from work, kept by Jewish people from Friday evening to Saturday evening, and by most Christians on Sunday.
Baqir was among the first to be arrested when the British Army entered Delhi on September 14, 1857. Two days later, on September 16, he was produced before Major William S.R. Hudson who ordered to shoot him dead without trial. Major Hudson shot dead Maulvi Baqir on the same day, making him the first Indian Journalist to lay his life for the country.
It is said Maulvi Baqir was tied to the mouth of a cannon which is then fired by Major William Hudson. Some historians however have disputed this claim. Nonetheless his contributions and sacrifice were later immortalised in Russian artist Vasily Vereshchagin ‘Suppression of the Indian Revolt by the English’ painting portraying the woes of freedom fighters and the brutal way Maluvi Baqar was claimed to have been executed.
source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Life & Style / by Ummid.com News Network / September 16th, 2023
Renowned researcher, author, and former Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Delhi, Dr. Shamsul Islam, is scheduled to deliver the BV Kakkilaya Inspired Oration for 2023. The oration, titled “Joint Martyrdoms, Joint Heritage of 1857 War of Independence,” will take place on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Ravindra Kalabhavana, University College, Mangaluru.
The annual BV Kakkilaya Inspired Orations serve as a tribute to the life and contributions of Sri BV Kakkilaya (1919-2012). Kakkilaya was a freedom fighter, a leader in the Karnataka unification movement, a prominent figure in the Communist Party of India and All India Trade Union Congress, a member of the first Rajya Sabha, and the Karnataka State Assembly.
He was also an award-winning writer and thinker. The oration aims to promote alternative thoughts and approaches to address the challenges faced by the underprivileged masses in India. The event is organized by Hosatu Monthly, Bangalore, MS Krishnan Trust, Bangalore, and Samadarshi Vedike, Mangalore, in collaboration with the Department of History, University College, Mangaluru.
During the event, Dr. Shamsul Islam’s book, “The Untold Amazing Stories of 1857,” will be released in its Kannada translation, titled “Bharatada Modala Swatantrya Sangrama 1857 – Helade Ulida Adbhuta Kathegalu.” The book is translated by Dr. B.R. Manjunath and published by Navakarnataka Publications. Dr. Jayaraj Amin, Vice Chancellor of Mangalore University, will have the honor of unveiling the translated work.
Additionally, the event will feature the publication of the names of 128 martyrs from Karnataka, who hailed from diverse backgrounds including various castes, religions, sects, and socio-economic strata. These martyrs gave their lives during the 1857-58 anti-British revolts. Dr. Shamsul Islam compiled this list from national archives, and the occasion will be marked with tributes to these brave individuals.
The public is warmly welcomed to attend this significant event.
source: http://www.varthabharati.in/ Vartha Bharati / Home> Karnataka / by Vartha Bharati / September 09th, 2023
The skull of a martyr Sepoy Alam Baig of the first war of Indian independence in 1985 must be brought to India for burial at the site where he was blown into pieces with a cannon for rebelling against the British Army in 1857.
This campaign is being run by British Professor Kim A. Wagner, who teaches Global and Imperial History at Queen Mary University of London and is also the author of the book The Skull of Alum Bheg: The Life and Death of a Rebel of 1857.
Prof Kin Wagner is an authority on the subject as he has published several books like ‘Thuggee: Banditry and the British in Early Nineteenth-Century India’, ‘The Great Fear of 1957: Rumours, Conspiracies and the Making of the Indian Uprising’, and ‘Amritsar 1919: An Empire of Fear and the Making of a Massacre’.
Wagner says this grisly war trophy was found in a pub in south-east England in 1963. The owner handed it over to him in 2014 and he published this book on Alum Bheg in 2017.
Wagner says the skull was brought to Ireland by someone from the British authorities and later changed hands.
“The handwritten note found with it revealed the skull to be that of Alum Bheg, an Indian soldier in British service who had been blown from a cannon for his role in the 1857 Uprising. His head had been brought back as a grisly war trophy by an Irish officer present at his execution,” writes Kim Wagner.
Prof. S. Sehrwat of the Department of Anthropology, Punjab University had said in a statement that during the revolution of 1857, Havaldar Alam Baig (the way it is spelled in India) was captured and blown up with cannon. His skull was found in England.
He said Wenger had told him about this.
The note found with Alam Baig’s skull
A complete search record of the skull has been found. The scientists are now keen to do a DNA test to ensure the identity of the skull. It is known that Alam Baig was from the Kanpur area of Uttar Pradesh and even a family has claimed him to be their ancestor.
According to Prof Dineshwar Chaubey, who teaches genetics at BHU, Varanasi, two types of tests can be done on Alam Baig’s skull. A Kanpur family living in Delhi has claimed to be related to Alam Baig. Their genes can be matched with it.
Kim Wagner and other historians are campaigning for givinh a due burial to at some place along the India-Pakistan border, where he was done to death.
Wagner says the British had accused Baig of killing a Christian priest family and it was a fabricated charge. The record says that he was a sepoy of the 46th regiment of the Bengal Native Infantry.
Kim Wagner believes that it is the right time to bury Havaldar Alam Baig in his country, at the same spot where he fought in the Battle of Trimu Ghat on the banks of the Ravi River in the border region between India and Pakistan.
He said, “I do not consider the return of Alam Baig’s skull as political. My aim is only to bring the mortal remains of Alam Baig to his homeland so that he may rest in peace long after his death.
Although the historian’s statement has also passed a long time, there is no progress in this matter to date. It is also waiting for the time when the skull of one of the great sons of India will be brought to India and buried in the soil here.”
The Natural History Museum confirmed its likely authenticity and Wagner, with little evidence to go on, traced Bheg’s history using various sources.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home > Story by ATV / by Ghaus Siwani, New Delhi / posted by Aasha Khosa / September 02nd, 2023
