Faraizi Movement [1830-57]
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Haji Shariatullah launched the Faraizi Movement |
The first half of the 19th century witnessed a movement known as Faraizi movement in East Bengal. The founder of this movement was Haji Shariatullah. At that time the condition of the Bengali Muslims in the sub-continent was very miserable. The British policy of distrust and oppression towards the Muslims rendered them economically and educationally crippled, and the oppression of the Zamindars made their lives unbearable.
Haji Shariatullah went to Makkah on the Pilgrimage. After 20 years he came back to his country and started his reform movement known as Faraizi movement. He asked the most depressed classes of Muslims to give up un-Islamic customs and practices and to act upon the commandments of religion called Faraiz or duties. Hence his followers came to be known as Faraiz. He forbade Tazia on the occasion of Muharram and singing and dancing at the time of wedding ceremonies. His movement was also directed against the oppression of the Zamindars. He declared the country as Dar-ul-Harb where Eid and Friday prayers could not be offered.
The movement infused a new life and brought a greater agitation among the Bengal Muslims- specially among the peasants who were imbued with his doctrines. Thus, he sowed the seeds of independence in Bengal. He died in 1840.
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Titu Mir struggled for the uplift of Bengali Muslims |
Haji Shariatullah was succeeded by his son Muhammad Mohsin, known as Dadhu Mian. Dadhu Mian made the movement of his father strong and popular by organizing it in a systematic way. He acquired a greater influence among the Muslim peasants and craftsman of Bakerganj, Dhaka, Faridpur and Pabna districts. He divided the whole place under Khalifas who kept him informed on all occurrences in the jurisdictions. Dadhu Mian vehemently opposed the cusses imposed by the landlords on the Muslim peasants for the decoration of the image of Durgah.
He asked his followers to settle in lands managed by the government. During the revolt of 1857, he was put under arrest for organizing the peasants of Faridpur districts against the British government. He died in 1860.
Mir Nasir Ali, known as Titu Mir, is another important figure who was moved by the sufferings of the Muslim of Bengal. After returning from Pilgrimage, Titu Mir, devoted himself to the cause of his country. Narkelbaria, a village near Calcutta was made center of his activities. Many oppressed Muslim peasants gathered under Titu Mir in their resistance against the Hindu landlord, Krishna Deva Raj. Titu Mir, was able to defeat Krishna Deva, and set up his government. The British aiding the Hindu landlords sent an army of 100 English Soldiers and 300 sepoys to Narkelbaria. In 1831, Titu Mir died fighting the British forces.
The death of Titu Mir did not dishearten his followers, rather his example became a source of inspiration to them in the years to come.
