Molana Ahmadullah Shah Madrasi
Molana (1787 – 5 June 1858) , famous as the Maulvi of Faizabad, was a famous freedom fighter and leader of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Maulavi Ahmadullah Shah was known as the lighthouse of the rebellion in the Awadh region.British officers like George Bruce Malleson and Thomas Seaton made mentions about the courage, valour, personal and organizational capabilities of Ahmadullah. G. B. Malleson mentions Ahmadullah repeatedly in the History of Indian Mutiny, a book written in 6 volumes covering Indian revolt of 1857. Thomas Seaton describes Ahmadullah Shah as: A man of great abilities, of undaunted courage, of stern determination, and by far the best soldier among the rebels.(Thomas Seaton) Being a practicing Muslim, he was also an epitome of religious unity and Ganga-Jamuna culture of Faizabad. In the rebellion of 1857, royals like Nana Sahib and Khan Bahadur Khan fought alongside Ahmadullah. The British could never catch the Maulvi alive. The price of 50,000 pieces of silver was announced to capture him. Finally the king of Powayan, Raja Jagannath Singh killed Maulvi, beheaded him and presented his head to the British for which Raja Jagannath was paid the announced prize. Next day, the head of the Maulvi was seen hanging at the kotwali. Family The family of Ahmadullah was the original inhabitant of Gopamau village in Hardoi district. His father Ghulam Hussain Khan was a military general in Sultan Hyder Ali’s Mysore army. His forefathers were big exporters of weapons. G. B. Malleson describes the personality of the Maulvi as follows: The Moulvi was a remarkable person. His name was Ahmad-ullah and his native place was Faizabad in Oudh. In person, he was tall, lean and muscular, with large deep eyes, beetle brows, a high aquiline nose, and lantern jaws. The Maulvi was a Sunni Muslim and belonged to an affluent family. He had a good command over English. After getting his traditional Islamic education, the Maulvi was trained in welfare as well. He travelled to England, Russia, Iran, Iraq, Mecca and Medina, and also performed Hajj. Before 1857 revolt Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah believed that for the success of an armed rebellion, the co-operation of the people was very important. He travelled to Delhi, Meerut, Patna, Calcutta and several other places and sowed the seed of independence. Maulvi and Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi also declared jihad against the Britons. He also authored a pamphlet called Fateh Islam, a planned manner for the need of jihad against the Britisher, even before the eruption of the revolt in 1857. According to G. B. Malleson, “It is beyond doubt that behind the conspiracy of the 1857 revolt, the Moulavi’s brain and efforts were significant. Distribution of bread during the campaigns, Chapati Movement, was actually his brainchild.” Arrest at Patna According to G. B. Malleson, when the Maulvi was in Patna, suddenly with no previous notice or intimation, an officer arrived at Patna from Punjab. He is referred as Lt. Thursbern in a book by Rashmi Kumari on Ahmadullah Shah. With a warrant in his pocket, he walked into Sadiqpur, a quarter in Patna. He entered the house of Ahmadullah Shah, and with the help of the police arrested him.The Maulvi was awarded capital punishment on the charges of revolt and conspiracy against the British rule. The punishment was later reduced to life imprisonment. After the eruption of the revolt on 10 May 1857, rebel sepoys from Azamgarh, Banaras and Jaunpur arrived in Patna on 7 June. They attacked the bungalows of the English officers who were already on the run. Once the city was captured by the rebels, they captured the government treasury. They proceeded towards the jail and got the Maulvi and the other prisoners freed. After declaring Man Singh as the Raja of Patna, Maulvi Ahmadullah proceeded to Awadh. Indian Rebellion of 1857 and 1858 . The rebel army of Awadh was led by Barkat Ahmad and Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah. In the Battle of Chinhat, Barkat Ahmad was declared the Chief Army Officer of the rebels. The British army was led by Henry Montgomery Lawrence who eventually died at the Residency building. This fierce battle was won by the rebel army. Ahmadullah Shah also led an attack on Beligarad. The writer Kaisar-ut-tawarikh states that it was a huge victory for the rebels. Maulavi fought with great courage and chivalry in real sense, and for that he succeeded in pushing the British to Beligarad. And then a big house of “Machchhi Bhavan” was also blown up. After Lucknow was captured by the rebels, Birjis Qadr, the ten-year-old son of Wajid Ali Shah and Begum Hazrat Mahal was declared the king. The Maulvi resisted being part of a new administration. He left the palace politics and established his camp with Ghamandi Singh and 1000 soldiers of Subedar Umrao Singh at Badshah Bagh across the Gomti River. On 6 March 1858, British forces attacked Lucknow again under the leadership of Sir Colin Campbell, a reputed British army official. The rebel army was led by Begum Hazrat Mahal. With the capture of Lucknow by the British, the rebels escaped on 15 and 16 March through a road leading to Faizabad. The last rebels, 1,200 men under Ahmadullah Shah, were driven from a fortified house in the centre of the city on 21 March. The city was declared cleared on this date. After the fall of Lucknow, the Maulvi shifted his base to Shahjahanpur in Rohilkhand. In Shahjahanpur the forces of Nana Sahib and Khan Bahadur Khan joined the Maulvi in attacking the Britishers. Colin Campbell departed from Shahjahanpur on 2 May towards Bareilly. The Maulvi, with the King of Mohammadi and several thousand soldiers attacked Shahjahanpur. The British Army was informed and General Brigadier John reached Shahjahanpur on 11 May.Jones could not muster the courage to attack the Maulvi and kept waiting for reinforcements from Bareilly. George Bruce Malleson writes that: Maulavi was the only one who could have dared to defeat Sir Colin Campbell twice. The fierce battle took place on 15 May 1858 between a platoon of the rebels and the regiment of General Brigadier Jones. Both sides had to bear heavy losses but the rebels still managed to capture Shahjahanpur. Colin reached Shahjahanpur on 20 May, and attacked it from all sides. This battle continued all night long. Maulavi and Nana Sahib left Shahjahanpur. It is said that Colin himself followed Maulvi but couldn’t capture him. After the fall of Shahjahanpur, the Maulvi left for Powayan which was 18 miles to the north of Shahjahanpur. Death The British could never catch the Maulvi alive. They announced 50,000 pieces of silver as a prize
Mufti Inayatullah Kakorvi
He (5 October 1813 – 7 April 1863) was an Islamic scholar and a key figure in the Indian independence movement. He played a significant role in promoting Islamic teachings and contributing to the political landscape of British India. Early life and education Kakorvi was born on 5 October 1813 in Barabanki, a town located in the British Raj, which is present-day India.He displayed a keen interest in Islamic studies and pursued an extensive education in religious sciences. Contributions As an Islamic scholar, Mufti Inayat Ahmad Kakorvi made significant contributions to the understanding and dissemination of Islamic teachings. He authored numerous books.One of his books Ilm Ul Seegha is part of the curriculum of Dars-i-Nizami. In addition to his scholarly pursuits, Kakorvi actively participated in the Indian independence movement. Death Inayat Ahmad Kakorvi died on 7 April 1863, at the age of 49, as a result of drowning
Maulana Syed Kifayat Ali Kafi Muradabadi
Mujahid of the War of Independence 1857 belonged to the Sadat family of Nagina District Bijnor He was born in Moradabad. Syed Kafait Ali Kafi Moradabadi issued fatwas of Jihad against the British in Moradabad area in 1857. He learned elocution from Zaki Muradabadi (died: 1864 ), who was a student of Imam Bakhsh Naskh. Trial and death penalty On April 26, 1858, General Munis Gora attacked Moradabad with his army. The Mujahideen fought with Jaan Nisari. Nawab Majoo Khan was seen firing a gun on the roof of a house till the last moment. Finally drank the cup of martyrdom. With the fall of Moradabad, all the revolutionary leaders were dispersed. Those who fell into the hands of the British government were hanged on the throne or were spared the punishment of long imprisonment by crossing the river Shoor [Kalapani]. Maulana Kifayat Ali Kafi was arrested by the British on the informant of Fakhruddin Kalal. The agonizing phase of the punishments began. A hot iron was applied to the body. Salt and pepper were sprinkled on the wounds. The British used every tactic to convert Islam. When the Englishman was disappointed with this Mujahid man, he hanged this lover of the Prophet in Bursar-i-Aam Chowk, Moradabad. On May 4, 1858, the trial took place and the death sentence was soon passed. Mr. John Ingleson Magistrate Commission, Moradabad, gave a verdict that: “Since this defendant rebelled against the English Government and misled the people against the lawful government and plundered the city, this act of the accused was an open rebellion against the English Government.” In return for which the accused should be given the full sentence….Ordered- The accused should be hanged. John Ingleson, May 6, 1858 The entire trial was completed in just two days. Arraigned on May 4 and ordered on May 6. And at that time the execution was carried out. When the order of execution was announced, Maulana was quite happy. On the way to the killing ground, these verses continued on the tongue But the religion of the Messenger of Allah will remain good The names of kings will be erased but here The name and mark of Panjatan will remain till the end We safiro! There is a rustle in the garden Bubbles will blow, sleep will be left Don’t be fooled by the dress of the atlas and the dream A khaki kafan will be left on this lifeless body Who will read Sahib-i Lulak’s blessings Protected from the fire, his body will remain All will perish until the end Naat-e-Hazrat will speak on tongues Maulana Syed Kafait Ali Kafi Muradabadi was such a great lover of Rasool that even the ruler could not cool down the fire of love. The above mentioned poems are showing the great love and devotion to your Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). Mard-e-Haq Awaz Maulana Kafi gave the message as if he were speaking of the present that life is that which is spent in the love and reverence of Rasool Mukhtar (peace be upon him). Maulana Syed Kafait Ali Kafi has been called “Sultan-i-Naat Goiyan” by Imam Ahmad Raza Muhaddith Barelvi in his poems. The smell is known from the burning of my son It is not a sweet song, it is full of bitterness There are enough recitations of the Sultan, Raza Prime Minister in God willing Aala Hazrat was very impressed by you. It has been mentioned in excellent words at many places in the appendices. The real reason for this spiritual love and relationship can be the similarity between the love of Prophethood and the English opposition. Authors Maulana Kafi was a great writer. The titles of your books of prose and poetry are as follows: Translated by Shamail Tirmidhi Collection of Walking Hadith; arranged Khayaban-e-Firdous The spring of Khald Paradise breeze spring born Passion of love coffee house Tajmul-i Darbar-e-Rahmat [Written on the occasion of Hajj in 1841].
Molana Fazl-e-Haq Khairaba
Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi (1796/1797 – 19 August 1861) was a Hanafi mufti, rational scholar, Maturidi theologian, and poet. He was an activist of the Indian independence movement and campaigned against British colonialism. He issued an early religious edict in favour of doing military jihad against British colonialism during 1857 and inspired various others to participate in the 1857 rebellion. He wrote Tahqeeq al-Fatwa Fi Abtal al-Taghwa in refutation of Ismail Dehlvi‘s Taqwiyat al-Iman and authored books such as al-Saurah al-Hindiyya. Life Fazl-e-Haq was born into a family of Indian Muslims. He was born in 1796 or 1797 in Khairabad, Sitapur. His father was Sadr al-Sadur, the chief advisor to the Mughals regarding religious matters. He became a teacher by the age of 13. In 1828, he was appointed to the position of mufti in the Department of Qaza. Molana Fazl e Haq memorized the Quran in four months only. Besides being a scholar of Islamic studies and theology, he was also a literary persona, especially of Urdu, Arabic and Persian literature. More than 400 couplets in Arabic are attributed to him. He edited the first diwan of Mirza Ghalib on his request. He followed the Hanafi school of thought and was a theologian of the Maturidi school, he was also a poet. On account of his deep knowledge and erudition, he was bestowed with the title of “Allama” and later was venerated as a great Sufi. He was also called the Imam of logic, philosophy and literature. He was considered by scholars to be the final authority on issuing fatwas or religious rulings. He possessed a great presence of mind and was very intelligent. There are many stories about his repartee with Mirza Ghalib and other contemporary eminent poets, writers and intellectuals. He and his son Abdul al-Haq Khairabadi established Madrasa Khairabad in northern India, where many scholars got educated. He wrote Risala-e-Saurah al-Hindiyya in Arabic language and wrote an account of the rebellion called al-Saurah al-Hindiyya. Fatwas against Wahhabi and Deobandi beliefs Khairabadi, in his career, had written various Masnavis against Wahhabis. In 1825, Khairabadi issued fatwas against Ismail Dehlvi for his doctrine of God’s alleged ability to lie (Imkan al-Kidhb). Ismail is considered as an intellectual ancestor of Deobandis. Darul Uloom Deoband founder Rashid Ahmad Gangohi later accepted Dehlvi’s doctrines of Imkan al-Kidhb by stating that God has the ability to lie. This doctrine is called Imkan al-Kidhb. According to this doctrine, because God is omnipotent, God is capable of lying. Gangohi supported the doctrine that God has the ability to make additional prophets after Muhammad (Imkan al-Nazir) and other prophets equal to Muhammad. Allama Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi refuted these theories and wrote that, according to the Qur’an and Hadith, Muhammad is the final prophet, and there can be no other prophet or “messenger” after him. To believe that there can be another Muhammad would necessitate that Allah did something apart from what he has stated in the Qur’an, that is, that Allah has lied. Lying is a flaw, and it is impossible for Allah to have a flaw. Literary works Khairabadi wrote Tahqeeq al-Fatwa Fi Abtal al-Taghwa refuting Ismail Dehlvi’s Taqwiyat al-Iman. His other works include: al-Hidayah al-Sayyidiyya al-Raudh al-Majud : Maslahi Wahdat al-Wujud Ki Buland Payah Takhliq al-Ḥashiyya lil-Mawlawi Fazl e Haq Khairabadi ʻala Sharh al-Salam lil-Qadi Mubarak al-Saurah al-Hindiyya Personal life He was Farooqui. His father was Imam Fazl-e-Iman. One of his sons, Abdul Haq, was also a leading and respected scholar and was given the title of Shams al-Ulama. His grandson was Muztar Khairabadi. Renowned poet and lyricist Jan Nisar Akhtar was his great-grandson and Javed Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar all are his descendants. Among his sons, Abdul Haq Khairabadi was a rational scholar and a teacher of Majid Ali Jaunpuri. Molana Fazl e Haq Khair Abadi was the Mureed of Great sufi Saint Hazrat Shah Dhooman Dehlvi (Tazkira Ulema e Hind) (Khairabad is a town in the Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh state of India.It is 8 km from Sitapur on National Highway 24 in the Awadh region of India, about 80 km from the state capital Lucknow. A Municipal board conducts the affairs of the town.) Death He stayed for 22 months in captivity at Andaman, Allama wrote a number of eyewitness accounts in the form of verses in Arabic (Qaseeda), apart from a book al-Saurah al-Hindiyya which is an analysis of the war and events of 1857. This is also the first ever book on the events of 1857. Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi died on August 19, 1861, in exile on the Andaman Islands.
