Mujahidin Movements:

In the history of Sub-Continent Jihad Movement (Tehreek Mujahideen) is considered a

milestone. This movement was not only for the revival of Jihad for the destruction of British rule
in India but also for the purification of Muslim Society.

Founder of Mujahideen Movement: Syed Ahmed Barailvi the founder of this movement
was the inheritor of the mantle of Shah Abdul Aziz. He was born on October 24, 1786 in a
respectable family of Rai Barily.

Beginning of Career:

Beginning of Career: From the very beginning he had an inclination of becoming a solider rather
than endeavoring to become renowned scholar or mystic as did his predecessors. Syed Abmed
began his career as a Sawar in the service of Nawab Amir Khan, the ruler of Tonk in 1810.
During his service Syed Ahmed learnt military discipline and strategy which made him a great
military commander in the years to come.

Beginning of Jihad Movement:

Syed Ahmed was extremely dismayed to see the decline of the Muslims in their religious and
ideological commitments. He earnestly desired to see the restoration of the supremacy of Islam
in India. The purpose of his life and struggle was not confined to the spread of Islam by
preaching only, but he believed in taking practical steps for this purpose. The main objective
before Syed Ahmed was the establishment of a state which was based on Islamic principles. In
1823, he started Jihad Movement. Preparation for Jihad against Sikhs: In the time of Syed
Ahmed Punjab was ruled by the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh who was regarded as an autocratic and
tyrannical King. The Muslims heavily suffered under his tyrannical rule and were denied liberty
and freedom to perform and practice their religion. The N.W.F.P. had also fallen to the Sikh
domination and was included in the Sikh regime. The holy places of the Muslims i.e. mosques
shrines were turned into temples and stables, by the Sikh regime. Azan was forbidden and the
religious practices of the Muslims were interrupted frequently.

Syed Ahmed did not confine himself to Delhi but also visited the neighbouring places. During
one of his visits to Rampur, some Afghans complained to him about the wide-scale persecution
of the Muslims by the Sikh regime Syed Ahmed decided to launch his Jihad movement against
the Sikh regime on his return from Haj. Syed. Ahmed left for Makkah in 1821 along with
Maulana Ismail Shaheed, Maulana Abdul Haye and a large number of followers and admirers to
perform Haj. Syed Ahmed performed haj and remained absent for nearly two years. They
returned to Delhi and the preparation for Jihad against the Sikhs began.

Objectives of Jihad Movement: Following were the objectives of Jihad Movement:

1. Establishment of Islamic Rule in the Sub-Continent and end of Sikh Rule. 2. Reformation of
Muslim Society. 3. Restoration of Jihad. 4. Advice of Simple Ways of Living 5. End of
Innovations in Islam 6. Struggle against the Conspiracies of Christian Missionaries.
Declaration of Jihad: Syed Ahmed believed that if Punjab and N.W.F.P were liberated of
the Sikh domination, the Muslims would regain their old position. He, therefore, picked up
Punjab to begin his Jihad movement against the Sikhs and selected N.W.F.P. to begin his
operation for the elimination of the non-Islamic forces. He directed Maulana Ismail and
Maulana Abdul Haye to march with a party of six thousand followers from Rai Baraily. He
himself set out via other parts of Punjab and Delhi to muster support for his movement.
Syed Ahmed invited the people to join him in Jihad against the unIslamic regime to save the
Muslims of the Sikh domination.
Establishment of War Headquarter:
Syed Sahib reached Nowshera in December, 1826 and established his headquarter. He
sent a message to the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh to embrace Islam or be ready to face the
Muajahideen in the battle-field. Ranjit Singh turned down the offer scornfully and expressed
a high degree of disdain for Islam and the Muslims.
Akora Fight:
Syed Ahmed began his Jihad against the Sikhs by challenging the army at Akora on 21st
December 1826. The Sikhs had gathered a strong force at Akora under General Budh
Singh. The fight at Akora was a night assault when nearly 900 Muslims pounced on the
sleeping Sikhs. It was a successful mission and heavy loss was inflicted on the Sikhs. Budh
Singh being extremely demoralized decided to withdraw from Akora.
Hazro Fight:
In 1827 the Mujahideen fought second battle at Hazro which too was a great success. This
success encouraged the Mujahideens and they became poised to fight for Islam.
Gorilla Activities:
From 1827 to 1831, the Mujahideen started gorilla activities against Sikhs and
inflicted great losses upon them
Occupation of Peshawar:
Syed Ahmed set out for Kashrnir and Peshawar. The Sikhs under the French
General Ventura saved Peshawar and handed it over to Sultan Muhammad Khan
the brother of Yar Muhammad Khan. Syed Ahmed reached Hazara Hills and
attacked the Sikh forces under Man Singh and General Allard. This assault was
repulsed. However, Syed Ahmed made another assault on Peshawar which was
successful. Sultan Muhammad Khan, who was fighting against the Mujahideen was
arrested and pardoned by Syed Ahmed. Syed Ahmed occupied Peshawar in 1830.
In November, 1831, after nearly two months of occupation of Peshawar, Syed
Ahmed withdrew from Peshawar in favour of Sultan Muhammad Khan who promised
to pay a fixed amount to the Mujahideen as tribute
Balakot Fight and Martyrdom of Syed Ahmed:
After relinquishing Peshawar, Syed Ahmed shifted to Balakot and began his
movement from Rajauri in 1831. Balakot is a small town in the Mansehra division
and falls in the Hazara district. The Mujahideen were attacked by the Sikh army
under the command of General Sher Singh. A fierce battle was fought between the
Sikhs and the Muslims. The Mujahideen fought bravely but could not stand the much
stronger and superior forces. The Muslims were defeated in the battle in which Syed
Ahmed Shaheed, Shah Ismail Shaheed and many other followers of Syed Sahib laid
their lives and died as martyrs while fighting for the cause of Islam.
With the death of Syed Ahmed the Jihad movement could not be carried out
with the old enthusiasm. The Jihad movement did not die after defeat at Balakot.
Some of his disciples struggled to continue the movement and were successful to a
certain extent. But the movement extremely lacked in organized leadership after
Syed‟s death and, therefore could not be conducted for a long time.
Causes of Failure:
Although Jihad Movement was a sincere effort for the restoration of Islamic
glory in the Sub-Continent yet it met with failure for the following reasons:
1. Lack of proper training of Mujahideen
2. Lack of funds and Equipment
3. Well equipped and large Sikh Army
4. Deceit of Pathan Chiefs
5. Local Controversies on Implementation of Tax after the Establishment of
Khilafat
6. Sikh Conspiracies and Secret Opposition of The British
7. Lack of Leadership after the Martyrdom of Syed Ahmed and Shah Ismail
Conclusion:
No doubt Jihad Movement remained unsuccessful but it affected the Muslim
Mentality on a large scale. Mujahideen fought for the cause of Islam even
without proper training and sufficient equipment. Their sacrifices not only
inspired the Muslims to think about the renaissance of Islam but also made
them aware of the prevailing political situations in the Sub-Continent. In short
we can say Tehreek Mujahideen paved the way for the Muslim struggle for
freedom.