Background:

When Syed Ahmad was born it was the time when the Muslims of India were facing downfall by
the hands of the British, Sikhs, and Hindus after such a glorious past. The social contacts with
the Hindus gave vogue to many whimsical and un-Islamic customs which struck at the root of
the fundamentals of Islam and slowly weakened its hold in India.
He launched his struggle against the enemies of Islam which were becoming fatal threat to the
survival of Islam. His main struggle was against the Sikhs of the Punjab who were becoming
biggest hindrance in the way of survival of Islam in Punjab and North Frontier regions of India.
His main aim was to establish a Muslim state in Peshawar region but his dream could not
materialized after his martyrdom in Balakot region in a battle against Sikhs. He was the initiator
of famous Jihad movement or Mujahedeen Movement against Sikhs. He was a follower of Shah
Abdul Aziz son of great Muslim reformist Shah Walliullah.

Early life:
Syed Ahmad, who was born on the 1st of Muharram 1201 A.H. (October 24, 1786),
Syed Ahmad shaheed Brailvi was born near Lucknow in the small town of Rai Bareli in 1786.
His father passed away whilst he was young and in 1806 he traveled to Delhi and enrolled in
the Madrassa he became a disciple of Shah Abdul Aziz, son of Shah Waliullah Dehlawi. Syed
Ahmad Berelvi spent his child hood in his home town and at 18 he went to Delhi College for
further education He learned Quran and Hadith for two years under the knowledge of shah
Waliullah sons. He was more a man of action than scholar. 1812 , at the age of 24, he set out for
Tonk he joined the army of Nawab Ameer Khan Tonak of Northern India in order to take part in
Jihad against the British. In that era Syed Ahmad shaheed Brailvi learned how to use modern
European Weapon. He was given command of a group of soldiers due to his abilities. His piety
made him responsible for leading troops in prayer. He returned to Delhi in 1817. He went
to Arabia in 1821 where he received a spiritual experience and met many Islamic scholars,
Ulemma, and thinkers, he stayed there for 2 years,he got knowledge of religion Islam
under Sheikh Abdul wahab. .  He came back with many new ideas and knowledge about the
Islamic movements going on in all over the world. On 6th August 1823 he came back to India
after that he devoted himself for the religious and social reformation of the Muslims of India. . He
strived to revive the glory of Islam and wanted to implement Sharia rather than clinging to
Sufism. He denied and refused to support Bida (innovation) and supported “Tauhid”
In 1815, he again arrived in Delhi. His period of preparation was over. Now he was a mature man of
experience possessing rare spiritual gifts. The two outstanding luminaries of Shah Abdul Aziz’s family-Shah
Ismail, his nephew, and Maulana Abdul Haiy, his son-in-law,-accepted Syed Ahmad as their spiritual guide. His
enrolment as a spiritual disciple of these luminaries of the House of Shah Waliullah, enhanced Syed Ahmad’s
prestige, with the result that people began to flock around him in large numbers for spiritual guidance. His
proclaimed objective was to restore Islam to its pristine purity and to cleanse it of all oriental and Hindu
influences

Syed Ahmed’s Aim & Objectives as A Muslim: - The purpose of Syed Ahmed’s life & struggle was
not only confined to the spread of Islam by preaching & persuasions but he believed in taking practical
steps for this purpose. The main purpose before Syed Ahmed & his followers was the establishment of a
state, which was based on the Islamic principles. His approach to freedom was based on the armed
struggle & confrontation against the foreign (British) & non-Muslim forces.
Religious services:
Tahriq-i-Muhhamdiyah”
. He was the founder of a revolutionary Islamic movement called “Tahriq-i-Muhhamdiyah” and
he was named as “Amir-al-Muminin” by his followers

Syed Ahmed’s Jihad Movement:

During his stay in Rampur, Syed Ahmad came into contact with certain Afghans coming from Kabul, who
related to his stories of Sikh atrocities committed on Muslims of North-Western India. The Sikhs had
extinguished the religious freedom of Muslims inhabiting that region. They were prohibited from
calling ‘Azan’ and offering prayers in congregation. Enraged at the brutalities of Sikhs, he resolved to wage
Jihad against them after his return from the holy pilgrimage to Makkah, whither he proceeded in 1821,
accompanied by a large party.
. He sent Shah Ismail and Maulvi Abdul Haiy to different parts of the country to inform the people of his
intentions to wage a holy war against the Sikhs, in whose territories the life, honor and religion of Muslims,
had been gravely threatened. His appeal received an overwhelming response and a large number of persons
volunteered themselves for the holy war

Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barailvi Started his Jihad Movement” from Punjab & N.W.F.P. The Punjab was
under sikh ruler Ranjit Singh who had imposed tax on beard, banned “Azaan” & other religious activities
of the Muslims. The Punjab also seemed a logical location from which to start a Jihad as it was the only
area in the subcontinent not under muslim or British control. In addition, because the Afghan & Pathan
tribes would be ready to assist them, there was no danger of being surrounded on both sides by hostile
forces. Syed ahmed visited towns around the Punjab & the united provinces to whip up support & was
joined by notable Muslim support (shah ismail shaheed, grand son of shah waliullah.

War against the Sikh:

When the military action began, some Muslim nawabs, like his former employer Amir Khan had
provided funds but did not join Syed Ahmad for Jihad. Around 8,000 Mujahideen (holy-
warriors) accompanied him, mostly consisting of clergymen and poor people. The rulers of
Tonk, Gwalior and Rampur had supported him with British consent because they were dependent
on British forces and they knew well enough that the British would not stop them from aiding an
enemy of a nation they would soon be at war with.
Arriving in Peshawar valley in late 1826, Syed Ahmad and his followers made their base
in towns of Hund and Zaida in Swabi District. Syed Ahmad called upon the local Pashtun
tribes to wage Jihad, and demanded that they renounce their tribal customs and adopt
the Sharia (Islamic law). The traditional khans were replaced by Wahhabi-style
reformist ulama (Islamic scholars) and a system of Islamic taxes was established to
finance the jihad. Soon after this evangelist campaign and the establishment of
the sharia system, jihad was declared. He sent an ultimatum to the ruler of the Sikh
Empire Ranjit Singh, demanding:
"either become a Muslim, pay Jizyah or fight and remember that in case of
war, Yaghistan supports the Indians".
The Mujahideen were educated with both theological doctrines and physical training sessions.
Syed Ahmad organized wrestling, archery training and shooting competitions.
The mujahideen also chanted several Islamic anthems. One such popular anthem have survived,
known as "Risala Jihad".

Battle of Akora:-
The assault took place on December 21, 1826, in which the Sikhs, despite their numerical superiority in men
and arms, were completely routed. They retired leaving 700 dead on the battlefield.

In December 1826, Syed Ahmad and his followers clashed with Sikh troops
at Akora with some success. On 11 January 1827, allegiance was sworn on his hand
and he was declared Caliph and Imam. Syed Ahmad’s claim to Khilafah was viewed with
suspicion in the Frontier region as well as in the clerical circles of North India. When
the Jumu'ah (Friday prayer) sermon was read in his name, symbolising his claim to
power, the tribal chiefs became wary. According to prominent Pathan Sardars like Khadi
Khan, Maulvis were ill-equipped to run the affairs of a state. In response to the
criticisms, Sayyid Ahmad asserted that his aim was not material but to lead a jihad (holy
war) against Kuffar (infidels). Defending his claim to Caliphate, Sayyid Ahmad writes:
"We thank and praise God, the real master and the true king, who bestowed upon his
humble, recluse and helpless servant the title of Caliphate, first through occult gestures
and revelations, in which there is no room for doubt, and then by guiding the hearts of
the believers towards me. This way God appointed me as the Imam (leader)... the person
who sincerely confesses to my position is special in the eyes of God, and the one who
denies it is, of course sinful. My opponents who deny me of this position will be
humiliated and disgraced".
Apart from the rebellious Pashtun chieftains, Sayyid Ahmad also faced strong opposition
from Sufi clerical establishment. Throghout their armed activities during 1820s and
1830s, Mujahidin engaged in ideological and physical conflict with the Naqshbandi-
Mujaddidis and various Sufi orders such as Qadiris, Chishtis, etc. Excommunicating the
opponents of the Jihad movement as apostates and obliging all Muslims to fight
them, Shah Ismail Dehlvi, the faithful commander of Sayyid Ahmad wrote:
"..therefore, obedience to Syed Ahmad is obligatory on all Muslims. Whoever does not
accept the leadership of His Excellency or rejects it after accepting it, is an apostate and
mischievous, and killing him is part of the jihad as is the killing of the disbelievers.
Therefore, the appropriate response to opponents is that of the sword and not the pen".
Popularity of jehad movement:
Enforcement of sharriah
Conspiracy against mujahedeen:
Battle of Balakot: Syed Ahmad's political and religious power created strong
opposition against him in the Frontier region and the locals started to revolt. The decisive
moments for Syed Ahmad came in 1830. The Pukhtuns rose against him and around two
hundred Mujahidin were killed in the Peshawar valley which compelled him to migrate and
try his luck in Kashmir, his long-cherished dream.
before the end of 1830, an organized uprising again occurred and the soldiers of Syed Ahmad
in Peshawar and the villages of the plain were murdered and the movement was forced to
retreat to the hills. There in the town of Balakot in 1831, Syed Ahmad was killed by the Sikh
Army
On 6 May 1831, on the day of Jumu'ah 23 Zulqa'da 1246 AH, Syed Ahmad Barelvi's
Mujahideen forces prepared for the final battle at Balakot Maidan in the mountainous valley of
Mansehra district. An ill-equipped army of 1,000 Mujahideen faced a 12,000 strong force
of Banduqchis led by the Sikh commander Sher Singh. On that day Syed Ahmed, Shah Ismail
and prominent leaders of the Wahhabi movement fell fighting in the battlefield. Out of the 10,000
Mujahideen, 9000 died and Sikh casualties were 5000 deaths. Sikh victory at Balakot arose
jubilation in Lahore. The British government also congratulated Ranjit Singh in his victory. The
defeat at Balakot made a devastating blow to the Wahhabi movement.

Death:
, Sikh soldiers dug up the grave of Syed Ahmad Barelvi and threw his dead body into the
river. It was never found as the water in the Kunhar river flows too fast in that area.

Causes of Failure of Jihad Movement:-

1. After the successes in the wars against Sikhs, Ranjit Singh created disruption in the camp of the
Mujahideen through his agents who called the reforms of Syed Ahmed as UnIslamic.A conspiracy
was hatched against, the movement & an attempt was made on the life of Syed Ahmed by
poisoning him, which he survived. Sardar Yar Muhammad was bribed to betray to Syed Ahmed &
joined the Sikhs against Mujahideen.Some misunderstanding arose between the pathans & the
Mujahideen & the Pathans now deserted the Movement.

2. Syed Ahmed was still hopeful & he now shifted his headquarters to Balakot. He met the Sikhs
again in 1831 at Balakot. A serve & courageous battle took place where Syed Ahmed, Shah Ismail &
many of the Mujahideen lost their lives.

3. Lack of cooperation between the followers of Syed Ahmed & local Pathan tribes.

4. Lack of proper funds to provide for different expenses of the Movement.

5. Poor war equipment.

6. Lack of proper military training in the Mujahideen fighters.

7. After capturing Peshawar, Syed Ahmed tried to introduce Islamic system of Government, which
out down the influence of Tribal chiefs & thus created dissatisfaction.