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Question

Shariatullah Khan was a part of the ______ against the British.

The correct answer is

Farazi/Faraizi Movement

Understanding Shariatullah Khan and Anti-British Movements

The question asks about the movement Shariatullah Khan was involved in against the British. To answer this, we need to identify which of the listed movements is historically associated with Shariatullah Khan and his activities opposing British rule and influence.

Shariatullah Khan and the Farazi Movement

Shariatullah Khan (1781-1840) was a prominent figure in the socio-religious reform movement that later developed into a resistance movement against oppressive landlords and the British. This movement is known as the Farazi Movement. The term 'Farazi' comes from 'Faraiz', meaning obligatory duties in Islam. The movement's initial focus was on reforming the religious practices of Muslims in Eastern Bengal, urging them to adhere strictly to the fundamental obligations of Islam.

Over time, the Farazi Movement led by Shariatullah Khan and later by his son, Dudhu Miyan, took on a strong anti-landlord and anti-British stance. They challenged the illegal cesses imposed by landlords (often Hindu landlords) and the British indigo planters. Dudhu Miyan organized the peasantry and asserted that land belonged to God, and therefore no one had the right to levy taxes on it.

Their activities, which included agrarian resistance and challenging the established authority that was backed by the British, clearly placed the Farazi Movement in opposition to the British power structure and its beneficiaries in the region.

Analysis of Other Options

  • Faqir/Fakir Rebellion: This rebellion, led by figures like Majnu Shah and Chirag Ali Shah, occurred in Bengal primarily in the late 18th century. While it was also against British rule and local oppressors, Shariatullah Khan is not historically associated with leading this specific rebellion.
  • Wahabi Movement: The Wahabi Movement in India, primarily led by Syed Ahmed Barelvi in the early 19th century, had a broader scope, aiming for religious purification and jihad against oppressive rulers (including the British, particularly in the Punjab region against the Sikhs initially, which later expanded to include British territories). While sharing some anti-British sentiment, Shariatullah Khan and the Farazi Movement are distinct from the main Indian Wahabi movement led by Syed Ahmed.
  • Sanyasi Rebellion: The Sanyasi Rebellion took place in Bengal in the late 18th century, involving Hindu ascetics (Sanyasis) and Muslim Fakirs who revolted against British economic policies, particularly restrictions on pilgrimage and unfair revenue collection. Shariatullah Khan was not a leader of the Sanyasi Rebellion.

Based on historical records, Shariatullah Khan founded and led the Farazi Movement, which actively resisted the British and the landlords who collaborated with them in Bengal.

Conclusion

Shariatullah Khan was the founder of the Farazi Movement. This movement was a significant agrarian and religious movement in Bengal that eventually took a strong stand against oppressive landlords and the British authorities who supported them. Therefore, Shariatullah Khan was a part of the Farazi Movement against the British.

Key Anti-British Movements in Bengal
Movement Key Leaders Period (Approx.) Focus/Opponent
Sanyasi Rebellion Majnu Shah, Chirag Ali, Musa Shah, Devi Chaudhurani Late 18th Century British rule, economic policies
Faqir Rebellion Majnu Shah, Chirag Ali Shah Late 18th Century British rule, economic policies
Wahabi Movement (India) Syed Ahmed Barelvi, Vilayet Ali, Enayet Ali Early to Mid 19th Century Sikhs (initially), British, religious reform
Farazi Movement Shariatullah Khan, Dudhu Miyan Early to Mid 19th Century British rule, oppressive landlords, religious reform

Revision Table: Shariatullah Khan & Farazi Movement

Reviewing the key facts about Shariatullah Khan and his movement:

  • Leader: Shariatullah Khan (founder), later Dudhu Miyan.
  • Movement Name: Farazi Movement (or Faraizi Movement).
  • Region: Primarily Eastern Bengal.
  • Period: Started in early 19th century (around 1818).
  • Goals: Religious reform (adherence to Faraiz), socio-economic justice for peasants.
  • Opposition: Hindu landlords, indigo planters, and the British government which supported the landlords and planters.

Additional Information: Impact of Farazi Movement

The Farazi Movement, under Shariatullah Khan and especially his son Dudhu Miyan, had a significant impact on the rural population of Eastern Bengal. Dudhu Miyan was particularly effective in organizing the peasants and challenging the authority of the zamindars (landlords). He established a system of village organization and collective resistance. The movement instilled a sense of unity and resistance among the Muslim peasantry against exploitation by landlords and the colonial administration. While primarily focused on Bengal, it was one of several regional movements that reflected growing discontent against British rule and its associated economic structures in 19th century India.

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Important Questions from Religious Movements

  1. Andal, a Bhakti saint was associated to which of the following religious sects?

  2. Whose greatest achievement was the setting up of the Brahmo Samaj?

  3. Who started the Satnami movement in central India to improve the social status of leather workers?

  4. In which of the following years was the ninth Guru of the Sikhs, Shri Guru Teg Bahadur executed by Aurangzeb?

  5. Sikh Gurudwara Act was passed in _______ giving control to Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee as the main body.

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