Muslim Reform Movements: Organisation, Leaders, and Societal Impact in 19th Century India

Muslim Reform Movements: Organisation, Leaders, and Societal Impact in 19th Century India #

Muslim Elite’s Power Shift: Impact of British Rule in India #

Elite and educated muslim reform movements in India experienced a sense of power loss. This is because the British took over the Mughals’ empire, and English replaced Persian as the official language of the new bureaucracy and the means of employment.

Major Muslim Reform Movements in India: Bridging Divides in Muslim Society #

Nawab Abdul Latif (1828-1893), who formed the Mohammedan Literary Society of Calcutta in 1863, was one of the first groups to move in this approach. It was crucial in advancing education, especially among Bengali Muslims, and in fostering harmony between Hindus and Muslims. Different reforms take place among muslim reform movements in india which are:

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Name of the Movement	Associated Leaders	Significance
Aligarh Movement (1875)	Sir Syed Ahmad Khan	Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was a firm believer in religion’s essential underlying oneness, often known as ‘practical morality.’ Sir Syed Ahmad Khan also emphasised the inherent similarities between the objectives of Hindus and Muslims. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan founded the Scientific Society to translate English literature on science and other subjects into Urdu in 1862. He also founded an English-Urdu periodical to propagate ideas for social transformation. He founded the Mohammedan Oriental College, which expanded into the Aligarh Muslim University.
Barelvi Movement (1880)	Syed Ahmad Rai Barelvi	He was a firm proponent of puritanical extremism and physical jihadism. He was first influenced by Sufi organisations and Silsilas such as Naqsyabandiyah, Chishtiya, and Qadriyah.
Deoband Movement (1867)	Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi, Rashid Ahmad Gangohi	The followers of the Deoband movement saw Islam as having two primary points: The Shariat (law based on texts and religious knowledge). The Tariqah (religious knowledge) Deobandis embraced Sufism and its different kinds of discipline, as well as the function of the ulama in interpreting Islamic law’s four schools. They rejected certain rites as well as the authority of Pirs who claimed holiness via lineage rather than learning.
Wahabi Movement (1820)	Syed Ahmed Barelvi	It is also referred to as the “Waliullah Movement,” a social and religious reform movement among Muslims that got its start in opposition to Western influences. The leader of the movement Syed Ahmed Barelvi was hailed as the ideal leader (Imam). They played a significant role in instilling anti-British attitudes. The Wahabi resistance was weakened as a result of British military operations on the Wahabi base at Sithana in the 1860s and numerous court cases alleging sedition against the Wahabis; yet, sporadic engagements with the government continued into the 1880s and 1890s.
Ahmadiyya Movement (1889)	Mirza Ghulam Ahmad	The Ahmadiyya is a Muslim group that emerged in India. The Ahmadiyya movement, similar to the Brahmo Samaj, was established on the principles of a universal religion for all people and rejected jihad (holy war against non-Muslims). This is the only Islamic community that believes the Messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, came to end religious strife and bloodshed and to restore morality, peace, and justice.
Titu Mir’s movement (1831)	Titu Mir, also known as Mir Nithar Ali.	He adopted Wahhabism and advocated the Sharia. Bengal’s Muslim peasants were organized by Titu Mir to rebel against their primarily Hindu landlords and the British indigo growers.
Ahrar Movement (1910)	Hasan Imam, Maulana Zafar Ali Khan, Maulana Muhammad Ali, Hakim Ajmal Khan, and Mazhar-ul-Haq	This movement opposed the loyalist policies of the Aligarh movement. Influenced by modern ideas of self-government. They advocated active participation in the nationalist movement.
Faraizi movement (1818)	Haji Shariatullah	This movement sought to make Muslims in the area more aware of their obligations as Muslims and to eradicate any social innovations or un-Islamic activities among them. It was prevalent in East Bengal. From 1840 on, the Faraizi movement under Dudu Mian’s direction evolved into a revolutionary movement.

Conclusion #

The entire populace had an awakening during the nineteenth century, not just Hindus and Muslims. Many reformers stood up to confront religious wrongdoing and spread the word about the greatness of Indian philosophy and culture. National pride, self-reliance, and respect for oneself were encouraged.

Muslim Reform Movements in India FAQs #

Q1. What function did Syed Ahmed Khan serve in the Islamic Reformation?

Ans. Sayyid Ahmad Khan (1817–98) was a muslim reform movement in India who believed in modern education and science. He fought against ignorance and tradition and believed that assimilating Western knowledge would improve Muslims’ lives.

Q2. The Wahhabi movement was what?

Ans. The Wahhabi movement, founded by Shah Walliullah, aimed to cleanse Islam and bring it back to its original simplicity. It was a reaction to Western influences and centered on the Quran and Hadith.

Q3. What is India’s socio religious reform movement?

Ans. The Arya Samaj, Brahmo Samaj, and others were 19th century social and religious reform movements.

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