Shams Ur Rehman Alavi
Do you know that a Viceroy was killed on Indian soil during the freedom movement?Though many other revolutionary freedom fighters are remembered, but the name of Sher Ali who was behind the assassination that had shaken the British empire, is mostly forgotten.
In fact, Sher Ali's name barely finds a mention in media. Forget textbooks, the voluminous studies also have his name just in a passing mention or as part of a footnote.
It was in February 1872, when this revolutionary who had been sent to Andaman Islands [Kala Pani], assassinated Lord Mayo, the viceroy who was on a visit to the Andamans where the freedom fighters were kept incarcerated.
Richard Bourke was the 6th Earl of Mayo and Viceroy of India. He was visiting the Andaman along with high ranking officials and security personnel, when Sher Ali stabbed him to death.
When asked why he murdered the viceroy, the man from Tirah valley of Khyber said that 'Khuda ne hukm diya, is waste kiyaa'.
He was charged with murder and hanged on Viper islands the next year. Revolutionaries wanted to overthrow the imperial rule through force, as the felt it was by deceit and military might that the East Indian company had snatched their liberty.
He was charged with murder and hanged on Viper islands the next year. Revolutionaries wanted to overthrow the imperial rule through force, as the felt it was by deceit and military might that the East Indian company had snatched their liberty.
The British had colonized India. The citizens were made second class citizens and India's wealth was looted.
The colonial rulers mistreated Indians and as a result of their policies, everyone including farmers, ordinary citizens and workers, were suffering.
There was no ways in sight for the ordinary Indians to take on the power of the foreign imperialists, then. Sher Ali was among the first in the list of revolutionaries who challenged the might of the empire.
We are aware how Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Chandrashekhar Azad assassinated Saunders. Also, we know that Madanlal Dhingra in England assassinated William Hutt, but there is less focus on the role of Sher Ali.
British rule brought misery to India. Forcing people to cultivate particular crop or changing policies carelessly in different sectors, caused upheaval and affected citizens.
Millions died in famines during British era. The tyranny and torture that started after 1857, shook Indiana.
Today, assassinations are seen differently but it was colonial era, Indians were treated as second class citizens, they were exploited and brutalized.
The freedom fighters were fighting the imperialists in different ways. But the fact remains that Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar Azad and Madanlal Dhingra are heroes in India.
Their sacrifices are taught in texts, every child is aware of their role, and annually they are paid homage. However, Sher Ali was ignored though his act had no parallel and it was a big blow to British Empire.
Book on Sher Ali and his role in Indian independence. READ
Here is the Link to the Wikimapia image [the map] of the coast of Andaman where 135 years ago this incident had occurred.
Also, link to an editorial page article on Sher Ali.
NOTE: This article was written in 2007, on the 150th anniversary of India's first freedom struggle or war of independence that hsd taken place in 1857.
[Above photo of Sher Ali on the left and the place on Viper Isles where he was hanged]
