Great Freedom Fighters of India: Revolutionaries who were hanged for the role in independence movement during the British rule

Mohammad Abdullah who was hanged 

By Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

The role of revolutionaries in creating the awakening among masses and their sacrifices for the motherland, can never be forgotten. 

The fact is that martyrs were the real heroes--those who hanged and happily went to gallows for the cause of freedom. 

Remember, it was an era when Indians were treated like slaves and there were large-scale killings after 1857. 

Even in later years, the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and Qissakhwani Bazar Killings, had infuriated Indians. 

After 1857, freedom movement saw participation of hundreds of such patriots who were willing to give their life for the cause of independence.

Mohammad Abdullah had assassinated the judge who was known for giving harsh sentence to freedom fighters, especially, the revolutionaries. History books mention that John Paxton Norman was assassinated by Mohammad Abdullah. 

The incident took place in Kolkata (then, Calcutta). The judge John Paxton Norman was known for harsh sentences on freedom fighters and revolutionaries. Historians, for this reason, mention that the revolutionaries despite strong repressive measures, preferred to die but remained committed to the cause of freedom. 

Sir Paxton Norman was acting chief justice of Calcutta High Court in 1871. Abdullah was later hanged. His portraits adorn museums and homes, now. Just like later years freedom fighters and revolutionaries who wanted the atrocities to end, and took up initiative--Bhagat Singh and Rajguru killed Saunders, and got hanged, the flame of resistance continued to burn. 

Each such incident and martyrdom in the era--every hanging and freedom fighter shot or killed, was a major event and it led to the rise in nationalistic fervour and as a result created awakening among the people. 

The list of martyrs and revolutionaries is long from Tatya Tope to  Azimullah, Sher Ali, Bhagat Singh, Ashfaqullah, Rajguru, Madanlal Dhingra, Mohammad Abdullah to Chandrashekhar Azad and many others.

READ: Sher Ali, revolutionary freedom fighter who assassinated Viceroy, got hanged

Revolutionary freedom fighter Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi who was jailed in Andaman Nicobar: Exiled, died in prison, buried in Port Blair

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

Revolutionary freedom fighter Allama Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi who had given an open call for armed struggle against British, in the capital of India, rests in eternal sleep in his grave in Andaman Nicobar where he was exiled.

Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi had given this open call in Delhi, also giving the speech after over 14,000 soldiers had arrived, soon after uprising in Meerut and Awadh. He had issued the diktat at Jama Masjid. 

The widely respected scholar and author had taken upon himself the role to exhort Indians to fight the British. In fact, soon after reports of rebellion came, he had left Alwar and arrived in Delhi. He took part in framing the constitution for the the rebel army that had now set up administration in Delhi. 

In 1815-16, he had joined royal service. A farsighted man, as early as in 1826, he had petitioned to the Emperor Akbar Shah II [Saani], as a people's representative. In this Persian letter, he had mentioned how Company rule was crushing the people, and this was resulting in misery, loss of jobs.

He wrote that how trade was captured by foreign 'taajirs'--from cloth to horses, everything was in their hands and also gave insight about farmers' poor condition. Besides, wrote about the situation that had actually arisen due to Metcalfe's orders--thehardships in Delhi and around. This gives an indication about Allama Fazl Haq Khairabadi's vision.

In 1831, he had left Delhi for Jhajjhar. Zafar was now the Emperor and he was saddened to see him leave. He served at top posts in several princely states and made valuable suggestions to Mirza Ghalib, about his divan. 

From 1857 to 1859, he remained active from Delhi to Awadh, however, he was finally captured. He was made to face trial. A man of conviction, he said, 'I issued the fatwa and I stand by it'. His property was seized and he was sent to Kala Pani i.e. Andaman Nicobar islands. 

In the 'Sage journal' article, Jamal Malik, points out how Fazl Haq Khairabadi's role was ignored and his contribution sidelined despite his role and the fact that he drafted the constitution based on democratic ideals. It also cites his prison diary, letters and texts. 

Allama Fazl-e-Haq [also spelt, Allama Fazl Haq Khairabadi, Fazal Haq Khairabadi] was incarcerated and in his jail diaries, he wrote about his sentiments against the East India Company. In the prison in Andaman, he wrote, 'I did not commit any crime, I did not like British who...".

British government considered him one of the biggest threats and he was among the initial freedom fighters who were sent to Kala Pani. One must remember that, 1857 was not mutiny, but revolution across North India. 

People from all cross-sections were part of it--farmers, land owners, artisans, religious leaders, workers, sepoys. In 1857, when the revolution began, he was in Alwar. Allama came to know about situation in Meerut and Delhi. Hence, he returned to Delhi. 

Due to his stature and authority, there was massive support in favour of the rebels. He had also told last Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar that royal employees were inefficient and that there was need to ensure food supply. 

Born in 1797, Fazl Haq Khairabadi was son of Allama Fazl Imam Faruqi Khairabadi, who was Sadr-us-Sudoor, Delhi, a scholar of immense repute and who wrote 'Muraqqat' on Ilm-e-Mantiq. Fazle Haq Khairabadi learnt from his father, also from Abdul Qadir Muhaddis Dehlvi and Shah Abdul Aziz Mohaddis Dehlvi. 

He quit royal service as he was not happy with the way things were going on, and he joined the court of the Ruler of Jhajhar, Nawab Faiz Mohammad Khan. Later, he went to Alwar. Subsequently, stayed in Saharanpur and also Tonk. Later, in Lucknow, where he was posted as Sadar-us-Sudoor. 

In 1856, he met great freedom fighter Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah Madrasi. Allama wrote several famous books. He also wrote his memoir in Andaman, which reached India through Mufti Inayat Ahmad Kakorvi. In 1857, when General Bakht Khan arrived with his army of 14,000 from Bareilly, Allama gave the speech at Jama Masjid. This created a stir. 

Soon tens of thousands of soldiers gathered. There were several reasons that led to the failure of the first war of independence and this included treachery as well. However, Delhi fell, finally, and he reached Oudh in 1858. Subsequently, he was arrested. 

On January 30, 1859, he was arrested and accused of inciting Indians to rise against the British. On October 8, 1859, the ship Fire Queen took him along with other freedom fighters to Andaman. He died in 1861. He was 64,

The great revolutionary was buried in Nicobar islands. The Andaman Nicobar waqf board takes care of the grave that is visited by lot of people who pay respects to this great soul of India. Locals also organise the Urs annually. In Khairabad too, tributes are paid to him on his birth and death anniversaries.

Abdul Shahid Sherwani mentions that as per his son's will that after the British would leave India, Najmul Hasan Razwi and a big crowd reached the grave on August 15, 1947, and organised an event--milad and recital of fatiha, paid respect to the valiant revolutionary.

[Photo shows location of his mazar in Andaman. Inset, Allama Fazl Haq Khairabadi. Photo of poet Chander Bhan Khayal paying tributes to the revolutionary. The phorotgraph of mazaar, courtesy Mohammed Obaid Khan.]

Revolutionary freedom fighter Tatya Tope was hanged 150 years ago: Remembering the hero of 1857, the first freedom movement of India

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

The hero of first war of independence, guerrilla warrior and freedom fighter Commander Tatya Tope was executed exactly 150 years ago. 

The anniversary of his death passed without any notable event or mention to this legendary figure of the War against imperialist forces. 

It was on April 18, 1859 that this great figure who had traversed across Central and North India, fighting the British forces and uniting the rebel sepoys, died. 

He was sent to gallows by a Kangaroo court soon after he was arrested. Tatya Tope was hanged to death in Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh when he was just 45. 

Along with Nana Sahib, Azimullah Khan, Ahmadullah Shah, Kunwar Singh, General Bakht Khan, Azizan, Begun Hazrat Mahal and other heroes, he is among the tallest figures of grand Indian struggle to the Company rule. 

After the spark of Meerut spread across the country, the soldiers of East India Company had joined the revolution and Tatya had become the Commander-in-Chief of the fores. He had witnessed the entire war [termed as mutiny by British], wrested Kanpur and Kalpi, reached Jhansi where their [and Rani Laxmi Bai] joint armies had defeated British forces to proclaim independence.  

Though the British re-captured it later, Tatya kept organising bands of fighters, criss-crossed the entire Bundelkhand, Central India and United Provinces from Bharatpur [in present day Rajasthan] to Bithur and beyond. He fought up to Narmada, Betwa rivers and went as far as South towards Khandesh to keep flame of revolution alive. 

The marathon march of Tatya is extraordinary by any standards: From Gwalior to Jora Alipore, crossing Chambal river, reaching Tonk and later Bundi, then passing Bhhilwara, Kankroli and Jahlrapatan to reah Rajgarh, Biaora, Sironj, Chanderi, Isagarh, Khurai, Bagrod, Rajpur. 

Then, crossing Narmada and through Banswara, reaching Zirapur, Indargarh, Sikar and dozens of other towns. Gharib Parwar, Hatim-e-Dauraa.n, Aadil-e-Zamaa.n, Fayyaz-e-Ahad, Shujaat Shoaar, Shrimant Peshwa Bahadur Tatya Sahab Daam-e-Iqbaaluhu [That's how he was addressed in letters].

Quite similar to Tipu Sultan, this brave warriour also ran out of luck. It is believed that his own trusted friend Man Singh had betrayed him. Man Singh of Narwar was promised that if he helped the EIC, he would get his territory back as reward for this service. Ultimately, Tatya Tope was captured. [No surprise. 

After all, Jiwaji Rao Scindia of Gwalior had already decided to support the British though majority of his troops had joined Tatya and Laxmi Bai. But Gwalior's support proved crucial and paved the way for British to capture the country.] 

The rare pictures and portraits of the era including the photographs of the armies of Tatya Tope and Nana Sahib make an impressive sight. They look smart, well-armed sepoys ready to take on the might of the empire. They were mostly the East India Company soldiers who had joined him. 

Tatya Tope spent long time in jungles. The Bitish generals were scared of his guerilla tactics. For a long time he dodged them and had skirmishes with forces. 

But after the betrayal, he was caught on April 7 and brought before the court. During the trial, he said that it was his duty to fight for reclaiming his motherland. 

Within 11 days the Compnay executed him. He asked the hangman to stay away and himself put the noose around his neck. Though there were later speculations that someone else was hanged and Tatya had managed to escape. 

However, it seems to be the optimism among the masses whose spirits had hit an all time low after the failure of the revolution, and wanted to believe that he was still alive and planning for a great battle. 

Tatya Tope, whose real name was Ram Chandra Pandurung Yolekar, was born in 1814. His father had accompanied Peshwa Baji Rao from Pune to Bithur. Young Tatya was just a few inches over 5 feet but his valour made him one of the heroes of the war of 1857. 

He was feared among British forces. Tatya had led the assault on General Havelock's army and defeated it near Ganges. He had battled the armies of Campbell, Major Rock, Homes, Roberts and kept playing hide and seek with British forces even when the Company forces had re-captured most of the areas in other parts of the country. 

No mention in mainstream media, news channels I couldn't find a single report on Tatya Tope on any of the channels on the 150th anniversary of his martyrdom. Isn't it a shame? Twenty20 cricket, Elections and the Celebrity culture seems to have eclipsed every other thing. Remaining slots were occupied by the daily reports about nonsense. 

Though a couple of years back there were a couple of reports about the plight of his descendants living in Bithur, Kanpur and Railway Minister Lalu Yadav had given job with the railways to a family member. 

However, it is sad to see that society remains almost apathetic and the newspapers rarely remind us of such occasions. It's not so unusual as the 150th anniversary of Ghadar had also passed two years back with barely a few seminars and functions to talk about.

Illustrations: [1. Stamp on Tatya Tope 2. The other photograph shows the letter written by Tatya's armymen from Kalpi informing him about their victory over East India Company's forces 3. Pencil sketch of Tatya Tope that was drawn just before he was hanged in Shivpuri. ]