Revolutionary freedom fighter Turrrebaz Khan and the soldiers who led attack on British Residency: Independence Movement's Martyrs in Hyderabad

 

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

Tura Baz Khan alias Turrebaz Khan was the fearless revolutionary who led the audacious attack on British residency in Hyderabad. 

This heroic act and the supreme sacrifice of soldiers, had caused a stir in the entire region, during the first war of Independence in 1857. 

The attack was planned in order to free the rebel Indian soldiers who were held in prison, there. 

Earlier, as news from the North about the revolution in Oudh and other regions arrived, there was resentment among people in Hyderabad too. Like most of the other princely states, here too the ruling class was pro-British. 

Cheeda Khan had revolted against Britishers when the state contingent's 3rd cavalry was ordered to march to Delhi, at Buldhana. He had refused to fight for the East India Company and left with other soldiers. However, they were arrested and handed to Resident. 

In order to rescue them, 'Sher-i-Hyderabad' Tura Baz Khan and other revolutionaries surrounded the Residency. As large number of rebel soldiers reached, Turrebaz Khan and Maulvi Alauddin along with Rohillas demolished wall and broke into the residency. There was a full-fledged battle. 

A large number of rebel soldiers were martyred. Treachery and deceit, particularly, role of several officials who had sent information to British officials about the impending attack, was responsible for the defeat. 

Turrebaz Khan got injured but managed to escape. He was later identified and arrested. He was asked about whereabouts of Maulvi Alauddin but he refused. He was to be sent to Andaman Nicobar but he managed to escape from the prison on January 18, 1859. 

Now, an amount of Rs 5,000 was announced on his arrest. This was a huge cash reward by the standards of the era. He was caught and killed [shot dead]. Tura Baz Khan's body was hanged by a tree near Residency. This was to send a strong message to the revolutionaries as well as the ordinary people. 

But the sacrifice of revolutionaries is an important chapter in the history of freedom struggle. There is a memorial and a road has also been named after him, however, despite the act of valour, his name is missing from text books and he was termed an unsung hero. Of course, the memory of such martyrs and revolutionaries remained in the hearts of people. 

Journalist Papri Paul, in a Times of India report rightly says that," ...this revolutionary act brought Hyderabad on the map during the first war of independence in 1857". Of late, there have been efforts to remember the freedom fighters and a play on his ultimate sacrifice was staged in Hyderabad.

The photograph above [on the right] is the title of Devireddy Subramanyam Reddy's book Uprising of 1857 a movement that defined India of August 15, 1947. It is available on Amazon, at this LINK. He is also the author of Colonialism and Resistance in India.

READ: The story of Turrebaz Khan, the forgotten hero

READ: Turrebaz Khan, the forgotten hero of freedom movement

Photo of the memorial above, courtesy Mr Kavali Chandrakanth

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.]

Muslim freedom fighters' sacrifices, role in Indian freedom struggle: Syed Naseer Ahmad documenting the immortals of Independence movement

By Shams Ur Rehman Alavi  

Innumerable Muslims sacrificed their lives for India's independence. Thousands were hanged soon after 1857. Along with Hindus, Muslims too played a major part in the freedom struggle, up till 1947.

However, the role of Muslim freedom fighters doesn't get properly reflected in text books. In voluminous history books, names are mentioned but everyone doesn't have access. Besides, role and contribution of many leading figures of Indian freedom movement, have been relegated to background or just kept in footnotes.

Realising that how contribution of Muslim freedom fights has been ignored, a man has made it his lifelong mission to document the role of Muslims in freedom movement. Meet the man who has been selflessly documenting it and publishing books, with his own resources.

Syed Naseer Ahamed, who took up this huge responsibility on his shoulders, hails from Andhra Pradesh. For years, he has been dedicated to the cause. The result are his series of books that throws light on the immense sacrifices of Muslim freedom fighters.

The Immortals is his most famous book. It is a momentous work and a must in every bookshelf. The 350 page book carries rare photographs along with information about the major Muslim figures of Indian freedom movement.

The Immortals documents the freedom struggle across a span of nearly two centuries--much before 1857. Apart from well-known figures of the freedom struggle, it informs us about those who have been denied their rightful place in the books.

While it tells the readers about the most well-known figures and their sacrifices, role of Bahadur Shah Zafar, Begam Hazrat Mahal, General Bakht Khan and Azimullah, it also delves into the role of freedom fighters like the revolutionary Sher Ali, who had assassinated Lord Mayo, and was hanged in Andaman.

From Shaikh Bhikari to Barkatullah Bhopali, the leader of Ghadar party who had formed the first government of India in exile with Raja Mahendra Pratap, it tells the reader about the people who devoted themselves to their motherland, but today are relegated to a few lines in texts.

'Immortals' focuses on the lives of 155 freedom fighters along with their portraits. It took years of effort that he managed to get photographs or sketches of the freedom fighters from libraries, universities, kin of the freedom fighters or other sources.

Another aspect of the book is that it also tells us about many Muslim women freedom fighters. Abadi Bano Begam, Beebi Amatus Salam, Kuslum Sayani, Masooma  Begum, Hajra Begum, Jamalunnisa Baji, Hajara Bibi Ismail, Anis Begum Kidwai, are among them.

Syed Naseer Ahamed hails from a small town in Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh. 'Immortals', is one of his major works. 

In fact, he has so far written ten books on Muslim freedom fighters, in English and Telugu. He also intends to publish his next works in Urdu and Hindi as well.

Ahamed, 59, was born in Purini, a village in Nellore. He had his early education in Purini and later studied at different places including Kavali, Narasaraopet, Bhopal, Chitradurga and Guntur.

He gave up government job to practice law. Later, he took up journalism. However, he realised that a work of such magnitude needed full-time research.

Hence, he took voluntary retirement and dedicated himself to rediscovering the role of Muslim heroes of freedom struggle.

The result is 'Immortals'. His works have been translated in many languages. However, this book is a must in every household. In fact, it is one of the most attractive books one has come across in years. Syed Naseer Ahamed truly deserves a salute for this monumental work. After the first volume, the second is ready.

India's Freedom struggle: Death centenary of a forgotten revolutionary Madan Lal Dhingra

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

Exactly a century ago, a pioneering revolutionary and freedom fighter, Madanlal Dhingra, was hanged in Britain.

He was just 26. The young and bright, Madan Lal Dhingra, had fired five shots at Sir Curzon Willie, at a gathering in London. 

The daredevil assassination of a British official outside Indian soil, had caused ripples. 

Willie was killed on July 9 and after a speedy trial, Dhingra was hanged on August 17, 1909. Today Dhingra's act may seem reckless or foolhardy and he may be termed a militant, but he was a hero to the generation of early freedom fighters including Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh and other revolutionary freedom fighters.

India was subjugated then and there were no signs of any change in the condition of the masses, due to the repressive policies of the British government. Dhingra wasn't a militant. He belonged to a generation for which 'slavery' was the biggest curse. He had gone to study Engineering but came in contact with revolutionary activists and ultimately shot the political aide of the Secretary of State for India.

When brought before the magistrate, he said, "I do not want to say anything in defence of myself but simply to prove the justification of my deed. As for myself I do not think any English law court has any authority to convict me or detain me in prison or to pass any sentence to me. And I maintain that if it is patriotic for any Englishman to fight against the Germans if they were to occupy this country, it is much more justifiable and patriotic in my case to fight against the English. I hold the English people responsible for the murder of eight million of my countrymen in the last 50 years. And they are also responsible for taking away 100 million pounds every year from India to this country. I also hold them responsible for the hanging and deportation of thousands of my countrymen."

Dhingra's statement before he was hanged, is also historic. It is oft-quoted and inspired the later revolutionaries. 

He said, "I believe that a nation held down by foreign bayonets is in a perpetual state of war. Since open battle is rendered impossible to a disarmed race, I attacked by surprise. 

Since guns were denied to me I drew forth my pistol and fired....." The sentiments aren't surprising if one considers the hurt and the desperation among Indians in the era. Congress was yet to become a major political force and the end of the Raj was nowhere in sight. Dhingra was hanged just a year after Khudiram Bose was sent to gallows. 

Even after death, his body was denied a proper Hindu funeral. His family had disowned him. And it took nearly seventy years before the mortal remains were accidentally located and brought back to India. Dhingra died when Bhagat Singh was barely two years old. 

However, along with many other revolutionaries and freedom fighters, today he is also a nearly forgotten name. Even the hundredth death (martyrdom) anniversary passed without a mention to the revolutionary. As India celebrated Independence Day, it is more pertinent for us to remember these sacrifices. 

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. ]

Sher Ali: The revolutionary Indian freedom fighter who assassinated the Viceroy

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, the name of Sher Ali who was behind the assassination, is mostly forgotten.

In fact, Sher Ali's name barely finds a mention. Forget textbooks, the voluminous studies also have his name just in 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, the 6th Earl of Mayo and Viceroy of India, 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. It was one of  the few ways in sight for the ordinary Indians to take on the power of the foreign imperialists, then.

We have read how Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Chandrashekhar Azad assassinated Saunders. Also, about Madanlal Dhingra, who in England assassinated William Hutt, there is little focus on the role of Sher Ali. 

Today, the 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, nothing has come in way of Sher Ali.

1. Here is the Link to the Wikimapia image [the map] of the coast of Andaman where 135 years ago this incident had occurred.
2. Also, a link to the Times of India editorial page article on Sher Ali.

On the 150th anniversary of 1857

[Above photo of Sher Ali on the left and the place on Viper Isles where he was hanged]

Stamp on Bahadur Shah Zafar: In memory of the King whose sons were killed, who himself got exiled and now his role erased from history

We are right now, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the War of Independence, termed as Ghadar or Mutiny by the British. 

Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar had to pay the most heavy price for leading the rebellion.

His sons' were brutally killed, heads were severed and brought before him as a gift in a tray. 

The Emperor was exiled, sent to Burma where he died and was buried. The Indian government had this stamp issued in his memory long back.

In Urdu, it carries his two couplets:

lagtaa nahiiN hai jii meraa ujRe dayaar meN/kiskii banii hai aalam-e-paaidaar meN
kah do in hasratoN se kahiiN aur jaa baseN/itnii jagah kahaaN hai dil-e-daaGhdaar meN

On NDTV, Indian Express editor Shekhar Gupta on 'Walk the Talk' programme spoke to William Dalrymple, who said this about role of Zafar and 1857. 

"...I think in that sense Savarkar has kidnapped your narrative of 1857. He emphasised strictly Mangal Pandey in Barrackpore and Rani of Jhansi in Jhansi. Now, they are great heroic figures and great national heroes".

"...ultimately, in the story of 1857, they are frankly side-shows because of the 1,39,000 sepoys who rose against their British officers, 1,00,000 went straight to Delhi. Now these are upper-caste Hindus, and who do they get to lead the rebellion — the Mughal emperor.

Replying to a question that Zafar was emperor only in a name, Dalrymple says, '..still had enough prestige'. "...not even Palam, he just had the walls of Red Fort. And yet, the prestige of the name is such that these Hindus from the opposite end, not the local guys, but those from Eastern UP and Bihar, go to Delhi and ask Zafar to lead them. 

He further says that it was an army that had 85% Upper Caste Hindus and they needed a symbol and the symbol was Mughal power. They had no problem. This is an interesting interview and it will help you understand 'Shekhar Gupta' and our celebrity journalists' mindset, more.

Read the whole transcript of the interview AT THIS LINK