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 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.]

Shivraj Chouhan govt 'forgets' Muslim martyrs: Media reports force officials to wake up, accept 'mistake', promise to rectify the error

The Madhya Pradesh government built a huge memorial in memory of its brave soldiers but forgot the Muslim martyrs.

Param Vir Chakra Abdul Hamid and Brigadier Usman whose tales of valour are known to everybody in the country, were 'forgotten'.

Madhya Pradesh government sayss that while there are many war memorials in the country, it is the first memorial that commemorates the tales of bravery of Indian soldiers. Journalist Alok Pandey's report in Hindi newspaper Patrika [see above].

However, the Culture department of the MP government didn't provide a space to these legendary figures of Indian army. The 'Shaurya Smarak' has been built by MP government on a vast land at Arera Hills.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, especially, came to Bhopal, to inaugurate the memorial. After newspaper reports mentioned how these great martyrs did not find a place in the gallery of great soldiers, the MP government accepted the 'mistake'.

Such an innocent error! No tale of brave men of Indian army is complete without a mention of 'Naushera ka Sher' Brigadeir Usman and Abdul Hamid. The latter had single-handedly destroyed the 'famed' Patton tanks of Pakistan.

Patrika, the mass circulated Hindi newspaper, carried the story as lead on its front page. Subsequently, Culture department Principal Secretary (PS) Manoj Srivastava admitted the mistake and said that the mistake would be corrected.

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.

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]