The Role of Shah Waliullaah and Ulema-e-Deoband in freeing India from the British

 The Role of Ulema Deoband in India’s Freedom Struggle

Early Resistance

1. Shah Waliullaah (1731)
   Inspired in Makkah to replace the imperialist and corrupt system with a government based on equality and justice.
2. Tipu Sultan
   Martyred in the Battle of Srirangapatnam on May 4, 1799.
3. Shah Abdul Azziz Dehlavi (1746–1824)
   Son of Shah Waliullaah. Issued a fatwa:
   “Our country has been enslaved. To struggle for independence and to put an end to the slavery is our duty.”
4. Sayed Ahmed Shaheed (1786–1831)
   Fought against the British for six years. Martyred in the Battle of Balakot.
5. Moulana Muhammad Ismail
   Martyred alongside 300 others in the Battle of Balakot.
6. Ulema of Sadiqpur
   Fought in the frontier for two decades (1845–1871).
7. Fatawa on Jihaad (1857)
   Signed by 34 Ulema.
8. Moulana Qasim Nanautavi, Moulana Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi, Hafiz Zamin Shaheed
   Fought against the British in Shamli under Haji Imdaadullaah.
9. 1857 Mutiny (‘Ghadar’)
   Of 200,000 martyred, 51,200 were Ulema. In Delhi, 500 Ulema were hanged.
10. Wahabi Cases (1864–1871)
    Known as the Ambala Conspiracy Case. Accused were sentenced to death or life imprisonment—mostly Ulema.

Institutional Resistance

• Darul Uloom Deoband founded in 1866 after defeat at Shamli.
• Shaikul Hind Moulana Mahmudul Hasan (1877) founded ‘Samaratul Tarbiyat’ for armed struggle.
• 1909: Reorganized as ‘Jamiatul Ansaar’. Banned in 1913.
• Reformed in Delhi as ‘Nazzaarul Ma’arif’.
• Formation of Lashkar-e-Najat Dehinda and international setup ‘Janooder Rabbaniyah’.
• Silk Letter Movement (1916): 222 Ulema arrested. Many sent to Malta. Released in 1920.

Political Mobilization

• Indian National Congress formed in 1885.
• 300 Ulema issued a fatwa against the British, published in Nusratul Abrar and Al-Hilal.
• Jamiatul Ulama-e-Hind formed in 1919. Mufti Kifayatullaah was first President.
• Fatwa supporting non-cooperation issued by Shaikul Hind in July 1920.
• 500 Ulema signed a detailed ruling published in Al-Jamiat (Oct 29, 1920).
• Sept 18, 1921: Arrests for distributing the fatwa.

Demand for Total Freedom

• 4th Jamiat Conference (Dec 1922): Resolution to boycott assemblies.
• 5th Conference (Jan 1924): Demand for complete independence.
• 6th Conference (Mar 1926): Resolution for complete freedom.
• Peshawar Meeting (Dec 1926): Opposition to Simon Commission.
• 1928: Criticism of Nehru Project.
• 1930: Alliance with Congress passed at 9th Jamiat Conference.

Civil Disobedience Movement

• 1930: Mufti Kifayatullaah and Moulana Ahmed Saeed Dehlewi arrested.
• 1932: Jamiat appointed as arbitrator in Second Civil Disobedience Movement.
• Idara Harabia set up by Moulana Abdul Mahazir Sajjad.
• March 11, 1932: 100,000-strong procession led by Mufti Kifayatullaah.
• 90,000 arrested, half Muslims, many Ulema.

British Divide and Rule

• 1935: Elections based on religious representation led to bloodshed and partition.
• Muslim League formed in 1906. Initially supported by Jamiat.
• World War II: Jamiat opposed conscription and British war efforts.
• Moulana Mohammad Mian’s book banned; he was arrested.
• July 1940: Jamiat condemned the ban as tyrannous.
• June 24, 1940: Moulana Madani arrested for demanding total independence.
• Aug 5, 1942: Jamiat adopted ‘Quit India’ resolution.

Final Struggles

• Jamiat opposed the idea of Pakistan.
• Moulana Madani and others were victims of Muslim League violence.

Conclusion
This is a glimpse into the prominent role played by Darul Uloom Deoband and Shah Waliullaah in India’s freedom struggle.
(Taken from ‘Recounting the Untold History of Darul Uloom Deoband’ by Moulana Muhammad Burhanuddin)