The British and Sikhs (Ranjit Singh) were in alliance since 1809 A.D. This alliance allowed Ranjit Singh to strengthen his rule in Punjab while all other major political powers were being crushed by East India Company in Sub-Continent. While British became able to have Punjab established as a buffer region, in case of any hostile move from French-Russian alliance, although this alliance lasted for a short period of time. Moreover, British sent their mission in Afghanistan to further deepen their diplomacy in that region.
Sayyid Ahmad was among the foremost visionaries who realized the scale of British conspiracies and diplomacies, and launched a systemic struggle to counter the effects. He communicated with political figureheads of that time to make them realize of British intrusion. He also worked for social reformation of Muslim communities in far-off places in subcontinent.
Sayyid Ahmad traveled throughout the Subcontinent, into Afghanistan and North West region of Subcontinent to create awareness for the cause. He eventually lost his life in a battle against sikh army at Balakot in May 1831.
Much has been written on his personality and movement since then. British East India Company launched a propaganda to establish his ties with Wahabi movement of Arabia, which was already disliked in Subcontinent. The purpose was to discourage the spread of ideology of Sayyid Ahmad into general public, Similarly various scholars have written about this movement from various contexts. The personality and movement of Sayyid Ahmad is among highly discussed topics in history of subcontinent.
Recently a concise yet indepth inquiry has been made by Mohsin Khawaja, regarding Social Reformation and Anti-Colonial Struggle by Sayyid Ahmad Raibarelvi and its Circumstances and Implications, It contains an indepth literature review that is published on Sayyid Ahmad and provides insights on Sikh & British alliance established at that time and how British pursued their colonial agenda in India.
Book Information
Title: Social Reformation and Anti-Colonial Struggle by Sayyid Ahmad Raibarelvi: Circumstances and Implications
Pages: 120
Publisher: Tameer-e-Fikr Academy, Lahore, Pakistan.
Author: Mohsin Khawaja
Edition: 1st (2016)
Price: 300 PKR (Hard Cover)
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