Islamic Revival and Reform Movements in the Subcontinent

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering the biographical details, religious beliefs, socio-economic writings, and armed movements of Shah Waliullah, Syed Ahmad Barelvi, and Haji Shariatullah.

Shah Waliullah

An Islamic scholar and reformer born on 21 February 1703 during the reign of Aurangzeb Alamgir whose real name was Qutub-ud-Din; he worked to revive Islamic principles, translated the Quran into Persian, and organized opposition to the Marathas.

Shah Abdul Rahim

The father of Shah Waliullah who founded the Madrassa Rahimiya in Delhi and died in 1718.

Madrassa Rahimiya

A religious school in Delhi founded by Shah Abdul Rahim that played a vital role in researching Islamic thought, teaching Islamic principles, and educating notable reformers such as Shah Waliullah and Syed Ahmad Barelvi.

Sheikh Abu Tahir bin Ibrahim

A famous scholar in Arabia under whom Shah Waliullah studied after travelling there in 1724, before returning to Delhi in 1732.

Persian Translation of the Quran

Shah Waliullah's translation of the Quran from Arabic into Persian to make Quranic teachings accessible to a larger number of Muslims, despite initial criticism from the ulama.

Shah Abdul Qader and Shah Rafi

The two sons of Shah Waliullah who translated the Quran into Urdu, allowing even more people to study it.

Hujjat Allah al-Baligha and Izalat-Akhfa

Two of the most famous books written by Shah Waliullah among the fifty-one titles he authored in Persian and Arabic.

Ahmed Shah Abdali

The leader of Persia who was persuaded by Shah Waliullah to intervene in India, joining with local Muslim leaders to defeat the Marathas at the Battle of Panipat in 1761.

Battle of Panipat (1761)

A decisive battle fought in 1761 where Ahmed Shah Abdali and local Muslim forces defeated the Marathas, who were threatening to overrun the Mughal Empire from the south.

Syed Ahmad Barelvi

An Islamic reformer and military leader born in Rai Bareli in 1786 who founded the Jihad Movement and launched an armed campaign against Sikh rule in the Punjab and North West Frontier.

Purity

The condition of not being stained by moving away from an original form.

Amir Khan

A Pathan military leader whose forces Syed Ahmad Barelvi joined in 1810, where Syed Ahmad learned to use European weaponry and led soldiers in prayer.

Jihad Movement

A movement founded by Syed Ahmad Barelvi calling for armed struggle to overthrow non-Muslim oppression, restore Muslim power, and achieve religious and spiritual freedom.

Ranjit Singh

The ruler of the Sikh regime in the Punjab who extended his authority into the North West Frontier and opposed Syed Ahmad Barelvi's mujahideen.

Battle of Akora (1826)

The first armed engagement fought on 21 December 1826 where Syed Ahmad Barelvi's mujahideen attacked and defeated Sikh forces after Ranjit Singh dismissed an ultimatum.

Imam

A religious authority role assumed unanimously by Syed Ahmad Barelvi in 1827 whose word on religious matters was considered binding, helping unite the diverse mujahideen factions.

Yar Muhammad Khan

A Pathan chief in Syed Ahmad's army who was bribed by the Sikhs, whose servant attempted to poison Syed Ahmad, and who deserted the battlefield near Akora, causing panic and defeat.

Battle of Balakot (1831)

A battle in 1831 where Sikh forces made a surprise mountain attack on the mujahideen, leading to the deaths of six hundred mujahideen soldiers, including Syed Ahmad Barelvi and Shah Ismail.

Shah Ismail

The commander serving under Syed Ahmad Barelvi who was killed alongside him during the Battle of Balakot in 1831.

Haji Shariatullah

An Islamic reformer born in 1781 in the Faridpur district of East Bengal who founded the Faraizi Movement to restore Muslim pride and purify Islamic worship of Hindu influences.

Sheikh Muhammad Abdul Wahab

An Arabian religious thinker whose beliefs greatly influenced Haji Shariatullah during his nineteen-year stay in Arabia beginning in 1799.

Faraiz

The core Islamic duties and religious obligations whose proper observation was demanded by Haji Shariatullah.

Faraizi Movement

A religious and socio-economic movement founded in East Bengal by Haji Shariatullah focused on fulfilling religious obligations (faraiz), praying for past sins, and resisting oppression by Hindu zamindars and the British.

Righteous

Being good and virtuous.

Zamindars

Local landowners in Bengal, mainly Hindus, who worked with the British colonial administration and subjected Muslim peasants to economic oppression and excessive taxes.

Mohsin-ud-Din

The son of Haji Shariatullah who led the Faraizi Movement after 1840, organized East Bengal into administrative circles, opposed excessive taxes, and was imprisoned by the British before dying in 1860.

Circles

Administrative subdivisions created across East Bengal by Mohsin-ud-Din to organize the followers of the Faraizi Movement.

Khalifas

Officials appointed by Mohsin-ud-Din to manage each administrative circle in East Bengal and oversee the spiritual and social welfare of the people.