Fakir Majnu Shah- Courtesy Google Images
Dr.Mazhar Naqvi
Pagal Panthis are described as adherents of a syncretic mixture of Hinduism,
Sufism
and Animism.
It is also regarded as a socio-religious order that strived to uphold religious
principles and the rights of landless peasants in 18th century Bengal. But it
is rarely highlighted that Pagal Panthis were followers of Panjatan and they opposed
British under the leadership of Karim Shah when they found East India Company interfering
in their Imami and Sufi rituals. As Pagal Panthis have been living in harmony
with other non- Muslim communities for centuries, they also took up the cause of
Hajangs, Dalus, Hudis, Garos and Rajvangshies who were mainly professing tribal
faiths and adhered to animism. So dynamic was the leadership of Karim Shah that
the campaign against the company turned into a mass movement. Pagal Panthis
also did not spare Zamindars, for they considered big landlords as pro-British
and exploiter of peasants.
Karim Shah was a true disciple
of Madariya Fakir Majnu Shah. He took the mantle of armed struggle against the
British after the martyrdom of Majnu Shah who has the distinction of being the
first Hindustani to raise the standard of revolt against the British in Bengal,
Orissa and Bihar. Karim Shah however
concentrated mainly in the Mymensingh and Sherpur region that is now a part of Bangladesh.
After the death of Karim Shah in 1813, his son Tipu Shah became the leader of
the order. Karim Shah’s wife Chand Bibi also extended whole hearted support to
her son and the movement because of her influential position in the society. She
was called by the people as Pir Mata (Mother of a saint).
The region enjoyed considerable
religious harmony and served as a base for Majnu Shah who is credited with encouraging
revolts against the British who gained control over Bengal and later much of India after the battle of
Plassey in 1757. The trouble began when the British attempted to abolish the
traditional grants being enjoyed by Fakirs and Sanyasis. Moreover, they also
tried to recover the cost of Burma War by imposing severe taxation and deployed
landlords for realization of revenue. Forcible collections and usurption of
property increased peasant discontent and disorder. The Pagal Panthis reacted
sharply at the sinister design of British to curb Muharram and Sufi ceremonies.
It is a well known fact that the British always looked at Muharram ceremonies
with suspicion and the Muharram riot of Calcutta in 1779 is a pointed to the
fact. The order not only sought to protect the interest of peasants but also
aimed at eliminating the interference of company officials in the religious matters.
Basing his forces in a mud-fort near Sherpur, Pagal Panthis proclaimed their rule
in the name of Allah and assumed the religious and political leadership of the
community. The people of the region stopped paying taxes to the British.
After Tipu Shah's death in
1852, the order came under the leadership of Janku and Dobraj Pathor, who
organised another peasant resistance movement against the landlords and British
authorities. An armed group of Pagal Panthis under the leadership of the
Pathors stormed into Sherpur town, looted government offices and overpowered
the officials, landlords and police, forcing them to flee to Mymensingh.
Declaring themselves rulers of the town and surrounding areas, the rebels held
control for almost two years. It is unfortunate that the role of Pagal Panthis is
not given much prominence in Indian history and they are looked as if they had
fought not for Hindustan but for Bangladesh only. For this reason, Majnu Shah
is less known despite having his tomb in Makanpur-the headquarters of Madariya Sufi
Order in Kanpur district. On the contrary, he is a national hero and even movies
have been produced to eulogize him Bangladesh. Madariya Sufis and fakirs are
rightly considered to be the most patriotic among popular Sufi orders of India.
They shook the British Empire for almost a century. They are also famous for
their love for Maula Ali, Imam Hasan and Hussain. The Malangs (Wandering
Mendicants) of this order observes the Imami Rituals and wear Black clothes as
a symbol of their constant mourning over the tragedy of Karbala (Reference
available on request).
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