Title of the Paper

The Nature and Impact of Faraizi Movement in the History of Bengal; A Revolution against Colonialism and Autocracy

Author Md. Thowhidul Islam Lecturer in Bangladesh Studies Center for University Requirement Courses (CENURC)

International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC) 154/A, College Road, Chittagong-4203, Bangladesh.
Cell: 0088-01817078263, E-mail: tauhidcox@gmail.com.

Abstract Bengal, from the Muslim conquest in 1204 was a well-secured stronghold of the Muslims. But the Battle of Palashi in 1757 caused the introduction of British rule and as a consequence, Muslim society of Bengal shrank under constant stress as they lost their socio-economic, political and educational prosperity under the discriminative and oppressive policies of British colonial rule. In the days of socio-cultural decline, several movements were born among which the Faraizi movement of Haji Shariatullah was the most formidable. The main objective of the movement was to refrain Muslim society from superstitions. The movement emphasized on the fundamentals of Islam, strict observation of Tawhid (pure monotheism) and condemned all deviations from the original doctrines as shirk (polytheism) and bidat (sinful innovation). It also gave stress on justice, social equality, and the universal brotherhood of Muslims. The Faraizi movement spread with extraordinary rapidity in Bengal particularly in those places where the Muslim peasantries were depressed under the oppressive domination of Hindu zamindars (landlords) and European indigo planters. Through continuous involvement with the Hindu zamindars and indigo planters, this reform movement gradually developed into a socio-economic revolt. After the death of Haji Shariatullah in 1840, the movement assumed an agrarian character under the leadership of his only son Dudu Miyan. He organized the oppressed peasantry against the landlords. Thus the reform movement turned into a socio-economic revolt touching upon various aspects of the society. It developed into an agrarian movement to protect the rights of the oppressed Muslim peasantry. It gave courage & confidence to the peasants & made them conscious of their rights. They learnt the value of unity to safeguard their rights. The movement is an example in the history that the seething dissatisfaction and sense of deprivation among the people in a society could cause a revolution if they are not given their rights. The movement could also change its character according the demand of society as Faraizi movement turned into rebellious mood which was a reform movement. The movement also teaches that the masses would never be subsided with oppressive policies for an indefinite period. Thus freedom, justice and social equality became the principle of Faraizi movement. There are also similarities between the Faraizi movement and present Arab revolution. The Arab people even in the twenty first century have been deprived from the rights of freedom, democracy and social justice. The movement begun in Tunisia, finding a congenial atmosphere it spread rapidly in the Arab other countries where the same causes have been surviving. So the main philosophy and implication of Faraizi movement is that the suppressed dissatisfaction could change a society.