SYED AHMED SHAHEED BARAILVI

Syed Ahmed Shaheed was born at Rai Baraily in 1786. He was greatly influenced by, the
preaching of Shah WaliUllah and was a staunch follower of his son Shah Abdul Aziz. Syed
Ahmed was extremely dismayed over the decline ofMuslims and earnestly desired to see the
restoration of Islamic supremacy in India.

The purpose of Syed Ahmed's life and struggle was not only confined to the spread of Islam by
preaching and persuasion but he believed in taking practical steps for this

Purpose. The main purpose before Syed Ahmed and his followers was the establishment of a
state which was based on the Islamic principles.

In the time of Syed Ahmed, Punjab was under the Sikh regime of Ranjeet Singh who was widely
known all over India for his oppressive and tyrannical rule. The Muslims suffered heavily under
his rule and were denied liberty and freedom to profess and practice their religion. The N.W.F.P.
had also fallen to the Sikh domination and was included in the Sikh regime. The Sikhs, however,
had not been able to establish a stable Government in N.W.F.P.

He picked up Punjab to begin his Jihad against Sikhs and selected N.W.F.P. to launch his
movement for the eradication of the non-Islamic forces. He himself proceeded from other parts
of Punjab and Delhi where he was joined by many other followers in the noble task.

Syed Ahmed reached Nowshera in December 1826 and established his headquarter. He sent a
message to Ranjeet Singh to embrace Islam or be ready to face the mujahideen in the battle-field.
Ranjeet-Singh turned down the offer of Syed Ahmed in a most scornful manner anddemonstrated
a high degree of disdain for Islam and Muslims.

The first battle against the Sikhs was fought at Akora on 21st December, 1826 in which the Sikhs
were defeated. The Muslims were successful in the second encounter as well which was fought
at Hazro. The immediate and astonishing success of the Mujahideen in two clashes spurred the
popularity of the Jihad movement and Syed Ahmed. A conspiracy was hatched against the
movement and an attempt was made on the life of Syed Ahmed by poisoning him which he
survived. Syed Ahmed shifted his headquarter to Balakot and began his Jihad movement from
Rajauri in 1831. A fierce battle was fought between the Sikh and Muslim armies. The
Mujahideen fought valiantly but they could not stand the much stronger and superior forces. The
Muslims were defeated after a fierce battle in which Syed Ahmed laid his life while fighting for
the cause of Islam.