MUJAHIDEEN MOVEMENT IN N.W.F.P

The Mujahideen Movement has played an important role in the history of Indian Muslims. It is the first collective movement of the Muslims of sub-continent. This movement granted new zest to the Muslims and washed the blots of evils from their hearts and made them ready for the Holy war with infidels. Although the movement was created from the southern and central areas on Indo-Pakistan, but N.W.F.P was the Center of its activities. The said movement set a goal for the people of N.W.F.P, it united and prepared them for Jihad against the Sikhs.

Sikhs were possessing Lahore and N.W.F.P, from some time and governing the area by cruel rules and regulations. They martyred and disgraced thousands of Muslims without any fault. The recitation of Kalmah, Islamic names, Anan, collective prayers, slaughters of cow etc were forbidden. Several un-Islamic beliefs were entered into Muslim community and the original shape of Islam was un-visible. When the Sikh cruelties became out of temper, Syed Ahmad Shaheed Brailvi accepted the responsibility of reformation of Muslim community and united the Pathans and announced jihad against the Sikhs.

Syed Ahmad Shaheed Barailvi was a faithful Muslim. He went to Hijaz to perform Haj on 30th July 1821, and returned home on 29th April 1824 and continued preparation for Jihad against the infidels. On 17th January 1826, he migrated India and reached Afghanistan on 2 October 1826. During his stay at Kabul, Syed Ahmad Shaheed tried his utmost to unite the Amir Dost Muhammad Khan and his brother and make them ready for Jihad but the desire remained invain. On 15th November 1926, he left Kabul for Peshawar to prepare the Muslim of N.W.F.P, for Jihad in which he succeeded. Syed Ahmad Shaheed visited Chamkani and Charsadda and there he was received with warmth. The people of these areas were distressed by the cruel behaviour of Sikhs and offered their services to Syed Ahmad Shaheed. After a short stay at Chamkani and Charsadda, he along with his followers departed for Nowshera Kalan. Knowing the presence of Syed Ahmad Shaheed at Nowshera, the Sikhs dispatched well-armed force of 7000 men under the command of Budh Singh to crush the strength of Mujahideen. Syed Ahmad advised Mujahideen to attack on the Sikhs force at night and detailed the squad of 900 Mujahideen for this sacred task under the command of Allah Bakhsh Khan Murvatvi. They attacked on Sikhs force near Akora Khattak in dark night and the sudden accident made them insensible. The Sikhs sentry fires a cartridge in confusion which hit to Maulvi Baqir Ali Azaimabadi and martyred him on the spot. The cry of Allah -o- Akbar raised in the vacuum and the Mujahideen made swift attack on Sikhs troops. In this Holly War 82 mujahideen martyred and 30 to 40 were wounded, while 700 Sikh soldiers were killed and one thousand horses and large quantity of war material of enemy had ceased to the Mujahideen. After this battle the Mujahideen proceeded to Hund.

The successful ambush of Akora Khattak remove the Muslims perception of inferiority and now they openly entered in the squad of Mujahideen, when Mujahideen were at Hund. They listen about the large army of Sikhs gathering around of Hazru. They again attacked on the Sikhs Army at night and returned successful. This time they killed and arrested many Sikh soldiers and captured large quantity of war booty. The Mujahideen zeal of Jihad terrified the Sikh General Budh Singh and Sikh soldiers.

So for the Mujahideen squad was undisciplined. The war booty was not divided in accordance to "Shariat" (Islamic Law). The appointment of Imam of Jihad was required to conduct the Jihad on Shariat manner. On 11th January 1827, in a large gathering, syed Ahmad Shaheed was selected as Imam of Mujahideen. Seeing the popularity of Syed Ahmad Shaheed, the Barakzai sardars of Peshawar (Sardar Yaar Muhammad Khan, Sultan Muhammad Khan, Pir Muhammad Khan and said Muhammad Khan), send an application to him and trusted on his leadership. In short time of two months after the selection of Syed Ahmad Shaheed Imamat, eighty thousand brawler of N.W.F.P. (excluding twenty thousand men of Barakzai Sardars) have united under his shadow for Jihad against the infidels.

The Sikhs force was re-enforced after the defeat at Akora Khattak and Hazru. The new force of Sikhs not less then 35000 soldiers equipped with modern weapons was stationed at shaidu. Yaar Muhammad Khan along with his squad was entrenched on the left bank of Kabul River. He was trying to win the trust of Syed Sahib and for his purpose he was sending his diet from his own kitchen. On the day of Shaidu war Yaar Muhammad Khan made Ahmad Shaheed sick by feeling poison in the evening meal. Although his condition was dangerous and unable to ride on the horseback but he went to the battlefield. The Mujahideen attacked on Sikhs Army and killed many infields. At the mean time when the victory of Mujahideen made sure, Sardar Yaar Muhammad Khan who was outwardly supported Syed Ahmad Shaheed but infact he received bribe from Sikhs and was their companion shouted at once "defeat, defeat" and run away from the battle field. Seeing this indecent act of Yaar Muhammad Khan, the followers of Syed Ahmad Shaheed lost their courage and departed the battlefield. In this war about 7000 Mujahideen war martyred due to the treason of Yaar Muhammad Khan.

As Syed Ahmad Shaheed was given poison and required rest, hence went to Buner and Swat. There he stayed at the Chinglai, Koga, Takhta Band Burikot, Ouch and some other places and invited the people for Jihad. He wrote letters to the Muslim rulers and princes for help and service of Islam and appointed monitors for religious reforms. Besides this, he also take practical measures for liberation of the people of Hazara from Sikhs harsh treatment and fought several war with them at Damgla, Shinkyari ect. (((continue)))