NWFP AND THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

The war of independence in 1857 was a wide spread campaign against the British rule for their intolerable stern attitude. Apart from the other areas of the subcontinent, the sepoys, religious leaders tribesmen and common people of NWFP started an unprecedented endeavor against the British. The importance of NWFP can be judged from the fact that before launching any campaign against the government the British first thought it vital to suppress and handle the situation in the territory, so that the people of this area might not create any problem for them. It was this sense of thinking and diplomacy that the British waited to see the impetus of liberty entirely crushed at the hands of Sikhs whom they had in the beginning made their allies.

So for as the struggle for independence and process of anti British activities in the NWFP is concerned according to Mr. Allah Bakhash Yousafi in his book " Sarhad awr Jadoojehd-e-Azadi " it was Azimullah Khan Yousafzai who initiated the essence of this campaign in the whole sub-continent. It has not been recorded by the historian in the Indian history irrespective of his bold steps and utmost contribution towards the Muslim freedom.

The above author further discloses that Azmiullah Khan was wpecial representative of Nana Sahib Fernavis, who used to produce the petitions of Nana Sahib to the Home government in England. It was during his journey towards England that Azimullah Khan Yousafzai began to shape sketch to the independence war. He went to Turkey and met with the Turks and on his way he also discussed the issues with the Russians.

Any-how the people of this land could not remain unaffected with the tussle for gaining liberty. The anti British elements started stretching necks and the sepoys of this territory assisted and followed the struggle started by the people of Mirath and Delhi. In the Punjab Maharajah of Kashmir Maharajah of Patialah and others independently sided and contributed the British. Similarly there were other pro-British elements to be a source of barrier in the way of the Mujahideen, yet the majority of the population was a source of trouble foe the company Government.

On 11 May 1857 when the first development of the was started in Mirath, on 21 May the Mardan infantry started Jihad against the British from Nowshera. As per Sarhad Gazetteer 1857, as a preventive measures the British dis-armed the forces as Peshawar but in Nowshera cantonment the Muslims sepoys of the 55th Infantry fought a vehement battle with the British sepoys. in which 120 Muslims sepoys fell martyr about 150 were seriously injured and the rest of them fled towards tribal territory and joined the Mujahideen.

The Hindustani regiments at Dera Ismail Khan and Kohat were dis-armed without difficulty, and troops levis were hurried away to strengthened the garrison of Peshawar of Join the British forces Cis-Indus. The Large Hindustani forces at Peshawar were dis-armed on 22nd May 1857. and the powerful border tribes were kept under the blockade, with the result that Pathans not only of Peshawar but also from across the border came flocking in to join the newly raised levies.

From the tribal area though opposition was made by the Mohmand Tribe. In some of the tribal areas anti British activities were undertaken, but on the whole the situation was rather peaceful. During the war Sued Akbar Shah the founder and the ruler of the state of Swat passed away. After his demise when about 500 sepoys of Peshawar rebelled and deserted towards Swat they were appointed in the state force but due to financial source the force could not be retained.

For suppressing the Pathan seditious programme the British used every mean of aggressive and cruel behavior. According to the account of the British in Nowshera 150 and in Peshawar 700 sepoys were fired and many other were given death punishment. As per the mutiny report of the government, 20 were hanged, 40 were fired with heavy guns and 450 were annihilated by means of independent firings.

Besides the sepoys of the northwest frontiers the followers of Syed Ahmad Shaheed took bold steps against the British. On 20 July 1857, at night time Mujahideen made an attack over the British forces at Samah and subjected them to heavy losses. Similar attacks were also made in Sheikh Jana and Nawa Kali where the Mujahideen were led by Mirza Muhammad Risaldar Afridi, who was caught during the encounter with the British and was sentenced on death penalty.

The British sub-merged the centers of Mujahideen at Sathena, Malka, Chamlah, Mangol Thana, Samah and Naranji and in the course of their campaign they had to suffer great loses at the hand of the Mujahideen