Shah Waliullah, Syed Ahmad Barelvi, Haji Shariatullah and Titu Mir

Reviving Islam

After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, Mughal power declined, and many Muslims felt their faith and their place in society were weakening. Four men worked to revive Islam in the subcontinent. This lesson covers each one: what he did, and why he mattered.

Shah Waliullah

Shah Waliullah was a scholar from Delhi. He translated the Holy Quran into Persian, the language educated Muslims read, so more people could understand it. He wrote many books, including Hujjat Allah al-Baligha, and worked to bring Muslim sects closer together. He also wrote to Ahmad Shah Abdali, asking him to fight the Marathas, who were threatening Muslim power. Abdali defeated them at Panipat in 1761.

Why Shah Waliullah mattered

He made the Quran accessible, so Muslims could learn their religion directly. He tried to end divisions between Muslims, at a time when unity was badly needed. And his family and students, including his son Shah Abdul Aziz, carried on his work and inspired later reformers.

Syed Ahmad Barelvi

Syed Ahmad Barelvi was influenced by Shah Abdul Aziz. He believed Muslims should return to the true teachings of Islam. In the Punjab and the north-west, the Sikhs ruled and restricted Muslim practices, such as the call to prayer. He launched a jihad against them. He set up a base in the north-west, captured Peshawar in 1830, but was martyred at the Battle of Balakot in 1831.

Why the Jihad movement mattered

It showed Muslims would fight to protect their faith, and inspired later movements. It failed partly because some local tribal leaders turned against him, and the Sikh army was much stronger and better armed. But its spirit of reform lived on after Balakot.

Haji Shariatullah

Haji Shariatullah, from Bengal, spent years in Makkah. On his return he started the Faraizi movement, calling Muslims to perform their faraiz, their religious duties. He wanted Muslims to give up Hindu customs that had crept into their practice. He also gave hope to poor Muslim peasants exploited by Hindu landlords and British indigo planters. His son, Dudu Miyan, continued the movement.

Titu Mir

Titu Mir organised Muslim peasants in Bengal against Hindu landlords and British indigo planters who oppressed them. He built a bamboo fort at Narkelbaria, near Calcutta, and his followers defeated several attacks. In 1831 a British force with cannons destroyed the fort, and Titu Mir was killed.

The four compared

Here are the four thinkers side by side: where they worked, their main method, and their main achievement.

Who contributed most?

A 14-mark question may ask how far one thinker contributed most to reviving Islam. You must explain at least two or three, then judge. Shah Waliullah's work was lasting, through books and followers. Syed Ahmad's jihad inspired, but failed militarily. Haji Shariatullah and Titu Mir revived Islam in Bengal among ordinary people. Judge by how lasting and wide each impact was.

How Paper 1 is marked

Part a, describe, four marks: give accurate facts, with dates. Part b, explain why, seven marks: give reasons, each one explained, not just described. Part c, how far, fourteen marks: explain both sides, then reach a supported judgement.

Mistakes that lose marks

Mistake one: telling the life story instead of answering why the person was important. Mistake two: mixing up the thinkers, such as placing Titu Mir in the north-west. Mistake three: a 14-mark answer with no judgement at the end. The fix: facts with dates, reasons explained, and a judgement.

The full-marks tip

The full-marks tip: for an explain-why question, make each reason a separate paragraph, explained fully. For how far, explain the named factor and at least one other, then judge.

On one card

So, on one card: the religious thinkers. Keep it for revision.