Muslim Reform Movement - General Knowledge of Modern India

Muslim Reform Movement - General Knowledge of Modern India

In the early 19th century, signs of Muslim emancipation emerged under the leadership of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh and Shariatulla of Bengal. This was possible due to the influence of Christian missionaries, western thought and modern education. He devoted himself to the purification and strengthening of Islam and the promotion of Islamic teachings.

Read More History: Montagu - Chelmsford Reforms or Government of India Act- 1919 - General Knowledge of Modern India

Shariatulla started the Fayazi movement of Bengal, which took many steps in the interest of the farmers. He strongly opposed the caste system of Muslim society.

Shariatulla started the Fayazi movement of Bengal, which took many steps in the interest of the farmers. He strongly opposed the caste-system prevailing in the Muslim society. During the first fifty years of the 19th century, only a handful of people in Delhi and Calcutta were able to get English education.  

 

Most of the Muslims kept themselves away from English education, due to the attitude of the Ulemas and Muslim Qazis and the lack of interest of the upper Muslim class to promote reconciliation with the British Raj. The active participation of Muslims in the revolt of 1857 created a feeling of dissatisfaction with the Muslims in the mind of the British.

Still, being a part of the awakened and educated Muslims, Shariatullah felt the need to adopt a cooperative policy towards the rulers and improve the social condition of the Muslim society with the help of the British. 

Some movements were also launched to spread modern education and remove social evils like purdah and polygamy. The Mohammedan Literacy Society of Calcutta, founded by Nawab Abdul Latif (1828–1893) in 1863, was one of the few early institutions that took steps in this direction. Simultaneously, Hindu-Muslim unity was also promoted.

Wahabi Movement

It is also known as 'Waliullah Movement', which started as a reaction to western influences. This movement was inspired by the teachings of Shah Waliullah, who is also considered the first Indian Muslim leader.  The entire movement was based on the teachings of the Quran and Hadith.

Ahmadiyya Movement

This movement was started by Mirza Ghulam Ahmed in 1889 AD with the aim of spreading western education among Indian Muslims. This movement was based on liberal values, similar to that of Brahmo Samaj.

Deoband School

It was a movement started by some orthodox Muslim Ulemas in opposition to the liberal movement who wanted to teach the true essence of Islam on the basis of Quran and Hadith and also propounded the concept of Jihad against British rule.