Sufi Movements on British Anti-Colonial Resistance in Bengal of Indian Subcontinent: A Study of Religious and Political Intersections

Öz

This article critically examines the resistance movements initiated and led by Sufi leaders against British colonial rule in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent, focusing on present-day Bangladesh and the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam. The study highlights significant historical events such as the Fakir Rebellion (1765), the Battle of Balakot led by Sayyid Ahmed Barelvi, the Bamboo Fort Movement led by Titu Mir, the Faraizi Movement initiated by Haji Shariatullah, and the Khilafat Movement, which aimed to protect the Ottoman Caliphate and resist British imperialism. It analyses the multifaceted resistance strategies employed by Sufi leaders in response to British imperial oppression. British colonial control in Bengal commenced with the defeat of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah at the Battle of Plassey in 1757 and lasted until the subcontinent’s partition in 1947. During this period, Bengal’s Muslim population faced significant social, cultural, and religious repression under colonial rule. Sufi leaders played an essential role in mobilising the Bengali Muslim community around the concept of Ummah, organising a formidable resistance against colonial authorities. This study employs qualitative research methods, exploring the Sufi movement’s resistance to British colonialism in Bengal and focusing on its influence on the Muslim community’s political and cultural identity formation.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Sufism
• Indian Subcontinent
• Bengal
• British Colonial Rule
• Resistance Movements.

Hint Alt Kıtası’nın Bengal’deki İngiliz Sömürge Karşıtı Direnişte Sufi Hareketleri: Dini ve Siyasi Kesişimlerin Bir İncelemesi

Öz

Bu makale, Hint alt kıtasının Bengal bölgesinde, günümüz Bangladeş, Hindistan’ın Batı Bengal, Tripura ve Assam eyaletlerinde, Sufilerin İngiliz sömürge yönetimine karşı yürüttükleri direniş hareketlerini eleştirel bir perspektifle incelemektedir. Çalışma, Fakir İsyanı (1765), Seyyid Ahmed Barelvi liderliğinde ki Balakot Savaşı, Titu Mir önderliğindeki Bambu Kalesi Hareketi, Hacı Şeriyatullah’ın başlattığı Fara izi Hareketi ve Osmanlı Halifeliğini korumayı ve İngiliz emperyalizmine direnmeyi amaçlayan Hilafet Hareketi gibi önemli tarihi olayları vurgulamaktadır. Çalışma, İngiliz emperyal baskısına karşılık Sufi liderler tarafından uygulanan çok yönlü direniş straejilerini analiz eder. İngiliz İmparatorluğu’nun Ben gal üzerindeki hakimiyeti, 1757’de Navabı Sirâc-üd-devle’nin Plassey Savaşı’nda yenilmesiyle başlayıp, 1947’de alt kıtanın bölünmesiyle sona ermiştir. Bu süreçte Bengal’in Müslüman nüfusu, İngiliz yöneti minin etkisiyle sosyal, kültürel ve dini baskılara maruz kalmıştır. Sufi liderler, Bengal Müslüman toplu luğunun Ümmet kavramı etrafında birleştirilmesinde önemli bir rol oynamış ve sömürgeci güçlere kar şı kritik bir direniş sergilemişlerdir. Nitel araştırma yöntemlerinin kullanıldığı bu çalışma, Bengal'deki Sufi hareketinin İngiliz sömürgeciliğine karşı mücadelesini incelemekte ve Müslüman toplumun siyasi ve kültürel kimlik oluşumu üzerindeki etkisine odaklanmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Tasavvuf (Sufizm)
• Hint Alt Kıtası
• Bengal
• İngiliz Sömürge Yönetimi
• Direniş Ha reketleri

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