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

Yıl 2025, Sayı: 63, 110 - 123, 30.04.2025

Dr. Saeyd Rashed Hasan Chowdury

https://doi.org/10.29288/ilted.1539731

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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