Muharram Rebellion facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Muharram Rebellion
Site of the battle
Date December 1782 Location Sylhet Shahi Eidgah, Sylhet Result British victory Suppression of revolt
Belligerents
British East India Company	Bengali Muslims
Commanders and leaders
Robert Lindsay (Superintendent of Sylhet) Unnamed Muslim jamadar  † Supported by: Dewan Manik Chand Qanungo Masud Bakht	Syed Pirzada  † Syed Muhammad Hadi (Hada Miah)  † Syed Muhammad Mahdi (Mada Miah)  †
Strength
52 sepoys	301 (mostly civilians)
Casualties and losses
1 sepoy killed 12 sepoys injured	4 killed (including leaders) Many injured

The Muharram Rebellion (Bengali: মুহররমের হাঙ্গামা, romanized: Muhôrrômer Haṅgama) was an uprising by the people of Bengal in December 1782. It happened in Sylhet, which is now part of Bangladesh. This rebellion was against the East India Company, a powerful British trading company that ruled parts of India.

The rebellion was led by a religious leader known as the Pirzada and his two brothers, Syed Muhammad Hadi and Syed Muhammad Mahdi. The main fight took place at the Sylhet Shahi Eidgah, a large open prayer ground, and the hills around it.

Why the Rebellion Started

In 1778, a British official named Robert Lindsay became the head tax collector in Sylhet. Lindsay started his own businesses, trading things like limestone, rattan, and elephants. Many local people did not like his business practices.

Lindsay wrote in his book that he felt danger when he visited a holy place called the Shah Jalal Dargah. He thought it could be a place where people might resist British rule. At this time, Mubarak Ali Khan was the local ruler, but the British East India Company held the real power. Warren Hastings was the top British official in India.

The Great Flood of 1781

In 1781, a huge flood hit Sylhet. It destroyed many farms and crops, leading to a terrible famine. About one-third of the people in the region died because of the flood. Many locals blamed the British for not doing enough to help. Lindsay asked the British government to stop collecting taxes during this hard time, but his request was turned down.

Lindsay also wrote that some local Hindus warned him about a planned uprising by Muslims. They said the Muslims planned to attack the British and some Hindu temples. Lindsay didn't believe them at first. He knew it was the holy month of Muharram, when Muslims usually prepare for a special day called Ashura. He also thought Muslims were not usually violent during this sacred month.

The leader of the rebellion, the Pirzada, came from an important family in Sylhet. His family were descendants of Syed Hamzah Shersowari, a companion of a famous saint named Shah Jalal. People from all over Bengal and Assam would come to Sylhet for the Muharram processions.

The Day of the Rebellion

In the evening, the Pirzada led a procession of 300 people, including his brothers, Syed Muhammad Hadi and Syed Muhammad Mahdi. Many local people joined them. The parade marched through the Sylhet Shahi Eidgah. People carried blades and swords as part of their Muharram traditions. Lindsay later wrote that the rebels first killed a local official named Dewan Manik Chand before setting parts of the town on fire.

Later, the Hindus returned to Lindsay's house, showing him their injuries. Lindsay then sent his Muslim `jemadar` (a local officer) with 20 `sepoy`s (Indian soldiers working for the British) to the Eidgah. Lindsay soon followed with 30 more sepoys.

The Battle at Eidgah

With over 50 soldiers, Lindsay ordered the rebels to give up. But they ran into the hills around the Eidgah. Lindsay and his men followed them. Lindsay faced the Pirzada in a sword fight. The Pirzada broke Lindsay's sword. However, Lindsay's `jemadar` quickly gave him a pistol. Lindsay then shot the Pirzada, who died.

The sepoys then fired their guns, and Lindsay left the area. As he was leaving, Lindsay saw an old man who had been hurt by a sepoy. Lindsay stopped the sepoy and helped the old man. Both of the Pirzada's brothers, Hada Miah and Mada Miah, also died in the fight. Lindsay himself shot Hada Miah. Lindsay reported that one of his sepoys died (likely the `jemadar`) and 12 were injured. He also said that four rebels died, and many more were hurt.

What Happened Next

After the fight, Lindsay took his injured soldiers to his home for treatment. He also arrested many important Muslim leaders from the town. However, his European friends asked him to release them. They were worried about another rebellion, as they saw Muslims lighting torches around town.

Lindsay sent more soldiers to the town. It turned out the Muslims were not planning another revolt. They were simply burying their dead, and needed light because it was late at night. Hada Miah and Mada Miah were buried near the Sylhet Shahi Eidgah. Lindsay then said that rebels should not be honored. He also wrote a letter to the Governor of Fort William, Warren Hastings, explaining what had happened.

British officials considered sending more troops to Sylhet to improve security. This was because two days of the Muharram festival were still left. However, Lindsay believed there would be no more trouble. He felt that the main rebel leaders were dead, and the survivors had suffered too much.

Lasting Impact

This rebellion was one of the first uprisings against British rule in the area. It made the British even more unpopular in Sylhet, especially after the Pirzada's death.

Years later, after Lindsay returned to Scotland, he met a Bengali Muslim man named Saeed Ullah. Saeed was from Sylhet. Lindsay learned that Saeed was looking for the Pirzada's killer to get revenge. It turned out Saeed was the son of the old man Lindsay had saved during the battle. When Saeed realized Lindsay was the one he was looking for, he drew his sword. But Lindsay managed to calm the situation. The two men made peace. Lindsay even asked Saeed to cook a curry for his family. Saeed agreed, and Lindsay said it was the best curry he had ever tasted.

Today, the northern hill of the Sylhet Shahi Eidgah is named after Hada and Mada Miah. This is because they fought on that very hill during the rebellion.

See also

• Rahimullah of Baraikhali
• Nankar Rebellion
• Revolt of Radharam