What was Wahabi Movement?
This movement, centred around Patna was an Islamic revivalist movement, whose stress was to condemn any change into the original Islam and return to its true spirit. The movement was led by Syed Ahmed Barelvi. The movement was active since 1830s but in the wake of 1857 revolt, it turned into armed resistance, a Jihad against the British. Subsequently, the British termed Wahabis as traitors and rebels and carried out extensive military operations against the Wahabis. The movement was fully suppressed after 1870. British also introduced the term “sedition” in the Indian Penal Code 1870 to outlaw speech that attempted to “excite disaffection towards the government established by law in India”. Thus, this movement marks the beginning of sedition law in India.
Wahabi Movement
Wahabi movement in India was founded by Syed Ahmed Barelvi during 1830s. The movement aimed at removing all the un-Islamic practices that had crept into the religion under various influences. In other words, Wahabi movement aimed at revitalizing the true spirit of Islam.
Though founded by Ahmad Khan, the movement was led by Syed Mir Nisar Ali popularly known as Titu Mir. Titu Mir proclaimed British as illegitimate rulers and declared Muslims to be the rightful owners of the empire. Wahabism significantly spread to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal and North West. After the death of Sayyid Ahmad Khan in 1831, Patna became the center of Wahabi movement.
The movement turned into an armed struggle during the revolt of 1857. British undertook many measures to suppress the Wahabis. British called Wahabis as traitors and rebels. Military exercises were conducted against the Wahabis and the British succeeded to subdue the movement by 1870.
Wahabi Movement and birth of India’s Sedition Law
British also introduced the term “sedition” in the Indian Penal Code 1870 to outlaw speech that attempted to “excite disaffection towards the government established by law in India”. Thus, this movement marks the beginning of sedition law in India.
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