The Wahabi Movement in India and its Socio-Religious Impact On UPSC!

The Wahabi movement started in Arabia. Then, it came to parts of India. Wahabis wanted Muslims to follow real Islam. They only followed the Quran and what the Prophet said. Wahabis did not like people praying at the tombs of saints. This caused fights between Wahabis and groups like Sufis. But it also made Muslims learn basic Islam again and Islamic rules and good things.

Delving into the Wahabi movement, this article aims to provide valuable insights for the UPSC IAS exam, particularly for UPSC History Optional candidates preparing for Paper I.

The Wahhabi Movement In India

The Wahhabi movement in India is a revivalist and reformist movement within Sunni Islam. It emphasizes strict adherence to the Quran and hadith and advocates the use of ijtihad (independent reasoning). It emerged in the 18th century under the influence of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, a Najdi cleric from Arabia. It spread to India through trade and missionary activities.

History of the Wahhabi Movement

The Wahhabi movement in India emerged in the 18th century under the influence of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, a Najdi cleric from Arabia. Wahhabism is a revivalist and reformist movement within Sunni Islam.

The Wahhabi movement spread to India through trade and missionary activities. It gained a foothold in the North Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.

Key figures in the early spread of Wahhabism in India include Shah Waliullah Dehlawi and Syed Ahmad Barelvi. These individuals played a significant role in influencing the religious landscape of North India.

The Wahhabi movement has had a profound and lasting impact on Indian Islam. It has contributed to a more puritanical and literalist approach to Islamic practice. It emphasized the Quran and hadith as the sole sources of authority.

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Objectives of the Wahabi Movement in India

The Wahabi movement arose in India in the early 19th century. The main objectives of the Wahabi movement in India were religious, political, and social in nature.

Religious Objectives

The religious objectives of the Wahabis in India were

• To purify Islam from what they believed were inappropriate innovations and practices. They wanted to go back to the original teachings and practices of Islam as preserved in the Quran and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad.
• To spread the message of true Islam. The Wahabis believed that other Muslims had distorted Islamic teachings and practised unIslamic customs. They considered it their duty to guide other Muslims on the right path.
• To enforce Sharia law strictly. The Wahabis wanted Islamic laws concerning religious rituals, social interactions, and economic activities to be followed strictly by all Muslims.
• To end the worship of saints and graves. The Wahabis opposed the veneration of saints, relics, and graves, which they saw as shirk (polytheism). They wanted to end such practices among Muslims in India.

Political Objectives

The Wahabi movement also had certain political objectives. These included -

• To establish an Islamic state based on the Sharia. The Wahabis wanted an Islamic Caliphate to be established by overthrowing the Mughal empire. They were opposed to the rule of the Mughal emperor.
• To end the British rule in India. The British were seen as Kafirs(non-believers) by the Wahabis. They wanted the British to leave India so that an Islamic state could be established.

Social Objectives

The Wahabi movement aimed at bringing about social reforms among Muslims in India. This included-

• To end un-Islamic social customs. The Wahabis opposed social practices among Indian Muslims like the purdah system, marriage with close kin, carrying of amulets, etc., which they saw as un-Islamic.
• To promote the Islamic dress code. The Wahabis pushed for both men and women to strictly follow the Islamic dress code of wearing long, loose clothes that cover the whole body except the face and hands.
• To promote Islamic ideals of simplicity and piety. The Wahabis criticized the lavish lifestyle of Indian Muslims and promoted the simple lifestyle of the early Islamic community.

In summary, the main objectives of the Wahabi movement in India were religious, political, and social in nature. The religious objective was to purify and spread true Islamic beliefs and practices. The political aim was to overthrow non-Islamic rulers and establish an Islamic state. The social goal was to end unIslamic social customs and promote Islamic ideals of simplicity and piety.

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Role of Wahabi

Wahabis first came to India with Arab traders and missionaries. But they got more followers in the 1900s. Many Wahabis were in South Indian places like Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

• The Wahabi movement divided Indian Muslims. It caused tensions between Wahabis and groups like Sufis. But the movement also made Muslims rediscover basic Islam and its principles.
• Wahabis made simple worship, pure rules, and good behaviour their job. They opened schools teaching Islam, the Quran, and Arabic. This helped reform Muslim thinking and rules.
• However, Wahabis’ strict ideas caused conflict with groups like Sufis, who had a more open outlook. The Muslim modernist movement also criticized some Wahabi ideas.
• Still, Wahabism helped revive studying the Quran and the saying of the Prophet among Indian Muslims. The movement inspired some Indian Muslim scholars. It made other groups think about their beliefs and rules. This contributed to the Islamic revival in the 1800s in India.
• The Wahabi movement among Indian Muslims was complex. The British saw it positively as it reduced rituals among Muslims. But the British were wary of its politics.

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Wahabi Movement - Political View

The Wahabi Movement in India had a distinct political dimension alongside its religious and social objectives.

• The movement sought to challenge British colonial rule and restore Islamic governance in India. Its leaders believed in the establishment of an Islamic state based on the teachings of the Quran and the Hadith. They aimed to create a society governed by Islamic law.
• The Wahabi Movement criticized the British administration for various policies. It advocated for the protection of Muslim interests and the promotion of Islamic education.
• The movement's leaders actively participated in political activities. They also engaged with other anti-colonial movements of the time. They sought alliances with groups who shared their vision of an independent Islamic state.
• Though the Wahabi Movement had political aspirations, it did not have a centralized organizational structure. Its leadership was fragmented, and internal divisions weakened its political influence. 

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Suppression of the Wahabi Movement

The British viewed the Wahabi Movement as a threat to their colonial hegemony and saw it as a potential source of rebellion. The movement emphasized puritanical practices. Its opposition to various aspects of the British administration made it a target for suppression.

The British authorities employed various strategies to suppress the Wahabi Movement. They imposed strict surveillance and monitoring of the movement's leaders and followers. They also used force to quash any signs of rebellion or opposition. Military operations were carried out against the movement's strongholds, leading to armed conflicts.

One of the notable events in the suppression of the Wahabi Movement was the Battle of Balakot in 1831. Sayyid Ahmad of Rae Bareli, along with his followers, established a fortified stronghold in Balakot, present-day Pakistan. The British launched a military expedition against Balakot. This resulted in the defeat of the Wahabi forces and the death of Sayyid Ahmad.

The suppression of the movement was not limited to military action alone. The British also employed administrative measures to weaken its influence.

Over time, the Wahabi Movement gradually lost its momentum. By the early 20th century, the movement had significantly declined.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, Wahabism made good contributions like renewing the study of Islam basics, highlighting Islam principles, and inspiring Muslim reform. However, Wahabis’ strict ideas and criticisms of popular practices also caused tensions. Wahabis focused more on religious renewal than social and political issues. However, the movement strengthened the Islamic identity of some Indian Muslims and made them think again about their religious beliefs and rules. 

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