RESISTANCE AND MARTYRDOM
HISTORY OF INDIA POST-1026 CE
The previous Sections cover the history of more than three centuries (c. 650-1026 CE), when India successfully halted the march of Islamic forces that had engulfed vast regions and kingdoms in the rest of the world. Mohyal sovereigns administering the border lands, were part of that glorious chapter of History of India. They provided a bulwark that protected mainland India during the ninth and tenth centuries. India could thus enjoy unprecedented peace and prosperity during this period.
The rolling dice of fate sometimes falls on the other side. Despite an obstinate struggle by the intrepid ancestors of Datts and Vaids, the Aryavarta lost its liberty and its divinity – even the liberty of life and belief. This foreign Muslim rule continued for long (twelve centuries in Sindh, eight centuries in Punjab and six from the capital at Delhi) – to be replaced by the British colonial power. What were the conditions in India during foreign rule?
As aptly described, “the Mohammaden conquest of India is probably the bloodiest story in history.” It is not our purpose to highlight that sordid aspect. But the post-1000 CE history of mainland India is a record of unceasing resistance by the indigenous Hindu groups and individuals against the atrocities of the rulers and various cultural adjustments to preserve their co-religionists from conversion to Islam, as much as possible. “The brotherhood (Biradaris) of various castes did not let any individual in their caste to betray his faith or defy the caste rules.” It is a wonder that while other countries had succumbed to Islam, after being conquered, India managed to save about 80 percent of its population from the sway of Islam and the evangelical onslaught of Christianity. The past is over but history is a continuum. It is essential to be aware of the past.
Islam does not permit any quarter to the un-believers (non-Muslims). Their brotherhood is only for the Muslims. There is, however, a precedent that the Jews of Arabia were given protection of their lives, as “Zimmies”, by paying a ‘protection’ tax called “Jaziya”. Hindus were forced to pay this tax when the Arabs conquered Sindh in 712. Later also, most of the Muslim rulers imposed Jaziya on their Hindu subjects, for not converting to Islam. It was not just another tax: it was also intended to degrade and humiliate them.
Qazi Mughisuddin advised Alauddin Khilji:[1]
They (the Hindus are called payers of tribute and when the revenue officer demands silver from them they should without question and with all humility and respect tender gold. If the officer throws dirt (chooses to spit) into their mouths they must without reluctance open their mouths wide to receive it. … The due subordination of this Zimmi (tribute payer) is exhibited in this humble payment and this throwing dirt in their mouths.
This burden of tax and degrading position of Hindus was not considered enough by some to coerce them towards conversion. Ziauddin Barani was unhappy even about grant of ‘Zimmi’ status to Hindus. His argument:[2]
It is not lawful to accept Jaziya from Hindus as they have neither a prophet nor a revealed book (comparison with Jews) … How will the true faith prevail if the rulers allow the infidels to keep their temples, adore their idols and to make merry during their festivals with the beating of drums and dhols, singing and dancing?
The Mughal Emperor Jahangir is portrayed as a symbol of justice and kind ruler. In his own words: “I ordered that he (Guru Arjun Dev) be brought to me, and handed over his habitations, houses and children to Murtaza Khan. Having brought his possessions under confiscation (qaide-i-zabt) I ordered that he be capitally punished.”[3] He was therefore tied up in the desert (in the environs of) Lahore and died from the fierceness of the summer, and torture by the levy collectors. This happened in 1606-07 AD.[4]
On receiving the news of Guru Arjun Dev’s death Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi wrote a letter to Murtza Khan (Sheikh Farid) with much jubilation, in which he says:
At this time the killing of accursed Kafir Govindwal, has been a happy event. It is a matter of great defeat of the reprobated Hindus. For whatever reason he has been killed, and for whatever motive he has been put to death, the humiliation of Kafirs is the very life of Islam.[5]
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This was the general environment in which our Mohyal ancestors survived and retained their self-esteem, through the millennium of slavery. As a fighting class, they sometimes held high positions in the administration of the time, but they did not convert to the religion of the ruler. They would not tolerate any transgression of this Laxman Rekha or the Red Line. That was the Mohyal Maryada (code of conduct). The whole Mohan clan was annihilated in an armed protest, when one of their youngsters was forcibly converted to Islam by the Mughal Emperor – whom they were otherwise serving loyally by virtue of holding a high office.
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Main events of Mohyal History are being contextualized here in the general History of India, of that period. This helps the reader in understanding the real greatness of their heroes – the odds against which they were struggling. But more than that, the readers should also get a glimpse of the mainstream History of India, particularly because an ideologically distorted version is being taught in the educational institutions.
[1] Ziauddin Barani, Twarikh-i- Firozshahi, pp. 290-91; See in Elliot and Dowson, III, p. 184 (available on Internet.)
[2] Ziauddin Barani, Fatwa-i-Jahandari; See in , Sources of Indian Tradition, Compiled by W M Theodore De Bary and others, Motilal Banarsidas, p. 489. (available on Internet.)
[3] M. Athar Ali, Mughal India, quoted on pp. 188-89.
[4] M. Athar Ali, Mughal India, p. 190.
[5]M. Athar Ali, Mughal India, p. 189.
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In this Section RESISTANCE AND MARTYRDOM, we are covering the following:
PART – I : THE HISTORY OF THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD (c. 1026-1800 CE)
- PUNJAB UNDER THE GHAZNAVIDS: Effort to Recover the Mohyal Kingdom.
- PUNJAB UNDER THE GREAT MOGHALS: Hindu Resistance and Datt Rule in Paniad.
- PUNJAB UNDER THE LATER MUGHALS: Martyrdom of Mohan Clan for Mohyal
- THE SIKHS, THE MUGHALS AND THE MOHYALS: Obeisance and homage to Mohyal Martyrs – नमन और श्रद्धांजलि
PART – II : THE HISTORY OF THE BRITISH PERIOD
PART – III : POST-INDEPENDENCE HISTORY
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PART – II : THE HISTORY OF THE BRITISH PERIOD
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PART – III : POST-INDEPENDENCE HISTORY
Suitable narration is invited for this sub-heading. It can be in English or Hindi. If approved by the
Advisory Committee, after vetting if necessary, the writer shall be honoured with the award of a prize.