Waliullahi Ulama and their Role in the Struggle for Freedom during the Colonial Period (1857-1919)

Abstract

In the aftermath of the War of Independence of 1857, the leadership of Walīullāhi Jamā‘t decided to establish educational institutions (madāris) under the new strategy to transfer the Walīullāhi philosophy to the next generation in the guise of education. The graduates of these institutions established different organizations and initated Silk Letter Movement to get rid of the colonial rule.  Ḥaz͎rat Haji Imdad Ullah Mohajir Makki RIP supervised the movement till his death. After him, Ḥaz͎rat Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi RIP and Ḥaz͎rat Shah Abd-ur-Rahim Raipuri RIP fulfilled the responsibility of supervision. In Pakistan, adherents of the Deobandi sect associate themselves with the ‘ulamā and leaders of the Silk Letter Movement which creates the perception that the movement was religious and sectarian in nature, contrary to the footprints of Walīullāhi Jamā‘t and Walīullāhi philosophy. The present research attempts to explore the role of Walīullāhi ‘ulamā in the struggle for freedom during 1857-1919, with particular emphasis on examining its historical continuity. It also aims to investigate whether these ‘ulamā adhered to the established ideological footprints of Walīullāhi Jamā‘t or diverged. Following the historical method, the data were collected from different sources, particularly the writings and biographies of Walīullāhi ‘ulamā. The data analysis shows that Walīullāhi ‘ulamā and Mashaikh followed the footprints and line of action of Ḥaz͎rat Shah Waliullah Dehlawi RIP and Walīullāhi Jamā‘t during the struggle against the British rule.

Key Words: Walīullāhi Tehrīk, Silk Letter Movement, Political Role, Dar-ul-Uloom Deoband