The radical fighter; Image Source- Wikipedia 

thumbnail_Titumir_portrait.jpeg

Titumir_portrait.jpeg

One such group that was synonymous with traitors and rebels were the Wahabis. The bane for the British administration and a bitter pill to swallow, any resistance from the Wahabis was a typical nuisance that needed the assistance of violence to teach a mass lesson.

Time and again, Wahabi leaders have caused a lot of trouble for the British crown. One such faithful son of the movement was Syed Mir Nisar Ali aka, Titumir. Born in 1782 in the village of Chandpur, Titumir grew up in a pious background and received education at the local madrassa. His interest in gymnastics earned him the stint of a bodyguard of the local zamindar.

Sudden and mysterious imprisonment during his service deluded Titumir, who had no clue how things went wrong. To reflect upon his actions and in search of inner peace, he embarked on his spiritual journey to Mecca in 1822.

> His visit to Mecca changed the perception of life for Titumir. Influenced by the Wahabi preacher Syed Ahmad Barelvi, Titumir resolved to live a life of piety and call upon his Muslim brothers and sisters to do the same. Titumir's followers generally came from the sections of the poor peasantry who were tired of the agricultural extortion of the zamindars and the British government.
> 

His return marked the era of Islamic resurgence where he encouraged fellow brothers to maintain a beard with trimmed moustache while women were to wear burqas. Agitated by the rising power of Titumir, the zamindar of Purha, Krishnadeva Rai levied a biased tax on Muslims to isolate Titumir.

Under the able leadership of Titumir, the peasants boldly revolted against the zamindars even when the situation blew up violently. Inspired by the actions of Krishnadeva Rai, other zamindars started implementing similar taxes to teach a lesson to all Muslims.

> The voice of peasants went unheard. After seeking legal aid, which failed Titumir, and his followers blatantly, Titumir decided it was time to take things into their hands. And this is how a socio-religious protest changed to an armed political-economic class struggle.
> 

Rapid changes fueled the fire. A one-on-one confrontation with the British forces was inevitable. Not at all phased by the thought, Titumir immediately shifted his base to Narkelberia to raise a trained militia. By October 1830, Titumir's army became a force to reckon with.

Their first mission was to avenge the wrongdoing of Krishnadeva Rai. After ransacking his residence, other oppressive money-lenders also faced the brunt of the attack.

The months of October and November witnessed the occurrence of similar incidents. Well-aware of the burgeoning tension, Titumir constructed *Banser Kella* or a bamboo fort to resist the British forces. At this point, the zamindars and British administration joined hands to suppress the rebellion. However, their failed attempts to subdue Titumir further challenged British imperialism.

> At this crucial point, under the orders of  Lord William Bentinck, a military unit went to siege the fort on 18th November 1831. The British employed its best cannons to blow the fort the next day.
> 

Titumir was brutally bayoneted to death with some of his soldiers, while the rest of his army was arrested and trialled at the Alipur Court.

The incident was brushed under the rag by the British administration in no time. The English newspapers sided with the zamindars in labelling the rebellion as a law and order nuisance.

Titumir's bravery and valour made him the national hero. His legacy continues to echo in the folklore tradition, especially in Bangladesh, where he is deeply revered. Much before the Sepoy Mutiny, this braveheart ignited the flame of independence on the golden pages of the Indian freedom struggle.

The poisonous seeds of 'divide and rule' planted a perpetual communal germ in the Indian subcontinent. Its far-reaching repercussions still manage to haunt the political climate between India and Pakistan. While labelling Indians as the inferior race has been the norm, some rebellious minorities faced the ultimate wrath of colonialism with the atrocious tags of 'law and order nuisance.'