Cambridge O level Bangladesh Studies Paper 1

pposition to the B
ly o ritis
Ear 1790–1905 h

Presented by Nasrin Akter

 CONTENT
Reason of opposition Forms of early opposition
to the British? take and how far were
they successful?
Formal opposition - Individual action -
Fakir and Sanyasi Haji Muhammad Mohsin
Movement, Ram Mohan Roy
Titu Meer, Henry Louis Derozio
the Indigo Revolt and Syed Ameer Ali
the Faraizi Movement Nawab Abdul Latif
Why did opposition to
the British grow in the
Indian subcontinent,
1790–1905?
The British East India Company started establishing itself
in the Indian subcontinent in the early 17th century and
eventually became the dominant power in much of India
over the next two centuries. They faced resistance from
Indian rulers and groups opposed to British rule. lets find
the reasons behind opposition and their political, military,
economic and religious ground.
 Religion
Activity-1
Next slide is provided with
cards with the different
causes of opposition to the
British on them.
Econiomics
Task- Sort the issues into
Politics Military political, military, economic
and religious reasons, and
enter the reasons into a
table in your worksheet with
those four titles.
 Causes of Opposition to the British rule
It is argued that Britain
the British colonial policy to had governed India
create rift among Colonialism provided
through ‘divide and rule’ Britain with an ideal
the Hindu and Muslims to policy and by creating
justify their rule in the instrument for
division between
name of peace or law and communities. Such policy controlling land use in
order in the region weakened the opposition India for its own benefit.
under their possession against foreign rule.

The British East India

the Indian Company exported opium to
General
economy accounted for about China, and in
due courseRecycle Your Eat policy
a plant
25 % of global mixture was
fought the opium eliminated throughout the
manufactures in 1750, but wars and Clothes
it seized an based menu
army and regiments based
by 1913 this declined offshore base in
on castes and religion
drastically to a mere 1.3 %. Hong Kong to protect
Place a shortits Place a short
was introduced
profitable monopolyhere.
description in description here.
narcotics.
 Causes of Opposition to the British rule
Religion Political Economy
It is argued that Britain
the British colonial policy to had governed India
create rift among Colonialism provided
through ‘divide and rule’ Britain with an ideal
the Hindu and Muslims to policy and by creating
justify their rule in the instrument for
division between
name of peace or law and communities. Such policy controlling land use in
order in the region weakened the opposition India for its own benefit.
under their possession against foreign rule.

Economy Economy Military

the Indian
The British East India Company General
economy accounted for about
25 % of global Recycle
exported opium Your
to China, and in Eat policy
mixture a plant
was
due course fought
Clothesthe opium eliminated throughout
based menu the
manufactures in 1750, but
wars and it seized an offshore army and regiments based
by 1913 this declined
base in on castes and religion
drastically to a mere 1.3 %. Place a shortits Place a short
Hong Kong to protect was introduced
description
profitable monopoly here.
in narcotics. description here.
 FO RM AL OP P OSITI
RLY Events took place OON
EA in Bengal

Fakir and Sanyasi Movement

Titu Meer

Faraizi Movement

Indigo Revolt
Figure -Map of India citing
various places of Peasant and
Tribal Revolts in the 19th
century
 Fakir-Sanyasi
Movement
(1770–1820s)

British banned collection of alms by fakirs and sanyasis in Bengal

Resistance movement led by Majnu Shah and Bhabani Pathak
Rebels targeted zamindars loyal to the British and used guerilla warfare tactics
Rebels were able to mobilize up to 6000 troops and were difficult for the British to defeat due to
their mobility
Conducted numerous attacks on EIC bases from 1767 to 1786 in various locations-Rangpur,
Rajshahi, Kuch Bihar, Jalpaiguri, Comilla and Dhaka.
Fakir-Sanyasi movement declined after a major battle with the British army in 1786
Scattered raids continued until 1812, but the movement lost direction after the death of Majnu
Shah
Rebel attacks ended by the late 1790s and Bengal came under firm British control.
 Titumir
Muslims and peasant
revolt

Titumir, a Muslim religious leader, rebelled to improve the position of Islam in Bengal and protect
peasants from exploitation by indigo planters and zamindars.
He formed a makeshift army to protect peasants and trained them in using lathi and other
indigenous arms. His nephew Ghulam Masum led the force.
Zamindars sought British help against Titumir as his forces grew stronger, but Titumir's forces
defeated them, and he filed a complaint to the East India Company against zamindar oppression.
Titumir built a fort, recruited and trained mujahids, declared himself a king, and established control
over districts. He demanded taxes from zamindars, who turned to the British for protection, but
were also defeated.
Lord William Bentinck sent an army led by Lieutenant Colonel Stewart to attack Titu Meer's forces.
The rebels took shelter in a bamboo fort, which was destroyed by English fire.
Titu Meer and many of his followers were killed in the battle on 19 November 1831.
Commander Ghulam Masum was sentenced to death, and 140 captives were imprisoned
 Faraizi Movement
(1838-1848)
Shariatullah Khan and Dadu Mian led the first
ever no-tax campaign against the British
Government
Their group of volunteers fought against the
armed group of Indigo planters and zamindars
The campaign brought together cultivators of
Bengal against the tyranny and illegal extractions
by landlords
It was a heroic fight for the rights of the people
The campaign was a significant moment in the
history of India's struggle against British
colonialism
The Indigo Rebellion (1859-1862)

1. The British increased profits by

introducing new crops and farming
techniques.
2. They pressured zamindars and
peasants to pay high taxes and grow
commercial crops like Indigo.
3. The cultivation of indigo was
determined by the needs of the English
cloth markets.
 The Indigo Rebellion (1859-1862)

How did the revolt

organize and end?
Reason of discontent
1. Food stocks declined, and peasants suffered
due to low prices from traders and
They were paid very low middlemen.
prices for growing indigo 2. Peasants supported zamindars to maintain
dominance and resolve administrative issues.
Indigo was not necessity 3. Peasants launched a movement against
indigo cultivation, going on strike and filing
as it was planted at the cases.
same time as food crops 4. The press, missionaries, and government
supported the peasants.
loss of fertility of the soil 5. In November 1860, the government
because of planting indigo. passed orders making it illegal to force
peasants to cultivate indigo, marking a
victory for the rebels.
 INDIVIUAL IDEAS

Raja Rammohun Roy Henry Louis Derozio

[1772-1833] [1809-1831]
Haji Muhammad
Mohsin-(1732-1812)

Nawab Abdul Latif Syed Ameer Ali

[1828-1893] [1849-1928].
 Activity-2
Next 4 slides are provided with individual actions of
opposition to the British.
Task- use the slides to find the individual with their ideas.
Add into thought bubbles into a display sheet showing a
picture of individuals with those four ideas
Haji Muhammad - Devout Muslim, celibate, philanthropist
Mohsin-(1732- - Born to a rich family in Hughli
1812) - Traveled to Iran, Iraq, Arabia, Turkey
- Managed sister's estate after her death
- Led a simple and pious life
- Set up langar-khanas during famine of 1769-70
- Created a deed of trust in 1806
- Reform Movement in education led by him
- Government took over management of Mohsin Fund in 1818
- Surplus used for building new structures for the Imambara in the 1850s
Raja Rammohun - Ram Mohan Roy's early years involved political agitation under the EIC.
Roy - William Carey arrived in India in 1793 to propagate Christianity and translate
the Bible into Indian languages.
(1772 –1833) - Carey and Roy collaborated with Sanskrit scholar Saihardana Vidyavagish, but
their involvement in creating the "Maha Nirvana Tantra" is disputed.
- Roy served the EIC and engaged in various intellectual and social activities,
including writing Tuhfat-ul-Muwahhidin and founding Atmiya Sabha, abolish the
practices of sati and child marriage. Thus, he is considered to be the "Father of
Indian Renaissance" by many historians.
- He estimated the economic drain caused by the EIC and campaigned against
Hindu social practices, later launching Brahmo Sabha in 1828.
 Henry Louis Derozio
(1809 –1831)
- A 19th-century Indian poet and Educator who
disseminate western learning and science among
the young men of Bengal
- Of Portuguese origin, born and raised in
India, identified as Indian nationalist
- Birth of "Young Bengal" movement, promoting
radical thinking and Western learning
- Organized debates and talks criticizing
orthodox religious beliefs, leading to dismissal
from Hindu College
- Flourishing poetic career with publications in
leading newspapers
- Died at a young age, inspiring many leaders of
the time and leaving a lasting legacy in Bengal
 - - Abdul Latif focused on persuading the Muslim community to embrace
Nawab Abdul English education for future competitiveness
Latif - Inspired Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's movement for modern English education
(1828 –1893) in North India
- Representations to the British government led to financial assistance for
Muslim students and the establishment of new madrassahs
- Played a pivotal role in saving Calcutta Madrassah from closure by the
government
- Founded the Mohammadan Literary Society and proposed a new syllabus
for madrassahs
- Played a role in establishing Presidency College in Kolkata, enabling
students from diverse backgrounds to pursue higher education
- Advocated for the Muslim community to overcome prejudice against
English education and improve their socio-economic condition
- Known across India as the only prominent Bengali at the time
- Started as an English teacher, became an Anglo-Arabic Professor, and
served as a deputy magistrate for nearly 35 years
- Noted for sound judgment and personal integrity, protected poor farmers
from oppression by European planters, leading to the establishment of the
Indigo Commission and the phasing out of indigo cultivation in Bengal and
India
Syed Ameer Ali-- A lawyer, spokesman on Indian Muslim concerns, and writer on Islamic history
(1849-1928) and society,
- Initiated political awakening of Indian Muslims in the 1880s, contrasting with
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's non-involvement stance
- Served in Bengal Legislative Council and Governor General's Legislative
Council, but criticized for loyal support of the Raj and compromises during the
Ilbert Bill furore
- Reluctant to actively implement social reforms, despite advocating for them
earlier
- Made use of the press to disseminate challenging views in British and English-
knowing Indian circles
- Supported Islamic causes and the advancement of Indian Muslims, leading to
public controversies and founding the London branch of the Muslim League in
1908
- Advocated for separate electorates for Muslims, which was conceded in 1909
- Continued to support Muslim causes, including through the establishment of
the British Red Crescent and the khilafat movement
- Greatest contribution was boosting Muslim self-esteem through publications
eulogizing the 'golden ages' of Islam and advocating for women's rights in Islam
- Influential in countering misinformed or prejudiced Western criticism of
Islamic history and society, particularly in the 1870s
 INDIVIUAL IDEAS prom
o
radic te
Reform Movement think al
ing a
in education camp Wes nd
again aigne t
learn ern
socia st Hindu ing
l prac
tices
,

Raja Rammohun Roy Henry Louis Derozio

[1772-1833] [1809-1831]
Haji Muhammad
Mohsin-(1732-1812)
Muslim Advocate for
community to separate
embrace English electorates for
education Muslims

Nawab Abdul Latif Syed Ameer Ali

[1828-1893] [1849-1928].
Thank
you!!