Risala Asbab Baghawat-e-Hind / رسالہ اسباب بغاوت ہند

اردو اثاثہ

by Syed Ahmad Khan, Moinuddin Aqeel (Compiler)

Syed Ahmad Khan was serving as Sadr Amin in Bijnor when the Revolt broke out in Delhi on May 10, 1857. The events of 1857, directly or indirectly, not only shook the very foundations of British rule, ultimately resulting in an independent India, but also shattered the unity between Muslims and Hindus, and in particular the mindset of Syed Ahmad Khan. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, he remained loyal to the British Empire and was noted for saving several European lives. After the Revolt, he penned the book The Causes of the Indian Mutiny – a daring critique, at the time, of British policies that he blamed for causing the uprising. The events of the Revolt have been described in detail by Syed Ahmad Khan in his Tarikh-i-Sarkashi-i- (“Zila”) Bijnore or the History of 1857 Revolt and its causes (Asbab-e-Baghawat-e Hind or The Causes of the Indian Mutiny).

Genres: History, India, Pakistan

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1903

Reviews

[Sohail Younas · Rating 4 out of 5]

After 1857 Baghawat in India, Syed Ahmed Khan felt that Britishers think that Muslims were the majors cause of that Baghawat. So he disagrees with that analysis and thought that reasons were different and if he is able to get point across with Britishers, Government might better treat Muslims.

One of the major reason was that British Government was not "inclusive" for Indians. Other reasons is that Britishers failed to understand the culture and religion of people.

[Danial Qazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was meant to ease the blame of agitation on Muslims during failed India's War of independence of 1857. So The writer tried to please English by calling it a revolt and use somewhat bitter flattery to convince them that not all Muslims joined this cause and many joined it because they have no other options left. After all due to the absence of some settled Authority for past 150 years, people were switching loyalities whenever they saw it fit.

[N · Rating 3 out of 5]

post-mutiny apology from the leading intellectual of the losing party: funny, pathetic and somewhat illuminating.

[Mattie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good insight into the causes of the revolt - from a different perspective.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

difficult to read, but if you want a non western review of the depot mutiny firsthand, this it it.

[Shaz Alam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revivalist Sir Syed Ahmed Khan tried to seek a some cool corners for his nation.