Q. Regarding the Wahabi Movement in India, consider the following statements:
1.It was essentially an Islamic revivalist movement founded by Syed Ahmed of Rai Bareilly, who was inspired by the teachings of Abdul Wahab of Arabia.
2.The movement initially directed its ‘Jihad’ against the Sikh Kingdom of Punjab before turning its focus toward the British.
3.Patna served as the primary organizational center where a secret network of agents and a “viceregal” system were established to collect funds.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: D
Notes:
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct. Syed Ahmed Barelvi sought to return Islam to its pristine form. He was the key figure who popularized the movement in India.
- Statement 2: Correct. Initially, the Wahabis fought the Sikhs in the North-West. After the British annexed Punjab in 1849, the focus shifted entirely against the British “infidels.”
- Statement 3: Correct. Patna was the headquarters (Sittana was the military base on the frontier). The organization was so robust that it survived several “Wahabi Trials” in the 1860s.
