Misleading Prides of 1857: Riddles of Old Narrative

Misleading Prides of 1857

Riddles of Old Narrative

Think & Rethink For Once

There are similarities between 1857 rebellion and Taliban's anti-Americanism of post Geneva Accord 1988. Both movements were a reaction of those who had lost their jobs. After 1849, the empire neither needed ceremonial Mughal nor Royal Bengal Army. What were the issues in cantonments? After annexation of the Punjab (1849), as par Frontier Forward Policy the Empire had to move her army towards Oxus and for references one can read British assembly debates of 1848 . They were ready to replace Royal Bengal Army. Till annexation of the Punjab RBA was trump card of the Empire in which Hindus were in majority and they were engaged in a battle to conquer Muslim majority areas.Since 50 years colonial rulers were waiting for that day. Yet after annexation the Empire coined thesis of marshall races for Pukhtoons, Punjabis etc. Now new recruitment area was near Pindi so it became head quarter of newly formed Northern Command. Had 1857 revolutionaries some vision they would support Lhore Darbar against Britishers in 1846, 1848 wars things must be different. Even Afghan king Dost mohammad Khan's son fought against Britishers in historic ChillianWalla (Gujrat, Punjab) war. 1857 small uprising was an effort from a defeatist mindset. From three generations, B S Zafar family was on pension since 1803. Minority muslims were victim of their own false prides. They failed to understand change in politics after introduction of vote base politics in early 20th century. Had muslims living in minority muslim provinces a vision they would made alliances with disadvantage groups living in minority muslim areas but they remained busy in the revival of lost pride and called themselves "Islamian e Hind". In reality majority of muslims were in the Punjab and Bengal. Lucknow Pact of 1916 was a pitfall for indian muslims because it divided muslims of majority provinces from muslims of minority provinces. it was an effort to reduce the strength of muslim majority provinces. that is why Allma Iqbal called it a pitfall in Allahbad address. Even C R Das, Hakim Ajmal, Mian Shafi opposed it. 1940 resolution finally accepted that reality. Cannot we reavaluate our pitfalls in 21st century?  One should try to leave old narrative