Communal Tensions and Revivalist Movements in Colonial Bihar: A Historical Analysis of the Emergence of Hindu-Muslim Conflict, 1908-1924
Keywords:
Revivalist movements, Communalism, Colonial Bihar, Arya Samaj, Cow protection, Communical ConflictAbstract
This paper examines the emergence of revivalist and communal trends in colonial Bihar between 1908 and 1924, with a focus on the manipulation by the colonial state that led to the rise of these movements. The Arya Samaj movement, established in 1875, aimed to revitalize Vedic Hinduism and gained significant influence in Bihar through its advocacy for cow protection and the establishment of educational institutions, temples, and social welfare organizations. The movement’s impact was evident in the lives of Hindus in Bihar, with efforts to eliminate the practice of ‘untouchability’ and caste distinctions, promote women’s education and gender equality, and assist impoverished women and widows. However, the rise of revivalist movements and communalism led to increased tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities, culminating in violent conflicts such as the Shahabad riots in 1917.
References
Patel, H. K. (2004). Aspects of Hindu Mobilisation In Modern Bihar. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 65, 798–824. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44144793. p 801.
Patel, H. K. (2004). Aspects of Hindu Mobilisation In Modern Bihar. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 65, 798–824. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44144793.
McLane, J. R. (1977). Indian nationalism and the early Congress. In Pacific affairs (Issue 4, p. 673). Princeton. https://archive.org/details/indiannationalis0000mcla/page/n5/mode/2up. p. 309
Alam, J. (2005). Government and Politics in Colonial Bihar: 1921-1937. http://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BA77301965. pp. 169-170.
Diwakar, R. R. (1958). Bihar through the ages. Orient Longmans. https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.17468. p. 678.
Census Report of India. (1911). Government of India.
Dr. Muhammad Aslam, a vetran associate Tablighi Jamaat, a conversation with the writer, Sargodha, Nov. 2007
Saleem, M. (2003). Tablighi Jamaat ki ilmi-o-amali kamzorian. Maktaba Darul Hikmat. p. 13.
Diwakar, R. R. (1958). Bihar through the ages. Orient Longmans. https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.17468. p. 67.
The Leader, 11 March 1923, P.7, Microfilm,NMML ;Home Poll; File 140,1925,NAI, As As cited from Prabhu Bapu – Hindu Mahasabha in Colonial North India, p. 51
L/PJ/6/1507/4221, Bakr Id Riots in Bihar October 1917 (all archival sources are from the British Library, unless indicated otherwise); Sajjad, Muslim Politics in Bihar, pp. 48–89.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Crime and Railways, to Chief Secretary, Bihar & Orissa, 5 September 1919, L/PJ/6/1507/4221.
Chief Secretary to Government Bihar & Orissa to Secretary to Government of India, 11 March 1918, L/PJ/6/ 1507/4221