Pagal Panthis
The Pagal Panthis (lit. 'followers of the mad path') were a socio-religious order that emerged in the late 18th-century in the
Karam Shah's father was Ser Ali Ghazi who was a zamindar of Sherpur pargana. Around 1588 (994 Bangabd/bengali calender) was expelled from the zamindari for the crime of killing Kanungo Ramavallab Nandi of East Kacharibari Darsha village of Sherpur. At that time, however, the name of Serpur was Dasakahaniya. Later, Ali Ghazi was killed in the conspiracy of Hindu landlords. Karim shah lived with his mother for some days in a helpless condition. Later he started living at Shankarpur in Susanga Pargana. He was a follower of Sufism. Many historians have called him a reformer of religion and a seer of the future. In 1775 AD, Karam Shah shifted his residence to Letirkanda in present-day Purbadhala Upazila in Mymensingh Division. From the same year, Karam Shah began to initiate the tribals of the Garo hill region into the egalitarian paranoia doctrine. From 1786 Fakir Sannyasi was involved in the revolt and formed a zamindar and anti-British movement in Sherpur Pargana.
Karam Shah's pre-ascetic name was Chand Ghazi. After getting involved in the zamindar and anti-British movement, he made himself known as Karam Shah. Somewhere he was also called Karim Shah. He died in 1813 AD at his native Letirkanda. He was buried in the yard of his house.
History
The Pagal Panthis were a sect that emerged in the northern
Philosophy
The philosophy and teachings of Karim Shah were a syncretism of
He came to Susanga Pargana in 1775 and initiated the Garos and Hajongs into the egalitarian religion. In fact, in 1802 this egalitarian and truth-seeking community of Garos and Hajongs was first referred to as "fanatics" by the English Collector of Mymensingh. The ideologies of the fanatics combined the non-violent elements of all religions and were compatible with the traditional religion of the peasants. Karim Shah was deeply religious and people believed that he possessed spiritual powers. He could prophesy and according to followers, he had the power to cure diseases and improve their fortunes. A large number of people were hoping for his company. They stayed with him in a commune and were engaged in his service in various ways . There were separate living arrangements for followers from different clans and groups.
The movement was shunned and criticised by Bengali Muslim society and its leaders, who condemned religious syncretism and referred to the order as Pagal Panthis – literally the followers of a "mad faith." However, the order gained widespread popularity amongst peasant masses. Under Tipu Shah, the order extended its philosophy to demand equal socio-economic rights for the peasants of the region.[1] Tipu Shah proclaimed that no unilateral ownership of land could be allowed, as God had created humans as equals, thus granting every human an equal right to the lands. Those who forced peasants to pay taxes and oppressed them lost the moral right to rule over others. Ruling in the name of Allah, Tipu Shah enforced religious laws and encouraged tax resistance.[2]
Peasant rebellions
The patron-saint of the Pagal Panthis, Majnu Shah, had been famous for encouraging revolts against the
The region had been devastated by war between British forces and
After Tipu Shah's death in 1852, the order came under the leadership of Janku and Dobraj Pathor, who organised another peasant resistance movement against the landlords and British authorities. An armed group of Pagal Panthis under the leadership of the Pathors stormed into Sherpur town, looted government offices and overpowered the officials, landlords and police, forcing them to flee to Mymensingh.[1] Declaring themselves rulers of the town and surrounding areas, the rebels held control for almost two years.[citation needed] Negotiations and compromises between the rebels and the British helped forge peace and further concessions to the cause of the peasants.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Hussain, M Delwar (2012). "Pagal Panthi Movement". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
- ^ a b c Hussain, M Delwar (2012). "Tipu Shah". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
- ^ Khan, Muazzam Hussain (2012). "Majnu Shah". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.