Marking Scheme 4-mark question

Target: AO1
One mark for each relevant point/ fact. Additional mark for supporting detail.

Marking Scheme 7-mark question

Target: AO1, AO2

LEVEL 1: Simple/ General statement [1]

Valid general comment about the topic

LEVEL 2: Identifies reasons [2–4]

Identifies and describes factors using relevant and accurate contextual knowledge
(1 mark per identification/description)

LEVEL 3: Explains reasons [5–7]

▪ one explanation of a factor identified earlier [5]
▪ two explanations or one developed explanation [6]
▪ additional explanation(s) and/or developed explanation(s) [7]
Supported by relevant and accurate contextual knowledge

Answer as per Assessment Objectives AO

▪ Green: Identification means only defining a point
▪ Orange: Explanation/ Supporting detail means describing the point in detail
▪ Blue: Additional explanation means supporting it with facts and explanation

IMPORTANT NOTE:

DO NOT GIVE BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS OF ANY REFORMER IN ANY ANSWER. IT

IS ONLY FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING. THE CAIE QUESTION EITHER FOCUSES ON
THE ‘REASONS’ FOR A REFORM MOVEMENT OR THE ‘IMPACT’ OF THE
MOVEMENT. THE WORK/ MOVEMENT ITSELF IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN
REASON AND IMPACT
Shah Waliullah
Q. Why did Shah Waliullah have such a major influence on the revival of Islam in the
subcontinent? [7]

Muslims had deteriorated into being a helpless and disorganized group of people and if they
were to regain their power then strong leadership was required. Shah Waliullah was the first
reformer to point out, that the reason for decline of Muslims was the negligence of Quran
and Sunnah. He believed that Quran was a complete code of life that should guide Muslims
in economic, social and political aspects of life. Therefore, he translated the Quran into
Persian, the main language of subcontinent, enabling a large number of people to understand
the true teachings of Islam. To further reinforce the teachings of Quran, he wrote 51 books
in Persian and Arabic, on principles of Islam that included Hujatullah-ul-Baligha and Izlat-ul-
Akhfa. The major concepts were explained in simple language to remove any misconceptions.

Secondly, there was disunity among the Muslims of the subcontinent due to sectarian
divisions. Shah Waliullah tried to bridge the Shia Sunni gap through a written an account on
the First Four Caliphs of Islam in a way that was acceptable by both sects. His attempts
improved the relation of two groups and brought them together.

Lastly, he realized that there was a lack of unity among the Muslims as a community. Shah
Waliullah wrote letters to Muslim nobles inviting them to join forces with the Mughals
against the common enemies. It was due to his efforts that Ahmed Shah Abdali broke the
power of Marathas at the Battle of Panipat in 1761.

Thus, Shah Waliullah proved to be an important figure in reviving Islam in the subcontinent.

Notice how to the last line refers back to the question.

Syed Ahmed Shaheed
Q. Why did Syed Ahmad Barelvi found the Jihad movement? [4]

The answer requires four facts only. No details or explanation needed.

▪ He wished to restore the respect of Muslims

▪ He wished to achieve religious freedom.
▪ He considered subcontinent as Dar-ul-Harb
▪ He wished to set up an Islamic state with enforcement of Sharia Law
▪ He wanted to purify the Muslim society from non-Islamic customs or innovations.
▪ Muslims in Punjab were oppressed by Ranjit Singh and found it difficult to practice
religion.
▪ The British were stronger enemy as compared to Sikhs, therefore, Syed Ahmed initiated
jihad with Sikhs as he would have the support of Muslims from the frontier provinces.

Q. Why did Syed Ahmad Barelvi call for Jihad to overthrow Sikh rule in the early
nineteenth century? [7]

Syed Ahmed was dismayed by the decline of the Muslims. He desired to restore the
supremacy of Islam in India. He believed that the subcontinent had become Dar-ul-Harb, and
it was compulsory for Muslims to oppose power of non-Muslims through an armed struggle.
His aim was to establish an Islamic state where Sharia law could be enforced and Muslims
could achieve religious freedom. For him a state run by fellow Muslims was the solution to
purify Islam from the social evils and Hindu customs that had corrupted the Muslim society.

During his time, Punjab was under the Sikh regime of Ranjit Singh, whose power extended
up to NWFP. The Sikhs had extinguished the religious freedom of Muslims inhabiting that
region. They were prohibited from calling Azaan and offering prayers in the congregation.
Mosques were turned into horse stable and weapon factories. The property and life of
Muslims was at risk. Syed Ahmed decided to launch jihad from Punjab to liberate them from
tyrannical Sikh rule.

Syed Ahmed realized that it was not feasible to initiate jihad with the British, who had
deprived the Muslims of their power. The British were well equipped and organized
compared Sikhs. The strategic location of his base at NWFP would aid him during jihad by
attracting large number of Muslims and he would have support of Afghanistan’s Muslim
government. Jihad would serve as a uniting force among Muslims and revive the spirit of
sacrifice.

Therefore, he launched jihad from Punjab to overthrew Sikh rule.

Compare how the two main objectives, religious and military are ‘identified’ in first column,
then ‘described’ in second column and ‘explained’ in third column.

COMPARISON OF QUESTIONS
4-marks | Target: AO1 4-marks | Target: AO1 7-marks | Target: AO1, AO2
Q. Why did Syed Ahmad
Q. Why did Syed Ahmad
Q. What was the Jihad Barelvi call for Jihad to
Barelvi found the Jihad
movement? overthrow Sikh rule in the
movement?
early nineteenth century?
Answer four facts here: He wished to restore the Syed Ahmed was dismayed
respect of Muslims by by the decline of the
When / Where: 1826 - achieving religious freedom. Muslims. He desired to
Punjab/ NWFP He considered subcontinent restore the supremacy of
By Whom: Syed Ahmed as Dar-ul-Harb and wished Islam in India. He believed
Shaheed to set up an Islamic state that the subcontinent had
with enforcement of Sharia become Dar-ul-Harb, and it
What: To set up an Islamic Law was compulsory for Muslims
State with Sharia Law to He wanted to purify the to oppose power of non-
purify society from social Muslim society from non- Muslims through an armed
evils and Hindu rituals and Islamic customs or struggle. His aim was to
innovations. establish an Islamic state
An armed struggle to Muslims in Punjab were where Sharia law could be
liberate Muslims from oppressed by Ranjit Singh enforced and Muslims could
tyrannical Sikh regime of and found it difficult to achieve religious freedom.
Ranjit Singh practice religion freely. For him a state run by fellow
The British were stronger Muslims was the solution to
Impact: The movement was enemy as compared to purify Islam from the social
a uniting force for Muslims Sikhs, therefore, Syed evils and Hindu customs that
and first example of an Ahmed initiated jihad with had corrupted the Muslim
effort to achieve religious Sikhs as he would have the society.
freedom - Forerunner to support of Muslims from During his time, Punjab was
Pakistan Movement the frontier provinces. under the Sikh regime of
Ranjit Singh, whose power
extended up to NWFP. The
Sikhs had extinguished the
religious freedom of
Muslims inhabiting that
region. They were prohibited
from calling Azaan and
offering prayers in the
congregation. Mosques
were turned into horse
stable and weapon factories.
The property and life of
Muslims was at risk. Syed
Ahmed decided to launch
jihad from Punjab to liberate
them from tyrannical Sikh
rule.
Syed Ahmed realized that it
was not feasible to initiate
jihad with the British, who
had deprived the Muslims of
their power. The British were
well equipped and organized
compared Sikhs. The
strategic location of his base
at NWFP would aid him
during jihad by attracting
large number of Muslims
and he would have support
of Afghanistan’s Muslim
government. Jihad would
serve as a uniting force
among Muslims and revive
the spirit of sacrifice.
Therefore, he launched jihad
from Punjab to overthrew
Sikh rule.
Haji Shariat Ullah

WHEN & WHERE, WHO, WHAT, HOW/

IMPACT
Answer these four in such questions
Why were there attempts to revive Islam in the subcontinent during the 18th and the mid-
19th centuries? [7]
▪ This is a WHY question where students should provide the main reasons for revival of
Islam by all three reformers and only identify the work.

▪ CAIE EXAMINER COMMENTS:

The question focused on the reasons why there were attempts to revive Islam. Many
candidates misinterpreted this question and saw it as one that required details of the way
in which Shah Waliullah and others revived Islam. Unless candidates were able to explain
why these men did this then most of these answers were irrelevant. Therefore, it is
essential that candidates read the question carefully before attempting to answer it.
However, there were many candidates who were able to recognize the demands of the
question and were able to answer it well and gain near or maximum marks.

▪ For example, you can start with:

Shah Waliullah believed that Muslims were ignorant about Islam and the teachings of the
Holy Quran. Therefore, an emphasis on Quranic teachings would not only improve their
knowledge and - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .

Write two more paragraphs in similar manner to explain the REASONS of movement by
Syed Ahmed Shaheed and Haji Shariat Ullah
Shah Waliullah
1703 – 1762
 Context of the subcontinent at start of eighteenth century
early 18th century = 1700 – 1750
Aurangzeb’s reign = 1658 – 1707 (almost 50 years)

Economic strain
Conditions of Mughal Prolonged military campaigns
empire led to high taxation and
depletion of resources
British expansion through
better weaponry and
tactics

Decline of central authority

Weak successors Religious intolerance
Vast size of the empire coupled
Nobility had become Strict Islamic policies such as jizya tax
with revolts and foreign
pleasure loving and by Aurangzeb led to tensions with other
invasions contributed to
spent wealth on religious groups that were in majority
empire inability to control
luxuries
 Shah Waliullah’s efforts to revive Islam
Problems Solutions
A - Writings
1. Religious values forgotten 1. Translation of Quran in Persian from
• Ignorance of Quran and Sunnah led to Arabic
decline of Muslim influence in • Quran as a complete code of life
subcontinent
• Political, economic and social
• Hindu beliefs and customs had crept behavior - guided by Islamic values
into worships and lives of Muslims in
India • Reviving faith = restoration of former
position
• Social evils had corrupted Islamic
society in form of injustice, • Persian - main language of the
extravagance and idleness subcontinent
 Shah Waliullah’s efforts to revive Islam
Problems Solutions
A - Writings cont.
• Led to understanding of Islamic
teachings by large number of people

• His worked inspired future

1. Religious values forgotten generations; his sons Shah Abdul
Qadir and Shah Rafi translated Quran
into Urdu

• Urdu - main literary language of

northern India
 Shah Waliullah’s efforts to revive Islam
Problems Solutions
A - Writings
2. Wrote 51 books in Persian and Arabic
• Hujjatullah-ul-Baligha and Izalat-ul-
Akhfa

• Based on principles of Islam

1. Religious values forgotten
• Correct concepts presented in simple
form
 Shah Waliullah’s efforts to revive Islam
Problems Solutions
B - Education
Teaching and preaching true essence of
Islam at Madrassa-e-Rahimiya
• Trained his sons and other pupils

• Sent missionaries to parts of

1. Religious values forgotten subcontinent and other countries

• Spread his beliefs and thoughts even

after he passed away
 Shah Waliullah’s efforts to revive Islam
Problems Solutions
2. Lack of unity due to sectarian division Wrote account on ’First Four Caliphs of
– Shias and Sunnis Islam’ in a way that was acceptable by
both sects/ groups

3. Lack of unity among Muslims as a • United Muslims against the Marathas

community globally and Sikhs, who were attacking the
Mughals from south and north,
respectively

• Invited Muslim nobles to join forces

with Mughals via letters

• Ahmed Shah Abdali of Afghanistan

defeated Marathas at the Battle of
Panipat in 1761
Syed Ahmed Barelvi
1786 – 1831
Reasons for Jihad Movement
Reasons for Jihad Movement
Reasons for Jihad Movement
Events of the Jihad Movement
Events of the Jihad Movement
Why Jihad Movement failed?
Why Jihad Movement failed?
Why Jihad Movement failed?
Why Jihad Movement failed?
Why Jihad Movement failed?
Impact Why it failed?
Haji Shariat Ullah
1781 – 1840
 East
Bengal

Regions of Islamic
revivalist movements
 Reasons for Faraizi Movement
Socio-economic Religious
Status of Muslims reduced from ruling class Muslims had moved away from true Islamic
to poverty - they needed political awareness practices that led to their miserable state
Muslims not given equal opportunities in
Haji Shariat Ullah wanted Muslims to focus
education and employment
on the observation of Islamic duties
Zamindars – landowners and tax collectors
were all Hindus working closely with British Restore pride of Muslims and purify the faith
from Hindu rituals
Oppression of Muslims by the British rulers
and zamindars India had become Dar al Harb, Friday
The landlords imposed a ban on the prayers and Eid prayers should not be
slaughter of cows especially on Eid as an offered
additional religious tax
Conditions were worsened by frequent
cyclones and famines
 Faraizi Movement
1. Emphasis on repentance for past sins for the purification of soul

2. Muslims should promise to lead a righteous life in future and strictly

observe the obligatory religious duties of Faraiz i.e. prayer, fasting,
giving alms etc.

3. Strict adherence to Tawhid

4. Denounce all ceremonies which had no reference to the Quran and

Sunnah

5. Commanded Farsizis (his followers) not to pay landlords additional

religious taxes and not to obey ban on religious acts
 Faraizi Movement
The Islamic-led Faraizi movement soon turned into a socio-economic issue.

The growing popularity of the movement outraged landlords, who built up

a propaganda campaign with the British officials, imprisoning the Faraizis.

In 1837, Hindu landlords accused Haji Shariatullah of attempting to build

up a state of his own.

They also brought several lawsuits against the Faraizis, in which they
benefitted due to co-operation of the Europeans.

Haji Sahab was placed under arrest and later driven out of the region to
Nawabganj, Dhaka where he died in 1840.
 Faraizi Movement - Impact
The movement gave Muslims the courage to stand up for their rights. It made
them aware to voice their concerns and resist unfair treatment. It made them
understand their socio-economic importance as a major population of Bengal.

After the death of Haji Shariatullah, his son, Mohsin-ud-Din, known as

Dadu Miyan, led the movement.

▪ He divided East Bengal into areas called circles and appointed khalifas
for each of them. The khalifas were responsible for the social, political
and religious development of the circles. Under his leadership, the
movement took a more militant form.

▪ He organized resistance to Hindu landlords and money lenders,

boycotting the payment of taxes and interest charges.
 Faraizi Movement - Impact
▪ He also formed an armed force to attack the zamindars and their
followers and then went one stage further by attempting to form a
parallel Muslim government within East Bengal.

▪ Dadu Mian even threatened to declare a jihad against the British

government.

▪ Consequently, the British arrested him and put him in prison.

▪ After his death in 1860, the Faraizi Movement declined.