Tutumir - His Life and Legacy

This presentation delves into the life and legacy of Titumir, a key figure in 19th-century Bengal, within the context of Bangladesh's political history. It explores his resistance against British colonial rule and zamindari oppression, his religious activism inspired by the Wahabi and Faraizi movements, and his notable construction of the bamboo fort as a symbol of defiance. The study also underscores Titumir's lasting impact on Bangladesh’s liberation movements and his role in shaping Bengali cultural identity under colonial rule.

1. Titumir Partho Prosad Independent University of Bangladesh www.youtube.com His Life and Legacy

2. Early Life Place of Birth: Formerly Chandpur, Basirhat , British India (Formerly) North 24 Parganas , West Bengal, India (Currently). Syed Mir Nisar Ali ( Titumir ) (27 January 1782 - 19 November 1831) Mother: Abida Ruqayyah Khatun , Father: Syed Mir Hasan Ali Ancestry: Arab preacher immigrants to Bengal. Claimed lineage from Ali, the fourth caliph of Islam. archive.org

3. Early Life Education: Local school and madrasa. Hafiz of Quran and scholar of hadith. Well versed in Bangla, Arabic and Persian. Early Career: Peasantry. Serving as a peyada under Zamindars . Training as a lathial ( stick fighting). A traditional Madrasa A village lathial en.banglapedia.org nationalheraldindia.com

4. Religious Activism Visit to Makkah for Hajj pilgrimage in 1822. Meeting with Syed Ahmad Barelvi and Haji Shariatullah ( Faraizi Movement) during Hajj. Inspired by the Wahabi movement (formerly as Tariqa- i - Muhammadiya movement). Started preaching Islam to peasants in 24 Parganas & Nadia after returning from Hajj. Haji Shariatullah (1781-1840) Grave of Syed Ahmad (1786-1831) Reformist trend: Opposing grave worship and other religious heterodox practices. wikipedia.org wikipedia.org

5. Political Activism Confrontations with the Hindu Zamindars . Opposing discriminatory measures enforced by Zamindars . Forming a militia of lathials against the Zamindars . Successful in defeating the English kuthial of Mollahati .

6. Political Activism Confrontations with the British: Declaring Independence from the British. Building a Basher Kella (bamboo fort) at Narikelbaria , Barasat . Gaining control over the districts of 24 Parganas , Nadia and Faridpur . Military tactics: Strike-&-retreat guerilla attacks. Around 1500 militias. www.youtube.com An artists depiction of Titumir’s Basher Kella

7. Defeat and Death Lieutenant Colonel Stewart’s attack on Narikelbaria fort. 100 British cavalry, 300 infantry & artillery with two cannons. Comparison of the strengths of the two groups Quaterstaff , swords and spears. 19 November, 1831 Overwhelming defeat against the modern weaponry of British. Bamboo fort destroyed and Titumir killed.

8. Legacy Source of inspiration for liberation movements of Bangladesh. Ranked 11 th in BBC’s poll of the Greatest Bengali of all time. Several institutions and establishments named after Titumir . Commemorative stamp by the Government of Bangladesh on his 161 st death anniversary.