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Kashmiris Fight For Freedom
Mohammad Yusuf Saraf

In 1827, Zabardast Khan, who had succeeded his father Hassan Ali Khan as the sultan of Muzaffarabad, collected a sizable force and declared his independence. He was still preparing for an invasion of Kashmir valley when Diwan Kripa Ram, came down with a large khalsa army to suppress the revolt. Between Baramula and Muzaffarabad, a distance of nearly 77 miles, stand huge mountains on both sides of the route. The forces of Raja Zabardast Khan as well as the Muslims

inhabiting the route hid themselves in caves, behind huge rocks and amidst forests and are claimed to have harassed the advancing khalsa army which lost a number of soldier of Birbal, who is alleged by Hindu historians to have been instrumental in the downfall of his own brother and was accompanying the Diwan as his Adviser, was able to sow seeds of discord amongst his confederates through lavish promises, with the result that most of them withdrew their support, laving Zabardast Khan alone in the field. He had, therefore, no way out but to offer, as a temporary measure, his allegiance to the Sikh Durbar. The Diwan took some hostages and returned to Srinagar.

            Soon after the return of Diwan,   Zabardast khan was contacted by Syed Ahmed Shaheed, who had raised an army of selfless disciples known as “Ghazis” with the avowed purpose of re-establishing the political powder of Muslims. A pious man, he succeeded in attracting not only a wide following but also the sympathies of the entire Muslim north India. The volunteers were drawn even from places as far away as Bangal and Bihar. After a few years fighting in Peshawar and the adjoining tribal area. Syed Ahmed Shaheed moved to Balakot, which is hardly at a distance of thirty miles from Muzaffarabad town, and only twenty-four miles from the border between Muzaffarabad and Hazara. The distance by way of direct hilly routes is not more than twelve miles.

            According to information furnished by descendants of Zabardast Khan, now living in Muzaffarabad the initiative for collaboration had come from the Syed himself, who sent his emissaries frequently. Given below is a translation of a letter in Persian sent by Syed Ahmed to Zabardast Khan:

In the Name of ALLAH, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful.

From Ameer-ul-Momineen to Sultan Zabardast Khan, Sultan Najaf Khan of Kahori and Sultan Ahmed Khan and their eminent companions.

             After wishing you well, you are hereby informed that we are thankful to God who has opened for us the gates of victory, in that, when this servant of God left to capture Peshawar and settle the country of Samah and left behind Mulana Mohammed Ismail with a small number of men to guard Amb, Hari Singh, the Kafir and ………….in collaboration with the hypocrite from Tanoli attacked Amb and the forts in Chitarbai with his full force and artillery but with the grace of God, the soldiers of God suffered  no loss at all while a large number of the  Kafirs were killed: they had to run away from these areas with shame and when I was myself busy in setting the territory of Samah, all the Durrani Sardars unleashed a war against us with their full force and artillery. Consequently, a battle took place between the Mujahids and the hypocrites between villages Toroo and Hoti. For some days the battle raged and ultimately with the help of God, the Mujahids overcame the hypocrites. They had to run away despite their large numbers: a large number of them and their horses were killed. Most of their Sardars have been killed. 20 Mujahids gained martyrdom and almost the same number was wounded: our Sardars Such as Mulana Sahib and Arbab Behram Khan and others are quite safe. I have myself directed Mir Ismail, an example of devotion and loyalty, to remain there. Insha-Allah, with the grace of God, I shall be keeping you informed of future developments. You can hear the details from the messenger carrying this letter. Dated the 7^th Rabi-ul-Awwal, 1239 Hijri. Ahmad.”

            It appears that some people from Muzaffarabad as well as Kashmir valley had established contact with Syed Ahmed Shaheed.  A number of people pedged their support to Mulana Nizam-ud-din Chishti, his Khalifa (Representative) in Kashmir, A batch of 300 soldiers under the joint command of Maulvi Qutbud-Din Langarhari (Muzaffarabad). Mansoor Khan Kandahari and Munshi Aman Zai were dispatched to Muzaffarabad. They were followed by another batch of 10 soldiers under the command of Maulvi Khair-ud-Din Sherkoti. It appears that they fought side by side with Zabardast Khan. Enquiries made from the area have revealed that the actual name of Sultan Ahmed Khan was Sultan Sher Ahmed Khan. The original letter has been preserved in the National Museum Karachi under exhibit No. N.M.1967/349.

            Consequently Zabardast Khan attacked Sikh garrisons in Baramula, Handwara and certain parts of Hazara adjoined Muzaffarabad. Ranjit Singh got so panicky that he marched personally at the head of a huge army. He established his base camp at Hassanabdal, about twenty eight miles from Rawalpindi on way to Abbottabad. Hassanabdal carries great sanctity in Sikh religion as one of its most important shrines is situated there. A rock bears the marks of human hand which Sikhs believe, on the strength of a tradition, to be those of Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of their religion. Ranjit Singh deputed a large force under the command of his son Kharak Singh, who, of course, held only the nominal command. While some of his best generals were in defact command. Several clashes took place but despite their numerical superiority and artillery assistance, the campaign proved a failure as the Sikhs were not able to inflict any decisive defeat on the Muslims forces. Ranjit Singh, therefore, returned to Lahore disappointed. The Maharaja and his advisers ultimately came to the conclusion that the best way to defeat Zabardast Khan or force him to submission was by creating dissension in his ranks. Consequently the Rajas, who had been earlier arrested during the governorship of Diwans Misr Chand and Kripa Ram and stood interned at Lahore, Sarfaraz Khan and namdar Khan being among them, were won over and premised restoration of their jagirs. In their absence, their relatives had whole-heartedly supported Zabardast Khan. The Rajas came to Muzaffarabad and did their best to weaken Zabardast Khan but were not able to bring about any substantial changed as long as Syed Ahmad Shaheed Remained alive. After he was cornered by the forced of Prince Sher Singh and fell a victim to the treachery of some of his own men, it became difficult for Zabardast Khan to maintain his independence.

            In 1837-38 during the governor ship of Col. Mian Singh, Zabardast Khan again declared his independence and for a moment the entire district was lost to the Sikhs. He was assisted by Sultan Najaf Khan of Kahori. Advancing towards Baramula, they were able to liberate the area right up to the out-shirts of Uri where they were surprised by Col. Mian Singh. The Sikh carried the day and Zabardast Khan lost his only son in the fighting. Col. Mian Singh took many hostages, including his grandson Rehmtullah, a young lad of exceptional personal beauty. It is said that the Colonel was so ruptured by his personal charm that he arranged his marriage to Wakeelan, daughter of Moiz-ud-Din, the Raja of Karnah and herself gifted with great charm. During the governorship of Sheikh Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din, this lad who along with some other hill Chiefs had now been in prison for several years, unable to bear the rigors of continued prison life of those days, died in the prime of his youth. His widow was letter married by Sheikh Imam-ud-Din.

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