Mir
Nisar Ali (Titu Mir) was one of the greatest freedom fighters of Bangladesh.
He sparked the flame of liberation in the hearts of Bangladeshis which
is continuous leading them in their struggle for political, cultural
and economic independence.
Titu Mir was born on 14 Magh 1188 (Bangla calendar), 27 January 1782
at a village named Chandpur under Bashirhat Thana of Chabbish Parguna
District. His father was Mir Hassan Ali and mother was Abeeda Rukaya
Khatun.
He received his primary education from his own village. Then he studied
in a local Madrassa where he came into contact of an Alim and Hafiz
teacher. Titu Mir become a Hafiz of Quran there. He also became scholar
in Hadith. He completed his Madrassa education at the age of 18 years.
He had good command on Arabic, Persian and Bangla.
Titu Mir was a renowned wrestler of his time. He defeated many of
his contemporary boxers.
He went to Mecca in 1822 to perform Haj. There he met Saiyeed Ahmad
Shaheed. He became greatly influenced by Saiyeed Ahmad Shaheed who
inspired him to preach the true teachings of Islam and fight for the
freedom of Muslims.
Upon returning home, he started his struggle against Bidaat. He united
Hindu peasants against the Zaminders and the British occupiers and
inspired them to fight for liberation of Bangladesh. He used to say
that Muslims must be fully Muslim in their words, deeds and behaviours,
and should help the oppressed irrespective of their religion.
Titu Mir protested levying tax on beard, mustache, mosque and Islamic
name of Muslims by local Hindu Zaminder Krishna Dev Roy. It resulted
in a conflict between Titu Mir and the Zaminder. The Zaminder tried
to create division among Titu Mir's followers by labeling him as a
Wahabi. However, the Muslims did not pay any heed to his tricks. As
a result, he intensified torture on the Muslims.
Zaminder Krishna Dev Roy took help of the British occupiers to oppress
the followers of Titu Mir. Some of his followers were martyred at
one stage. The Muslims became more united and formed a Mujahid freedom
fighter force in the leadership of Ghulam Masum. They built a bamboo
castle at Narikelbaria. Titu Mir declared liberation from the British
and re-establishment of Muslim rule. The whole area of Chabbish Parguna,
Nadia and Faridpur districts were under his control. He had around
five thousands Mujahid freedom fighters with him. The soldiers of
the Zaminder and of occupier British were being repeatedly defeated
by the Mujahids.
At last, on 14 November 1831, the British force armed modern arms
attacked the Muslim Mujahids. They could not withstand the attack
of the British force with modern arms with their shields and spears.
The bamboo castle was destroyed. Titu Mir was martyred along with
many of his fellow freedom fighters.
Titu Mir and his bamboo castle are still sources of inspiration of
liberation for the people of Bangladesh.
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