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{{short description|Indian journalist and religious scholar}}
{{Orphan|date=July 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox religious biography
| honorific_prefix = First Martyr of Urdu Press
| name = Maulvi Muhammed Baqir Dehlavi
| image = Maulvi_Muhammed_Baqar_Dehlavi.jpg
| religion = [[Shia Islam]]
| denomination =
| location = [[Delhi]], India
| Period = 1834–1857
| Successor = [[Muhammad Hussain Azad]] (son)
| birth_date = 1780
| birth_place = [[Delhi]], Mughal India
| death_date = 1857 (aged 77)
| death_place = [[Delhi]], India
| website = {{URL|https://www.rekhta.org/ebooks/dehli-urdu-akhbar-ebooks}}
}}


'''Moulvi Muhammad Baqir''' (1780–1857) was a scholar, an [[Indian independence activist]] and journalist based in [[Delhi]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1208216 |title=Literary Notes: History, war paintings and journalist Moulvi Muhammad Baqir |last=Parekh |first=Rauf |date=2015-09-21 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en |access-date=2019-07-20}}</ref> He was the first journalist to be executed following [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|rebellion]] in 1857.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/maulana-baqir-was-first-journalist-to-sacrifice-his-life-during-1857-revolt-here-s-his-story-334742.html |title=Maulana Baqir Was First Journalist To Sacrifice His Life During 1857 Revolt, Here's His Story |last=Dabas |first=Maninder |date=2017-12-02 |website=indiatimes.com |language=en |access-date=2019-07-20}}</ref> He was arrested on 16 September 1857 and executed by gunshot two days later without trial.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thewire.in/history/forgotten-hero-of-1857 |title=Maulavi Muhammad Baqar: Hero or Traitor of 1857? |last=Safvi |first=Rana |website=The Wire |access-date=2019-07-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=prPcmeY7SS8C&q=Moulvi%2520Muhammad%2520Baqir&pg=PA25 |title=Nets of Awareness: Urdu Poetry and Its Critics |last=Pritchett |first=Frances W. |date=1994-05-09 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=9780520914278 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nUNprZiD3GsC&q=Moulvi%2520Muhammad%2520Baqir&pg=PA300 |title=Bahadur Shah Zafar and the War of 1857 in Delhi |last=Husain |first=Syed Mahdi |date=2006 |publisher=Aakar Books |isbn=9788187879916 |language=en}}</ref> He was the founder and editor of [[Delhi Urdu Akhbar]]''.''
{{short description|Indian journalist}}
'''Moulvi Muhammad Baqir''' (1780-1857) was an [[Indian independence activist]] and journalist based in [[Delhi]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1208216 |title=Literary Notes: History, war paintings and journalist Moulvi Muhammad Baqir |last=Parekh |first=Rauf |date=2015-09-21 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en |access-date=2019-07-20}}</ref> He was the first journalist to be executed following [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|rebellion]] in 1857.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/maulana-baqir-was-first-journalist-to-sacrifice-his-life-during-1857-revolt-here-s-his-story-334742.html |title=Maulana Baqir Was First Journalist To Sacrifice His Life During 1857 Revolt, Here's His Story |last=Dabas |first=Maninder |date=2017-12-02 |website=indiatimes.com |language=en |access-date=2019-07-20}}</ref> He was arrested on 16 September 1857 and executed by gunshot two days later without trial.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thewire.in/history/forgotten-hero-of-1857 |title=Maulavi Muhammad Baqar: Hero or Traitor of 1857? |last=Safvi |first=Rana |website=The Wire |access-date=2019-07-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=prPcmeY7SS8C&pg=PA25&lpg=PA25&dq=Moulvi+Muhammad+Baqir&source=bl&ots=ia21bdvaAC&sig=ACfU3U32GGLhfkN7gYMD9ahOiMQsMRRbDw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiDsLnm6sPjAhVQUBUIHVBCDHc4ChDoATAFegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=Moulvi%2520Muhammad%2520Baqir&f=false |title=Nets of Awareness: Urdu Poetry and Its Critics |last=Pritchett |first=Frances W. |date=1994-05-09 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=9780520914278 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=nUNprZiD3GsC&pg=PA300&lpg=PA300&dq=Moulvi+Muhammad+Baqir&source=bl&ots=X9jLalU6YA&sig=ACfU3U0fSvdhsEUcruEnB6MO77vz_6tWAg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjzlPme7MPjAhVIThUIHfvxA6U4ChDoATAIegQICBAB#v=onepage&q=Moulvi%2520Muhammad%2520Baqir&f=false |title=Bahadur Shah Zafar and the War of 1857 in Delhi |last=Husain |first=Syed Mahdi |date=2006 |publisher=Aakar Books |isbn=9788187879916 |language=en}}</ref>


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Baqir was born in 1780 in [[Delhi]] He received his early education from his father, later he went to Delhi College for further studies. After completing his education, he worked in many jobs, such as teaching in Delhi College and as a Tehsildar in the Revenue Department.
Baqir was born in 1780 in [[Delhi]]. He received his early education from his father. In 1825, he went to [[Zakir Husain Delhi College|Delhi College]] for further studies. After completing his education, he was appointed as a teacher in Delhi college in 1828, where he served for six years.{{fact|date=April 2023}}


== Imambara Azad Manzil ==
But his job was not his goal. In 1836 when the British government allowed publication after amending the "Press Act", he entered the field of journalism.
In 1843, Maulvi Muhammad Baqir built an [[Hussainiya|Imambara]] in Delhi near Kashmiri Gate. This was a very inclusive place of gathering where not only Shia Muslims but also Sunnis and Hindus gathered to commemorate the events of Karbala. Great poets like [[Mohammad Ibrahim Zauq|Ibrahim Zauq]] and Mir Momin also participated in reciting elegies.<ref name=":0">Rizvi, "'''A socio-intellectual History of Isna Ashari Shi'is in India'''", Vol. 2, p. 98, Mar'ifat Publishing House, Canberra (1986).</ref> He also built a mosque near Panja Sharif. In 1834, he also started publishing a religious magazine, ''Mazhar-e-Haq (مظہر حق)'', which published news on Shia world and also essays on Shia religious topics.<ref name=":0" />


This was a period of fierce religious debates among Muslims because of the sectarian polemics written by [[Shah Abdul Aziz|Shah Abd al-Aziz]] and [[Shah Ismail Dehlvi|Shah Ismail Dihlavi]]. However, Maulvi Baqir forbade any kind of [[Tabarra]] in his Imambara. This made a fanatic Shia cleric, Molana Jafar of Jarja, very angry and he wrote to the Marja in Lucknow to as for their religious ruling on it, as follows:
In 1837 he started taking out his news paper under the name of the weekly "Urdu newspaper Dehli". The newspaper survived for nearly 21 years, which proved to be a milestone in the field of Urdu journalism.


"''One ABC built an Imambara for commemoration of martyrdom of Imam Hussain but made a proclamation that none was allowed to recite Tabarra against the first three Caliphs who claimed the pulpit after the Prophet. Anyone who recites Tabarra should be expelled.''"
With the help of this newspaper, he played an important role in social issues as well as bringing political awakening in public and uniting against foreign rulers.


The Marja in Lucknow replied that the owner was free to define conditions and rules for entry into the house he owns. Those who attend the assembly must follow these rules.<ref>Rizvi, "'''A socio-intellectual History of Isna Ashari Shi'is in India'''", Vol. 2, p. 99, Mar'ifat Publishing House, Canberra (1986).</ref>
Maulvi Baqir made full use of his newspaper to generate public opinion against the British imperialism even in the areas around Delhi.


== Dehli Urdu Akhbar ==
The revolt against the British was triggered by the freedom fighter in 1857 and the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was given the leadership of the revolution by all the rebel leaders, then Maulvi Bakir renamed his Urdu newspaper Dehli on 12 July 1857 tolend his support."Newspaper Uz Zafar".
In 1834 when the government allowed publication after amending the "Press Act", he entered the field of journalism. In 1835, he started taking out his newspaper under the name of the weekly "Dehli Urdu Akhbar"(دہلی اردو اخبار).<ref name=":0" /> The newspaper survived for nearly 21 years, proving to be a milestone in the field of Urdu journalism. With the help of this newspaper, he played an important role in social issues as well as bringing political awakening in public and uniting against foreign rulers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dehli Urdu Akhbar by Khwaja Ahmad Faruqi|url=https://www.rekhta.org/ebooks/dehli-urdu-akhbar-ebooks|access-date=2020-11-26|website=Rekhta|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">Rizvi, "'''A socio-intellectual History of Isna Ashari Shi'is in India'''", Vol. 2, p. 100, Mar'ifat Publishing House, Canberra (1986).</ref>
[[File:Dehli Urdu Akhbar.jpg|thumb|A page of Dehli Urdu Akhbar, the first Urdu newspaper from Delhi.]]
Maulvi Baqir made full use of his newspaper to generate public opinion against [[Company rule in India|British rule]] during the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]]. The rebellion against the British was sparked by mutinying [[sepoy]]s in 1857 and the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was given the leadership of the revolution by all the rebel leaders. Journalist Maulvi Baqir renamed his newspaper on 12 July 1857 to lend his support " Akhbar Uz Zafar ".


Journalist Maulvi Baqir, a staunch supporter of Hindu Muslim unity on 4 June 1857, printed articles in his newspaper appealing to both communities - "Don't miss this opportunity, if missed, no one will come to help, this is a good opportunity for you British." Can get rid of
Journalist Maulvi Baqir, a staunch supporter of Hindu Muslim unity on 4 June 1857, printed articles in his newspaper appealing to both communities - "Don't miss this opportunity, if missed, no one will come to help, this is a good opportunity for you to get rid of British rule.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://heritagetimes.in/molvi-baqir-1857/ |title=Moulvi Mohammad Baqir : First editor who sacrifice his life and became martyr for the freedom of our India. |last=Ahmad |first=Syed Naseer |date=2018-09-16 |website=HeritageTimes |language=en-GB |access-date=2019-07-20}}</ref>


== Death ==
[[File:Vereshchagin-Blowing from Guns in British India.jpg|thumb|A depiction of British soldiers executing Indians by blowing them from guns]]


Maulvi Muhammad Baqir was arrested on 14 September 1857 for revolt. On16 September 1857, he was tied to the mouth of a cannon which is then fired by Major William S.R. Hudson.<ref name=":1" /> Thus Moulvi Mohammad Baqir became first martyr for press in the Indian Subcontinent.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ahamed|first=Syed Naseer|title=Moulvi Mohammad Baqir : First editor who sacrifice his life and became martyr for the freedom of our India.|url=http://heritagetimes.in/molvi-baqir-1857/|access-date=2020-11-26|website=HeritageTimes|date=15 September 2018 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
After the rebellion failed, the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, the great Mughal emperor of the revolution was captured by the British and Delhi was captured. After this, the British started searching for an Indian soldier involved in the rebellion, with the help of Kalapani, hanging and cannon blowing.

Simultaneously, on 14 September 1857, journalist Maulvi Muhammad Baqir was also arrested and presented before Captain Hudson, he sent Maulvi Baqir the death sentence. Under this, on 16 September 1857, journalist Maulvi Bakir was blown up with a cannon.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://heritagetimes.in/molvi-baqir-1857/ |title=Moulvi Mohammad Baqir : First editor who sacrifice his life and became martyr for the freedom of our India. |last=Ahmad |first=Syed Naseer |date=2018-09-16 |website=HeritageTimes |language=en-GB |access-date=2019-07-20}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:Indian journalists]]
[[Category:Indian journalists]]
[[Category:People from Delhi]]
[[Category:People from Delhi]]
[[Category:Indian Shia clerics]]
[[Category:Indian Shia Muslims]]
[[Category:1780 births]]
[[Category:1780 births]]
[[Category:1857 deaths]]
[[Category:1857 deaths]]
[[Category:People executed by British India]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in India]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in India]]
[[Category:19th-century executions by British India]]
[[Category:Indian people of the Indian Rebellion of 1857]]
[[Category:Revolutionaries of the Indian Rebellion of 1857]]
[[Category:19th-century Indian journalists]]
[[Category:Zakir Husain Delhi College alumni]]

Latest revision as of 00:56, 5 November 2024

First Martyr of Urdu Press
Maulvi Muhammed Baqir Dehlavi
Personal life
Born1780
Delhi, Mughal India
Died1857 (aged 77)
Delhi, India
Religious life
ReligionShia Islam
Senior posting
Based inDelhi, India
Period in office1834–1857
SuccessorMuhammad Hussain Azad (son)
Websitewww.rekhta.org/ebooks/dehli-urdu-akhbar-ebooks

Moulvi Muhammad Baqir (1780–1857) was a scholar, an Indian independence activist and journalist based in Delhi.[1] He was the first journalist to be executed following rebellion in 1857.[2] He was arrested on 16 September 1857 and executed by gunshot two days later without trial.[3][4][5] He was the founder and editor of Delhi Urdu Akhbar.

Early life

[edit]

Baqir was born in 1780 in Delhi. He received his early education from his father. In 1825, he went to Delhi College for further studies. After completing his education, he was appointed as a teacher in Delhi college in 1828, where he served for six years.[citation needed]

Imambara Azad Manzil

[edit]

In 1843, Maulvi Muhammad Baqir built an Imambara in Delhi near Kashmiri Gate. This was a very inclusive place of gathering where not only Shia Muslims but also Sunnis and Hindus gathered to commemorate the events of Karbala. Great poets like Ibrahim Zauq and Mir Momin also participated in reciting elegies.[6] He also built a mosque near Panja Sharif. In 1834, he also started publishing a religious magazine, Mazhar-e-Haq (مظہر حق), which published news on Shia world and also essays on Shia religious topics.[6]

This was a period of fierce religious debates among Muslims because of the sectarian polemics written by Shah Abd al-Aziz and Shah Ismail Dihlavi. However, Maulvi Baqir forbade any kind of Tabarra in his Imambara. This made a fanatic Shia cleric, Molana Jafar of Jarja, very angry and he wrote to the Marja in Lucknow to as for their religious ruling on it, as follows:

"One ABC built an Imambara for commemoration of martyrdom of Imam Hussain but made a proclamation that none was allowed to recite Tabarra against the first three Caliphs who claimed the pulpit after the Prophet. Anyone who recites Tabarra should be expelled."

The Marja in Lucknow replied that the owner was free to define conditions and rules for entry into the house he owns. Those who attend the assembly must follow these rules.[7]

Dehli Urdu Akhbar

[edit]

In 1834 when the government allowed publication after amending the "Press Act", he entered the field of journalism. In 1835, he started taking out his newspaper under the name of the weekly "Dehli Urdu Akhbar"(دہلی اردو اخبار).[6] The newspaper survived for nearly 21 years, proving to be a milestone in the field of Urdu journalism. With the help of this newspaper, he played an important role in social issues as well as bringing political awakening in public and uniting against foreign rulers.[8][9]

A page of Dehli Urdu Akhbar, the first Urdu newspaper from Delhi.

Maulvi Baqir made full use of his newspaper to generate public opinion against British rule during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The rebellion against the British was sparked by mutinying sepoys in 1857 and the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was given the leadership of the revolution by all the rebel leaders. Journalist Maulvi Baqir renamed his newspaper on 12 July 1857 to lend his support " Akhbar Uz Zafar ".

Journalist Maulvi Baqir, a staunch supporter of Hindu Muslim unity on 4 June 1857, printed articles in his newspaper appealing to both communities - "Don't miss this opportunity, if missed, no one will come to help, this is a good opportunity for you to get rid of British rule.[10]

Death

[edit]
A depiction of British soldiers executing Indians by blowing them from guns

Maulvi Muhammad Baqir was arrested on 14 September 1857 for revolt. On16 September 1857, he was tied to the mouth of a cannon which is then fired by Major William S.R. Hudson.[9] Thus Moulvi Mohammad Baqir became first martyr for press in the Indian Subcontinent.[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Parekh, Rauf (21 September 2015). "Literary Notes: History, war paintings and journalist Moulvi Muhammad Baqir". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  2. ^ Dabas, Maninder (2 December 2017). "Maulana Baqir Was First Journalist To Sacrifice His Life During 1857 Revolt, Here's His Story". indiatimes.com. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  3. ^ Safvi, Rana. "Maulavi Muhammad Baqar: Hero or Traitor of 1857?". The Wire. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  4. ^ Pritchett, Frances W. (9 May 1994). Nets of Awareness: Urdu Poetry and Its Critics. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520914278.
  5. ^ Husain, Syed Mahdi (2006). Bahadur Shah Zafar and the War of 1857 in Delhi. Aakar Books. ISBN 9788187879916.
  6. ^ a b c Rizvi, "A socio-intellectual History of Isna Ashari Shi'is in India", Vol. 2, p. 98, Mar'ifat Publishing House, Canberra (1986).
  7. ^ Rizvi, "A socio-intellectual History of Isna Ashari Shi'is in India", Vol. 2, p. 99, Mar'ifat Publishing House, Canberra (1986).
  8. ^ "Dehli Urdu Akhbar by Khwaja Ahmad Faruqi". Rekhta. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  9. ^ a b Rizvi, "A socio-intellectual History of Isna Ashari Shi'is in India", Vol. 2, p. 100, Mar'ifat Publishing House, Canberra (1986).
  10. ^ Ahmad, Syed Naseer (16 September 2018). "Moulvi Mohammad Baqir : First editor who sacrifice his life and became martyr for the freedom of our India". HeritageTimes. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  11. ^ Ahamed, Syed Naseer (15 September 2018). "Moulvi Mohammad Baqir : First editor who sacrifice his life and became martyr for the freedom of our India". HeritageTimes. Retrieved 26 November 2020.