Kafir is one of the most contested terms in India in the recent past. The term which closely means ‘unbeliever’ in English has been used by Muslims to target people politically who are sometimes outside and sometimes within the fold of Islam.
In 1857, Indians fought against the British empire and Nana Saheb Peshwa was one of the leaders of the revolt. Interestingly in his Royal Proclamation which was seized by the British Army in Dharwad, Karnataka, Nana Saheb used the term Kafir for the British enemies.
In the proclamation in the capacity of Pant Pradhan, Dhondo Punt Nana Peishwa, addressed Jagirdars, Deshmukhs, Zamindars, Deshpandeys, Patels, Kulkarni, Naik and whole population of the Deccan and Carnatic region to rise up against the foreign rule of the British.
The proclamation opened with the words, “The English who are “Kafirs” came to this country under the pretence of carrying on trade. Afterwards instigating sedition among our Surinjamdars and practising treachery they seized all the Hindu and Muslim Kingdom, imprisoning some of the descendants of the former kings and driving others to beggary they themselves enjoy the country.”
A Bihari Deputy Collector sentenced to death for fighting the British Rule
Nana Saheb proclaimed, “The “Kafirs” upon the strength of their acquisition of the Empire have turned very arrogant, and, keeping up outward appearances of justice, have most unjustly destroyed life and acquired wealth and property.”
The proclamation further said that the colonial rulers were trying to convert all Indians, Hindus and Muslims, by forcing them to leave their religions and break the caste.
Nana Saheb called himself a slayer of the Kafirs. He said, “Tyranny, wickedness and injustice having been much practised by the “Kafir” English on the faithful and sin-fearing. I have been commissioned by God to punish the “Kafirs” by annihilating them and to re-establish the Hindu and Muslim Kingdoms as formerly and to protect our country and I have conquered the country north of the Narmada river.”
“To submit to and live under such wicked “Kafirs” is very disgraceful. So immediately on the perusal of this proclamation you are bravely to take up your swords and without mercy destroy the “Kafirs”. By this you will gain merit and show your manliness and your courage will be proved.”
Nana Saheb exhorted the people of South India to rise up and prove those wrong who consider them not martial. He called, “You heroes! This is the best time for you to avenge the wrongs and wickedness perpetrated, by the “Kafir” English on your grandfathers and on your kings. By allowing such an opportunity to escape, do not suffer the stain of being effeminate and foolish to attach to the people of the south.”
The proclamation tells the people that Russia, France and China had also opened a war front against these Kafir English. Nana Saheb told the people that Afghans, Persians and Balochs were also ready to aid the Indians with their armies. Interestingly, less than a century ago Marathas were fighting against the Persian and Afghan armies. But, this time deliverance from the British was more important.
Nana Saheb acts as a commander and office bearer of the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar. The proclamation was published “by order of Aali Shaan Bandegaan Aali Huzoor, the Emperor of Delhi, by Rao Pant Pradhan Peshwa.”
This document highlights the fact that kafir was a word which was used by Hindus as well as Muslims of India for their enemies, which in this case were the British.
