Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 June 2009
The course of events leading up to 1947, when independence and partition came to the Indian subcontinent, has colored retrospectiveassessments of Hindu-Muslim relations in many perceptible ways.Polarities in religion and culture receive inordinate attention as theharbingers of the great divide yet to come, as do political developments asturning points in the eventual separate destinies of many Hindus and Muslims in South Asia.
1 For further discussion of the relationships between group identities and the politicalprocess, see Brass, Paul R., Language, Religion and Politics in North India (Cambridge, 1974), 23–47.Google Scholar Also, Ghaznavi, Masoon, “Recent Muslim Historiography in South Asia: TheProblem of Perspective, ” Indian Economic and Social History Review 11 (06–09, 1974), 183–215, for some of the recent literature on Hindu and Muslim relations.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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5 For different official interpretations, see “Measure to be taken to control the agitationfor the Protection of Kine” and enclosures, in India, Public and Judicial Papers, L/P/6/367, no. 257 of 1894. This file consists of the major reports from the various provinces thatwere effected by the anti-cow killing agitation.
6 McLane, John R., Indian Nationalism and the Early Congress (Princeton, 1977), 271–331.Google Scholar
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8 A. P. MacDonnell, Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, to A. Forbes, Commissioner ofPatna, 24 June 1893, in MacDonnell Papers, See also Ahmad, Qeyamuddin, “An Early Caseof Constitutional Agitation in Bihar (1892–1897), ” Indian Historical Records Commission Proceedings 32 (02. 1956), 71–77, on background of Shi'c ah-Sunni disputes.Google Scholar
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10 See Holton, Robert J., “The Crowd in History: Some Problems of Theory and Method, ” Social History, 3 (05 1978), 219–33, for an excellent discussion of theliterature and the shortcomings.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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17 The district was overhwelmingly rural in the late nineteenth century. Less than 3percent of its population was urban-based. And of the twelve localities designated towns in1891. only Chapra (57.000), Siwan (17, 000) and Revelganj (13, 000) deserve theidentification. See my “Control and Conflict, ” 16–17.
18 Testimony of Nathuni the butcher in Trial of the Basantpur Riot Case in the Court of theSessions Judge of Saran, 1893 (Calcutta, 1894), 15. Crowd figures here and elsewhererepresent the lowest estimations.Google Scholar
19 Unless noted otherwise, the events leading up to Basantpur are reconstructed from thereports of the investigation by the magistrate; see Manisty, G. E. to Commissioner, no. 2622, 10 Oct. 1893, in Bengal Judicial Proceedings, Police Dept., Nov. 1894, nos. 31 and 33, respectively (hereafter cited as Manisty Report I & II).Google Scholar
20 Testimony of Inspector Ghosal, Gyatri Prosunno. in Basantpur Trial, 36.Google Scholar
21 Ibid. 25. Pohari Baba. and Mohabir jee were important preachers; Kali, wife of Shivais a popular Goddess in Bihar.
22 Cited in ibid., 26.
23 LeMesurier, H., Offg. Magistrate and Collector on special duty, to Cssner. of Patna. 3Nov. 1893. in Bengal Judicial Proceedings, Police Dept.. Nov. 1894. no. 36 (hereafterLeMesurier Report).Google Scholar
24 Manisty Report I.
25 Cited in Ibid. The advent of the rule of Ram, an incarnation of Vishnu, indicates thereturn of a Golden Age.
26 Marindinto, C. R. GOB, 8Aug. 1900.Google Scholar Bengal Judicial Proceedings, 07 1900. 121. See also my Control and Conflict, “ 80–132 and Cohn, Bernard S.. “The British in Benares: ANineteenth Century Colonial Society, ” Comparative Studies in Society and History 4 (1961–1962). 169–99. for details on the enormous gulf that separated rulers and ruled.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
27 MacDonnell, to Forbes, A., Commissioner of Patna. 13 Sept. 1893. in MacDonnellPapers.Google Scholar
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31 Cotton, H. J. S., Chief Secretary, GOB, to Secretary, Government oflndia.no. 849–D, 28 Oct. 1893, in L/P/6/367, no. 257 of 1894, enclosure 6.Google Scholar
32 Manisty Report, I.
33 Compiled from “Annual General Administration Report, Patna Division, ” for 1888–1889, 1889–1890, 1890–1891, 1891–1892. 1892–1893, in Bengal General (Misc.)Proceedings. Aug. 1889, 77; Dec. 1890, 352–53; Oct. 1891, 319: Dec. 1892, 538; and Dec.1893, 681–83, respectively.
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36 Lord Lansdowne to Secretary of State for India, 27 Dec. 1893, in Public and JudicialPapers, L/P/6/365, 1894.
37 MacDonnell, A. P. to Forbes, A., Commissioner of Patna, 9 Nov. 1893, in MacDonnell Papers. See also “Memorand um to Secretary of the ‘Cow Memorial Fund' Society …, ”with Government of India to Secretary of State, 7 Jan. 1890, L/P/6/269, 1890, for theconfidential files on the important propagand ists of The Cow Protection Movement.Google Scholar
38 Forbes, A., Commissioner of Patna, to Chief Secretary, GOB, 27 Oct. 1893, inL/P/6/365, no. 257, end. 7 (hereafter Forbes Report).Google Scholar
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40 Bayly, C. A., The Local Roots of Indian Politics; Allahabad, 1880–1920 (Oxford, 1975), 57.Google Scholar
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43 The annual fair at Sonepore convened for a fortnight when ritual bathing in the Gangeswas considered to impart great holiness. In its legendary past, Sonepore was associated withboth Hari (Vishnu) and Ram. See O'Malley, L. S. S., Bengal District Gazetteers: Saran (Calcutta, 1908), 166–68, for further details. Also Forbes Report on Sonepore's importancein publicizing the issue of the cow, and “Annual General Report for Patna for 1888–89, “which records that 250, 000 people attended the fair.Google Scholar
44 “Translation of Gari Benair (prayer of the cow). Madhubani Gaurakshini Sabha.Darbhanga.” with Forbes Report, Appendix E.
45 See “Case for the consideration of the Honorable Advocate General, “ by C. J. Lyall. Secretary, GOI, Home Dept., in L/P/6/367. end. 3.
46 Forbes Report.
47 Ibid.
48 “Annual General Report of Patna Division for 1893–94.“
49 Taziahs (copies of the tomb of Husain) were taken out in procession during theimportant Muslim event of Muharram. a period of mourning for Husain and his followers.See also Forbes Report.
50 Manisty Report, II.
51 M Testimony of Roshun, Raj. chaukidar at Basantpur. Basantpur Trial, 10–11.Google Scholar See also testimony of Singh, Mahadeo, chaukidar at Basantpur, 9–10.Google Scholar
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53 Testimony of Ally, Shaikh Rahmat, carter for Bala indigo factory, in Basantpur Trial, 23.Google Scholar
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55 Manisty Report, II.
56 Ibid.
57 See Basantpur Trial, 22.
58 Ibid. 54.
59 LeMesurier Report.
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63 Figures taken from Basantpur village, VN, which refer to 1917. Other castes inBasantpur were Brahmins (0.5 percent), Rajputs (8 percent), Kaysaths (4 percent), Koeris(1.5 percent), Kurmis (1 percent). Sheiks (0.5 percent), Chamars (4 percent), Ahirs (3percent), Kand us (1.5 percent), Gours (1.5 percent), Dusadhs (1.5 percent), Hajams (1percent). Dhobis (0.5 percent), Doms (1 percent), and Rangrezs (1.5 percent).
64 Ibid.
65 See Basantpur Trial, 21.
66 Saran District Gazetteer, 99.
67 Basantpur Trial, 49.
68 Ibid. 60.
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70 Babhanuli village, Basantpur thana no. 319. VN.
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72 Nabiganj and Kishunpura village. Basantpur thana nos. 76 & 81. VN.73Forbes Report.
74 Saran District Gazetteer, 99.
75 Cited in testimony of Ali Hossein, constable, in Basantpur Trial, 51.
76 See testimonies of Inspector Ghosal, Ramattar Pershad. Birda Singh, and Khub Narain. in Ibid., 29, 53, 53, and 58, respectively.
77 Thompson, E. P., “The Moral Economy of the English Crowd in the Eighteenth Century, ” Past and Present 50 (02. 1971), 135.CrossRefGoogle Scholar Also, Hsieh, , “Peasant Insurrection and theMarketing Hierarchy, ” 124–41.Google Scholar
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79 Ibid.21.
80 Ibid., 23.
81 Ibid., 57.
82 Forbes Report
83 Manisty Report, 1.
84 For further details on control and conflict in the agrarian society of Saran. see my “TheAgrarian Origins of Crime.”