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39-619: British victory [REDACTED] Robert Lindsay (Superintendent of Sylhet) [REDACTED] Unnamed Muslim jamadar   † Supported by: The Muharram Rebellion was a Bengali uprising which took place in early December 1782 against the East India Company in colonial Sylhet , eastern Bengal (now Bangladesh ). The rebellion was under the leadership of the Pirzada and his two brothers, Syed Muhammad Hadi and Syed Muhammad Mahdi. The main battle took place in

78-540: A matam as well, which is why blades and swords were carried to the grounds. In a letter to the government at Fort William, Lindsay mentions that the Muslim rebels first killed Dewan Manik Chand in his house before setting many parts of the town to fire. At 5 p.m., the Hindus returned to Lindsay's house where they showed their marks of attack on their body. However, it is unknown whether this true as other sources claim that

117-610: A century before 'Farang' was first used in an anonymous late 10th century Persian geography book, suggesting that the Persian 'Farang' is a loan from Arabic. By the 11th century, Arabic texts were increasingly using the term 'Faransa' or 'al-Faransiyah', already attested in the work of Said al-Andalusi in the mid 11th century. In the languages of Ethiopia and Eritrea , faranj or ferenj in most contexts still means distant foreigner (generally used to describe Europeans or European descendant / white people ), in certain contexts within

156-504: Is also the Thai word for the guava fruit, introduced by Portuguese traders over 400 years ago. Farang khi nok ( Thai : ฝรั่งขี้นก , lit.   'bird-droppings Farang'), also used in Lao , is slang commonly used as an insult to a person of white race, equivalent to white trash , as khi means feces and nok means bird, referring to the white color of bird-droppings. In

195-522: Is called phak chi farang ( Thai : ผักชีฝรั่ง , literally farang cilantro/ coriander ); and chewing gum is mak farang ( Thai : หมากฝรั่ง ). Mak ( Thai : หมาก ) is Thai for areca nut ; chewing mak together with betel leaves (bai phlu) was a Thai custom. A non-food example is achan farang ( Thai : อาจารย์ฝรั่ง ; " farang professor") which is the nickname of an influential figure in Thai art history, Italian art professor Silpa Bhirasri . Farang

234-631: Is known to have taken part in the Muharram Rebellion . Lindsay was born on 25 January 1754 to the Earl of Balcarres , James Lindsay and Anne Dalrymple. His maternal uncle, Charles Dalrymple got him into the trading lifestyle on a Deptford ship to Cadiz . In 1772, he travelled to India on the Prince of Wales East Indiaman reaching Calcutta in September. Here, he was made an assistant to

273-713: Is said he took his shoes off before entering and donated five golden mohurs (16 Bengali rupees) as he left. He mentions during his time in Sylhet, of the custom of drying fish ( shutki ) and its "noxious" smell. In Chapter 7 of his book, he mentions the 1782 Sylhet uprising in Sylhet Shahi Eidgah . During his tenure, he successfully suppressed the Revolt of Radharam in 1786. Lindsay was succeeded as Collector of Sylhet by Hyndman and shortly after by John Willes. According to Assam District Gazetteers, vol. 10, Lindsay

312-613: Is said to have been the Jamadar himself. Lindsay mentions that 4 rebels died and many were injured. After the incident took place, Lindsay took his wounded soldiers to his hall where his rope-maker, Job Hinton, stitched up their wounds and provided treatment. Lindsay also imprisoned many important Muslims from the town as hostages in his home. Nevertheless, this was short-lasted as one of Lindsay's men known as Beck and other Europeans requested their release fearing another revolt as they reported seeing Muslim men lighting torches and fires around

351-691: The Dargah of Shah Jalal , he sensed some danger and also perceived it as a "potential hotbed of resistance". During this period, Mubarak Ali Khan was the Nawab of Bengal under the crumbling Mughal Empire ruled by Shah Alam II and Warren Hastings was the Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William . In 1781, the region was afflicted with a major flood. Many farmlands and crops were damaged spreading famine throughout Sylhet . A third of

390-691: The Jhornar Par neighbourhood in Sylhet . This was an influential family descended from Syed Hamzah Shersowari , a companion of Shah Jalal who participated in the Muslim conquest of the region in 1303 CE and then settled atop the Jhornar Par hill where he lies buried in a mazar . The Pirzada's followers were not only in Sylhet, but also Mymensingh , Tippera (Comilla) and nearby areas. Muslims from across Bengal and Assam would travel to Sylhet during

429-665: The Mughal -built Sylhet Shahi Eidgah and its surrounding hills. In 1778, the British East India Company appointed Robert Lindsay as the Supervisor or Collector of Sylhet. During his leadership, Lindsay started to trade chunam (limestone), rattan , betel nut and elephants found in the Sylhet region . This business of Lindsay's stirred hate throughout the region. Lindsay describes in his autobiography, Anecdotes of an Indian life , that during his visit to

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468-569: The Persian word Farang was used to refer to foreigners of European descent. The words also added to local languages such as Hindi / Urdu as firangi ( Devanāgarī : फिरंगी and Urdu فرنگی) and Bengali as firingi (ফিরিঙ্গি). The word was pronounced paranki (പറങ്കി) in Malayalam , parangiar in Tamil , and Malay as ferenggi . From there the term spread into China as folangji (佛郎機), which

507-701: The Portuguese settlement in Chittagong , the Portuguese fort and naval base came to be known as Firingi Bandar or the Foreigner's Port. There are also places such as Firingi Bazaar which exist in older parts of Dhaka and Chittagong. The descendants of these Portuguese traders in Chittagong continue to be referred to as Firingi s. The Indian biographical film Antony Firingee was very popular in

546-929: The Vietnam War , when the United States military maintained bases in Thailand. The practice continues in present-day Bangkok. In modern Thailand, the Royal Institute Dictionary 1999 , the official dictionary of Thai words, defines the word as "a person of white race ". The term is also blended into everyday terms meaning "of/from the white race". For example, varieties of food/produce that were introduced by Europeans are often called farang varieties. Hence, potatoes are man farang ( Thai : มันฝรั่ง ), whereas man ( Thai : มัน ) alone can be any tuber ; no mai farang ( Thai : หน่อไม้ฝรั่ง ; " farang shoot ") means asparagus ; culantro

585-582: The crusades and the establishment of the Crusader states . Many crusaders spoke (Old) French and were from the territory of modern France; while others came from other regions, such as modern Italy or England. In any case, the period predated the idea of the nation state in Europe. Frank or its equivalent term were used by both Medieval Greeks and Muslims to refer to any crusader or Latin Christian. From

624-468: The 12th century onwards, it was the standard term for Western Christians in the Muslim world. Through Muslim trading networks, the Persian term farang and related words such as Frangistan ( Persian : فرنگستان ) were spread to languages of South Asia and Southeast Asia . The Persian word farang ( فرنگ ) or farangī ( فرنگی ), refers to Franks , the major Germanic tribe ruling Western Europe . Frangistan ( Persian : فرنگستان )

663-587: The Accountant-General of the revenue department and also studied the Persian language . On the autumn of 1776, he went on a voyage to the city of Dacca . He also learnt the Hindustani language as the importance of Persian declined. After a few years in Dacca, Lindsay set off for the Sylhet . On arriving, he was advised to pay his respects and visit the dargah of Shah Jalal as per tradition. It

702-596: The English is at an end  – Pirzada to Lindsay In the evening, the Pirzada led a tazia procession of 300 alongside his brothers, Syed Muhammad Hadi and Syed Muhammad Mahdi (known locally as Hada Miah & Mada Miah). Many local civilians of the Muslim faith were also present during this procession. The parade marched through the Shahi Eidgah in Sylhet . The Mourning of Muharram consisted of

741-660: The Ethiopian and Eritrean diaspora, the term faranj or ferenj has taken on a slightly alternative meaning that closely resembles the term Westerner or Westernized people even though it still mostly applies to European descendants / White People , it can be applied to African Americans and other Westernized People of Color . During the Muslim Mughal Empire when the Europeans arrived in South Asia ,

780-579: The Hindus were not involved during the day as during that time the Muslims were scattering on top of the hills around the Eidgah instead of being situated in the lowlands where inhabitants lived. Lindsay then informed Masud Bakht , the Head Qanungo (Registrar) of Sylhet, and told his Muslim jamadar to ready 20 sepoys and go to the eidgah . Lindsay joined later on, marching with 30 more sepoys towards

819-497: The Pirzada, causing him to pass away. The sepoys then discharged a platoon allowing Lindsay to then set off and leave the premise. As Lindsay was about to leave, he saw a wounded elderly man dropped on his feet after being attacked by a sepoy. Lindsay told the sepoy to stop as he picked the man back up and saved him. Both Mada and Hada Miah also died with the latter being shot dead by Lindsay himself. Lindsay mentions that one of his sepoys died and 6 were left injured. The sepoy that died

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858-490: The conflict, he came across a Bengali Muslim man from Sylhet named Saeed Ullah whilst visiting the house of his clergyman, Mr Small. After engaging in a conversation, Lindsay found out that Saeed came as an attendant of Mr Small's son, who was the ship purser. Saeed mentioned his intention to hunt down the Pirzada's killer and avenge his death. He was also the son of the old man whom Lindsay had saved. Upon finding out Lindsay's identity, Saeed drew his sword which Lindsay avoided. As

897-437: The eidgah, with some riding on horses. Armed with over 50 contingents, he ordered the rebels to surrender, however they fled towards the hills surrounding the field. This led to Lindsay and his men to attack the rebels and they followed them to the hills. Lindsay approached the Pirzada, ready for a swordfight . The Pirzada broke Lindsay's sword with his talwar . The Muslim jamadar quickly gave Lindsay his pistol. Lindsay then shot

936-547: The government should not be allowed to be honoured. He also sent a letter, on 14 December, to the Governor of the Presidency of Fort William , Warren Hastings , of the event. Reinforcements of troops were considered in order to increase defence in the region in case of another rebellion, as two days remained of the Muharram festival which lasts for 10 days, ending at Ashura . Lindsay mentioned that although two days remained, he

975-586: The mid-20th century and was based on Anthony Firingee – a Bengali folk singer of Portuguese origin. There is also a river in the Sundarbans called Firingi River. In Telugu phirangi (ఫిరంగి) means cannon, due to cannons being an import. In Sinhala parangi (පරංගි) was used to refer to the Portuguese people . The poem Parangi Hatana describes the Battle of Gannoruwa . In the Maldives faranji

1014-452: The month of Muharram for the processions. আমরা কি ফিরিঙ্গিদের কুকুর যে তাদের হুকুম তামিল করবো? Amra ki firiṅgider kukur je tader hukum tamil kôrbo? Are we the dogs of these firingis (foreigners), that we take orders from them? আজ মারবার অথবা মরবার দিন Aj marbar ôthôba môrbar din Today is the day to kill or to die, ইংরেজ রাজত্ব আজ খতম Ingrez rajôttô aj khôtôm The reign of

1053-551: The region's population died due to its effects. This increased hate between the two communities as the natives accused the British of failure in minimising the flood's consequences. It is said that Lindsay sent a letter to the government in Fort William to excise taxes during this period. This request of his was declined. Lindsay mentions in his autobiography that he was approached by the native Hindus at his home in which he

1092-465: The scene calmed down, the two men made peace and Lindsay obliged Saeed to make a curry for his family. Saeed agreed, although the Lindsay family were suspicious on whether the dish was poisonous as Saeed never tasted it once while preparing it. Lindsay denied this as he mentioned that he had never had a better curry in his life, and acknowledged the fact that Saeed only ate halal meat ( dhabihah ) which

1131-399: The town. Lindsay sent another military force to the town, not because there was another revolt, rather the Muslims were burying their dead men and required light due to it being late at night. Hada and Mada Miah were buried next to Sylhet Shahi Eidgah at a place now located east of Nayasarak Madrasa and west of Nayasarak missionary church. Lindsay then issued a statement stating that rebels to

1170-705: The violent conduct of the Khasi chiefs, but lime no doubt contributed largely to the fortune that he was able to accumulate in Sylhet. On his return to the United Kingdom , Lindsay purchased the large estate of Balcarres House in Scotland from his brother, Alexander Lindsay, 6th Earl of Balcarres , with the fortune that he had made in Bengal. He died in 1836. Firingi The Western European and Islamic worlds came into prolonged contact with each other during

1209-482: Was "largely interested in the business, and describes the sources of his wealth in most poetic terms. 'The chunam or lime rock is washed by the rapid stream. A magnificent cataract was seen rolling over the adjoining precipice, the scenery altogether was truly sublime. The mountain was composed of the purest alabaster lime, and appeared in quantity equal to the supply of the whole world'." The book later states, "Mr. Lindsay's business experienced some vicissitudes owing to

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1248-400: Was a faqir who urgently desired to speak to him. The faqir then came inside and complained of how he had been robbed of all his belongings. As a short discussion took place, the faqir then suddenly took out a poignard from his cummerbund and struck Hamilton, who pushed it back to the faqir's chest. The faqir died a few days later. After Lindsay's return to Scotland many years succeeding

1287-577: Was a term used by Muslims and Persians in particular, during the Middle Ages and later periods, to refer to Western or Latin Europe . According to Rashid od-Din Fazl ol-Lāh-e Hamadāni , Arabic word Afranj comes from the Persian farang . This seems unlikely though, considering that the Arabic 'al-Faranj' or 'Afranj' has been attested since the 9th century, in the works of al-Jahiz and Ya'qubi ,

1326-416: Was informed of the uprising by the Muslims. The Hindus informed him that the Muslims planned an attack on the British government as well as some Hindu temples in Sylhet town . It is considered that this rivalry between the Hindus and Muslims existed due to the Hindus siding with British rather than helping the Muslims. Lindsay dismissed the Hindus as he could see no signs of riot and he was also aware that it

1365-448: Was not expecting any more trouble from the local people as main " desperadoes " were killed and the survivors had suffered too much. This first uprising in the subcontinent inspired many others in the subcontinent. It also made the British rule even more unpopular in the Sylhet region , with the death of the Pirzada. A few months after the incident, Lindsay was having dinner his friend Hamilton. Lindsay's servant informed Lindsay that there

1404-558: Was the Islamic month of Muharram in which the Muslims would be busy preparing for Ashura , which was just a few days away. Lindsay also mentions that it was uncommon for the Muslims to be violent, most probably due to the fact that Muharram is a sacred month in Islam, during which warfare is forbidden. One narrative identifies the rebellion's leading Pirzada as the head of the Syeds of

1443-475: Was the reason behind him not tasting it. The northern hill of Sylhet Shahi Eidgah is named after Hada and Mada Miah, who fought on top of that exact hill. Robert Lindsay (Sylhet) Robert Lindsay (1754–1836) was a Scottish colonial official and businessman who served as supervisor of Sylhet in British India from 1778 until 1787, and then as district collector from 1787 until 1790. He

1482-561: Was the term used to refer to foreigners of European origin, especially the French . Until recently the lane next to the Bastion in the northern shore of Malé was called Faranji Kalō Gōlhi. Edmund Roberts , US envoy to Cochin-China , Siam , and Muscat in the early 1830s, defined the term as " Frank (or European)". Black people are called farang dam ( Thai : ฝรั่งดำ ; 'black farang') to distinguish them from whites. This began during

1521-528: Was used to refer to the Portuguese and their breech-loading swivel guns when they first arrived in China. In Bangladesh and West Bengal , the modern meaning of firingi (ফিরিঙ্গি) refers to Anglo-Bengalis or Bengalis with European ancestry. Most firingi s tend to be Bengali Christians . Descendants of firingi s who married local Bengali women may also be referred to as Kalo Firingi s (Black firingis) or Matio Firingis (Earth-coloured firingis). Following

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