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A while ago there was lengthy discussion on this forum in a thread started by Shamlawar Khurasai in which he stated that Ahmad Shah Abdali was Wahabi or Wahabi-like because he was disciple of Shah Waliullah who invited him to India and finish Maratha power. Back then i did not know much history and i dont recall what i contributed to that thread but in the past year i have come across some references which clears some confusion ;
While researching about the battle of Panipat , i came across a detail from the account of an eyewitness of the battle (Kashi Raj) which says that after the battle Ahmad Shah Abdali entered the town of Panipat and visited the shrine of Boo Ali Qalandar.......this reveals a lot about the religious nature of Abdali. He certainly had no Wahabi-ish inclinations
I also came across the English translation of letters of Shah Waliullah which he wrote to both Ahmad Shah Abdali and Najib-ud-daula. I have not find the reply-back of Abdali to Shah Waliullah so i assume Abdali did not write any letter in response to Shah Waliullah's (it was 1759 and Abdali had commenced invasion of India to have decisive battle with Marathas). It was actually Najib-ud-daula who was in contact with Abdali and was inviting him to India. From the letters to Najib, it appears that Shah Waliullah had hopes from Najib and Rohillas for restoration of peace and law and order in Mughal empire, and as part of that sentiment he also wrote a letter to Abdali (the third person to whom he also appealed was powerful Nizam-ul-mulk of hyderabad who was a Sunni).....his letter is very lengthy and describes the sociopolitical conditions of india and sorry state of Indian Muslims. He urges Abdali to annihilate Shirk and kufr and free enslaved Muslims through Jihad etc. He stressed on annihilating the power of Marathas and Jats
But the fact is Abdali did not need invitation from Shah Waliullah to invade India. He was already involved in India since 1748. What triggered Abdali into action was not letter of Shah Waliullah but Maratha occupation of his Punjab province , thus challenging him. Moreover from various quotes of Abdali that were recorded in those years , it appears a big reason for involving himself in Delhi and beyond was helping the Pashtuns in India (Rohillas)......an 18th century source quotes Abdali in 1756 as "I have entered these realms as an upholder of the faith and a succourer of Afghan tribes (Rohillas)"....there are many other similar references from that period......it can not be coincidence that he invaded India whenever Rohillas were in dire straits and were relieved due to his invasion (for example in 1752 entire Rohilla and Bangash qaum had fled to jungles of Kumaon of Himalayas and were besieged by combined army of Marathas, Mughals and Awadhis.....the sudden invasion of Punjab by Abdali forced the alliance to lift the siege of Indo-Afghan families who had taken refuge in jungles and were dying from disease and starvation)
While researching about the battle of Panipat , i came across a detail from the account of an eyewitness of the battle (Kashi Raj) which says that after the battle Ahmad Shah Abdali entered the town of Panipat and visited the shrine of Boo Ali Qalandar.......this reveals a lot about the religious nature of Abdali. He certainly had no Wahabi-ish inclinations
I also came across the English translation of letters of Shah Waliullah which he wrote to both Ahmad Shah Abdali and Najib-ud-daula. I have not find the reply-back of Abdali to Shah Waliullah so i assume Abdali did not write any letter in response to Shah Waliullah's (it was 1759 and Abdali had commenced invasion of India to have decisive battle with Marathas). It was actually Najib-ud-daula who was in contact with Abdali and was inviting him to India. From the letters to Najib, it appears that Shah Waliullah had hopes from Najib and Rohillas for restoration of peace and law and order in Mughal empire, and as part of that sentiment he also wrote a letter to Abdali (the third person to whom he also appealed was powerful Nizam-ul-mulk of hyderabad who was a Sunni).....his letter is very lengthy and describes the sociopolitical conditions of india and sorry state of Indian Muslims. He urges Abdali to annihilate Shirk and kufr and free enslaved Muslims through Jihad etc. He stressed on annihilating the power of Marathas and Jats
But the fact is Abdali did not need invitation from Shah Waliullah to invade India. He was already involved in India since 1748. What triggered Abdali into action was not letter of Shah Waliullah but Maratha occupation of his Punjab province , thus challenging him. Moreover from various quotes of Abdali that were recorded in those years , it appears a big reason for involving himself in Delhi and beyond was helping the Pashtuns in India (Rohillas)......an 18th century source quotes Abdali in 1756 as "I have entered these realms as an upholder of the faith and a succourer of Afghan tribes (Rohillas)"....there are many other similar references from that period......it can not be coincidence that he invaded India whenever Rohillas were in dire straits and were relieved due to his invasion (for example in 1752 entire Rohilla and Bangash qaum had fled to jungles of Kumaon of Himalayas and were besieged by combined army of Marathas, Mughals and Awadhis.....the sudden invasion of Punjab by Abdali forced the alliance to lift the siege of Indo-Afghan families who had taken refuge in jungles and were dying from disease and starvation)
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