520. Majnu Shah

Majnu Shah or Faqir Majnu Shah Burhan (died 1787) was a faqir (Sufi saint) from the present-day Uttar Pradesh, who actively participated in the Fakir-Sannyasi Rebellion, which, according to a number of scholars, was an early war for India's independence and joined in many battles against the British East India Company with his 'pious team'.

Majnu Shah was a faqir of the Madariya Sufi order founded by Syed Badiuduin Qutb-ul Shah Madar. His headquarters was at the shrine of Shah Madar in Makanpur near Kanpur. His first encounter with the British East India Company army on 25 February 1771 with the sepoys led by Lieutenant Feltham in Dinajpur was unsuccessful and he fled to the dargah atMahasthangarh in Bogra district. In the winter of 1773, Majnu Shah and his team of faqirs reappeared in Rajshahi district and joined up with a body of sannyasis. On 23 December 1773 they had an encounter with the four companies of sepoys of the British East India Company army. The company army repulsed them again.^[1]

In the Battle of Udhuanala (1761) and the Battle of Buxar (1764), Majnu gathered a great number of Muslim faqirs and Hindu sannyasis against the East India Company who took over power in Bengali from the Nawab of Bengal in 1757.

His center was in Dinajpur and in Bogra District. He used to inspire people to liberation, religion and unity. He was wounded in a battle on 8 December 1786. Probably, he died in 1787.

After his death, his nephew Musa Shah led the faqirs and carried out attacks with muskets and rockets till he was killed in an encounter in 1792.