O-LevelPakistan StudiesThe history and culture of PakistanOct/Nov 2017 · Q225 Marks

Who were the Thuggee?

(a)Who were the Thuggee?[4]
(b)Why did the East India Company become involved in the Indian subcontinent during the seventeenth century?[7]
(c)Did Haji Shariatullah contribute more to the spread of Islam than anyone else in the subcontinent before 1850? Explain your answer.[14]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] (a) They were armed robbers, involved in ritual murder, who terrified people
[1] (a) Present in central and upper India
[1] (a) Claimed they were serving a goddess, Kali
[1] (a) East India Company (EIC) used force to destroy them in 1830 and stamped out the practice
[1] (a) Indians / Hindus and Muslims
[1] (a) Meaning concealment; a secret society
[7] (b) Reports of immense wealth in the subcontinent led to the East India Company (EIC) establishing a trading base as they saw a profitable future
[7] (b) Availability of raw materials, silk, cotton, coal
[7] (b) The British wanted to establish their influence in the subcontinent and to oust the Dutch and Portuguese
[7] (b) The EIC also wanted to establish a strategic port in the subcontinent that would protect its trading interests in the East
[14] (c) Haji Shariatullah established the Faraizi Movement, which insisted that Muslims should perform their faraiz (religious obligations). The impact on Muslims was significant as Faraizi restored pride and alarmed the Hindu landlords who were unhappy with Muslim practices. Centred on Bengal.
[14] (c) Shah Waliullah felt that many Muslims faced problems because of their ignorance of Islam and the Quran. He encouraged them to concentrate on Quranic teachings translated the Quran into Persian, the main language of the Muslims at that time, so that they could read it. His books aimed to spread the principles of Islam amongst Muslims and provide inspiration to lead a pure life.
[14] (c) Syed Ahmad Barelvi founded the Jihad Movement, which later became an armed struggle to liberate the Punjab and the NWFP from Sikh rule. His work was a uniting force for Muslims to achieve a life based on Islam.
[14] (c) Judgement/evaluation: For Level 5, an evaluative conclusion or comparison of importance is needed, weighing Haji Shariatullah's contribution against others.