Sartor Faqir
Pashtun Islamic leader against the British Raj in colonial India
About Sartor Faqir
Sartōr Faqīr (; died 1917), also known as "Mullah Mastan or Mullah Mastana" Pipi Faqir or Saidullah in Pashto and by the British as "The Great Fakir" or "Mad Faqir", "Mad Faqir of Swat" or the "Mad Mullah", was a Pashtun tribal Yusufzai leader and freedom fighter. His name Mullah Mastan translates to "God-intoxicated" as a reference to his religious convictions and his belief that he was capable of miraculous powers and challenging the British Empire.
In response to the British occupation of the North West Frontier Province of modern-day Pakistan, and the division of Pashtun lands by the Durand Line, the Faqir declared a jihad against the British Empire, unsuccessfully in 1895, then successfully in 1897. In late July, he led from 10,000 to 100,000 Pashtun tribesmen in an uprising that culminated in the siege of Malakand, which ended with the British being relieved on August 2.
Although the Faqir continued to lead further attacks against the British, the siege of Malakand marked the height of his power and influence, which declined as the British made agreements with other local tribes and rulers to counter him. The Faqir eventually made his own agreements with the British government, with the revelation of an exchange of presents and correspondence with the British political officer of Malakand leading to accusations of the Faqir being in the pay of the British government. This and the Faqir's advancing years led to a further decline of his movement, which broke up upon his death in 1917.
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Important facts
Frequently asked questions
Who was Sartor Faqir?
Pashtun Islamic leader against the British Raj in colonial India
When was Sartor Faqir born?
Sartor Faqir was born in Roga.
When did Sartor Faqir die?
Sartor Faqir died in 1917.
What nationality was Sartor Faqir?
Sartor Faqir's recorded nationality: British Indian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Sartor Faqir. https://biography.guide/sartor-faqir/
MLA: "Sartor Faqir." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/sartor-faqir/.
Chicago: "Sartor Faqir." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/sartor-faqir/.
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