Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah
Also called: Danka Shah · Topic: The Revolt of 1857 · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 2 "Rebels and the Raj"
Meaning
Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah was a religious preacher who was educated in Hyderabad. He was also known as "Danka Shah" because he travelled with drumbeaters (danka means drum). In 1856 he went from village to village preaching jehad (religious war) against the British, and the British jailed him at Faizabad. In 1857 the rebel 22nd Native Infantry freed him and elected him their leader.
Example
Ahmadullah Shah fought at the Battle of Chinhat near Lucknow on 30 June 1857, where British forces under Henry Lawrence were defeated. Many people believed he could not be defeated, and this belief was part of the reason they followed him.
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