ABSTRACT
The Wahhabi Movement in India in the course of its operation produced a considerable volume of theological and missionary literature. The Wahhabi missionary literature, virtually unnoticed in English, has a linguistic as well as historical significance. The tracts are valuable as early specimens of Urdu prose writing, particularly in eastern India. To realise the significance of the use of Urdu, it is to be noted that Persian was still the chief medium of expression and communication. During the period of the Wahhabi trials and after, there was a general witch-hunting of suspected Wahhabis and their sympathisers. Many took it upon themselves to expose what they considered to be the mistaken ideas and beliefs of the Wahhabis and more particularly their anti-government activities. Anti-Wahhabi writings were aimed at two different groups of audience, the Indian Sunni Muslims in general and the British officials who shared Hunter’s misgivings regarding the Muslims generally and Wahhabis in particular.
