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August 25, 1888 - August 27, 1963
Punjab University: Master of Arts (M.A.) in Mathematics; Degrees from Christ's College, Cambridge University, England (1907-1912): Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (Bsc.), Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.), Bachelor of Oriental Languages (B.O.L.). Four Triposes with distinction in five years (at Cambridge University from 1907-1912) in Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Mechanical Sciences, and Oriental languages. Titles awarded at Cambridge University: Wrangler, Foundation Scholar, and Bachelor Scholar; Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (F.R.S.A) (1923), Fellow Geographical Society (F.G.S) (Paris, France), Fellow of Society of Arts (F.S.A) (Paris, France). Member of the Board at Dehli University, President Mathematical Society, Authored Tazkirah and many other books, Member International Congress of Orientalists, President All World's Faiths Conference (1937), A delegate to Palestine World Conference, Gold medalist World Society of Islam, Head of the delegation for the Motamar-I-Khilafat Conference at Cairo, Member of Indian Education Service ( I.E.S), Under Secretary of Education of undivided India, Founder of the Khaksar Tehrik.
Links:
AllamaMashraqi.com
AllamaMashraqi.info
His Son-in-Law, Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan
His Grandson, Nasim Yousaf
Allama Mashriqi (Inayatullah Khan) was born on August 25, 1888 and died in Lahore, Pakistan on August 27, 1963. He was born into a very well respected and financially strong family. His ancestors held prominent positions during the Mughal Empire. He was a genius and broke records at Punjab University in Pakistan and Cambridge University in England. In 1930, Mashriqi laid the foundation for the Khaksar Tehrik. The Tehrik spread throughout India in a very short span of time. His followers and supporters came from all walks of life and numbered in the millions. Mashriqi played a vital role in Indian politics and directed the nation towards freedom. Mashriqi was a simple, straightforward person. He devoted his life to serving the people, particularly the downtrodden. He denounced and demolished the wall between the privileged and the unprivileged. He made himself a part of the people and made every man accessible to him without any reservation. Mashriqi was pure and noble and disliked personal glorification. Though highly educated and politically strong, Mashriqi had no hunger for power and served the nation with no personal gains in mind. He abandoned the life of luxury because he considered it unethical and illogical to pursue a life of luxury when his own people were living in poverty. Pakistan has yet to see a man like Mashriqi, who sacrificed everything for the nation. It was because of this devotion that he earned the respect of millions.
Mashriqi's Father:
Mashriqi's father, Khan Ata Mohammad Khan, was also an author and had written books in prose as well as poetry and published a weekly magazine by the name of Vakil. He was a man of means, and helped Mashriqi to acquire the best possible education. He had a very close relationship with Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (Founder of Aligarh University and a very well respected person in the Muslim community of Indo-Pakistan) and both were extremely concerned about the future of the Muslims. Allama Mashriqi met Sir Syed when he was very young. Allama's father was also well connected with other Muslim leaders such as Nawab of Loharu, Maulana Shibli Nomani, Abu Kalam Azad, Abdullah al Amadi, Syed Jamal ud Din Afgani and other prominent personalities of that time. Abu Kalam Azad also worked for Allama’s father’s biweekly newspaper. Click here for more information on Vakil.
Educational Achievements of Allama Mashriqi:
Allama Mashriqi was educated at the Punjab University at Lahore, Pakistan and later went on to
Cambridge University in England. His academic achievements at home and at Cambridge
established new records and surprised everybody in Britain and India alike. He had earned
degrees in many subjects including Mathematics, Natural and Mechanical Sciences, Oriental Languages,
etc. He held degrees such as Fellow Geographical Society- F.G.S. (Paris), Fellow Society of Arts- F.S.A.
(Paris), and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts- F.R.S.A. He earned many of his degrees in less time than
was required and yet he still broke all previous records. He was a renowned Mathematician. He was also
President of the Mathematical Society, Member of the Delhi University Board, and was awarded the Gold
Medal by the World Society of Islam.
Allama went above and beyond the expectations of his examiners. For example, if there were ten questions and
the students were supposed to complete nine out of ten, he would perform all ten and give the examiners
the choice of which ones to check.
He is believed to be the first man from anywhere in the world to have honors in four different Triposes
and to have completed them in a short period of time with distinction. The British newspapers could not
ignore his achievements and paid high tributes to him in their newspapers. He was given many titles
because of his various academic achievements such as "Foundation Scholar" and "Wrangler". Many
newspapers, including The Times London, The Daily Mirror, The Daily Telegraph, and Cambridge Daily,
commended his superb performance.
Click below to see the educational acclaim Mashriqi received from various newspapers:
Educational Acclaim: 1907 and 1911-1912
Refusal of Premiership, Ambassadorship,
Knighthood, Federal Ministry:
After completing his education in England, he traveled around in Europe and then returned to India.
While he was in England, he was contacted by the Maharaja of Alver for a State Premiership. He was not
interested in this position or meeting the Maharaja and he declined the offer.
In order to oblige Allama, he was offered Ambassadorship
and Knighthood in 1920 and 1921 respectively by the
British.
After the creation of Pakistan, he was also offered Federal Ministries in the Government of Pakistan many
times by different Heads of State.
Allama declined all these offers because he did not agree with the government's policies and he felt that
the policies would not help the people of Indo-Pakistan and Kashmir. He did not acquire political position
for fame or to meet personal ends. He came from a strong family and was above these things.
Mashriqi was appointed the Under Secretary of
Education for India in 1917 by the British Government. He was the first Muslim to hold such a
high position. He resigned from the post and founded the Khaksar Tehrik.
Allama met and/or exchanged correspondence with different world leaders on the issue of Muslims in
India. Allama exchanged views on the issue of Muslims with different Kings and other prominent leaders
of Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Tunis, Egypt, Iraq, and Turkey.
He was also in constant contact with Muslim leaders in India such as Nawab Bahadur Yar Jang, Maulana
Abu Kalam Azad, Sir Zia ud Din (Khaksar), Sir Zafar Ullah, Sir Suleman and other important
distinguished personalities of the time.
Allama was in contact with Non-Muslim leaders as well. He wrote letters to Mahatma Gandhi in order to
bring re-conciliation between him and Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah over political issues. Other
leaders he was in contact with included Jawaharlal Nehru (later became the Premier of India) and
Rajagopalchariar (Premier of Madras).
Mashriqi visited many countries in connection with Muslim affairs and was invited to Saudi Arabia by the
King as a State Guest. He led a delegation at Motmar-i-Khilafat in Cairo, Egypt. This was
where he delivered his historic speech, "Khitab-i-Misr." Allama also attended the Palestine
World Conference and was the President of the World Faiths Conference (1937).
In short, he was working continuously for the freedom of the Muslims of India and for the welfare and
future of Muslims around the world.
Allama was constantly working for the welfare of
Muslims before and after the creation of Pakistan. He met and exchanged
correspondence with Quaid-i-Azam on the issue of Muslims of the Sub-Continent.
Allama also met and/or was in contact with domestic leaders of Pakistan such
as Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan, Prime Minister Khawaja Nazimuddin, Governer
General Ghulam Mohammad, President Sikandar Mirza and President Ayub Khan at
different times in order to discuss the future of Muslims in Pakistan and Kashmir.
Mashriqi was extremely dedicated to the cause of Kashmir and continued his efforts even after Pakistan
was created. He wanted to see Kashmir liberated during his lifetime. Until the
last days of his life, Allama stayed in contact with President Ayub Khan and
offered him any services from the Khaksar Tehrik which could help solve the
issue of Kashmir.
Allama was an excellent orator. He delivered many public speeches in different cities where large numbers of his followers would come to listen to him.
Allama had millions of followers. His followers and supporters came from every
walk of life, rich and poor, from the general public, to Nawabs, Sirs (title
given by the British Government) and Government Officials including Federal
Ministers, and Army Generals. He was respected by everyone, even politicians
and Heads of State, despite their differences on political issues.
All the Khaksars in his party were volunteers who were devoted to his movement's cause. They joined the
movement with no personal interests or motives. The Khaksars were extremely
dedicated people. If Allama asked the Khaksars to move from one place to another for public service or called them for a
convention/meeting, they all followed his orders blindly and willingly at any
time, day or night. They knew that Allama was an extremely honest, selfless,
and devoted person and that whatever he did was for the welfare of the Muslims
of Indo-Pak. Allama inspired and motivated his followers by making personal
sacrifices which people could see in his daily life. Because of the examples
set by Allama, the Khaksars devoted their time, energy, and finances for the
cause of the Muslims.
Everyone in the Khaksar Tehrik, including Allama Mashriqi, was treated equally. They all wore the same
simple khaki dress. If Allama made a mistake, he was punished in the same
manner that any other Khaksar would have been punished. Allama made no
distinction between him and his fellow Khaksars and treated everyone with
full respect.
Nawab Bahadur Yar Jung, Mir Ali Ahmeb Talpur, and Other Prominent Followers
Mr Nasim Yousaf, grandson of Allama Mashriqi, said that late Prime Minister Zulifiqar Ali Bhutto appreciated
and recognized the services rendered by Allama for the creation of Pakistan and for the Muslim cause.
Bhutto said, "He was a great leader and his services for the creation of Pakistan
were unparalleled." Bhutto expressed these views during a meeting at the Prime Minister House in Rawalpindi, Pakistan
with Mashriqi's daughter, Mrs Masuda Yousaf and grandson, Mr.Nasim Yousaf. Bhutto also
invited one of Allama’s sons, Inam Ullah Khan Akram, to join hands with his Peoples’ Party and also offered ro him the Peoples' Party’s ticket
to contest the general election for National Assembly of Pakistan.
Mr. Yousaf also remembers his childhood when S.M. Zafar (Ex-Federal Law Minister of Pakistan)
wrote on Mr. Yousaf’s autograph book, “Follow in the footsteps of your grandfather, whose
sacrifices cannot be forgotten."
Devotion to the Muslim Cause:
Mashriqi devoted his life to the Muslim causes of rebuilding the nation and obtaining independence.
He always put the Muslim cause before his own self and his family. One of Mashriqi's own sons, Ehsanullah Khan Aslam, was injured when hit by a police tear gas grenade during a raid on the Khaksar headquarters in Lahore on March 20, 1940. As a result of his injury, Mashriqi's son died on May 31, 1940.
Throughout his life, Mashriqi was not only concerned about the future of the Muslims in India, Pakistan, and Kashmir, but also Muslims in other parts of the world.
Based on his observations of the circumstances in Pakistan, Mashriqi issued a warning to the nation during his address in 1956 at Minto Park, Lahore. He stated that if the conditions in East Pakistan were not improved, then East Pakistan would declare its independence. His warning became a reality in 1971 when East Pakistan declared independence and formed Bangladesh. Below is the warning issued by Mashriqi in 1956:
"Ye Muslims! Today from this platform I sound you a warning. Listen carefully and ponder. Sometime in the future, probably in 1970, you will be confronted with a perilous situation. In 1970 - I see it clearly - the nation will be stormed from all sides. The internal situation would have deteriorated gravely. A panic of widespread bloodshed will sweep the nation. The frenzy of racial and provincial prejudices will grip the whole country. Zindabad and murdabad will defean your ears. Plans will be initiated to dismember the country. Take it from me that in 1970, Pakistan will be plagued with a grave threat to its sovereignty. You might actually lose it if the reigns of the country were not in the hands of courageous and unrelenting leadership.
India will, in that grave situation, try to take advantage of your internal turmoil and devour you. Or, the governance of the country will fall in the hands of spineless self-seekers or self-centred opportunists who might on their own accord push you into the Indian lap. I warn you about 1970. I warn you to prepare from now to face the situation which will emerge in that year. In 1947, you had a refuge to protect yourself but in the coming days of 1970 - I can clearly visualise – you will have river Attock on one side and the Chinese border on the other, and you will have no place to go…"
Source: Al-Mashriqi: The Disowned Genius (page 256-257) by Syed Shabbir Hussain, Published by Jang Publishers, Lahore, Pakistan. First Edition April, 1991.
Allama wrote many books, the most famous of which was Tazkirah, a commentary on the Holy Quran and the Laws of Nature. Tazkirah was also formally nominated for consideration for the Nobel Prize (Literature). The committee did not consider the nomination because Allama refused to translate the book from Arabic into English. Other books he wrote include Isharat, Qaul-i-Faisal, Hedithul Quran, Farogh-i-Islam, Takmilah. Some of his books remained incomplete at the time of his death.
Books by and on Allama Mashriqi and the Khaksar Tehrik are available in research libraries in the USA, including the Library of Congress. His books are also available in Pakistan. Many of his books are published by Al-Tazkira publications in Pakistan.
LIST OF BOOKS ON ALLAMA MASHRIQI AND THE KHAKSAR TEHRIK:
This page contains a list of some books about Allama
Mashriqi and the Khaksar Tehrik. It also has a list of some libraries where books on him and his political party can be found.
Book on Al-Mashriqi:
Syed Shabbir Hussain wrote a book entitled Al-Mashriqi which was
published by Jang, the well-known publisher of Jang Newspapers in Pakistan.
In the book, Mr. Husain writes, “At this moment I cannot help
remembering two military leaders, Pakistan’s late president Zia-ul-Haq, who, when informed at a small
gathering at his place over five years ago that I was attempting a book on Mashriqi, looked at me
pensively and said, ‘You must write a book on him, yes, you must write.’ The other soldier is late Lt. General.
A.I. Akram, himself a great author and analyst, who a few months before his death asked me at a
diplomatic reception, ‘What book is in hand these days’, and when I mentioned Mashriqi, he offered a
word of encouragement. ‘He deserves a book. You must write one on him,’ he said.”
Mr. Nasim Yousaf has been conducting extensive research on Allama Mashriqi for many years and as a result, he has published a book entitled Allama Mashriqi & Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan: Two Legends of Pakistan. His research is ongoing and he devotes a considerable amount of time toward the cause, hoping to continue providing the nation with valuable publications in the future.
History lovers, researchers, biographers, historians, professors, students, etc. can find information on Allama Mashriqi and the Khaksar Tehrik from various newspapers, weeklies, bi-weeklies and other publications. Listed below are some Urdu and English language newspapers that can be used for conducting research (note: many of these newspapers are available on microfilm at research universities and public libraries):
Al-Islah (Lahore), Radiance (Lucknow), The Dawn, (Karachi & Delhi), The Pakistan Times (Lahore & Rawalpindi) Nawa-i-Waqat (Lahore), Jang (Karachi & Rawalpindi) , Tameer (Rawalpindi) , Kohistan (Rawalpindi) , Mashriq (Lahore) , The Tribune (Lahore, pre-partition), The Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) , The Statesman (Calcutta) , The Bombay Chronicle (Bombay), The Hindustan Times (Delhi, pre-partition), Anjam (Karachi), Chattan (Lahore), The Eastern Times (Lahore), Imroze (Lahore), Humdam (Lucknow), Inqalab (Lahore), Iqbal (Rawalpindi), The Khyber Mail (Peshawar), Musawat (Lahore), The Hindu (Madras), Pakistan Today (Dacca), Tej (Delhi), Zamindar (Lahore), Ehsan (Lahore), The Eastern Examiner (Chittagong), Morning News (Karachi and Dacca), Vakeel (Amritsar).
On September 13, 2004, Mr. Yousaf traveled to London to continue his research on Mashriqi and the Khaksar Tehrik.
The British Government's correspondence regarding the Khaksar Tehrik (particularly during the 1940s) is quite important. When conducting research on this topic, consider the following:
Below are some resources for conducting research:
- National Documentation Centre Publications
1) Unpublished Doctoral Thesis by Muhammad Khursheed (1992)
2) M.A. Thesis by Abdullah Kaleem (1970)
3) M.A. Thesis by Abussalam (1972)
4) M.A thesis by Muhammad Iqbal (1978)
With Allama Mashriqi’s death, one chapter of the history of
Indo-Pakistan was closed.
Allama Mashriqi died in August of 1963. Upon his death, major newspapers and publications put
headlines commending his dedication to the Muslim cause and to the poor people of Pakistan. They
commented on what a great loss it was for the entire nation.
The news of Allama’s death spread like wildfire and was broadcast by Radio Pakistan, BBC, All India
Radio, and other Radio Stations around the globe. His funeral procession was one of the largest ever seen
in the history of Pakistan. Traffic was jammed and roads were packed with people
who were crying and mourning his death. Condolence messages were sent by domestic and
international leaders upon his death.
Mr. Yousaf, grandson of Allama, who was a child at the time of Mashriqi’s death, remembers the day Allama died and he
narrates the following:
"The nation seemed to be in a state of shock. The gloom and tragedy persisted in the air. People were
pouring into the city of Lahore from all over the country in order to join his funeral from the hospital to
the place where he was to be laid to rest forever. There were people as far as the eye could see; On the
sidewalks, on the roofs of buildings and houses, on balconies, trees, poles and anywhere they could find a
place to stand. They were all hoping to get a last glimpse of the unforgettable leader. People were sobbing
and showering him with flowers and petals, in an effort to bid farewell to the departing leader. There were
so many flowers being thrown, that the streets were covered with petals and Allama’s face could hardly be seen under
them. Large numbers of policemen were made available to control the mourners. The streets of Lahore
were packed with people and traffic had to be diverted. Domestic and international phone calls from
people from all walks of life were constantly coming to Allama's residence. Thousands of messages of
condolences were received from within Pakistan as well as from all over the world. I was kissed and
hugged by the mourners and the Khaksars out of love for Mashriqi. At the burial, all the Khaksars were clad in Khaki attire and a gun salute was given. The solemn scene at
the time of the burial reached its peak when all the men, women, and children began to cry and sob as
Mashriqi was being laid into his grave."
May God rest his soul in peace.
Jang (Published in Karachi, Pakistan)
Imroze (Published in Lahore, Pakistan)
Researchers may also consult the following newspapers for news about Allama Mashriqi's condition and death:
From August 8, 1963 to September 8, 1963:
More News About Allama Mashriqi's Death
President and Governer of Pakistan Pay Their Respects to Allama Mashriqi
A special note from Mr. Nasim Yousaf in Memory of Allama's sisters:
Mr Yousaf praised Zainab and Ayesha, the sisters of Allama Mashriqi, who raised and educated many Pakistani children.
They even sent some children abroad for higher studies.
Request for his photos:
If anyone has a photo(s) or material of Allama Mashriqi or of the Khaksars' activites and would like to include it
on this web site, you are welcome to do so with no charge or obligation on either part.
Contact information:
For any questions regarding this web site, please email the web manager at the following address:
Link to Allama Mashriqi's Grandson, Mr. Nasim Yousaf:
Theses on the Khaksar Tehrik:
- National Archives of Pakistan
Director General
National Archives of Pakistan, Block N, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
051-9202044
Fax: 051-9206349
http://www.cabinet.gov.pk
National Documentation Centre,
Room No.1016-B, Cabinet Block,
Cabinet Division, Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone: 051-9205189
http://www.cabinet.gov.pk
-Library of Congress:
http://www.loc.gov
-Libraries at Research Universities in the USA including Harvard, Cornell, Columbia, Princeton, and the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor).
-India Office Library:
http://www.bl.uk/collections/orientalandindian.html
http://www.bl.uk/collections/orientaloffice.html
-Research University Libraries in U.K
-National Library, Aberstywyth
-The Centre of South Asian Studies at Cambridge University
http://www.s-asian.cam.ac.uk
-National Gandhi Museum, New Delhi:
http://www.gandhimuseum.org
-Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, New Delhi
-Research libraries in India
Subject: The Role of the Unionist Party in the Punjab Politics 1923-36
Place: Islamia University, Bahawalpur
Subject: Khaksar Tehreek
Place: Punjab University, Lahore
Subject: Khaksar Tehreek
Place: Punjab University, Lahore
Subject: Allama Inyatullah Khan Mashriqi ka Nazariya-i-Mazhab
Place: Punjab University, Lahore
August 29 1963
August 28 1963
August 28 1963
August 30 1963
News About Allama Mashriqi's Condition
infomashriqi@yahoo.com
Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan was the founder of the Orangi Pilot Project in Pakistan.
He was a scholar and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Michigan State University. Dr. Khan was
a recipient of the Hilal-e-Pakistan, Sitra-i-Pakistan, and the Magsaysay Award
(The highest civil award from the Government of Pakistan and Philippines).
He graduated from Cambridge University in England and joined the prestigious
Indian Civil Service (I.C.S.). He was a Social Scientist and millions benefited
from his Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) and the Comilla Rural Academy.
An Entrepreneur and Member of the Board of Directors which founded Pakistan Commercial Exporters of Towels Association. He was also Ex-Vice Chairman(N.Z.) of the PCETA.
