Tag Archives: Muslims of Patna

Khan Sir’s affordable hospital in Patna becomes lifeline for poor

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Patna, BIHAR :

Khan Sir Hospital, Patna

In an era where escalating medical explosive costs are making healthcare inaccessible to millions, Khan Sir has given India a reason to take pride. Patna is set to experience a significant enhancement in healthcare access with the launch of the hospital for those who can’t afford the highend treatments and diagnosis of the diseases.

The hospital, established by Faizal Khan—founder of the world’s largest and most affordable online education platform—known as Khan Sir, provides low-cost diagnostic and treatment services for the poor. Khan Sir’s initiative is inspired by his mother’s vision of making healthcare affordable and removing financial barriers to medical care. 

Speaking to the media, Khan Sir said. “I have started this initiative for the ease of the residents of my nation. It was my mother’s dream to build a hospital that gives affordable medical treatments to everyone. Building upon that, I am trying to create a situation where women of my country, whom I consider family, don’t have to mortgage their jewellery for any medical treatment. My further motive is not to earn out of this initiative; I would rather curb the brokerage that is involved in the medical facilities of Bharat.”

The hospital is located on Ashok Rajpath in Patna, Bihar, and has been designed to serve low income families, daily wage earners, senior citizens, and economically underprivileged patients who struggle with high healthcare costs. Khan Sir has stated on multiple occasions that the facility’s mission is to provide quality care at costs much lower than even government hospitals. 

Khan Sir Hospital, Patna (Bihar)

From the start, the hospital has focused on keeping diagnostic and treatment costs extremely affordable. For example, a blood test is charged at only Rs 7, while an ECG (electrocardiogram) costs Rs 25 figures that have caught public attention for being significantly lower than typical lab charges. Initial pricing also includes minimal fees for X rays and kidney tests designed to ensure that essential diagnostics are accessible to all. 

According to the hospital’s official information, even more services are priced affordably: Digital X rays at Rs 30, CT scans from Rs 150, ultrasound for Rs 100, blood tests around Rs 50, and consultations at just Rs 20. These rates make basic medical care much less burdensome for patients who previously had to choose between health and household expenses. 

खान सर का हॉस्पिटल इस दिन से होगा चालू, 35 रु में X-Ray से लेकर काफी सस्ता ईलाज! पटना में कुल 5 बड़े Ai जेनरेटेड हॉस्पिटल खोलेंगे! Khan Sir Hospital Patna pic.twitter.com/TTxoq3Jy7R

— छपरा जिला 🇮🇳 (@ChapraZila) January 4, 2026

Beyond basic diagnostics, Khan Sir Hospital offers a 24/7 blood bank and dialysis centre, with trained nephrology teams and modern equipment. A dedicated emergency department and general OPD services ensure continuous care for various health needs. The hospital also runs community health programmes and patient education initiatives to encourage preventive care.

In line with his charitable mission, Khan Sir plans to expand services across Bihar by establishing dialysis centres and blood banks in other districts with advanced machines imported from Germany and Japan aiming to provide affordable care where it is most critical. 

The hospital’s community outreach has included blood donation drives, where more than 150 units were collected, helping save lives in emergencies. Such efforts demonstrate the institution’s commitment to community health, not just commerce. 

The initiative has inspired strong emotional support from followers. In one notable example, a young fan from Uttar Pradesh drew attention by creating and gifting paintings made with her own blood to Khan Sir in Patna, a symbolic tribute to his work in healthcare and education. 

With this combination of ultra-low fees, modern treatment facilities, community outreach programmes, and a mission rooted in service, Khan Sir Hospital is positioning itself as a lifeline for affordable healthcare in Bihar. It represents a growing model of healthcare that prioritises accessibility and compassion at its core.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Asshhar Alam / February 09th, 2026 

From Treatment to Ethics: Three-Day Orientation at Government Tibbi College Hospital Starts Today

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Patna, BIHAR :

Patna:

Government Tibbi College Hospital, Patna, will host a three-day special orientation workshop from February 16 to 18, 2026, for the trainee doctors of Batch 2020. The objective of this workshop is to practically acquaint incoming doctors with professional demands, medical laws, administrative principles, and ethical values to ensure they can fulfill their responsibilities effectively.

Under the vision of “A Glorious Past, A Bright Future,” the institution has designed this comprehensive training program.

On the first day, Dr. Mohammad Tanweer Alam will provide a detailed briefing on internship rules and regulations. Dr. Mohammad Razi Ahmad will highlight the importance of vital signs and correct examination methods, while Dr. Khesal Ahmad will explain X-ray diagnosis and study techniques in the ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) department.

This will be followed by a detailed discussion on modern diagnostic equipment and its effective use.The second and third days of the workshop will feature experts speaking on various medical topics. Dr. Mohammad Nizamuddin will provide guidance on the principles and rules of prescription writing. Dr. Shoeba Feroz Ahmad will share insights on prenatal and postnatal care, while Dr. Rizwan Ahmad will present practical tips on prenatal and postnatal emergency management. Dr. Raj Kumar Chandan will deliver a lecture on the practical use of anesthesia.

Dr. Amresh Kumar and Dr. Javed Ahmad will deliver a special address on the integration of Physiotherapy and Unani medicine in treating musculoskeletal and joint disorders.


To promote high ethical values alongside professional expertise, a special session on “Medical Ethics” will be conducted by Dr. Mohammad Nafees Iqbal.

On the final day, Dr. Aliya Parveen will hold a detailed discussion on clinical protocols related to infertility management.

The workshop will conclude with an inspiring address by Dr. Shailesh Kumar Pankaj, aimed at instilling new energy and professional commitment in the trainee doctors.


In his message, the Hospital Superintendent, Professor Dr. Shahnawaz Akhtar, stated that this workshop would prove to be a milestone for future doctors. He remarked that the institution’s goal is not merely to award degrees but to prepare physicians who are both technically skilled and ethically sound. He urged all interns to make the most of this opportunity and further refine their skills.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education> Latest News / by Sami Ahmad / February 16th, 2026

Zakat Conference in Patna Advocates for Institutionalized Charity to Combat Poverty

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Patna, BIHAR :

Patna:

The Zakat Centre India (ZCI), Patna, hosted a high-profile conference at the A.N. Sinha Institute of Social Science, bringing together community leaders, scholars, and financial experts to discuss the transformative potential of organized Zakat. The event highlighted a shift from individual giving to a structured “social security” model aimed at empowering marginalized sections through transparency and professional management.

Chief guest Amir Subhani, retired IAS officer and former Bihar Home Secretary, said Zakat is a core element of the Islamic economic system and a guarantee of social security for the weak and poor. He observed that economic inequality exists in every society and cannot be erased by force, noting that the collapse of communism proved such models unsustainable. A degree of inequality, he suggested, can foster mutual dependence, gratitude, cooperation, and empathy among social groups.

Subhani compared faith-based welfare with state-led systems in Europe, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands, where governments provide extensive social security through taxes. While India has welfare schemes, he said they remain inadequate given widespread poverty. He noted that the estimated Zakat pool forms a significant “corpus”, yet is largely distributed informally, often without verification.

An institutionalized system, he stressed, ensures proper assessment of eligibility, scale of need, and appropriate assistance. Students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and destitute individuals such as widows and the elderly all require tailored support. Organized networks can investigate cases effectively, making collective Zakat more impactful than isolated charity.

Reflecting on ZCI’s work, Subhani said many of his initial concerns about fund allocation and beneficiaries were addressed during the program. He expressed confidence in the Centre’s transparency, especially as it is led by a Chartered Accountant, and suggested issuing payment receipts to strengthen donor trust.

He emphasized coupling financial aid with mentorship. Many poor recipients, he noted, spend business funds on urgent consumption needs and lack entrepreneurial skills. Recalling government Entrepreneurship Training programs for street vendors—where he observed strong Muslim participation—he highlighted practical guidance such as customer interaction, negotiation, body language, repeat business strategies, and digital payments. Financial assistance, he concluded, should be paired with structured guidance.

Keynote speaker Maulana Rizwan Ahmad Islahi described Zakat as central to maintaining social balance in Muslim society. Dr. Rizwan Ahmad Rafiqui of ZCI Delhi stressed organized collection and distribution to maximize impact. CA SS Quadri outlined management protocols and transparency measures, while Advocate Mohammad Naushad presented the annual report. The program opened with Quran recitation and concluded with a vote of thanks by Quamar Warsi.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Sami Ahmad / February 16th, 2026

ZCI–Patna: From Struggle to Self-Reliance – The Story of M. Amjad Proves Zakat a Tool of Empowerment

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Patna, BIHAR :

For years M. Amjad of Patna worked at a jewellery purse-making agency, earning barely ₹5,000–6,000 a month – an amount too small to cover even the basic needs of his family.

In 2025, with financial support of ₹20,000 from ZCI–Patna, Amjad seized the opportunity to start on his own. Today, his earnings have more than doubled, giving his family both financial security and a sense of dignity.

Amjad’s journey is a shining example of how Zakat, when channelled with vision, becomes more than charity – it becomes a tool of empowerment. By enabling individuals to stand on their own feet, Zakat Centre India is fulfilling its mission of transforming recipients into contributors, and compassion into lasting change.

[The writer is Secretary (Hon.) Zakat Centre India-Patna]

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Social Service / by M Naushad Ansari / August 19th, 2025

Bareilly: Treasure of Islamic history contained in 3500 pages, ‘Tarikh-e-Islam Mukammal’ became the voice of Muslims!

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Bareilly, UTTAR PRADESH :

Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi New Book: Maulana Shahabuddin Barelvi’s historical book ‘Tarikh-e-Islam Mukammal’ was released in Bareilly.

This book, prepared after 10 years of hard work, was described as the heritage of the Muslim society and it was announced to be published in many languages.

Maulana Shahabuddin’s new book released in Bareilly

BareillyNews Today :

A grand launch program of the historical book ‘Tareekh-e-Islam Mukammal’ by the National President of All India Muslim Jamaat, Maulana Shahabuddin Barelvi was organized in Bareilly. On this occasion, the Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Waqf Development Corporation Shafakat Hussain was present as the chief guest. At the same time, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP,Bareilly Mayor Umesh Gautam also participated specially.

On this occasion, National President of All India Muslim Jamaat Maulana Shahabuddin said that ‘Tarikh-e-Islam Mukammal’ mentions in detail the events from the beginning of Islam to the present time. He said that it took him 10 long years to prepare this book and for this he had to travel to many parts of the world.

Many eminent personalities participated in the program

Chief guest Shafqat Hussain praised Maulana’s hard work and historical research and said that this book will become an important source for the new generation to understand Islamic history. At the same time, BJP Mayor Umesh Gautam said that Maulana’s book will give a new direction to the society and will prove helpful in strengthening mutual brotherhood. Many intellectuals, religious leaders and social workers also participated in the program.

History of Islam in six volumes

,’Tarikh-e-Islam Mukammal’ is based on a total of six volumes and 3500 pages. This detailed book contains documentary details of Islamic movements, events and important periods from the birth of the Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam to today.

Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi said that it took about 10 years to prepare this book.

For this, he visited the big libraries of India as well as 12 foreign countries and made a deep study of the major Arabic, Persian and English books there.,This book is based on extensive research and historical facts.,

It will be published in several languages

In the program, Maulana also told that ‘Tarikh-e-Islam Mukammal’ will soon be published in many languages ​​including Hindi, English and Arabic, so that more and more people can read it. On this occasion, many dignitaries including Idara-e-Shariah’s Chief Mufti Qazi Abdul Mannan Kalimi from Patna (Bihar), Bareilly Mayor Umesh Gautam and Waqf Development Corporation Director Shafaat Hussain called this book a milestone for the Muslim community.

source: http://www.zeenews.india.com / Zee News / Home> Salaam Zee News / by Raihan Shahid (translated from Hindi into English) / July 10th, 2025

Ali Hussain, the Unsung Bird Catcher Who Saved India’s Wings and Won Global Praise

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Patna, BIHAR : 

Born a bird trapper, Ali Hussain from Bihar became a guardian of India’s birds, working alongside top scientists and proving how traditional Muslim knowledge can serve the world’s wildlife

New Delhi / Patna :

 When people first saw Ali Hussain walking through the fields of Bihar with bamboo cages and handmade nets, many thought he was just another bird catcher, and many called him that for years. But few understood what really made him special.

Ali Hussain, a quiet man from a family of traditional bird trappers, was more than what the eye could see. Behind his soft smile and weather-worn hands was a lifetime of wisdom passed down over generations. He had learnt to follow bird calls, understand their movements, and craft traps not to harm them, but to study and help them survive.

In the early 1960s, Hussain’s life changed forever. He met Dr Salim Ali, India’s most famous ornithologist, often called the “Birdman of India.” It was the start of a deep friendship and a shared mission. Instead of catching birds for trade, Hussain began working with scientists to catch birds for research and conservation.

“I had never met anyone like him,” Dr Salim Ali had once told colleagues at the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). “He handled birds like a doctor treats a child. Gently, with care. He knew more about them than many of us.”

Ali Hussain helps capture and tag a vulture in Gir National Park. – Photo: Wildlife Division, Sasan-Gir, Gujarat

Hussain began travelling with BNHS teams across India, using his age-old skills to help ring thousands of birds. These rings, placed on birds’ legs, allowed scientists to track their migration and breeding patterns. And each bird was returned safely to the sky.

His fame didn’t stop in India. In the 1990s, American scientists from the Whooping Crane Recovery Programme invited him to the US. The whooping crane is one of the rarest birds in the world. Catching them was almost impossible until Hussain arrived there.

In just a few weeks, he safely captured 10% of the entire population without harming a single bird.

One American official said, “We were shocked. He caught birds we couldn’t even get close to. And they were all unharmed. It was a masterclass.”

For years, conservation efforts across the world relied mostly on modern technology — drones, satellites, and lab studies. But Ali Hussain showed that indigenous knowledge also has value.

“He never went to school,” said Mohammed Salim, one of his sons. “But he could read nature like a book. He knew where birds would land just by feeling the wind.”

His Muslim identity and simple lifestyle never stopped him from working with international scientists. In fact, it reminded many that people from rural and minority communities have a lot to offer when they are trusted and respected.

Even in his 80s, Ali Hussain never stopped helping. Young researchers from across India still come to his home in Patna, Bihar, asking him how to catch birds safely. His sons, trained under him, now assist with bird studies and continue the family’s work.

“Abba used to say, ‘Don’t hurt what sings. We’re here to protect, not harm,” recalled his eldest son, Iqbal Hussain.

For them, bird trapping was never about money. It was about respect — for life, for tradition, and for the Creator’s creation.

Despite his international praise, Ali Hussain was rarely honoured by Indian government bodies. No national award. No Padma Shri. No headlines on TV. Many believe this is because he was poor, Muslim, and from Bihar.

“People like him don’t fit the official image of a ‘scientist’,” said Prof Neelima Ghosh, an ornithologist from Delhi University. “But make no mistake, he taught us what our books couldn’t.”

Foreign universities invited him. Wildlife departments in the US and UK mentioned him in reports. Yet in India, he was mostly seen as “just a bird catcher.”

Ali Hussain’s connection with birds wasn’t just scientific — it was spiritual.

In many interviews, he said he felt that protecting birds was part of his faith as a Muslim. Islam teaches kindness to all living creatures, and he took that to heart.

“Birds pray too,” he once told a young researcher. “If we harm them, we stop their prayer.”

Ali Hussain sets traps to capture the Bengal florican in Pillibhit Tiger Reserve. Photo: Asad Rahmani taken from roundglas sustain

Today, his sons — Iqbal, Rashid, and Shafiq — run workshops on bird ringing and safe trapping. They continue to work with scientists from India and abroad.

“We grew up watching him work,” said Rashid. “He never rushed. He would wait for hours just to catch one bird the right way. Now we are doing the same.”

They are also trying to collect and record his trapping methods, which risk being lost as modern technology takes over. Many young Muslims from Bihar and West Bengal now visit the Hussain family to learn these skills.

In a country where Muslims are often shown in a bad light or made to feel like outsiders, Ali Hussain’s story is a powerful reminder of their quiet contributions. He didn’t protest, shout, or demand attention. He just kept working, helping both birds and humans.

“Ali Hussain should be in our school books,” said Dr Ramesh Gupta, a conservation writer. “Not because he was a Muslim, but because he was a great Indian.”

But maybe he deserves to be remembered because he was a Muslim too — a man who used his traditional knowledge, passed from father to son, to help save the very species others hunted.

He was not a scientist in the traditional sense. He didn’t wear a lab coat or speak English. He didn’t write research papers or held press conferences.

But to every bird that flew free because of him, and every student who learnt the gentle art of trapping from him, he was a scientist of the highest order.

He belonged to a generation of Muslims whose knowledge came from the land, who learnt by watching, listening, and respecting life around them.

India may not have celebrated him fully in his lifetime. But the birds did. And that’s something to think about.

source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> Featured> Indian Muslims / by Mohammed Bin Ismail / July 08th, 2025

Sir Fakhruddin (1868-1933): An Educational Visionary of Bihar

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Dumri (Patna), BIHAR :

While working on my two books (soon to come: one on Muslim Politics in Bihar and another on Muzaffarpur Muslims, 1857-2011), while looking into primary and secondary sources I came across many personalities and institutions. One such person was Sir Fakhruddin whose contributions towards public life may interest many people. Hence I crave the readers’ indulgence.

[Sir] Syed Mohammad Fakhruddin [Khan Bahadur, 1868-1933] of Patna is credited to have the distinction of being the first Muslim Minister of Bihar and Orissa.

His father Md. Ali of the village Dumri, near Patna, took special care of his quality education. Having imparted elementary education in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu in the village Maktab, Fakhruddin was put under the tutelage of Md. Yahya, advocate, a big rais of Patna, with deep interest in music and literature. Yahya was the husband of Rasheedun Nesa (1855-1926, the author of the Urdu novel, Islahun Nesa, 1881/94, and a pioneer of modern education to women in Patna).

Fakhruddin did his BA from the Patna College in 1891, and B.L. in 1893, and started court practice under the guidance of Yahya in the district court of Patna. He was also associated with the Bihar Provincial Association.

Having earned good reputation as advocate he was elected member Bengal Council in 1910, which Fakhruddin quit after becoming the government pleader (1917-20) in the High Court of Patna, established in 1916-7. In 1921 he was elected member of the Bihar and Orissa Legislative Council, and he kept winning the elections till his death in 1933.

Thus, during 1921-33 he also served as minister of education besides few other significant departments. His contribution as minister in pushing the cause of education is distinctive. His efforts towards promoting primary and secondary education are noteworthy.

 The Deputy Directors of Public Instruction were made to undertake tours of Bihar and open schools. Fakhruddin worked hard towards enhancing the budgetary allocation for education. He also made efforts towards charkha operation in the government schools but remained largely unsuccessful in that. He mobilized funds for construction of college buildings and hostels. He was passionate about it.

Reconstruction of Patna’s BN College building and its three storeyed hostel, the imposing building of the Science College (Patna), two storyed hostel for the Science College, the Patna College Hostel (later became famous as Iqbal Hostel), two storeyed PostGraduate Hostel of Ranighat (Patna), Patna Training College are his creations.

Besides, he also allocated fund for the buildings and hostels of the Muzaffarpur’s GBB (LS) College, Cuttack’s Ravenshaw College, Bhagalpur’s TNB Colllege, two big buildings for the Madrasa Shams-ul-Hoda, which was taken over by the government, and eight professors’ quarters in Ranighat (Patna) are also his creations. For the cause of Urdu, he set up a Madrasa Board in 1922.

Madrasa Shams-ul-Hoda

Fakhruddin had also prepared an ambitious plan of converting the Patna University in a big residential university for which he also influenced the Nathan Committee to make favourable recommendations. This was to be established in the Phulwari Sharif. But it did not see the light of the day as a large number of the members of the Bihar and Orissa Legislative Council opposed it on the arguments that the campus will go far beyond the city; a member went on to allege that Fakhruddin was taking the University to the doors of his Pir. The Searchlight is said to have regretted this myopic opposition as the Bihar’s capital city was deprived of quality residential university.

He created and institutionalized Bihar Educational Service Class I, and went on talent hunt to recruit meritorious teachers for the Patna University.

With these efforts he brought in Dr Gyan Chand as professor of Economics, Prof. Taraporewala (History), Prof. Jamuna Prasad (Psychology), Prof. Hill (English), Prof. Shiv Parvati Prasad (Physics). They were posted on handsome salaries.

There used to be an insistence by the colonial regime to recruit only those candidates as Class I teachers who had obtained degrees from Europe.

Prof. Nayyar Laeeq Ahmad (who later became Principal, Andheri College, Bombay), and Prof. Jadunath Sarkar were also recruited. Sir Fakhruddin resisted this racism, without much success at the time, even though it was diluted subsequently in 1940s when Prof. K K Datta (History, 1944) was taken in.

Sir Fakhruddin brought a bright professor of Law from BHU to make him Principal, Law College, and Prof. Boman Sanjana of Bombay was brought in the Civil Engineering.

In order to overcome the dearth of talented teachers he also instituted State Scholarship programme on which promising students of BA and MA were sent oxford and Cambridge for higher degrees and they had to return back to teach in the colleges of Patna University.

Kishori Prasad Sinha, Fazlur Rahman, and Kalimuddin Ahmad for English literature; Ghanshyam Das for History, Balbhadra Prasad and Qamruddoja for Chemistry, Bhairavnath Rohtagi for Economics were few such luminaries. Sadly, with the death of Sir Fakhruddin this bright scheme also died.

The Bihar School of Engineering was upgraded to ‘College’ by him. He also established the Veterinary College of Patna and recruited many teachers from outside.

Besides education, he also held the portfolio of cooperative and he made it a movement of sorts, more particularly in Tirhut. He convened a conference of Cooperatives in Hajipur when Ahmad Husain (1886-1948), an Aligarh graduate of Muzaffarpur, was posted as SDO in Hajipur.

For all these unforgettable contributions, Dr Rajendra Prasad held him in very high esteem.

Sir Fakhruddin, a bearded, fair-skinned fellow was a devout practicing Muslim with punctualities of namaz. Sherwani, pajama, Turkish cap was his preferred dress. The masjid near the Patna Railway Junction was reconstructed by him by investing around Rs. 20-25 thousand, which is now the Jama Masjid of Patna; for long it was called ‘Sir Fakhruddin Masjid’.

As a minister, he never used government quarters; rather he preferred to work from his own house in Patna, nor did he accept police protection. He was a good orator in both English and Urdu.

His sons- Azizul Haq was a renowned advocate of Patna High Court, Anisul Haq was Deputy Collector, Habibul Haq was in judicial services.

(Mohammad Sajjad, Assistant Professor at Centre of Advanced Study in History, AMU, Aligarh)

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home / by Mohammad Sajjad / October 13th, 2025

Fasihuddin Balkhi: the forgotten historian of Bihar

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Patna, BIHAR :

Fasihuddin Balkhi was born in 1885 in Bakshi Mohalla of Patna city. | Picture: Rekhta

Born in Patna, Bihar during the British era, Fasihuddin Balkhi made a tremendous contribution to history-writing in Urdu. Despite this feat, he remains largely unknown to this day. 

Many historians have written about the history of Bihar. After taking a cursory overview of the works written by different scholars, one finds that history writing on Bihar, especially in the Urdu language has not yet received due attention in academic circles. Among many others who have written on Bihar and its history, the notable ones include Fasihuddin Balkhi (1885-1962); Taqi Rahim (1921-99); and Shad Azimabadi (1901-1978).

This piece is an attempt to highlight the life and works of Fasihuddin Balkhi. His work has received scant attention from those working in the Bihar region. His contribution remains largely under-acknowledged and under-explored in the existing literature of the Bihar province.   

Balkhi was born in 1885, the same year that the Indian National Congress (INC) was founded, in Bakshi Mohalla of Patna city. After receiving his early education at home, he went to Calcutta where he completed his higher education. He became a teacher and initially taught at Poona Military School and later in Calcutta Fort William. Later on, he passed the law examination and was employed in the Bihar government. In 1914, he opted for military service which enabled him to visit different parts of the world like Palestine, Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon. 

As India’s independence movement was drawing more followers, Balkhi too joined the movement. In 1921, he became part of the non-cooperation movement. After refusing to accept the post of deputy in Jaunpur, he had to face many hardships. Between 1926-27 he worked as the revenue officer and magistrate in Sarai Kela state.

After retirement, he left his ancestral home and lived the rest of his life till 1962 in his new house in Guzri Bazar Patna city (just behind the present Mohammedan Anglo Arabic school). In the last two years of his life, he worked at Patna University in the department of manuscripts. His hardworking and organizational abilities infused a new spirit in the department. 

Although Balkhi was known as a good teacher and a successful officer, he was primarily a historian and researcher, as he stepped into some areas of research that were hitherto almost invisible. Even the noted Bihar-based historian, Syed Hasan Askari (1901-1990) has acknowledged Balkhi’s scholarly and literary abilities. Unfortunately, most of the works of Balkhi could not reach their desired audience. Some of his works remain unpublished even now.  

Balkhi’s first book Tarikh-e-Magadh was published by Anjuman-e-Taraqqi-Urdu-Hind (Delhi) in 1944. The second book, Tazkira, was published as Tazkira-e-Niswane Hind (1956).

According to one source, he wrote his first work at the age of 25 in 1910 in Urdu on astrology, a rare case in Urdu, titled as Ilmi-e-Najoom. This work is not easily available or accessible to the readers. A pamphlet on the poetry of Shad Azimabadi titled as Inshad-e-Shad (Qaumi Press Bankipore, Patna, 1939) is his signature piece. The pamphlet demonstrates his power of critique. 

Balkhi’s work only gained wider attention after his death. Well-known Urdu publisher Nadeem Bhatti published one of Balkhi’s works Tazkira-e-Hindu Shora-e-Bihar (Poets in Bihar/Urdu) in 1962. Some of Balkhi’s unpublished works such as Dastur-e-Sukhan, a collection of his works on historical places of Bihar province, Aasar-e-Balkhiya, are collected in the book. Several of his scholarly, literary and historical articles are also available in different magazines and journals. A well-researched article on Balkhi’s personality and research guidance was written by Qayyum Khazar for ‘All India Radio Patna.’ Khazar states that “Fasihuddin Balkhi was a great historian and researcher as well as a good poet.”  

Balkhi’s work as historian
Tarikh-e-Magadh is the first book that earned Balkhi fame as a historian. This seminal work in Urdu was published in 1944 by Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu (Delhi), which was then under the supervision of Maulvi Abdul Haq (Baab-e-Urdu). The book chronicles the history of Bihar province from the earliest times (642 BC) up to the second World War in 1943. The book contains as many as twenty chapters. The book is considered one of the most reliable accounts of the history of Bihar in the Urdu language. The work was constructed from authentic historical sources. 

Patna-based historian Imtiaz Ahmad, commenting on the significance of Tarikh-e-Magadh, has said, “It is written authentically and professionally, with proper references from sources (Persian texts).” 

Balkhi also wrote another significant work entitled Wahabi Movement, posthumously published in 1983. This book along with Qeyamuddin Ahmad’s seminal work The Wahhabi Movement in India (1966, reprinted 1994) are the most cited works on the history and role of the Wahhabi movement in India.

Balki’s slim book, despite being confined to the Bihar region, is distinctive in many new ways. The sources he cited are primary and useful, such as letters of Syed Ahmad Shah, Calcutta Review, Indian Muslim by Wilson Hunter, Tazkira-e Sadiqa and biographies of Syed Ismail and Syed Ahmad, the founding fathers of the movement in India.

Emphasizing the legacy left behind by the Wahhabi movement, Balkhi writes, “It is highly interesting to note that the use of three great weapons, namely, non-cooperation, passive resistance and establishing of parallel Govt. which the Congress leaders adopted in their fight against the bureaucracy, was originally advocated and preached by the Wahhabis in 1854.” (p. 16).

Apart from these historical accounts, Balkhi wrote another path-breaking book Tazkirah Niswan-e-Hind (1956) in which he documents the short biographical accounts of the notable women of India. He starts his book with Raziya Sultan of the early 13th century and covers the women from various fields across India such as Askari Begum ‘Hijab’ (Lucknow), Chander Mukhi Bose (Bengal), Lal Ded (Kashmir), Raziya Sajjad Zahir (Rajasthan/Bombay), Bibi ‘Tahira’ (Bihar), etc. This book serves as an important source of information on Indian women and their role in different times of history. 

Balkhi has also written about the lesser-known aspects of Bihar. This can be gauged from his book Patna Ke Katbe in Urdu, published by Khuda Bakhsh Library, Patna in 1993. This book is a unique study of inscriptions found on graves, mosques, and tombs located in Patna. 

Balkhi has made a tremendous contribution to writing the history of Bihar in Urdu. His work serves as a guiding light on the lesser known and under-explored aspects of Bihar. His work needs to be revisited and re-assessed to throw light on many ignored dimensions of Bihar history.

Mohd Hussain Ganie is a PhD student at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). He tweets at  @GanaiHussain1

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Art-Culture / by Mohd Hussain Ganie, TwoCircles.net / August 12th, 2022

Bihar Collective to Release Booklet “Remembering Muslim Makers of Modern Bihar” in Patna on Feb 23

Amazing Feats, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Events, Exhibitions, Conferences (wef. Nov 18th, 2021), Freedom Fighters (under research project), Indian Muslims in World War I and II (wef. July 09th, 2022), Leaders, Martyrs of the Nation, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Patna, BIHAR :

Patna :

In an era of unprecedented majoritarian ascendance and anti-Muslim hatred, Bihar Collective, a platform of intellectuals and activists, has brought out a booklet highlighting the contribution of eminent Muslims in making the modern Bihar in the last 200 years.

The booklet titled Remembering Muslim Makers of Modern Bihar has been compiled and edited by renowned academician and writer Prof. Mohammad Sajjad on the initiative of Bihar Collective.

The booklet will be released at an event in Patna on Saturday (February 23).

On the occasion, a discussion will also be held with Prof Faizan Mustafa, Vice Chancellor, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad; Prof Vivek Kumar, JNU, New Delhi; and Prof Mohammad Sajjad, AMU, Aligarh as panelists.

A Brief about Booklet:


Pre-empting a reasonable question about the title of the booklet, Prof Sajjad, who has compiled and edited it, writes in its preface: “A simple and obvious question that may readily arise is: why only Muslim makers of modern Bihar? Why not others too? This is indeed a valid and pertinent question.”

Responding to the question, he further says: “Candidly put, this is because of an unprecedentedly menacing rise of majoritarianism, bigotry, and anti-Muslim hatred, with open support of the state.

The Muslim identities are ominously threatened. There are also unabated attempts to dilute (or even take away) whatever little accomplishments have been made by the forces of social justice and secularism.

Only the Muslim segment however is threatened by the jingoist, exclusionary, violent nationalists, to be thrown out to another country. As if the other country is a dustbin, owned by these bigots, into which they can throw away everything they dislike! As if only the religious majority constitutes the nation! Notably, these jingoists had aligned with the British and had stayed away from the national movement.”

“Muslim contributions in the nation-making (and in the freedom movement) remain under-acknowledged, forgotten or even omitted. Erasure of their histories and memories seem to have become even more pronounced and vociferous, now, than ever before…The Bihar Collective therefore decided to compile a short profile of these inspiring role models, history-makers…This is small and humble step towards retrieving and restoring the nationalist provincial pantheons bearing Muslim identities,” says Prof Sajjad.

He, however, admits that the list of Muslim heroes of Bihar given in the booklet is not exhaustive as “…many have been left out essentially because of lack of documentations and researches. Not many have left their own accounts/memoirs; the available memoirs/accounts have not written much about all the personalities. In many cases, even otherwise “resourceful” descendants and/or associates of the history-makers have not been able to provide us with adequate (and credible/verifiable) details.”

Prof Sajjad hopes this small exercise may lead to some big academic work on these history-makers. “In short, this kind of venture may be said to be an ongoing exercise. This effort may hope to open up (and obtain) more details about such history-makers and would also get to know about many more of such peoples and processes, we failed to include here in this hastily prepared tiny volume, amidst constraints of resources and time.”

Names of Muslim Makers of Modern Bihar Mentioned in Booklet:
1. Syed Imdad Ali (d.1886]
2. Khuda Bakhsh (1842-1908)
3. Syed Amir Husain (1843-1910)
4. Imdad Imam Asar (1849-1934)
5. Shah Badruddin(1852-??)
6. Syed Ali Bilgrami (1853-1911)
7. Rasheed-un-Nesa (1855-1926)
8. Syed Noorul Huda (1855-1939)
9. Justice Syed Sharfuddin (1856-1921)
10. Shaikh Gulab (1857-1920)
11. Sarfaraz Husain Khan (1860-1931)
12. Maulana Mazharul Haque (1866-1930)
13. Batakh Miyan Ansari (1867-1957)
14. Sir Fakhruddin (1868-1933)
15. Syed Ali Imam (1869-1932)
16. Syed Hasan Imam (1871-1933)
17. Salahuddin Khuda Bakhsh (1875-1931)
18. Shafi Daudi(1875-1949)
19. Khwaja Md. Noor(1875-??)
20. Abdul Wadood (d.1955)
21. Syed Abul Hasan (1878-1960)
22. Sir Sultan Ahmad (1880-1963)
23. Maulana Sajjad (1880-1940)
24. Pir Mohammad Munis (1882-1949)
25. Abdul Bari (1882-1947)
26. Syed Sulaiman Nadvi (1884-1953)
27. Mohammad Yunus (1884-1952)
28. Shah Md. Zubair (1884-1930)
29. Syed Abdul Aziz (1885-1948)
30. Zubaida Begum Daudi (1886-1972)
31. Syed Tafazzul Karim (1886-1964)
32. Mr. Mohammad Shafi (1888-1955)
33. Qazi Ahmad Husain (1889-1961)
34. Dr. Syed Mahmud (1889-1971)
35. Ali Husain Aasim Bihari (1890-1953)
36. Shah Mohammad Umair (1894-1978)
37. Abdul Ahad Mohammad Noor (1894-1975)
38. Hakeem Md. Kabiruddin (1894-1976)
39. Maulana Usman Ghani (1896-1977)
40. Manzoor Ahsan Aijazi (1897-1969)
41. Shah Md Ozair Muni’mi (1899-1961)
42. Maghfur Aijazi (1900-1966)
43. Syed Jafar Imam (1900-1965)
44. Syed Badruddin Ahmad (1901-1983)
45. Mohammad Tahir (1903-???)
46. Syed Jafar Imam (1903-1979)
47. Syed Fida Husain (1904-80)
48. Abdul Qaiyum Ansari (1905-1974)
49. Wajihuddin Minhaji (1907-1984)
50. Syed Md. Aiyub (1910-1964)
51. Abdul Sami Nadvi (1913-????)
52. Abul Hayat Chand (1914-1958)
53. Ahad Fatmi(1915-1980)
54. Zawwar Husain (1916-80)
55. Shafiqullah Ansari (1917-1980)
56. Shah Mushtaq Ahmad (1917-2002)
57. Abdul Ghafoor (1918-2004)
58. Col. Mahboob Ahmad (1920-1992)
59. Taqi Raheem (1920-1999)
60. Zahra Daudi(1923-2003)
61. Shakoor Ahmad (1924-1981)
62. Syed Hasan (1924-2016)
63. Yunus Lohia (1925-2019)
64. Ghulam Sarwar (1926-2004)
65. Syed Shahabuddin (1935-2017)

A Brief about Author:


Prof Mohammad Sajjad teaches late-colonial and post-independent Indian history at the Centre for Advanced Study in History, Aligarh Muslim University. He has written several books including Muslim Politics in Bihar: Changing Contours; and Contesting Colonialism and Separatism: Muslims of Muzaffarpur since 1857.

His articles are published in reputed academic journals from Routledge, Sage, EPW etc. and also in anthologies from the Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press.

Bihar Collective:
It is a platform of artists, intellectuals, journalists and activists to promote diversity, pluralism and constitutional values. It aims at bridging the gap between people working in various fields such as media, culture, law, science, arts, human rights, gender equality, films, music, etc.
Email: biharcollective@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biharcollective

source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Society / by India Tomorrow / February 21st, 2019

Outstanding Students Honoured with Medals for Academic Excellence in Patna

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Patna, BIHAR :

Patna :

Girls Islamic Organisation (GIO), Sultan Ganj Unit, Patna, organised a felicitation ceremony on Sunday at Markaz-e-Islami, Tekari Road, to honour over 100 meritorious students who secured excellent marks in Class 10 and 12 examinations. The achievers were awarded medals and congratulatory cards in recognition of their academic accomplishments. The event also included guidance sessions to support their future educational journeys.

The chief guest, Mohammad Shehzad from Allied IAS, delivered a comprehensive guidance talk under the theme Care and Guidance, sharing professional and academic opportunities from an Islamic perspective along with practical insights.

Motivational speaker Shazia Ahsan emphasised the value of hard work, self-confidence, and positive thinking in her inspiring speech aimed at empowering the students.

Dr. Zubiesh Firdous, Secretary Women’s Wing Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Bihar, delivered a thought-provoking address on the topic Balancing Deen and Dunya (religion and worldly life). She stressed the need for a harmonious blend of religious and secular education.

Umme Kulsoom, President of GIO Sultan Ganj Unit, introduced the organisation and highlighted its mission of empowering girls and women through education and awareness.

The event was attended by teachers, students, and parents who appreciated the efforts taken by the organisation.

The program began with a spiritual reminder from the Qur’an by Anjum Mukhtar. A soul-stirring na’at (poem in praise of the Prophet ﷺ) was beautifully rendered by Musheerah Fatima, filling the atmosphere with a spiritual essence. Saima Parveen presented an emotionally resonant poem, which was well received by the audience.

The event concluded with closing remarks and a vote of thanks delivered by Shagufta Bano, City Secretary of Patna .

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / June 01st, 2025