Ahsan Ahmed Badvi (1925-1965)

Dr. Badruddin Ujan, a noted scholar & former civil servant has started contributing a series of research based articles on well known politico-religious figures of bye gone era. This being the second part of the series of high class writeups.

Ahsan Ahmed son of Lutfullah Badvi was born on January 1925 at Shikarpur. He got his primary education from Qazi Muhalla School and his Matriculation in 1946 from Hopeful Academy Shikarpur. He joined Chellasing and Sitaldas College, for his higher studies.

It was time, when there was competition and much attention was given to students. They were given extra attention besides prescribed syllabi, by the well-known teachers. Ahsan Ahmed & many of his class fellows, have achieved much name and fame. He became editor of College Magazine and wrote an article, “1957, the first war of independence in India”. He continued his studies and was attracted by poetry. Thus he started writing poetry, because his class fellows were also poets. Some of them are Shaikh Ayaz, Lal Muhammad Lal, Naeem Siddiqui, Gobind Malhi, Rashid Ahmed Lashari & Taj Sahrai etc.

Ahsan Ahmed worked in ‘Young Muslim Association’ and established a library which was called as ‘Maulana Muhammad Lal Jauhar Library’.

Ahsan Badvi joined Sindh Muslim College Karachi for his higher studies. He did his B.A. (Hons) in Persian and M.A. in (Urdu) and then M.A. in Sindhis. Thus he was the first Sindhis who did his M.A in Urdu.

Ahsan Ahmed, inorder to meet his expenses; served as a clerk in Civil Supplies Department at then in Commissioner’s office; but his mind was much inclined towards teaching and learning. As soon as his result was out, he left the job and joined S.M. College as a lecturer in 1952.

Ahsan Ahmed was much happy to get his job because it was a great boom for him at that time. Moreover, he considered it as a challenge for him, where he would test his talents & qualities of head & heart, which were present in ample quantity in him. Thus Ahsan proved his worth and served successfully at various fronts. He was entrusted with the jobs of ‘Professor-incharge, students affairs, Incharge Publication of College Magazine, and incharge extra curricular activities of the college student. Ahsan Ahmed proved himself as a successful teacher, adviser, mediator and coordinator. The college magazine became much popular due to his efforts. His teaching was well-prepared and thought provoking. His disciples are no less important persons, but some of them are: Mr. Ghulam Rabbi, Former Chairman Academy of Letters, Islamabad, Dr. Tanvir Abbasi, Rashid Bhatti, Naseem Kharal (late), Hussain Shah Rashdi, Syed Zafar Ali Shah, Mairaj Muhammad Khan, Syed Kaural Shah and Muhammad Khan Soomro etc.

Professor Ahsan Badvi, worked day and night for the institution, the students and continued his Zest for teaching and learning. We are told that his health broke down, the days passed by, his sadness and sickness, not only of his body, but that of soul increased. The damp and impure atmosphere hit his bodily health and his heart felt un-easiness. He desired to quit Karachi for Hyderabad, his case for promotion was under consideration of the Board and that is why he waited for that result.

The uneasiness  of Professor Ahsan’s soul was realized lateron, when he bid adieu to this world. It was the period of transition, which was known to his soul and as such it was in anguish. He was ready to leave for Shikarpur for which he had got sanctional leave for two weeks. His family was already gone because of Indo-Pak war of 1965. He was detained because Sindhis Adabi Society of his college was celebrating death anniversary of Dr. U.M Daudpota. His presence was necessary and further he had to read a paper on Dr. Daudpota. It was 21st November when function was arranged which was presided over by Pir Ali Muhammad Rashdi which continued upto 3.00 pm. In the evening some of his friends came to see him at his resident, Flat No. 7, Haq Mansion, Macload Road, when they went-away, he proceeded to Frere Hall, for a evening stroll. As he was near the steps of Frere Hall, a micro bus, which went out of control of the driver due to pressure of death angel, who was sitting over it. The micro bus at the instruction of death angel hit him hard and he fell down. He rushed to the Civil Hospital, but bleeding could not stop till the last moment. Thus be breathed his last at 2.30 am, 22nd November, 1965. His corpse was brought to Shikarpur and was laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard.

Thus the chapter of Ahsan Ahmed’s life was closed much before its due time. This untimely loss not only hit upon the hearts of his parents and family, but the Sindhi language and literature was also deprived of a young and promising scholar. His friends, followers and well wishers were shocked at the sad demise of Ahsan Badvi and they have paid rich tributes to him in prose and verse.

Literary contribution of Professor Ahsan Badvi

Ahsan Badvi had contributed in various forms right from his college life. His articles have been published in many literary journals of Sindh as well as Hind. He has written in Sindhi, Urdu and English. Sindhu, Naeen Zindagi, Goth-Sudhar and College Magazine of Sindh and Koonj from Hind were the magazines in which his articles were published.

Professor Ahsan Badvi had written, compiled and translated, fourteen books. Some of them have been published and the remaining are in manuscript form. They are as under:

1.     The first book of Ahsan Badvi is the translation of ‘Don West’, an American poet and freedom fighter. It was published in 1950 from Hyderabad. 2.               ‘Nazim Hikmat’, this book is also a translation from Urdu about a Turkish awami poet. It was published in 1954 by Habib publications Sukkur.

3.     ‘Religious Knowledge’, this book contains preliminary knowledge of Islam and its fundamental principles. It was published in 1954, by R.H. Ahmed & Bros. Hyderbad.

4.     ‘Inqilab-jo-Phalsapho’, this book is the translation in Sindhi of Jamal Naseer’s book ‘The Philosophy of Revolution’, it was applauded in literary circles at that time. It was published in 1959 by Wafai Printers Karachi.

5.     ‘The art of criticism’, this book is the collection of eleven essays/papers writeen by the author on various topics. We find critical appreciation in more essays and the bent of writer’s mind towards criticism which was a difficult job and hitherto untouched by Sindhi writers. It was first published in 1959 by the author himself. The second edition was brought out by R.H. Ahmed & Bros. in 1970.

6.     ‘Hatim Tai’, (a novel), this novel was translated from Russian by the grandfather of Ahsan Badvi, but was yet incomplete. He revised and corrected it and later on got published. The book proved to be a good source of entertainment for the readers.

7.     ‘Saer-o-Saer’, this book was published by Sindhi Adabi Board and was compiled by Ahsan Badvi. The book contains the letter of Professor Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, which he had written to his friends & well wishers from America, where he had gone for study tour. The introduction is also a master piece, written by the complier upon the importance and art of letter writing.

8.     ‘The Brother’s Karamo Zov’, the translation of the above Russian classic was offered to Ahsan by Adabi Board. But due to untimely demise of the author, it could not be completed.

9.     ‘Panj Dastan’, (five stories), this book was written for supplementary reading of the students of sixth class and was published in 1961. this book was written in collaboration by four authors, Professor Ahsan was one of them.

10.   ‘Vindar aen Sikhya’, (teaching & learning), this book was meant for students of class seven as an additional study and was written in 1962.

11.   ‘Sangi’, (biography), this book was written on the life and works of famous Sindhi poet Mr. Abdul Hussain ‘Sangi’. The book was a success and won mush praise in literary circles.

12.   ‘Ancient Mariner’s Translation: this famous poem of S.T. Coleridge was translated by Ahsan in Sindhi and was appreciated by the readers in those days.

Professor Ahsan Badvi had left many research articles and papers which are lying in manuscript form. His poetry is also available, which is in good number.

This was something abut Ahsan Badvi, whose untimely departure gave us tremendous loss. Had he lived longer, he would have added volumes in the field of Sindhi language and literature. But that ever he had written, it must be published and brought before the people so that we may be able to gain from his writings.

May God rest his soul in heaven. 

(The writer of this article is thankful to Prof. Ghulam Ahmed Badvi, he has provided the necessary material for writing this article).