THE SAA'DH MAQQAARS ( FRAUDULENT SYEDS ) OF KASHMIR

                                                                                  

( A Typical Saa'dh Maqqaar )
 (Photo source ..Brij Krishan Dass)

He was at our door at 7AM. Wearing a long Kashmiri Pheran and  a cap on his head , he entered  our house  with a big knock  and  loudly declared in chaste kashmiri ..

'Tche nai poshan na .Ba gaalukh byol.  Sakh kooshish karikh me dyotukh na votalanaa.  Bachaa ma aasukh vopar garan sozaan......Allhum di Soo ..Vallhum di zoo....Aasmaen kotur  gutur goo gutur  goo.... Bhabi...vala ann niyaaz baapat kharch ta tomul’
    
" They can't touch you. I shall destroy them from their root. They tried hard but i did not encourage them. Do not send your children to houses of strangers."Allhum di soo ...Vallhum di zoo....The pigeon in the sky ..  Gutur goo gutur  Goo....Lady , now bring  some cash and rice for the niyaaz." 

By word " They ", he meant some so called evil forces , which according to him , were out to harm   our family.His job was done.

And by the time i came to know what had actually happened ,he was out with 20 rupees and a kg of rice given by my mother.Mother would say that he is a dangerous man.Better he leaves the house.He was a Saa'dh Maqaar or a fraudulent  religious man  in the guise of a Syed. A tricky beggar posing as a saint or a faquir    .

Then one day i saw him sipping tea inside the shop of Mohd Sidiq Sofi ( kashmiri bakery shop owner ) and our neighbour. Mohd Sidiq's mother known as Sondhar Dedh was from Pampore town near Srinagar city . I immediately asked her who he was. She promptly replied   that he was Ramzaan Saa'dh Maqaar ( Ramzaan the fraudulent syed ) actually from pampore outskirts. She continued that he belonged to a family that  had no agricultural land and as such practiced Saa'dh Maqaari profession  in far off villages or city localities. Sondhar Dedh added that these Saa'dh Maqaars cheated innocent people  outside some shrines and ziyarats as well.  

That day onwards Ramzan Saa'dh Maqaar was not seen in Rainawari.

 Later i came to know  that  during winters , these Saa'dh Maqaars would visit   Amritsar , Ludhiana , Phagwara , Jalandhar , Pathankote  and many other cities of  Punjab  to   rob innocent  and poor kashmiri muslim labourers of their hard earned savings. Posing as Peer sahib or a  Dervish , they  would entice  people in their trap  . At times ,locals too fell to their well laid out trap. Before 1947, they were also seen in Lahore during winter months .

His words ‘Allhum di soo,  Vallhum di zoo ,Aasmaen kotur  gutur goo gutur  goo ‘ appeared mysterious at that time.I thought he was probably warning the so called evil forces to keep off from our family. These lines remained etched in my memory..And the fraudulent faquir  had succeeded in making me to remember something which actually meant nothing.

I have also seen these Syed Maqaars coming in groups. Their leader   would always be an elderly person with white beard. The would  say loudly :

" Jai gosaein  ! Veshnaarpan deeytuv "

‘ Victory to the  sadhu , for god’s sake , give something ’

I end this write up wiih a couplet of urdu poet Majrooh Sultanpuri……

"Tere khanumaan kharabaan ka na chaman na koyi sahra,

Ye jahaan bhi baith jaayein waheen unn ki baargaahein.."

(Those rendered homeless by you,

Neither do they belong to the garden

Nor to the desert.

Wherever they sit ,

They create their own audience halls,)

(Avtar Mota)

PS
According to Walter R Lawrence
“ The Saiyad Makkaar Fraternity are fraudulent faquirs who pretend to be saiyads and wander about Kashmir and India cheating Public . Many have taken to trade .They intermarry among themselves. ”
( Refer Page 308 “The Valley Of Kashmir  “ By Walter R Lawrence )

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FEARLESS KRISHNA MISRI FROM KASHMIR

                                                                              

 Krishna Misri ( Zadoo ) was barely 14 when she got herself enrolled as a volunteer in the Women’s Wing of the National Militia set up by the supporters of the National Conference to fight Invading tribal raiders in 1947. This resistance group was also known as the Women’s Self-Defence Corps. (WSDC) . The slogan coined during those turbulent days was:-

 

“Hamlaavar khabardaar hum Kashmiri hain tayaar “ 

 

(“ Beware you, aggressor, we Kashmiris are prepared to fight back“)

 

 

For the first time, Kashmiri girls drawn from Hindu and Muslim households bore arms and were trained in firing guns to drive away tribal raiders. Krishna Misri was one such brave girl. The girls were trained to fire 303 guns, stun guns and pistols at Chandmaari, Srinagar and later at Badami Bagh, Srinagar. Some elders say that  National Conference workers activists raided the armoury of the Maharaja and distributed the arms to volunteers.

 

Krishna Ji’s brother, Pushkar Zadoo too achieved martyrdom along with Maqbool Sherwani, Master Abdul Aziz and Som Nath Beera during those turbulent days. At that crucial time, Maharaja suddenly left Srinagar and there was practically no administration. It was reported that the advancing tribal raiders were approaching Srinagar city via two routes; one Bandipora -Safapora road and the other Pattan- Baramulla road. The city had already plunged into total darkness with raiders destroying the Mohra powerhouse. The climate was getting colder day after day and winter was fast approaching. Fear and panic prevailed all over. Against this background, volunteers from the men and women Militia marched through the street of Srinagar city along with guns, building confidence in the population terrified by reports about the advancing tribal raiders. They guarded bridges, roads and vital installations in the city and its outskirts. Krishna Misri and her team of volunteers were also deployed to provide logistical support to the Indian forces as they were new to the terrain and the local language. These volunteers also did enormous social work in the camps set up for the hapless refugees who poured into Srinagar city to save their lives and honour. The raiders had almost destroyed the entire Baramulla town. Stories of rapes, brutalities, death and destruction in and around Baramulla town in particular were heard from all corners. These volunteers collected cash donations, rations and warm clothes for the refugees. They also kept visiting refugee camps and the city hospitals to provide moral support and first aid to the molested, raped, and abducted hapless women who were brought from the areas ravaged by the raiders. Begum Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah supervised all the social activities and relief work of the Women’s Self-Defence Corps.

Miss Mehmooda Ahmed Ali Shah ( sister of Dr Naseer, noted physician of Kashmir ), Freda Bedi ( mother of Indian actor Kabir Bedi ), Begum Akbar Jahan ( wife of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah ), and Zainab Begum ( sister of late G M Sadiq former chief minister, J&K ) were also associated with WSDC Militia. It is worthwhile to make special mention of an illiterate but determined girl from a milk seller’s family in downtown Srinagar Named Zoon ( Zoona Gujri ) who too took to the streets and led the march past of WSDC Militia. A contingent of WSDC Militia was led by Zainab Begum.

 

                                                                ( Pushkar Zadoo )
                                 

                         ( Krishna Ji standing extreme left with her family members  )

                                                                       

                                  

            ( Krishana Ji welcoming Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah  and Begum Abdullah to her college )

As a veteran of the Women's Militia, Krishna Misri remained an active member of various social and political organisations. As a member of the Citizen’s Council, she visited Haji Peer pass in 1965 which was conquered by the Indian army. Along with other women volunteers, she carried out relief and rehabilitation work in Haji Peer where Gujjar families particularly women and children were in distress and pathetic condition.

 

And Poet Agha Shahid Ali has dedicated a beautiful English poem to Krishna Misri. The poem appears on Page 184 in Agha Shahid Ali's poetic collection,"The Veiled Suite".Krishna Misri retired as Principal of Government college for Women, Srinagar and presently lives in Delhi.

 

 

 

( Avtar Mota )

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SPRING BREEZE AND KASHMIRI POET LATE MOTI LAL SAQI

                                                                       

                                                                          

ALMOND TREES IN BAADAAM VAARI GARDEN  OF KASHMIR

SPRING IS IN THE AIR

( Photo Autar Mota )

The birds have again come to sit on branches , the brooks again carry down the milky waters from lofty mountains ,the earth once more warms up to life , Trees wear Green apparel , Buds once more open up , Almond blooms are simply inviting , Bubbling are the water springs ,Fragrant is the air and look how Mustard fields wait for some one to arrive .

The VEENA within , wants RAAG VASANT to be played today…. Who shall sing “Ketaki Ghulab Joohi Champak Ban Phoole” ?

Adds the poet

“Beyii phyoor sontukk Vaav

Bahaar aav bahaar Aav

Parriyuv to kor paeraav

Bahaar aav bahaar Aav…..”

(The breeze once more comes this way ,

Here comes the spring! Here comes the spring !

The fairies too dressed themselves up,

Here comes the spring! Here comes the spring !)

Shall the spring Breeze wait for some one to arrive . And Poet Moti Lal Saqi makes passionate appeal to this fleeting spring Breeze . I quote ..

Zaanh Na ba karaai Graav Hataa Vaava Ratchha Praar

Nerithh Gayii Kumm Naava Hataa Vaava Ratchha Praar

Tiem Myaaen matchhiell Dost Rasseil Yaad tarahdaar

Chhaa vaara Kinna laegg Daava Hataa Vaava Ratchha Praar

 Raavien ma Kaansie Aalmus Munz Bar Ta Panun Braandh,

Gudhrun panun Kuss Baava Hataa Vaava Ratchha Praar ........................

( Moti Lal saqi )

O Breeze ! Never shall I complain to you , Just Wait a little More .

What makes you to rush so fast ? Just Wait a little More .

Those loving friends and the varied delightful memories ,

Are they well or have been sucked in by this hell fire ,

Let me know, O Breeze! Wait a little More .

Let none in this world lose his door and the front entrance ,

Tell me to whom should I convey What befell me , O Breeze ! Wait a little More.

But Alas! Destiny had something else under its sleeves.While the spring Breeze paid no heed , Saqi left for some other world without visiting the garden.

.During those last fateful days, he kept singing his immortal lines....

Bhariev taaf halmuss...Siri Losavunn Chuss ..

( A setting sun I am,Have as Much of sun shine as you can )..

And the breeze never sought his whereabouts......

( Autar Mota )

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DR. ALI JAN OF KASHMIR

                                                                                 

DR ALI JAN

In Rainawari, we had Ram Joo Handoo’s chemist shop near Jogi Lanker Bridge. He claimed to be R M P. My father had an abiding faith in Ram Joo’s degree, diagnosis and prescriptions. He would often tell me ..

“Ye Haa Chhu RMP. Tchhin tathh Balaai. Aeim Chha Ali Jaanus saet Hedroonie Kaam Kaarmetch.”
                                                 Or
“ He is holding an R.M.P. certificate. Leave aside his certificate, he has worked with Dr Ali Jan at SMHS hospital, Srinagar “

My father believed that Dr Ali Jan was the ultimate that modern medical science could provide to Kashmir, and any person associated with him could never be ordinary. This led him to believe in Ram Joo Handoo's medical practice and prescriptions.

He would lay more stress on Ram Joo’s association with Luqman of Kashmir, known as Dr Ali Mohammad Fazili or fondly known as Ali Jan (1914-1988 ), MBBS, DCH, MRCP.

So he was. This I came to know when I saw his style of attending to patients and his sharp Diagnostic skills.I need to quote one incident..

Possibly in 1978, my friend Basharat Fazili's brother was sick for a long time with a fever that did not subside even when treated by some good doctors. They were treating him for typhoid. Worried, we managed an appointment with Dr Ali Jan in the morning hours at his Magarmal Bagh residence. No test, no X-ray, Dr Jan,  after a careful examination, told us that the boy has water in his lungs and he should be immediately admitted to the Children's Hospital to drain out this water that was causing the infection and consequent fever. And that proved the correct diagnosis, unnecessary tests, no unwarranted X-rays, no expensive medicines and no second opinions.

In the bank, my immediate boss, late S N Kau,l was Dr Ali Jan's greatest admirer. He would often say this :-

"He can feel the sickness in the eyes of the patient. He has uncommon and god given shifaa in his hands ". 

Many stories were in circulation about his god given and magical diagnostic skills. But for sure, He could swiftly diagnose through his own clinical examination and carefully listen to what the patient said. A pioneer of modern medical education in the Kashmir valley. A messiah of Kashmiris who did everything to establish modern healthcare in Kashmir.

Kashmiris shall always remain indebted to this son of the soil, who was also a lover of fine arts. Kak Sahib, the trusted assistant at his private practice venue, once told me this  :

“Dr sahib likes Kashmiri music and songs, especially Chhakri. He likes to listen to Amma Sofi, Hassan Sofi, Raj Begum, and many more traditional Kashmiri singers. He has a great taste for Sufiana music of Kashmir. He enjoys Indian film music also. Dr Sahib also reads a lot of modern Western fiction and literature. Trout fishing is another great hobby with him. He listens to Western classical music  as well  .”

Born in 1914 at Gojwara locality of downtown Srinagar, he lived at Magarmal Bagh, Srinagar and practised at Polo ground (above the shop of M/S Ghulam Mohi Ud Din And Sons  Pvt Ltd. A leading export house ) opposite the then Gringdlay’s bank Building. He did his MBBS from King Edward’s Medical College, Lahore, in 1937 and completed his DCH and MRCP in 1951. In 1975, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri. A Rotarian, he was also Vice Chairman of the governing body of SKIMS Srinagar and a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences India. He was a close friend of Dr.P N  Chutani ( former Director, PGI Chandigarh ).
                                                                                   

                                                             ( Dr Ali Jan with Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah )
                                                                                        

  ( Dr Ali Jan with his team examining a patient in some  rural area  )

This is what the  renowned gastroenterologist, Dr M S Khuroo, writes about Dr. Ali Jan:-

" Prof. (Dr.) Ali Mohammad Jan was a legend in Kashmir in his lifetime. “Ali Jan” as he was popularly known to a common man, was a household name till yesterday. I knew Dr. Jan Sahib as a medical student, resident doctor, practising physician, consultant and Head of Gastroenterology, Dean Medical Faculty & Director Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and closely watched him as a physician, administrator and as a human being. To become a legend, one needs to have several qualities which include:  wisdom, hard work, dedication, focused attention, honesty, discipline and above all, the art of exploiting the opportunities which come in your way.  Jan sahib had several (nearly all) of these qualities in different proportions and made him a living legend in his lifetime."

Prof BL Kaul told me this  :

"Well-known film actress Meena Kumari came to Kashmir in 1971 for rest and recuperation.. She stayed in the houseboat of my friend Mr. Chapri. Suddenly, she felt ill, and a worried  Mr Chapri brought Dr. Ali Jan to see her. Dr. Jan examined her and, without prescribing any tests or X' ray, said' Madam, your liver is in precarious condition. Stop your drinking  forthwith." To this, Meena ji said," Doctor Sahib, don't worry about my drinking. Please write the prescription. My friend has  narrated all this to me " 

Prof Neerja Mattoo  writes this  :-

"The present-day Soulless Buildings of the BSNL office at Exchange Road, Srinagar, are built on the remains of a heritage house, which was torn down and razed to the ground. It belonged to one Nazir Ahmed, a Punjabi-speaking high official, who left for Pakistan in the wake of partition. His house and its grounds became what is known as evacuee property and were rented to legendary physician Dr Ali Jan. He and his family moved in and integrated so well with the neighbourhood that it seemed they had always lived here and not in Rajouri Kadal area of the old city downtown. The participation in each other’s festivals was taken for granted – The Pundits, men and children, looking forward to Eid feasts, while the Muslims waited for Shivratri with its fish and fowl with soaked walnuts. When Mrs Ali Jan came visiting, it was only fruit for her, and so it was when Mrs Dhar or Mrs Kaul went to visit her . But the confidence they shared would not be shared with their own blood sisters.
People had to wait weeks to get an opportunity to be examined by Dr Ali Jan, but for this neighbourhood, his was an open house. My father, Prof. S L Dhar, who had taught Dr Ali Jan in college, was held in such affection and respect by him that he could walk into his consultation chamber with a sick patient without any prior appointment, no one daring to challenge him for ” gate crashing. It was Mrs Ali Jan, Boba to all of us children, who came with the biggest Majma of dry fruits and Shirin to shower us with her blessings when we passed an examination. It was she who celebrated our success, while our own parents were subdued! She genuinely appreciated the value of education. The whole Mohalla felt bereft when the Ali jan family left to move into their own newly built house at Magarmal  Bagh. “

In October 1988, he passed away suffering from cancer of the pancreas. The story of modern healthcare in Kashmir shall remain incomplete in case we do not include Dr Ali Jan's contribution.

Peace be to his soul......

( Avtar Mota )

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