Words in Devotion
To
My favorite National Hero
Note: I am introducing here my favorite national hero, whose services and
sacrifices for an independent Islamic state, are completely erased out from the
national history of Pakistan, by some international conspiracies. So, a few of
Pakistanis just know his name only. But I found the realities about his golden
services from the books, written by a few of Sindhi writers and his disciples.
Therefore the missing of a great chapter from the history of Pakistan is not
favorable for rest of the Pakistanis as well as Sindhis.
Everyone runs his/her life in keeping a personality in focus to follow his
ideology and manners of leading a meaningful life. I have also an ideal, who is
my favorite historical hero too. He is Shaheed Sooreh Badshah.
Syed Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi, generally known as Shaheed Sooreh Badshah, was
born on 6th of March 1906, in Khairpur district of Indus Valley. Basically he
belonged to a systematic, religious and spiritual class, known as “Hur Jama’at”.
In 1921, after the sad demise of his Father, he became the 6th Pagara of his
Family (Pagaro is the spiritual supreme leader of Hur Jama’at). As he was a
religious fanatic so he hatred the British rule which was illegally dominated
over the Muslims of sub-continent.
In 1928, after reviewing the situations, he called upon his disciples at Sanghar.
In his spiritual and historical address he proclaimed to start an armed struggle
against the Britain government. He made the groups of “Ghazis” (Commanders of
freedom fighters, Hurs), and sent them to various areas of the sub-continent to
damage the official institutes like police, revenue and army, in order to show
disgust for Britain. In this situation it was a great contradiction that his
followers, who were going to annoy a well-trained and technological army, with
the help of axes and stick only. Because, this movement of freedom, suddenly
emerged from a totally peaceful and religious class, who were never trained for
such a war. Simultaneously they were suffering from the problem of
unavailability of weapons. So initially, they started robbing of weapons from
police and other official servants. Very soon they collected an enough amount of
weapons and fought bravely.
The young passions and strong emotions of these freedom fighters led them to the
pinnacle of success. Additionally, the slogan given to them of “ Liberty or
Death, Country or Coffin” filled them, the spirit of performing herculean tasks.
But on the other hand, their Spiritual Leader was arrested under the charges of
rebellion and went through court martial, which decided to imprison him for ten
years. Up to the ego of 1936, this mission was carried ahead by the genius and
brave Hur commanders of “Hur Jama’at”. On the contrary, the thousands of people,
belonging to Hur Jama’at, including women, old age person, and infants were
en-caged in the ”concentration camps”. As Sooreh Badshah was set free in 1936,
the movement became so strong and compelled the government to implement martial
law.
In 1938, again Sooreh Badshah was arrested. Mr. Quaid carried away his case
through courts. But, my pen shivers to write that such a great lawyer of the
century left away his client on the mercy of Britain courts and refused to carry
away the case for long. I don’t know, what the hidden hands were behind this act
of Quaid, or it was just his carelessness to the great freedom fighter of the
Sub-continent.
In 1941, an ordinance, namely “Hur Act” was passed from the Sindh Assembly of
legislature, which aimed to crush this movement of freedom. But so sad to say no
any Muslim Leader of the Sub-continent dared to obstacle to government for this
oppression against Muslim Freedom Fighters.
On the contrary, the government offered Sooreh Badshah, so many comforts like
wealth and granting his life, if he surrenders. But the man of great courage
refused to do so by saying “ if I think to surrender at your doorstep, I will be
doubtful of being Hussainian”. In fact these words trembled the sky and
penetrated through the ears of heads of governments. So they decided to make
their way clean for future. And The Great Personality of the century was
martyred on March 1943. This news was not less than a thunder for his disciples,
the great freedom fighters.
The final plan of the govt; started taking place. They took all their efforts to
crush this movement. Two sons of Pir Pagara were sent to London. His family
members were arrested and Britain govt; left no sign of restoration of the Great
Throne of Pagara Family. During this dark period, no Muslim leader dared to
protest on the extreme tyranny. And this brutality of British empire continued
up to 1947.
On August 14th 1947, Pakistan became an independent Muslim state, but the
followers of Sooreh Badshah, who scarified their prosperity and peaceful lives
for the sack of independence, remained en-caged. This was the reward of Pakistan
govt; to the great freedom fighters. At last, after blessing of Almighty Allah
and the efforts of leaders of Hur Jama’at, the throne of Pagara family was
restored in 1952. Shah Mardan Shah became the 7th consecutive Pagara of his
family, who proved himself “The King Maker” in the politics Pakistan.
Finally I solute the great struggles of Sooreh Badshah, the creator of the
slogan “ Country or Coffin, Liberty or Death”, to swap out Britain from the
sub-continent. Because Hur movement was proved to be the back bone of Muslim
struggle for independence.
Such Great Heroes born in the centuries which are the blessings for nation.