Ghulam Bhik Nairang

Syed Ghulam Bhik Nairang (September 26, 1876 - October 16, 1952), also known as Meer Nairang, was a distinguished lawyer, a poet and a prominent Indian Muslim leader. He held office with the All-India Muslim League, India, pre-partition (1947). He was close friends with Allama Muhammad Iqbal, a college-mate and fellow poet. His compilation of poetry - Kalaam-e-Nairang was published in 1980s from Karachi.

In 2006, the Karachi-based Dawn newspaper published an article where his literary services were eulogised.

External links

• Nairang.org

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Meer Nairang was given the name Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din at birth [Born 7th Ramadan, 1293 H. (26 Sept.1876) at Doorana (Distt. Ambala, India)]. His name was later changed to Ghulam Bhik (following the name of a sufi Meeran Bheekh of nearby Thaska). Meer Nairang’s forefather, Syed Abdul Kareem Rizvi had migrated to Doorana from Tirmiz, Iran in 800 H. Meer Nairang’s father, Syed Qasim Ali owned one gaon (village) by the time the family’s vast land came to him. He was a pious, religious farmer. His death in 1888 left Meer Nairang an orphan, but his pious, courageous mother instilled in him good moral values and an urge to work hard. He worked hard for school education at Ambala (having to look after his younger siblings too), and topped the Entrance examination of the Punjab University, Lahore in 1895.

He got admission in the Government College, Lahore and lived in its hostel. There he had the company of bright, distinguished personalities and became friends with Allama Iqbal, Chaudhry Jalal Din, and others. This was instrumental in his getting more interested in literature. Meer Nairang got a Distinction in his B.A. examination. He also completed his law graduation in 1899. He then moved to Ambala and started his law practice, getting established as one of the top brilliant lawyers.

In 1901 he was elected Ambala’s Municipal Commissioner. He left his practice in 1909 to become the Public Prosecuting Inspector. He resigned in 1920 after Tehreek-e-Mawalaat. Meer Nairang took part in educational and public welfare activities. He was an Executive member of Muslim Educational Conference, Anjuman-e-Islamia Ambala, Nadwatul Ulema Lukhnow, Member of Court, Member of Executive Council, Aligarh Muslim University. He got established Muslim High School Ambala, which was a hub of education in the area. He was also elected as Member of Court, Delhi University in 1946. Syed Ghulam Bhik Nairang took part in the Khilafat Movement too. He was a dedicated Muslim preacher of Islam. With the help of prominent personalities, he established the Jamiat Markaziya Tabligh-ul-Islam in 1923, and remained for long its General Secretary.

Meer Nairang got elected unopposed Member Legislative Assembly from District Ambala in 1934 (Allama Iqbal’s persuasion to get into politics being a cause). His association with the Muslim League from then on was complete; he remained its MLA throughout then on. In 1938 he became its Deputy Leader in the Assembly (Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah being the Leader). He kept this position till 1942, and decided to give way to younger persons later.

After Pakistan came into being in 1947, Meer Nairang was nominated the first National (and Legislative) Assembly’s member. He settled in Jhang initially, but later moved to Lahore in 1949. He breathed his last at Lahore on 16 October 1952.

On the death of Maulana Hasrat Mohani, Radio Pakistan sought Syed Ghulam Bhik Nairang to deliver an on-line obituary speech. Its recording would still be available in the Lahore Studios of Radio Pakistan.

He, alongwith Prof. Dr Syed Zafar ul Hasan specially attended the Independence celeberations in Karachi on the invitation of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, on the occasion of creation of Pakistan. They got stranded and could not return later to Ambala as planned, to move their families to the new State, as riots that erupted prevented their return travel. The families sufferred the hazards of train journey and shortages etc in refugee camps in Delhi and Lahore.

Syed Ghulam Bhik Nairang’s collection of verse “Kalaam-e-Nairang” was first printed in 1907, then in 1917 the second edition (revised) came out; both had an Introduction by Sir Abdul Qadir. In 1983 its third edition (compiled by Dr. Meen-ud-Din Aqeel) was published from Karachi (by Maktaba-e-Asloob, Karachi). Another book, “Ghubaar-e-Ufq” was twice published in India, besides various other booklets, presidential addresses, book introductions, speeches etc being his creations.

Syed Ghulam Bhik Nairang was a frequent contributor to prestigious literary Urdu magazines. ( “Makhzan”, “Zamana”, “Humayun”, “Aligarh Old Boys”, and his own “Tableegh”). His wrote articles on political, national and literary topics for prominent newspapers (“Inqilaab” Lahore, “Zamindaar” Lahore, “Paisa Akhbar” Lahore, “Wakeel” Amritsar, “Sach” Lukhnow, “Khilafat” Bombay etc).