Memoirs of  Bhera of Prof  Allama Nazir Ahmed, born on 2 May 1944 in Bhera. He has the honour of delivering the first lecture at Government Intermediate College, Bhera, on 9  September 1978. Part 1, 2,3. To be continued

Prof  Allama Nazir Ahmed was born on 2 May 1944 in Mohalla Namadgran ( inside Peeranwala Darwaza – 1865), Bhera, district Sargodha. He has the honour of delivering the first lecture at Government Intermediate College, Bhera, on 9  September 1978. Prof Allama Nazir Ahmed, son of Ghulam Ahmed, started his primary education in 1949 at Anjumn Islamia Primary School, Bhera. Did matric in 1961,  JV ( 1963), FA ( 1965), BA (1967), MA English ( 1969). Became lecturer in 1976, and served at various collages. He has the honour of delivering the first lecture at Government Inter Colege, Bhera, on 9 September 1978. He was posted as principal at the same college in 1993 for a year and in November 2002, appointed assistant professor at Sargodha University. He remained associated with education for many years after his retirement. Allama Sahib courageously and with dedication fought the case for establishing Behra Degree College, Bhera, on the donated land by Lakhmi Narayan before the Independence in 1947.  Prof Nazir Ahmed is an honest, hardworking, and straightforward person. He is an avid reader with liberal views and has ample knowledge of Bhera’s history and cultural heritage. He has a photographic memory, is a good storyteller,  must write his memoirs of Bhera or get them recorded in audio or video format. Part 1 of his memoirs of Bhera is given below in audio format, also in written form. To be continued … . Zahid Mumtaz

REMEMBRANCES OF BHERA -ALLAMA NAZIR AHMED, MOHALLAH FAZIL IMAM, BHERA. WHATSAPP NO: 0301-305615.  EMIAL : brain_inbox@yahoo.com  

Recently a friend of mine, Zahid Mumtaz informed me about the website bhera.org. He urged me to write my remembrances of Bhera as others have shared on the website. I have seen the website; it is comprehensive and aptly portrays the past and present of Bhera through articles, pictures and videos. I earnestly look forward to seeing and interacting with elderly people belonging to Bhera and talking about the good old days of our beloved town.

A few words about myself. I was born on 2 May 1944, in Mohalla Namadgran ( inside Peeranwala Gate -1865), Bhera , district Sargodha . I belong to a very poor family. My father, Ghulam Ahmad and grandfather, Allah Ditta were labourers and sometime contractors. I have seen acute poverty in my childhood. My mother died in 1948. Father remarried in 1951. I was admitted to Anjuman Islamia Primary School Bhera in 1949. All the teachers were dedicated and taught with missionary zeal. My first teacher was Molvi Muhammad Ramzan. He taught us in Kacchi and Pakki (nursery and prep). From him, we learnt the alphabet, numbers and figures. Daily after recess, we were given dictation. Tables were also repeated daily so that we learn them by heart. In 1951 I was promoted to Class II. The school shifted to another building a few yards away. In Class II my teachers were Sher Muhammad and Muhammad Musafir. The letter once gave me a Takka (two paisa-coin) as a reward when I was able to write the Urdu alphabet Meem correctly. In Class III Khawja Muhammad Latif was my teacher. Later the school was shifted to the main building known as Karbala.

After passing primary, I was admitted to Government High School Bhera. The school had two branches: the junior branch was in Arya School, having Class VI to VIII (later Class VIII was also shifted to the senior branch), and the senior branch was in the main building, having six to seven sections of each class. Muhammad Yousef was in charge of the junior branch. Other teachers who taught me were: Khan Niaz, Sheikh Khalid Mahmood, Malik Abdul Qayyum, Nazir Ahmad Farooqi, and Ch Yaqoob. Here I would like to mention that before Partition Arya School, known as Kirpa Ram Anglo Sanskrit High School had a good reputation. Its staff and students were mostly Hindus and Sikhs. It had a gymnasium hall, a geological museum and a well-equipped laboratory. It is worth mentioning that till the time Sargodha was declared a district (1903), in the whole of district Shahpur there were two high schools – both in Bhera. One can well imagine the importance given to Bhera in those days in terms of education. It was the hub of education. Boys from far-flung areas studied in Bhera. Melodious tunes of high school band are still fresh in my ears. Scouting was a very useful and healthy activity. I don’t think boys of Bhera High School attend scout camps any more.

I did matric as a regular science student in 1961. Passed JV (Junior Vernacular Teacher) course, equivalent to PTC now in 1963. I started my career as a primary school teacher in the same year. Here I remember that in 1962 a JV unit of Shahpur Normal School was established at Bhera. I was one of the beneficiaries of that unit.

It remained there till 1963. Again it worked for one session from 1972 to 1973. I did an FA in 1965, a BA in 1967 and an MA in English in 1969 without missing a single year- all privately. I became a lecturer in 1976 and served at various colleges. I was appointed principal of Government Inter College Bhera in 1993 for one and a half years. In November 2002, I was appointed assistant professor at Sargodha University. I have the honour of delivering the first lecture at Government Inter College Bhera on 9 September 1978.

As principal of Government Inter College Bhera, I would like to mention an unpleasant case to which I was the prime witness. I would not like to go into the details of the case but would highlight the salient points. It so happened that in 1946, Jiwan Mal son of Shiv Ram and Anant Ram son of Banta Mal donated 90 kanals and five marlas of land for the construction of Lakhmi Narian College Bhera. In 1991-92, when it was decided to construct the college’s new building, a dispute took place between the Education Department and the Evacuee Trust Property Board. The board refused to issue a no objection certificate (NOC). The Evacuee Trust Property Board was of the view that according to the Evacuee Trust Property Management and Disposal Act 1975, land belonged to them; hence NOC can not be given. The matter was taken to court. Assistant Director, Colleges / Law Officer and I fought the case against all odds. I gave a four-hour continuous statement in court presenting all the relevant documents, facts and figures. I told the court bluntly that it was a genuine case, without any personal motives and in case the decision was not given in the favour of Education Department

I will be compelled to take extreme actions……………….

The case was well contested. Finally, the Deputy Commissioner, Sargodha gave the decision in favour of the Education Department. Extracts of the decision are as follows for the information of our local leaders and young generation:

·       “I have heard the arguments of both sides at length and the entire matter has been examined dating back to the year 1946 when this land was mutated in the favour of Lakhmi Narian Collage Bhera. As a matter of record, this land measuring 90 kanals and five marlas was mutated in favour of Lakhmi Narian College Bhera”.

·       “Jiwan Mal s/o Shiv Ram and Annat Ram s/o Banta Mal transferred land measuring 48 kanals and 5 marlas and 96 kanals and 10 marlas respectively in the name of Lakhmi Narian College Bhera, through Diwan Bahadar Diwan Sita Ram son of Diwan Baahdar Diwan Jahwahar Mal, Khatri Sawahny vide mutation number 5291 which was attested on 21-12-1946. Where after, 23-01-65 as a result of mutation of the partition, land measuring 90 kanals and five marlas was mutated in favour of Lakhmi Narian College Bhera”.

·       “Besides, Diwan Bahadar Diwan Sita Ram had purchased this land in the year 1946 and the Auqaf Department cannot take any pecuniary advantage by again selling this land to the Education Department for the establishment of a College which amounts to “sheer disregard” to the intention and objective of Diwan Bahadar Diwan Sita Ram. It is not appropriate that the Evacuee Trust Property Board is not handing over the possession of the site to the Education Department for the construction of Government Inter College Bhera”.

·       “As far as the correction of a record is concerned; the land still exists in the name of Lakhmi Narain College, Bhera. However, after the grant of NOC by the Evacuee Trust Property Board, the land will be transferred in the name of the Government Inter College, Bhera, through the Education Department which is a subsequent action”.

·       “Given the above, Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board may kindly be requested to grant NOC for the establishment of Government Inter College, Bhera, at the above-said land so that the wish of Diwan Bahadar Diwan Sita Ram could be fulfilled which the land was purchased and obtained by him”.

It is an irony of Bhera and the bad luck of its people that the college building could not be constructed well in time. Had this building been constructed in the late 1940s or early 1950s, I am sure by now there would be a university in Bhera. I wish the new building of the college to be named Lakhmi Narain College Bhera or a block to be named Lakhmi Narian. A plaque should also be placed at an appropriate place mentioning the names of all those who donated the land for the college building. It will be a befitting tribute to their services.

As a child, I used to roam in the narrow streets of Bhera. I still have some memories of the Partition days. I can recall certain places and houses which are no more there, for example, the house of Boota Wadhwa, a poet who had written verses on the outer walls of his house (his house was in Mohallah Butianwala, next to Musjid Usman Ghani), haveli of Eashwer Das the Mehndi merchant, Shankar Das’s kiln, house of hakim Ram Rakkha, Dr Bade, Padri Sunder Das (his house was adjacent to the northern wall of the old police station- 1870).

I remember in those days it was an accepted norm for boys, girls, men and women not to move without a cap, scarf, dupatta, or turban. Another restriction was on singing, particularly mahyas in the streets. We used to wear dhotis with a shirt without a collar; instead of buttons there used to be a cord with a knot at the end. Shoes were indigenously made of leather, especially Kushas and Wadhni.

As young children, we played several games. Hide and seek, marbles, geetas (nuts), cheechi kunda. Hockey was played with wooden sticks; cards were made of cigarette packets etc.

My school was next to the railway station. Advocate Sheikh Mahmood from Miani, often traveled by train from Bhera. While coming or going he assigned me a poem by Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal (poet of the East) to translate into English. After school, I anxiously waited for him to get my translation corrected. This thing went on for several years till he shifted to Sarghoda.

Hindu and Muslim functions were held with great fervour. Muslims celebrated Eid Milad–un–-un-Nabi, Shababarat, Eid–ul-Fitr, and Eid–ul-Zuha, the annual convention at Jamia Musjid Bhera with enthusiasm. On Eid, Sadiq Phelwan used to organize wrestling and Kabadi matches in which many prominent sportsmen participated. On Eids, a fair was also held in the compound of the Municipal Committee which lasted for a week. Hindus celebrated Dussehra and Dewali with jubilations. Baba Prem Ji’s Boojo Meela (fair) was held in Geetay wala Maidan.

My elders used to tell me that Bhera was a walled city with eight wooden gates which were closed at night. There was a twenty-two feet wide and twenty-two feet deep ditch with running water outside the wall, to prevent any rider from jumping across. There were also watch towers, turrets and check posts to guard against any intruders.

Near Jeetu wali Khui there was a spectacular building called Sheesh Mahal. The remains of this amazing building I have seen in my lifetime. As told by elders, Bhera was an important trade and commercial centre. It had trade links with far-flung areas like Samarqand, Bokhara, Kabul, Iraq, Calcutta, Delhi, Amritsar, Sukkhur, Karachi, Peshawar etc. Its industry of cutlery, poetry, jewellery, khes, darries, carpets and wooden handicrafts was well known. Combs made of wood and decorated sticks with mettle and pearls were exported even to European countries.

When I look back I find in those days there was tolerance, forbearance, mutual respect and sympathy for each other irrespective of religion, sect, caste and creed.  It was something unique.

I have made a humble effort to scribble what I remember about Bhera. I hope it will be of some interest to the visitors of the website, bhera.org

I will also endeavour to write about prominent persons, saints and hakims belonging to Bhera.

To be continued…………………….

The following papers pertain to Lakimi Narian College, Bhera ( now Government Associate Collage, Bhera ) are shared. Please get the printout of these papers and study them.

 According to the documents, the land was mutated in the name of ” Kakimi Narain College, Bhera ” before Partition in 1947. Somehow, the college was not made after the Independence. Later, the Evacuee Trust Property Board raised issues regarding the construction of the college’s building. 

All credit goes to Alama Nazir Ahmad, ex-principal of Government Inter College for Boys, Bhera, who fought the case for the establishment of the college and won. By the Grace of God, Allama Sahib is in good health and lives in Bhera. It is worth asking him how the college was established and its building constructed. It will be part of the college’s history.

Moreover, the college authorities have a look, at whether the college has been allocated the land as per the documents given below.  In case not, the case may be taken up with the relevant authorities. 

As a tribute to Lakimi Narian,   his name must be mentioned at a prominent place in the Government Associate College, Bhera. 

The Commissioner, Sargodha Division. Sargodha.

No. 141 /HVC

dated: 23-2-94

SUBJECT: LAND BELONGING TO LAKHMI NARAIN COLLEGE, DHERA-CORRECTION OF RECORD.

MEMORANDUM:

Please refer to your office memo no. S-601-138/14152/Rev. dated 27.12.1993 cn the above-cited subject.

2. Allama Nazir Ahmad, Principal Government Inter College for Boys Bhera and Ajma. Hashmi, Assistant Director (Colleges)/Law Officer has appeared before me in Court and argued that Jiwan Mal son of Shiv Ram caste total Khatri Sawhi y transferred 72/384 shares of land measuring 257-1/4 kanals in Khewat No. 48 to Laklımi Narain College, Bhera, through Diwan Bahadar Diwan Sita Ram, of Diwan Bahadar Diwan Jawahar Mal, Khatri Sawhny vide mutation no. 5291 wh ch was attested on 21.12.1946. Moreover, Annat Ram, son of Banta Mal caste Khatri Kappor mutated 144/384 shares vide mutation no. 5292 dated 21.12.46 + Lakhmi Narain College, Bhera, through Diwan Bahadar Diwan Sita Ram. Through prepaid mutations, land measuring 48 kanals and. 5 marlas and kana and 10 marlas, respectively, was transferred in the name of Lakhmi Narain lege, Bhera. Whereafter, on 23.11.65 as a result of mutation of partitior, land measuring 90 kanals and 5 marlas was mutated in favour of Lakhmi Narvin College, Bhera, through mutation no. 6166. Thereafter the entry continued in Khewat No. 762 Khatuni Nos. 1226 to 1228 measuring 90 kanals and 5 marlas in the name of Lakhmi Narain College, Bhera vide Register Haqdaran Zamin for the year 1991-92. They have stated that this land may be mutated in favour of Government Inter College, Bhera, along with its possession so that a proper College could be constructed on that Jand.

3. Malik Khalid Mahmood Advocate/Legal Advisor for Evacuee Trust Property Board has argued that this land was an evacuee trust property and now vests in the Evacuee Trust Property Board by virtue of the Evacuee Trust Property Management and Disposal Act, 1975. The argument is based upon the fact that this land originally belonged to Hindus and after their migration, it would have vested in the Evacuee Trust Property Board under the aforesaid Act without whose no objection the land cannot be transferred in the name of the Education Department or the Government Inter College, Bhera. He has drawn the attention of this Court towards the provisions of section 8 of the aforesaid Act whereby it has been provided that in case a question arises whether an evacuee property is attached to a charitable, religious or educational trust or institution or not, It shall be decided by the Chairman whose decision called in question in any Court. Besides. he has pointed out that the Education Department has been corresponding with the Evacuee Trust Property Board for the purchase/transfer of this land for the Government Inter College, Thera. Therefore, this correspondence provides an estoppel for the Education Department to question the claim or authority of the Board over this piece of land. Ile has produced two letters bearing nos. SO(COLL)6-44/74 dated 15.12.1986 and 12/5-BP-87/6341 dated 18.9.1988 whereby it has been indicated that the Education Department was willing to purchase five acres of land for the Inter College, Bhera, from the Evacuee Trust Property Board, therefore, they cannot retract from their position now.

4. I have heard the arguments of both sides at length and the entire matter has been examined dating back to the year 1946 when this land was mutated in favour of Lakhmi Narain College, Bhera. As a matter of record, this land measuring 90 kanals and 5 marlas was mutated in favour of Lakhmi Narain College, Bhera, on 21.12.1946. According to Section 2 sub-section 1 clause (d) of Evacuee Trust Property Management and Disposal Act, 1975 “evacuee trust property” means the evacuee trust properties attached to charitable, religious or educational trusts or institutions or any other properties which form part of the Trust Pool constituted under this Act. Section 8 of ibid provides that if a question arises whether an evacuee property is attached to a charitable, religious or educational trust or institution or not, it shall be decided by the Chairman whose decision shall be final and shall not be called in question in any Court. Besides. Diwan Bahadar Diwan Sita Ram had purchased this land in the year 1946 and the Auqaf Department cannot take any pecuniary advantage by again selling this land to the Education Department for the establishment of a College which amounts to ‘sheer disregard’ of the intention and objective of Diwan Bahadar Diwan Sita Ram. It is not appropriate that the Evacuee Trust Property Board is not handing over the possession of the site to the Education Department for the construction of Government Inter College, Bhera. As far as the correction of a record is concerned, the land still

5. exists in the name of Lakhmi Narain College, there, and there is nothing which needs to be corrected in favour of Lakhmi Narain College, Bhera. However, after the grant of NOC by the Evacuee Trust Property Board, the land will be transferred in the name of the Government. Inter College, Bhera, through the Education Department which is a subsequent occasion.

6. In view of the above, Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board may kindly be requested to grant. NOC for the establishment of Government Inter College Bhera, at the above-said piece of land so that the wish of Diwan Bahadar Diwan Sit. Ram could be fulfilled for which the land was purchased and obtained by him.

 Deputy Commissioner. Sargodha.

Comments by Hakeem Bashir Bhervi on the memoirs of Allama Nazir Ahmed

Comments by Mahmud Mujib Asghar, Engr on the memoirs of Allama Nazir Ahmed

Mahmud Mujib Asghar
mujibasghar@gmail.com
92.244.11.219
I have been deeply impressed with the personal memories of Bhera city by Allama Prof Nazir MA Eng, ex-Principal Govt Inter College Bhera. Looking at his career and vertical rise in education and society, it is amazing and highly commended.
I am a contemporary of Allama and originally belonged to Bhera. I was born in Bhera on 30 Nov 1944. My father Mian Fazl ur Rahman (Bismil) was a teacher. He was sort of self-made like Allama. After Matric, he served as a primary class teacher and privately passed BA and then joined Teacher’s Training College Lahore and got a BT degree. He taught most of his active life in Govt High School Bhera.
I remember Prof Allama was a class junior to me in Govt High School Bhera. I matriculated in 1960 and Allama in 1961. Allama was a favourite student of my father also.
I am astonished by his sharp memory and his achievements in life. I wish all youngsters of Bhera to follow in his footsteps.
So far as I am concerned, I did my FSc pre Engg from T.I.College Rabwah in 1962 and graduated in Civil Engg from West Pakistan Univ of Engg and Tech Lahore. As an engineer, I have been a rolling stone and worked in four provinces of Pakistan and Capital City of Islamabad and the Sultanate of Oman. I retired as G M National Engineering Services (NESPAK) and presently I am in Stockholm Sweden.

Memoirs of  Bhera of Prof  Allama Nazir Ahmed. Part 2. To be continued.

Memoirs of  Bhera of Prof  Allama Nazir Ahmed. Part 3. To be continued.