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Khwaja Khalil Ahmad Shah (9 December 1890 – 1965) was an Indian politician, social leader, freedom fighter, and writer. He served as a member of the Legislative Council of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh in 1927. Associated with the Indian National Congress, he was involved in initiatives for social and educational improvement in Bahraich and worked for the development of the region.

Early life and education

Khwaja Khalil Ahmad Shah was born on 9 December 1890 in the Qazipura locality of Bahraich. His father, Ahmad Shah, was of Kashmiri origin, having migrated to Bahraich. Shah belonged to a respected family; one of his brothers, Khwaja Akbar Shah, was a barrister. Though not formally highly educated, Shah was known for his intellectual pursuits and maintained a personal library of rare and valuable books.

Career

Shah was an active member of the Indian National Congress and held close ties with leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru.

Shah was a member of the Legislative Council of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh in 1927. His attendance and active participation in the December 21, 1927 session confirm his role. On November 17, 1927, he raised several questions in the council regarding audit objections, financial irregularities, and administrative affairs of the Bahraich District Board, reflecting his deep engagement with public issues.

He was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. In 1941, he was sentenced to one year of rigorous imprisonment and fined 100 rupees under the Defence of India Act 1915 for his participation in the Individual Satyagraha movement. During the Quit India Movement in 1942, he was detained for nearly nine months under the same act.

He was also a member of the committee managing the shrine of Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud and contributed to the establishment of Jamia Arabia Masoodia Noorul Uloom, an Islamic educational institution in Bahraich. Additionally, he served on the Nagar Palika (Municipal Board) of Bahraich. It is also mentioned that he was the head, administrator, and guardian of the aforementioned shrine.

Literary works

Shah's works include:

• Fasādi Mullā yā Dushmanān-e-Islām kā Agent (transl. Troublemaking Clerics or Agents of the Enemies of Islam)
• Hindustan-e-Qadeem aur Islam (Hissa-e-Awwal) (transl. Ancient India and Islam (Part One))

Death and legacy

Shah died in 1965 and was buried in Chhadey Shah Takiya Cemetery near Azad Inter College, Bahraich. He is remembered for his contributions to communal harmony and education in Bahraich.

References

1. ^ Bahraichi, Ibrat (2007). Nufoos-e-Raftagān [The Departed Souls] (in Urdu). Bahraich, India: Ibrat Bahraichi. pp. 25–26 – via Rekhta (website).
2. ^ Noor, Junaid Ahmad (2019). Bahraich Ek Tarīkhi Sheher [Bahraich: A Historic City] (in Urdu). Vol. 1 (1st ed.). Bahraich, India: Junaid Ahmad Noor. pp. 187–188. ISBN 978-93-5351-047-3 – via Rekhta (website).
3. ^ "Bihar Vidhan Mandal: Browsing Archives". archives.biharvidhanmandal.in. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
4. The Legislative Council Of The United Provinces (10–29 January 1927). Proceedings of the Legislative Council of the United Provinces: Official Report. Vol. 42. Allahabad: Government Press, United Provinces. p. 183.
5. Singh, Thakur Labh, ed. (1972). Svatantrata-Sangram Ke Sainik [Freedom Struggle Soldiers] (in Hindi). Lucknow: Soochna Vibhag, Uttar Pradesh. p. 6.
6. Fikri, Syed Ibrahim (November 1996). Hindustani Musalmanon ka Jang-e-Azadi mein Hissa [The Contribution of Indian Muslims in the War of Independence] (in Urdu) (1st ed.). Jamia Nagar, New Delhi: Syed Ibrahim Fikri. p. 301.
7. Qasmi, Ameer Ahmad (2011). Noorul Uloom Ke Darakhshinda Sitare [The shining stars of Noorul Uloom] (in Urdu) (1st ed.). Bahraich, India: Hafiz Zameer Ahmad. p. 29.
8. Pradesh (India), Uttar (1959). Government Gazette. p. 246.
9. Narayan, Badri (2009-01-06). Fascinating Hindutva: Saffron Politics and Dalit Mobilisation. SAGE Publications. p. 62. ISBN 978-81-7829-906-8.
10. Rizwi 1980, p. 345.
11. Roohi 1969, p. 11.
12. Rizwi, Syed Mehboob (1980). History of the Dar al-Ulum Deoband. Vol. 1. Translated by Murtaza Hussain F Qureshi. UP, India: Idara-e Ihtemam, Darul Uloom Deoband. p. 346. OCLC 20222197.
13. Roohi, Firozuddīn (1969). Ā'īna-ī Ṣidāqat [The Mirror of Truth] (in Urdu) (2nd ed.). Liaquatabad, Karachi: Mu'āwiyah Book Depot. p. 11.
14. "Urdu Books of Khwaja Khaleel Ahmad Shah". Rekhta. Retrieved 2024-11-27.

• 1890 births
• 1965 deaths
• Indian National Congress politicians from Uttar Pradesh
• Politicians from British India
• Indian independence activists from Uttar Pradesh