Maghfoor Ahmad Ajazi
Maghfoor Ahmad Ajazi (3 March 1900 – 26 September 1966) was a political activist from Bihar, prominent in the Indian independence movement.
Maghfoor Ahmad Ajazi
3 March 1900
26 September 1966 (aged 66)
Founder of All-India Jamhur Muslim League & Flag bearer for the cause of Urdu Language
Early life[edit]
Ajazi was born on 3 March 1900 in village Dihuli, Block Sakra of District Muzaffarpur, in British India.[1] His father Hafizuddin Husain and grand father Imam Bakhsh were zamindars and his mother's name was Mahfoozunnisa. His maternal grandfather Reysat Husain was an advocate in Sitamarhi.[2]
He became a disciple of Ajaz Husain Budayuni, the Khalif of Fazle Rahman Ganj Muradabadi, and assumed title of 'Ajazi'.[1] He gained his patriotism from his father Hafizuddin who had organized the peasantry against the European indigo planters.[1]
Ajazi's mother died in his childhood, while his father died in Lucknow during treatment and was buried in Chaar Bagh Qabristan when Ajazi was in school.[3] His elder brother Manzoor Ahsan Ajazi was also a freedom fighter.[4] He had only one sister, Noorun Nisa.[5]
Ajazi received his elementary and religious education from Madarsa-e-Imdadia, Darbhanga and then joined North Brooke Zila School, Darbhanga, from where he was expelled for opposing the Rowlatt Act. He passed the matriculation examination from Pusa High School and took admission in B.N. College, Patna, for higher studies. He was married to Azizul Fatima. After nikah, marriage ceremony which was attended by Shafi Daudi, Binda babu (later on Speaker, Bihar Assembly) and Deep babu (later on cabinet minister, Bihar), was completely transformed into a public meeting for freedom struggle where anti-British Raj and pro-freedom slogans were raised.[6][7][3]
Post-independence activism[edit]
He was the chairman of the Urdu Conference of Muzaffarpur held in 1960, in which for the first time a resolution was passed demanding that Urdu be accepted as an official language in Bihar.[52][53][54]
Ajazi established Anjuman Khuddam-e-Millat, based on the pattern of Sir Syed's Educational society.[53] This society established a school, renovated the Company Bagh Mosque of Muzaffarpur, now the biggest Mosque of this city, built a rest house, and undertook the last rites of unclaimed dead bodies.[55][56][57][58]
Death[edit]
Ajazi died on 26 September 1966 in Muzaffarpur at his own residence Ajazi House. Thousands of people attended his Namaz-e-Janaza which was performed at historic Tilak Maidan, the land bought by the funds collected and donations made by Ajazi himself. It was the largest gathering ever for a funeral procession in the city's history. He was buried in Qazi Mohammadpur Qabristan.[12]
President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed recalled his services during Freedom Struggle saying as "He was in forefront of India's War for Independence. The story of his life is a unique and interesting story of an important era of the country". Acharya J.B. Kripalani said: "Dr. Ajazi was a great patriot, a devoted servant of humanity and a lovable friend. Selfless patriot like him are becoming rare. His death is a loss to society".[59] Author Kalam Haidry and novelist and journalist Moin Shahid called him "Baba-e-Urdu, Bihar" (Father of Urdu in BIhar) for his services towards Urdu language. Journalist and poet Wafa Malikpuri described him an old 'Mujahid' (crusader) for Urdu language. Muzaffarpur Municipal Board named the road leading to his residence as "Dr. Ajazi Marg".[60][7][61][62][63]