THE CONTRIBUTION OF INDIAN MUSLIMS IN DEVELOPING PRINT MEDIA AND SPREADING ENLIGHTENMENT IN AFGHANISTAN (1870-1930)

Sarfraz Khan* Noor Ul Amin**

Abstract

It is generally believed that invaders, men of letters and religion, from Afghanistan, have significantly influenced the course of history in India. The contribution of Indians, especially Muslims, in spreading knowledge, enlightenment and modernization in Afghanistan did not attract much scholarly attention. This paper attempts to highlight the contribution of British Indian Muslims towards dissemination of knowledge, enlightenment and information in Afghanistan, while working for Afghan newspapers and periodicals in 1870- 1930. Qazi Abdul Qadir Yousafzai Peshawari, the Chief Editor of Shamsul Nahaar; Mauolvi Najaf Ali, Sub-Editor of Sirajul Akhbar; Allah Nawaz, Assistant Editor of Ethihad-i Mashriqi; Fazal Mahmud Makhfi, translator (Pashto, English) of Daily Anees, and Etihad-e-Mashriqi; and Muhammad Hussain, calligrapher, Toloe-Afghan, and Director magazine, Habibul Islam, included some of those personalities who pioneered and assisted in developing print media to promote enlightenment and modernization in Afghanistan.

Key Words: Indian Muslims, enlightenment, Shamsul Nahaar, Sirajul Akhbar, Etihad-e-Mashraqi, Anees, Indian Muslims’ Contributions: liberalism, modernism, constitutionalism, democracy, and nationalism.

Introduction

Afghanistan, in the second half of the nineteenth century, faced numerous internal and external challenges. Overall backwardness and tribal formation coupled with lack of strong centralizing authority had given birth to several factions in the country. The Afghan government and intelligentsia of that time felt increased and urgent need to develop modern means of communications to unite and put the country on path of progress. Print media especially newspapers, journal, magazines and periodicals had already been playing a positive role in disseminating information and enlightenment in the adjoining British India since long (1780s). Afghan government did realize importance and role of print media in awakening the masses and raising enlightenment but lacked professionals and experts along with technical equipment. Indian Muslims were instrumental in resolving problem of professional expertise by offering services to Afghan print media and enthusiastically worked for various newspapers and periodicals as editors, sub-editors, assistant-editors, managers, translators and calligraphers in Afghanistan.

This paper briefly discusses enlightening/modernizing role of some Indian Muslims working for the British Indian and Afghan newspapers and periodicals appearing during 1870-1930. It sheds light on role of Indian Muslims in awakening Afghans by citing services of five leading Indian Muslims who specifically spread printed word. They include: Qazi Abdul Qadir Yousafzai Peshawari (1841-1913); Mauolvi Najaf Ali (1860-1950); Allah Nawaz (1880-1935), Fazal Mahmud Makhfi (1882-1935), and Muhammad Hussain (1883-1939).

Print Media in Colonial India: Prelude to Afghan Printed Word (1780s-1830s)

In 1757, the East India Company became a formidable power in the Indian Sub-continent following the victory in Battle of Plassey. The need of new rulers for day to day information resulted in the emergence of the first newspaper in the region. Mr. James Augustus Hicky, an employee of the East India Company, in 1780, launched an English language newspaper, Hicky Gazette, published from Calcutta (now Kolkata). Following disagreement between Mr. Hicky and the East India Company, within a year, the company closed the Hicky Gazette, instead launched, The India Gazette, in 1781. Many more newspapers emerged in the area during subsequent decades, however, the first local language newspaper, The Bengal Gazette, appeared in 1816.

The first Urdu newspaper, Jam-e-Jahan Numa appeared in 1822, originally published, in Persian, was subsequently supplemented in Urdu. The first Muslim-owned newspaper had been Aine-i Sikandari , published from Calcutta, in 1831, under supervision of Mirza Ghalib and edited by Maulvi Sirajuddin Ahmad Lukhanavi. It was followed by Meh-i-alam Afroze from Calcutta, edited by Maulvi Wahaj-ud-din. In 1835, two Persian language newspapers: Ludhiana Akhbar from Ludhiana and Sultan-ul-Akhbar from Calcutta appeared. Maulvi Sayyed Muhammad Khan, elder brother of Sir Sayyed Ahmad Khan, published a newspaper Zubdet-ul-Akhbar from Agra in 1837.

These pioneering newspapers and periodicals in history of print media of this region played an important role in spreading enlightenment, modernization, political awareness and became major source of influencing leaders and interests of particular communities.

Print Media in Frontier Region and Punjab, Adjoining Afghanistan (1840s-1860s)

Printed word in the region now called Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, former NWFP, appeared for the first time in 1853. Earlier, Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839) appointed news writers/reporters to collect local and international news, in various parts of the Punjab that included the Frontier region and Afghanistan too. The reporters stationed at Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Kabul, Herat and other places in Afghanistan served as correspondents to his Punjab Akhbar. Major sources to collect news for Punjab Akhbar had been trade caravans and travelers. Battles between locals and Sikh government or infighting got much coverage in this newspaper. In 1849, East India Company defeated Sikhs and took control of the region including Punjab. Meanwhile opposition and hostility to rule of East India Company continued to grow and resulted in the uprising of 1857.

Allah Baksh Yusfi (1900-1968), in Sarhad aur Jadujahd-e-Azadi, claims that “around 1849, a newspaper had been publishing in this region”. He fails to cite its title and exact date of publication. Files of Mutiny Reports exhibit that in 1857, a newspaper publishing from Peshawar, had been forced to close down due to alleged links with mutineers. In 1853, an Urdu Weekly Murtazai, edited by Haji Karam Ali Sherazi, appeared from Peshawar. Karam Ali, originally from Persia, settled in Peshawar and owned Murtazai Printing Press. The Murtazai reached not only influentials  of Punjab and Delhi but also as far as Kabul, Rampur and Banaras. The first page carried announcements, advertisement rates of the newspaper while local, national and international news and poems filled other pages of this newspaper.

At that time even a mild adverse comment published in an Indian newspaper could earn displeasure of the rulers and lead to closure of newspaper and arrest of the editor. The editor of Murtazai was arrested and sent to jail, in 1857, resulting into the closure of this weekly. Abdus Salam Khurshid explained that during the mutiny, the paper had allegedly published false news of revolt by Kalat Ghalzai regiment and killing of officers. Consequently, Col. Nicholson, Deputy Commissioner Peshawar (1821-1857), imprisoned the editor forthwith, consequently, the paper ceased to appear. Koh-i-Noor, first cited the Weekly Murtazai and picked a news item from it, in 1856. Weekly Khushbudar or Khushbahar, appearing from Peshawar, in 1854 , were some of the contemporaries of Murtazai.

A Pashto religious newspaper Al Islam or Al Jihad owned by renowned spiritual leader Hazrat Abdul Ghafoor Shaheed Babaji alias Hazrat Akhund Saidu Baba Abdul Ghafoor (1794-1877) and edited by Khalifa Abdul Ghaffar Peshawari of Turu, Mardan, appeared in 1854. It countered propaganda of Christian Missionaries against Islam and was published and distributed secretly in various parts of the Frontier region and Afghanistan. At times, hand written copies were issued too. No subscription was charged and Saidu Baba remained its patron. It had a short life since it was not sighted in 1857. The paper lacked any proper declaration, bore no date, day or place of issue. Abdus Salam Khurshid and Sultan Muhammad Sabir cite the name of the paper Al Islam, while Pervish Shaheen and Ajmal Malik, Al Jihad. Sultan Muhammad Sabir points to its place of publication as Amritsar or Lahore. It is also said that the paper used to be printed on a piece of paper which was patched by Halwa (Paste). Not a single copy is available and no one has seen this paper.

Emergence of Print Media in Afghanistan

Various scholars disagree on the name, year of publication and name of the editor of the first newspaper of Afghanistan. Habibullah Rafi, in his Pashto article “Pa Afghanistan ke da Jamaluddin Afghani Khidmatona” (Services of Jamalludin Afghani to Afghanistan) referred to L. Bagdanov’s article, “Notes on the Afghan Periodical Press”, published in “Islamic Culture” , 1929, II, pp. 126-152, in this regard. He mentions periodical Kabul, circulated in 1868, during the regime of Amir Muhammad Azam Khan (r.1867-68). It assumes circulation of Kabul corresponds with the 2^nd tenure (1868-79) of Amir Sher Ali Khan. However, W. Noor claims that printed word, in Afghanistan, appeared in 1871, in Shamsul Nahaar at the Lithographic Printing Press Kabul. Amir Sher Ali (r. 1863-1879), the third son of Amir Dost Mohammad Khan (r. 1826-63), sponsored it. He also considers Syed Jamal- ul- Din Afghani (1839-1897) its founder and mentor. Some others too hold that Shamsul Nahaar was founded and circulated by Syed Jamaluddin Afghani. Since no copy of Kabul is available, hence, no decisive evidence of the said periodical can be cited. It is argued that the name Kabul might have been remnant of the name Shamsul Nahaar Kabul, written on the corners of the newspaper.

Afghanistan witnessed some of its early reforms during the second tenure of Amir Sher Ali Khan (r.1863-1866 & 1868-1879), the first books, mostly translations of British Military works, were published during this period. The launch of first Afghan Newspaper Shamsul Nahaar has been reported in 1873 too, though another source cites its year of publishing 1871. The Shamsul Nahaar mainly focused on spreading Jamaluddin Afghani’s ideas, and also helped keeping the public informed of government’s decisions besides raising awareness, enlightenment discussing situation in the country. Qazi Abdul Qadir Yousafzai Peshawari was the Chief Editor and Mirza Abdul Aali, Sub-Editor, of Shamsul Nahaar. Initially it was published fortnightly, later weekly and finally daily. The number of pages also increased from four to sixteen, and most of the editorials were written in Dari. Anti-British feelings visibly manifested in Afghanistan, and amongst the Muslims of India, its political repercussions were discussed. The British government believed Shamsul Nahaar caused alarming situation in India by spreading anti-British propaganda, therefore, took steps to stop it. Thus, in1878, the newspaper was shut down due to the second Anglo-Afghan War.

Syed Jamaluddin Afghani’s eagerness to publish a newspaper may be traced to early 1860s by referring to a society, Um-ul-Qura, founded in Hijaz, prior to his coming to Afghanistan, in 1864. The society intended to publish a newspaper carrying the name, Shamsul Nahaar Kabul. Syed Jamaluddin Afghani had prepared a sketch of this newspaper but it could not be published regularly. It might have been instrumental in giving birth to Shamsul Nahaar, in Afghanistan.

The idea of public responsibility of the print media in Afghanistan was introduced by Syed Jamaluddin Afghani, during the short reign of Amir Muhammad Azam Khan (1867-1868).  In strife and civil war ridden Afghanistan, Azam Khan trapped feuding chieftains to embrace Jamaluddin’s ideas thinking that publication of newspaper might help in bringing unity and harmony. Jamaluddin Afghani became Azam Khan’s Prime Minister in 1868, has been credited to be the editor of a journal entitled Kabul. Unfortunately, no issue of this Journal is available in public libraries, although references are made to it in several Afghan publications affirming Jamaluddin Afghani, as editor.

Qazi Abdul Qadir Yousafzai Peshawari, the Chief Editor of Shamsul Nahaar had been a contemporary and follower of Syed Jamaluddin Afghani. As chief Editor, he propagated modern and enlightened ideas of Jamaluddin Afghani, promoted and published articles regarding unity of Muslim Ummah in general and Afghanistan in particular. Mirza Abdul Aali acted as the Sub-Editor.

Urwah al-Wuthqa by Jamaluddin Afghani in 1880s

Jamaluddin Afghani began publishing al-Urwah al-Wuthqa, ‘The Indissoluble Link’, an Arabic language newspaper edited by Muhammad Abduh (1849-1905), from Paris, in 1884. Advocating return to the original, unadulterated principles and ideals of Islam, and unity amongst Muslim masses, the newspaper considered return to pristine Islam a must to regain its lost strength and glory and to throw away yoke of European powers. After departing Afghanistan and subsequently India, Afghani proceeded on a journey through Europe, resided in London, Paris and St. Petersburg, for various lengths of time. In Paris, he founded a political organization Urwah al Wuthqa (The Unbreakable Bond) with Egyptian modernist, Muhammad Abduh. To modernize Islam and protecting Islamic world from greedy foreigners they published Arabic Journal Al Urwat-ul-Wuthqa, from Paris. Scathing criticism and fiery articles in this anti-British organ created a furor in the imperialist circles, however, gained popularity in the Arabic speaking world, eventually the British banned its entry into India. Annoyed, due to its strident anti-European message, the British, engineered shut down of this organization and its mouthpiece, the Minaret. The Journal circulated throughout the Muslim world including Afghanistan, since Afghani’s activities were not confined to Paris alone. He moved about in the continent, contacting important personalities and impressing upon them a progressive outlook of Islam. He even proceeded to London, had prolonged discussions on international relations with Lord Salisbury, a high dignitary of British.

Anjuman-i-Serajul Akhbar: The Newspapper Sirajul Akhbarul Afghanistan

A nine member Society, Anjuman-i-Seraj-ul-Akhbar, was founded in 1905, by Maulvi Abdul Rauf Khan, Alias Khaki, Headmaster of Madrasa-i-Shahi (Royal School/College), attached to Chob Faroshi mosque, Kabul, the members of the Society include; Maulvi Abdul Rauf Khan alias Khaki- Editor, Maulvi Najaf Ali Khan–Sub Editor, Maulvi Mohammad Sarwar Khan Assef-Clerk, Haji Bashi Ghulam Naqashband Khan-Translator of Turkish Language, Munshi Hafiz Haider Ali Khan, Translator of Turkish Language, Abdul Rahim Beg, Assistant Translator of Urdu Newspaper, Mirza Ghulam Qadir Khan, Scribe/Calligrapher, Mirza Muhammad Ishaq Khan–Scribe/Calligrapher, Qari Nek Muhammad- Proof Reader.

A group, named of Constitutionalists, within this society emerged and founded a newspaper Serajul Akhbar-i-Afghanistan on January 11, 1906. Most of the ‘Constitutionalists’ were Indian teachers of Habibia School led by Dr. Abdul Ghani, the founder and second principal of Habibia School (1903). Other members of the group included Maulvi Mohammad Hussain (Punjab), Maulvi Muzaffar Khan Marwat and Saeed Ahmad Khan Kandahari. The organization was also known as ‘Jan Nisaran-i-Melat’ (Devotees to Nation) and Anjuman-i-Moalleman-i-Hindi (Council of the Indian Teachers). The objective of this association was the same as that of the Society of Seraj-ul-Akhbaar. However, the newspaper lasted just one issue and was closed down by the Amir on the behest of the British Indian government.

Weekly Sirajul Akhbar Afghanistan, first appeared, in 1906, has been the second, more widely known, Pashto newspaper. Maulvi Abdur Rauf  Khaki, Headmaster of Shahi Madrassa, Kabulhad been its managing Editor and  Maulvi Najaf Ali, an Indian Muslim, its Sub- Editor. The first issue of this newspaper contained anti-imperialist articles. The British Indian government did not like the tone of the newspaper and pressurized Amir Habibullah to close it, thus, was shut down immediately.

SirajulAkhbarAfghania

Mehmud Tarzi began publishing the newspaper named, Sirajul Akhbar Afghania (1911-1918) as editor, in 1911. He used it as a means to introduce his readers to the new ideas and modernization. Within eight years of its publication, Sirajul Akhbar Afghania prepared Afghans, emotionally if not politically, to demand complete independence from the British. Tarzi served as a mouthpiece for ‘Young Afghans’, and disseminated their ideas in public at large. The Young Afghans, initially aimed at spreading enlightenment, advocating education, development of culture, national unity and struggle against religious fanaticism , later the Young Afghan's activities became increasingly political. Sirajul Akhbar Afghania denounced colonial policies of the British and openly called for the people to struggle for the country's independence, which thought inseparable from the struggle against backwardness. The Young Afghans were organized in a secret society called Mashruta (the constitution) within all major cities.

In 1912, Sirajul Akhbar circulation reached 1600 in Kabul. State patronage was evident as each government office subscribed a copy. Sirajul Akhbar was also distributed in the Tribal Areas across the Durand line. In mid of 1915, it published anti-British and pro-German news, it was also distributed to all leading mullahs. Copies were sent by hand to the few readers in Peshawar. It was during this time that Haji Sahib Turangzai (1858-1937) setup a lithographic press at Lakarhai (Mohmand Agency), published pamphlets against the British government. Sirajul Akhbar closed down in 1918, however, Amir Amanullah Khan (r. 1919-1928) began Aman-i Afghania, a new official newspaper.

It is probable that the name of Sirajul Akhbar may be copied in Afghanistan from the Sirajul Akhbar of Delhi, which began in 1841. It issued from Mughal Court as a Daily Newspaper by the last Mughal ruler, Bahadur Shah-II, popularly known as Bahadur Shah Zafar (r. 1837-58). Musleh-ud Daula Sayed Abdul Qasim supervised it, the last Royal Scribe (Chroniclor). Its editor was Syed Aulad Ali. The Magistrate of Delhi J. Lawerance reported about Sirajul Akhbar that it was a Court chronicle and issued from the Mughal Court. According to Mehdi Hassan and Dr. Abdul Salam Khurshid in “Journalism for All”, Sirajul Akhbar started by Maulvi Faqir Muhammad of Lahore in 1885 and it continued till 1916.

Services of Molvi Najaf Ali (1862-1950)

Amir Abdur Rahman (r.1880-1901) realized the importance of education for Afghanistan, ordered translation of the useful foreign books into Persian. He employed scholars to translate books written in English and Urdu for this purpose. Maulana Najaf Ali, one among the translators recommended by Dr. Abdul Ghani (his younger brother) to the Amir in 1892, earlier, he headed the translation Department of Lahore High Court. He made a brief visit of Kabul during the reign of Nadir Shah (1929-33), translated a few books into Persian at the request of the King, and his brother Sardar Muhammad Hasham Khan. Maulvi Najaf Ali has been criticized by some researchers, terming him a British agent/spy protected by Yahya Khel family in Afghanistan. Thus, his name appeared boldly in almost all political activities in Kabul.

An Overview of Print Media in Afghanistan (1918-1929)

The following chart provides an overview of Afghan Print media in the period under discussion:

Amani-i Afghan

Aman-i Afghan (1919-1929), a semi-official weekly newspaper, stretched over 8-12 pages, appeared after Sirajul Akhbar. Abdul Hadi Davi and Sayad Qasim Khan remained its founding editors, respectively; the latter was replaced by Ghulam Ahmad in 1927. However, Aman-i-Afghan could not achieve the caliber of Sirajul Akhbar, both culturally and politically. No role was played by the Indian Muslims in this newspaper.

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