The Khaksar Tehrik

…in Pictures

Presentation for the

New York Conference for Asian Studies

October 2007

By Nasim Yousaf

Author and Researcher

Allama Mashriqi

Founder of the Khaksar Movement

Nasim Yousaf (sitting center) with Mashriqi (standing)

In 1930, Mashriqi resigned from

Government service and laid

the foundation for the Khaksar

Tehrik (Khaksar Movement).

“His movement was not the result of a landslide. It was constructed painstakingly. Each entrant had to be persuaded…”

- Muhammad Saeed’s (journalist) book, Lahore: A Memoir

Mashriqi (front row, right) led the first batch of Khaksars; he made no distinction between

himself and his fellow Khaksars.

With the first batch of Khaksars,

the foundation for the freedom

of British India was laid.

Additional batches of Khaksars were formed allacross India to deliver Mashriqi’s message.

Mashriqi’s message emphasized a

soldierly life, equality, brotherhood, and

a focus on self purification.

Mashriqi, Delivering a Speech

Here, a Khaksar delivers a lecture to fellow Khaksars.

The Khaksar Tehrik was dedicated to

the service of mankind.

Khaksars Performing Social Service

"Long Live The Ideals of the Khaksars...Peace,Amity, Brotherhood, Service - Irrespective ofCaste or Creed, One God, One Humanity, OnePractical Religion, -- Yes, One Religion, WhichMeans Goodness In Action"

- The Radiance (Aligarh), 1943

1934:

The Khaksar Urduweekly, Al-Islah, waslaunched.

Khaksar camps were held regularly

to impart the Khaksar program.

A View of a Khaksar Camp

Khaksars Holding Mock Wars

Khaksar Leaders at a Khaksar Camp

In picture: Sher Zaman, Pir Baksh and Dr. Nazar Muhammad

Khaksar parades instilled the spirit among the public to rise for freedom.

Khaksars marched in military formation for miles on the streets of India.

The Khaksar Tehrik was a well-disciplined organization.

Mashriqi (on the right) with his children.

By the late 1930’s, the Khaksar

Movement had spread to every corner

of India and had millions of followers

and supporters. The Tehrik also had

branches in foreign countries.

The Government felt threatened by the

formidable discipline of this grassroots

Movement. Consequently, the Punjab

Government imposed restrictions on

the Movement in February, 1940.

On March 19, 1940, police opened fire

against Khaksars protesting the ban,

and indiscriminately killed or injured

many innocent Khaksars.

“Serious Clash Between

Khaksars And Police”

The Tribune (Lahore), March 20, 1940

Allama Mashriqi was arrested on March 19, 1940 following the Khaksar tragedy.

The Tribune (Lahore), March 21, 1940

Police also injured Mashriqi’s son, Ehsanullah Khan Aslam, on March 19, 1940. He later succumbed to his injuries and died on May 31, 1940.

With the Government’s actions, the

Khaksars’ long, tough, and most

unparalleled fight against British rule in

India began.

Muslim League’s Historic Session – March, 1940

Khaksars were tear gassed (left) while the League session was in progress (right).

In 1941, the Government of British India banned the Khaksar Tehrik throughout the entire India.

In January of 1942,Mashriqi was releasedfrom jail, but hismovements wererestricted.

In December of 1942,the restrictions on Mashriqi wereremoved, and he wasonce again able toaddress the public.

A Crowd Listening to Mashriqi’s Speech

Mashriqi put in sincere efforts to bring about

the famous Jinnah-Gandhi meeting in order for

the two to settle their political issues and undo

the “Divide and Rule” policy of the British;

historians have thus far neglected this effort.

Jinnah-Gandhi Meeting

Following the failure of the Jinnah-Gandhi

meeting, Mashriqi presented The Constitution

of Free India, 1946. A.C. to keep India united.

In 1946, Mashriqi took steps to bring about aforcible end to British rule and called the AzadHind Fauj Conference. Major General S.D. Khan,Col. Ihsan Qadir, and others also came to meetMashriqi.

Major General S.D. Khan of the Indian National Army, with

Mashriqi.

Transfer of Power Announced

Mashriqi and others’ efforts toward

independence did not go unnoticed. By

1947, circumstances in India had reached a

boiling point, and the British had no choice

but to announce a transfer of power.

In March of 1947, Mashriqi asked 300,000

Khaksars to assemble in Delhi by June 30

of the same year. This was to ensure that

the British would follow through on the

transfer of power, and that India would

remain undivided.

Despite stern measures to prevent theKhaksar rally, 70,000 to 80,000Khaksars (according to media reports)assembled in Delhi at the end of June,1947. But it seemed that nothing couldnow stop the division of India.

In 1947, Pakistan and India emergedon the world map as separatecountries, and the nation was dividedinto three parts.

Mashriqi’s dream of an independent, united India did not materialize. It is important to note, however, that British India would not have been able to seek freedom without the efforts of people like Mashriqi.

Allama Mashriqi Died in 1963

Dawn (Karachi), August 28, 1963

Mashriqi’s Funeral

Nasim Yousaf (right side in circle) with Mashriqi’s body.

Well over 100,000 people attended

Mashriqi’s funeral. With his death, a

chapter in the history of the Indian

subcontinent came to a close.