Q: What was Maulana Zafar Ali Khan like?

He had a very extraordinary talent. I think he was the father of Urdu journalism, although [Maulana Abul Kalam] Azad was a much more learned man than Zafar Ali Khan. The Zamindar newspaper, when Zafar Ali Khan was the proprietor and editor, was the Urdu paper for the Muslims. But unfortunately it had limited circulation. The Muslims had no industry, so that the advertisements were very meager. Sometimes he couldn't pay his staff. My father, I remember, helped him two three times. I also remember at Branner Hall, what the occasion was I do not remember, when he came to the stage and started speaking and he was hooted down. He was trying to quote something and he was taking his spectacles out and in the process a few people started yelling at him. After he found his spectacles he started speaking again, and then the same people who hooted him applauded him, he had such command of the language. I have never seen anyone who had the gift of rhyme as Zafar Ali Khan had. Fantastic gift of rhyme. A man of extraordinary ability. But unfortunately, the Muslims never supported him sufficiently. The Punjab zamindar (feudal land owner) was by and large uneducated - I am sorry to say this - someone who had very little time for culture. The Punjab zamindar, compared to the talukdars of Awadh who had a great deal of culture in them, the Punjab zamindar did not have culture. If he was rich, he would have falcons or gray hounds or horses, but very little culture. They did not support him, Zafar Ali Khan was one instance where they could have easily. Umar Hayat Khan Tiwana, who had an estate at that time of four lakh rupees [per annum], could easily have helped him.

Q: If Sir Sikander had lived, what would have happened in the Punjab?

If Sir Sikander had lived, you would most probably have had a different Punjab than what you have today. He would have managed to take the agriculturists seats, may be even the Hindu Jats with him into Pakistan.

Q: So you may still have had Pakistan, but not the minorities switching sides [as refugees]?

Yes, but it is a very big if. One doesn't know. But let me end this by telling you this my own very strong conviction that if the Quaid had died in March 1947, there would have been no Pakistan. It was pure willpower, sheer willpower of the man.

 
   
 

Amjad Ali Home | Intro | Interview | Audio | Images

 
     
     

| Home |

© Harappa 2002