Leaving (?) pre-Partition Ludhiana

Author: 
Khawaja Nazir Ahmad
Khawaja Nazir Ahmad

I was born in Ludhiana on 19 April, 1943, though my recorded date of birth is 11 July, 1942. After India's Partition, I was raised and educated in Lahore. I studied at Forman Christian College, Lahore and University of the Punjab. In 1964, I was selected to join the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) College of Aeronautical Engineering. I served in the PAF for 27 years, retiring voluntarily in 1991 as a Group Captain. My services were recognized with a National Award. I was told at the time of my retirement that if I did not retire, I was sure to get promoted to Air Commodore, with the strong possibility of another promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal. I cannot say what made me give up my career at its prime. The only reason that comes to my mind is that I was looking for "Fresh air". In my post retirement life I got what I was looking for, and have since lived a satisfied life.

I belong to a Muslim family that migrated from Kashmir to Ludhiana perhaps in the beginning of 19th century.

I cannot say with any surety the reason for this migration but I presume that economic reasons were the cause of this exodus. A young boy named Kamal was the first of us who came to Ludhiana with a caravan from Kashmir. We do not know where or how he got separated from his family.

Kamal was raised by a family that brought him to Ludhiana. I am told that later on he married in the same family. He had only one son Abdul Karim, and then two grandsons Ghulam Mohammad and Mohammad Khalil (my grandfather). Ghulam Mohammad and Mohammad Khalil lived in two separate properties located in Gulchaman Gali. They had inherited their properties but had rebuilt them on modern lines.

My forefathers came from a business community specializing in the fabrication of Pashmina, and other goods like carpets, etc. My grandfather excelled in his business, and had renowned companies like Liberty &amp\; Co., London as his customers. My father used to say that he had offered a carpet to Qaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah worth Rs. 25,000 who declined to buy it, saying, "too expensive, too expensive".

Our family lived in Ludhiana for over 100 years. Ludhiana became the place of birth of our four generations. My family left Ludhiana for Pakistan in August 1947.

It is amazing that though I left Ludhiana before my fifth birthday, I have fond memories of number of things. I remember the location and layout of part of our house, my grandfather's house, and the house of my grandfather's elder brother (both these houses were across the street and adjacent to each other), my nana's (maternal grandfather) house, which was at a distance, and the house of another close relation. These houses were all located in Gulchaman Gali (road). In addition to these houses there were many other houses belonging to our clan in the area. Therefore I tend to believe that the concentration of our relations was high in Gulchaman Gali.

My grandfather must have been a noteworthy person in the town. On one occasion, during one of his visits to Ludhiana, Mr. Motilal Nehru was my grandfather's guest.  In fact, my father had gone to the railway station to receive Mr. Nehru.

Since I was very young at the time of the partition of the subcontinent, I naturally remember small things. I remember there was a large water tub in the courtyard of my grandfather's house. There was a water tap above the tub that was running most of the time. The tub was always full of water. I remember that once mangoes had been submerged in this tub to cool them.

I remember my mother once feeding me a banana that perhaps my father brought from Bombay after a business trip. I even remember the color of that banana and my mother gave me half of it, as it may be big for a child of my age.

Now coming to that fateful day in 1947 when I left my home\; it must have been in August. I remember walking to the train siding, holding the hand of some male member. It was a raised ground along the track. We were sitting beside the rail track. Suddenly, I saw my mother trying to shelter me behind some boxes. I was trying hard to free myself from her grip\; I was surprised that she was not letting me see the train that steamed in, overloaded with passengers.

Even the top of the train was full of people and they were throwing stones at us. I realized it much later that my mother was holding me tightly to save me from the stones that were being thrown at us by those who were perhaps returning from the areas that became Pakistan.

After that, I have no memories. Perhaps I may have gone to sleep. I do not remember how long it took us to reach Pakistan. I even do not remember how long we had to stay along the rail track to pick up a train for our travel to Lahore. The next thing that I very clearly remember is the words, "Harbanspura aa gia (We have reached Harbanspura.)" Harbanspura was the first railway station in Pakistan territory.

Someone was also asking for some milk for the children.

That was my end with Ludhiana and beginning in Lahore.

Epilogue

I consider myself a practicing and true Muslim. However, I respect followers of other religions as much I want them to respect me. I was excited to hear that the border at Wagah-Attari between Pakistan and India shall be open for senior citizens. I was disappointed to know that in India I cannot visit Punjab, and I need a relative to sponsor my visit. If I cannot visit Gulchaman Gali, Ludhiana, my birth place, what else is there to visit in India for me?

Looking back, I see that there are many perspectives about the partition of India. Some say it is vivisection of the motherland, others say that it is partition of Muslims into smaller and perhaps more manageable groups. Yet another school of thought claim the formation of the largest Muslim state and economic independence of the Muslims of India.

I feel that we must not forget those who have paid very heavy price in this process. No one can ever compensate them. It is still a subject of study to carry out honest analysis to sift the good from the bad.

I feel we must learn to face reality for the sake of over a billion souls now living in the subcontinent, and those who will follow us in the times to come. We had tried all options to overwhelm each other, including fighting a few wars. The next war may not leave with us  many options.


© Khawaja Nazir Ahmad 2013

Comments

I am very found of to hear about such types memories specially belong to Ludhiana. On fact Gulchaman gali is still exited

Hello Mr. Sharma, Do you live there or have you visited this place Gulchaman Gali. If sanity ever prevails in this part of the world I will buy back my ancestral house & spend some time there every year.

I don't think its possible in near future as relations restrained.

Dear khawaja nazir ahmad my grand father khawaja bashir ahmad also from gulchaman gali

I am from UP and never realized in past how much sacrifice Punjab gave? Last fe years i am reading history of partitition and seeing the human side of this tragedy. No one suffered more than Punjab and why Punjabis do not have say in discussing peace and prosperity between them.

Gulchaman gali is near chaura bazaar in Old city.many homes there even to day are as it were before 1947.

hello Mr.nazir Ahmed it is very Tragic but nobody can bring you back those lovely days, we all are punjabis and our forefathers have sacrificed and paid for sin they have not done ,only political greed is reason behind, I live nearby to gulchaman gali in Ludhiana punjab , my birth place is in Ludhiana , but my late.grandfather belongs to village nearby to Lahore Pakistan . we also have heard very good about our properties and lovely house in Pakistan ,I am also very much intrested to visit our true home land of our elderly. I can try to find your ancestral house. please give me some details like name or house number or any old doc. Etc. To find your house from concern department , gulchaman gali is now days is market area for hosiery and woolens. Many old poeple before or after still live there.

Dear Bhupinder Singh, I recalled your email andthought to avail your offer to find a link in Ludhiana. One of my close relation named Ayesha decided to stay back in Ludhiana. I also heard that she married a Hindu doctor perhaps by the name of Dr. Kedar Sharma. They lived in a the housed called Subhan Manzil. they owned Naulakha Theater & Naulakha Bagh. This lady adopted a girl named Yasmeen. This girl came to Pakistan and stayed here for almost a year. But could not adjust and went back to Ludhiana or may be some othercity they had settled. She had properies in many cities like Dhli, Shimla, Lahore etc. Tasmeen must be alive & living. Lets see if you can contact her.

Dear Nazir Sahib, I enjoyed reading your memories of Ludhiana, in particular of Gulchaman Gali. I was born not too far from the house where you must have lived. Do you belong to the "Dugg" family? would love to hear from you. Best wishes.

Dear Mr. Zaman, I am pleased to receive your mail. You are right I do belong to Dugg family. I would like to know more about you and your family as I am sure there must be a very close connection between our two families hailing from Gulchaman Gali. Looking forward to hear from you soon Khawaja Nazir Ahmad

My Dear Nazir, It was good to hear from you. It seems that we are related and one of my cousins has already contacted you. Next time I am in Pakistan I will certainly visit you. I am also sending your details to another of my relative who is very keen to meet people from Gulchaman Gali. Please let me know your email address so we can exchange other details. My email address is zamanharoon@hotmail.com Regards Zaman

Dear Nazir sahib. I am Anwar Mohammad from Ludhiana city in basti jodhewal area . i know Gulchaman gali.this is in old city near chaura bazaar.now days i am in saudi arab riyadh city.

Dear Anwar Sahib, I am happy to receive your message.I live in Lahore and would love to connect with you. Looking forward to hear further details from you

Salam, Namasty, Sasrikal Ahmed bhai, Its 2 am at night, watching drama (Daataan)written by Razia Butt. The drama is of love stroty parallel with the history of Indo Pak. I enjoyed the drama and wished to search some literature about Ludhiana. How the families separated from each other in 3rd June , 1947 due to the greed of a pinch of people.

My grandfather Faiz Ludihanvi was from CHOWRA BAZAR, CHATTI GALI in Ludhiana. Anyone know this area?

Salam, I am Omer. I am originally from Rawalpindi, Pakistan but now settled in the US. My grandmother migrated from Sanglawala near the bazar, Ludhiana during parition to Pakistan. Her father's name was Khawaja Zafar Ahmed and i think he used to work for the post office. Please reach out to me at omaer123@gmail.com or watsapp (mobile number) 001-513-5829419. Thanks

Hi dear all. Just wanted to ask whether a locality with the name muhallah mulla shakoor exists in the old portion of Ludhiana city or not? My ancestors migrated to Pakistan from that locality

Khawaja nazir ahmad uncle my grand father also from gulchaman gali his name is khawaja bashir ahmad

Hello Sir, I read your article and I think we might be related as my grand father's name was Abdul Rehman and he was son of Doctor Subhan.

Hello Huma, Looks like you are of my age or may be little younger. I know your family. Your grand father commenly known as Umar settled in Lahore in an area known as Krishan Nagar. One of your elders died in a road accident in Lahore. I have seen one of the lady wife of Umar sahib when she came to see my mother. My mother was related to your family and she off & on met some people from your family. However I have nover seen her calling on any one from your family accept Zohra sahiba whom I used to address Nani. She lived in Anarkali area. Thanks

Thank you sir for your reply,may you always stay happy and healthy.

My dada was also was Ludihana,they had a school there.School for electricians.They moved to Lahore and settled near Sanat Nagar.My great grandfathers name is Syed Ahmad Hassan Naqvi.We still have the school here in Lahore now.Ahmed Hassan polytechnic.

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