By Dr.Ali Akbar Dhakan
Dr.Nabi Bakhsh Khan Baloch
(A Versatile Scholar and Legend of Sindh)
Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai Said:
“All People are not beautiful,
All birds are not goose blissful,
Pleasant fragrance and sweet smell,
People possess such qualities are occasional”
Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Baloch was born on 16th December 1917 in the house of Mr.Ali Muhammad Khan Lighari in village Jaffar Khan Lighari Taluka Sinjhoro Distt. Sanghar. His ancestors had settled there a very long time ago migrating from D.G. Khan District, in the Punjab province, a Seraiki belt or South Punjab. Born in a rural area and orphaned at the very initial stage of life of only six months, he was looked after by his uncle Wali Muhammad Khan Lighari. At the death bed, his father Mr. Ali Muhammad Khan had willed to educate his little new born child. Accordingly, Mr. Wali Muhammad khan implemented the sweet will of his brother and arranged for early primary education near his village and then to Nau Shahro Feroze Maderasa for Matric, to Bahauddin College Junagarah for graduation and then to Ali Garah college, a learning seat for all India Muslims, for M.A. and L.L.B. After completion of his post graduation, he was awarded scholarship for doing Ph.D from USA Columbia University. After obtaining Ph.D degree in Education, Dr. Nabi Bakhsh returned and served the Sindh people in the Sindh University where he established the Education Department being its Director at the advice of his mentor Scholar Allama I.I. Kazi. All the life upto May 2011, Dr. Baloch devoted his life to the Sindh. He dedicatedly worked for the History, Culture, Language, Folk lore and architecture and art of Sindh. He wrote not only in Sindhi Language but he wrote in English, Persian, Arabic and other languages countless books, articles and many notes on every topic of the history and culture of Sindh. His contributions in English language relate to the following topics:
- He wrote articles for the Encyclopedia, Britannica on Sindh and Balochistan.
- The Encyclopedia of Islam.
- Unesco history of Central Asian Civilization (historical survey,
750-1500)
About a dozen books in English were written by him namely:
- Ghurrate Al Zijat by Al-Beruni (1973)
- Fathnama-e-Sindh (1982)
- Beruni and his experiment at Nardana (1983)
- The concepts and criteria underlined in the Holy Quran for the book (1991)
- Reflections of Evolution 1992
- Lands of Pakistan 1995
- Some Unpublished speeches and writings of Allma I.I. Kazi 1999,
- Education based on Islamic Values, 2000.
- A National system of Education and Education of Teachers, 2003.
- Sindh: Studies Historical, 2003.
- Sindh: Studies Cultural, 2004.
From his above writings, it is considered that Dr. Baloch was a prominent English writer in the south Asia.
In addition to these publications written in English, he also wrote the following books in English:
- Advent of Islam in Indonesia (Monograh)
- Development of Music in Sindh
- Great Books of Islamic Civilization
- Muslim Luminaries, 1988.
- And others many
In Sindhi language, he wrote about 44 books on Sindh folk lore, Sindhi Dictionaries and in all he wrote more than 100 books during his life tenure of 94 years.
He also wrote 10 volumes of crown size books on the Risalo of Shah Latif with necessary details of meaning, interpretation and historical back ground of about 29 parts (surs) of the Risalo.
His year wise life sketch is as under:
1929: He got admission in Nau Shahro Feroze Madersa.
1936: He passed Matric from Bombay University.
1936-37: He was admitted in Bahauddin College Jhunagadah.
1941: He passed B.A in first class from the Bombay University.
1943: He passed M.A in Arabic in first class from Ali Garah University.
1946: He got admission in Colombia University USA and did M.Ed and Ph.D in Education in 1949.
1951: He was appointed as Professor Education in Sindh University and remained there upto 1958.
1961: He wrote about 50 Research Articles.
1973-76: He was posted as Vice-Chancellor Sindh University.
1976-77: He was posted as OSD in Education Ministry Govt. of Pakistan.
1977-89: He worked in Ministry of Culture and Tourism Govt. of Pakistan and as Member Board of Revenue.
1982-90: National Hijra Council Advisor.
He was Life Long Professor Eimrites of Sindh University and also Chairman of Allma I.I. Kazi Chair.
His work, nature and way of handling affairs has been appreciated and admired by all national and international strata of people. He was the man of letters and words. He was honest, hardworking and punctual in all his official as well personal activities. He never wasted his time but utilized it in the best interest of the nation. He was so much knowledgeable that Dr. Hamida Khuhro called him as an Encyclopedia of Sindh. In the eyes of foreigners, he was totally genius and giant man but the local Scholars always said that Sindh will never see such an extraordinary man of such a high calibre and intelligentsia.
Mr. Ziauddin Bulbul called him amongst the first liner scholars.
Mr. Mohd. Umar chandr called him as an ocean of learening.
Mr. Murad Ali Mirza considered him as a high class scholar.
Mr. Niaz Hamayuni admired him as one equal to thousand hundred Scholars.
Syed Imdad Hussaini called him a multidimensional personality.
Mr. Mamtaz Mirza considered him as a real architecture of Shah Latif cultural centre.
Mr. Ghulam Mohammad Lakho opined him as the highest class historian and researcher.
Mr. Taj Joyo found him the founder of Sindhi Dictionary Researcher.
Mr. Mohammad Yousuf Shaikh saw him as a great Educationist.
Dr. Abdul Jabbar Junejo found him as an explorer of all aspects of life.
Mr. Mohammad Kashif wrote that amongst all writers of the world, Dr. Nabi Bakhsh’s place is very unique.
Dr. Abdul Jabbar Abid Lighari proved that the perseverance of Dr. Nabi Bakhsh fetched him many awards from the Government of Pakistan and Social Organizations of Pakistan. He obtained three awards like,
(i) Tamgh-e-Pakistan, (ii) Tamgh-e-Husun Karkadgi, (iii) Tamgh-e-Imtiaz.
Dr. Dur Muhammad Pathan said that the treasures of culture, literature, history and education are hidden in the mind and chest of Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Baloch.
Mr. Hameed Sindhi is of the view that all the esteem commanded by Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Baloch is due to his all hard work and honest dealings.
Muhtaram Shaikh Ismail wrote that Dr. Baloch is clear and lucid in his expression and understanding.
Mr. Abdul Rahman Mahessar said that there is no example of his service, he rendered in the field of culture and literature.
Parwano Bhatti is of the opinion that our survival is in following the foot steps of Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Baloch. Professor Sahar Imdad is of the view that we are greatly proud of Dr. Baloch for his contributions in literacy, culture, history and interpretation of Shah Jo Risalo.
Dr. Abdul Rahman Paleejo considered Dr. Baloch as the collector of all literary and cultural treasures from every corner of Sindh.
Mr. Aziz Jafrani disclosed that Arabs are admirers of Dr. Baloch.
Hafiz Habib Sindhi considered him as Ibn Batuta of Sindh,
Rasul Bux Tamimi called him as an interpreter of Shah.
Dr. Mohammad Saleem Akhtar found him as the man of Rural areas having simple and austere, honest and hardworking nature.
Professor Afaq Siddiqui considered him as lover of literature and learning.
Mr. Khalid Athar admired services of Dr. Baloch in the field of Music Folk lore etc.
Professor Chand Bibi Sultana wrote that the reliable edition of Shah Jo Risalo has been completed by Dr. Baloch.
Professor Nazir Ahmed said “In my dealings with Dr. N. A. Baloch, I was struck by his sagacity.
Mr. Aziz Malak wrote that “Those who know Dr. Baloch, the renaissance man of Sindh, also know how busy he is. He reads, sleeps, drinks, eats and writes books”.
Dr. Habibullah Siddiqui called him as Living legend of Sindh.
Seema Qureshi wrote that Dr. Baloch never retires.
Mr. Mohammad Usman Mangi called Dr. Baloch as an exemplary scholar.
Professor Mohammad Fazil Shaikh stressed that Dr. Baloch must be awarded Ten titles of honour of “Shamsululema”.
Professor Begum Khadeeja Baloch remarked her husband as a “Unique Sagacious man”
Elder Son Dr. Muhammad Sharif Baloch called his father as a very learned and kind father.
This Article writer’s views:
(1) In 1969, when I did M.A. Economics, I was in search for the job of lectureship. My uncle late Ahmed Ali Dhakan gave me his visiting card for Dr. Baloch. I met him in his old Campus office and requested him about the job but he showed inability but at my request, he helped me to do Ph. D in Economics under Dr. N.A.G. Khan who was his neighbor those days.
(2) When I was Managing Director small Business Finance Corporation Islamabad in 1991, I used to pay my visit to Dr. Baloch who was then Advisor to Hijira Council. One day, at my suggestion he agreed with me to guide the future generation of Sindh to be ready to start commercial businesses for necessary livelihood to meet the problem of unemployment. Dr.Baloch wrote a book on the prevalent sources of Businesses and commercial activities in Sindh.
(3) After my retirement from State Bank of Pakistan, I was kept on the panel of Sindh University for the promotion and selection of professors in Economics by the then Vice Chancellor Mr.Mazahar-ul-Haq Siddiqui. In 2004, I went and attended such meeting in the chamber of the V.C. At some leisure time, Dr. Baloch and I discussed some disturbance, unrest and unfair happenings in our youth so I proposed Dr.Baloch to write an Agenda of Reforms for our future generations so that our future posterity should take right direction to live a peaceful and happy life. Dr.Baloch did not agree with my proposal but advised that every man should improve himself.
(4) In 2004 also, in another meeting at the V.C’s office, I requested Dr. Baloch to kindly write foreword for my autobiography which he promised and sent to me within a week’s time. When the book was printed, I again met Dr. Baloch at his old Campus Residence and gave him a copy of my Autobiography published in 2004. Dr.Baloch was very much happy to see my book and prayed for my happy and peaceful life.
PAKISTAN ESTABLISHMENT ATTITUDE WITH DR. BALOCH
A senior Professor of Islamic University Islamabad and Ex- Minister, Religions and Minority Affairs Govt. of Pakistan has shown his grief in his article on Dr. Baloch published in the third volume of Dr. Baloch, an Exemplary Scholar on page 6 and 7 as follows:
“It is pity that the services, the dedications and sincerity of Dr.N.A. Baloch were not appreciated. What happened to him has happened in our history to many sincere and dedicated people. He soon attracted the wrath and displeasure of many who did not want his project, to take off. Jealousies of the peers and other position-hunters added to his difficulties. Problems were created in his way which he continued to face with courage, dedication and selflessness.
He was unceremoniously removed from the office of the Vice Chancellor in August 1982.”
A REAL TRIBUTE TO DR. BALOCH:
Bernard shaw has rightly said that a man can reach to the climax of a mountain but he cannot dwell there long. Man is to die but his role he plays in his life will never die but remain alive. Dr. Baloch is no more in this world physically but his all contributory actions have enlivened him for ever spiritually. God gifted Dr. Baloch with unparalleled and unprecedented strength and stamina to work day and night on all subjects of life like literature, education, Shah Latif, history, culture, folklore and language of Sindhi etc. We are unable to count his contribution and measure his abilities and qualities of his work. He was a giant, zealous, ardent, enthusiastic, fervent, eager, adroit and dexterous with angel like instincts to maintain high sprit of struggles and endeavors for the development and progress of man’s educational and knowledgeable inner and external insights in all aspects and extremes of life. How, he lived and worked only his contribution gives testimony. All his contribution is available in the official and personal libraries of people throughout the world. However, it is not expected to find a scholar and educationist of his stature and level. We may pray to God to bestow Dr. Baloch with the awards and rewards of paradise and heaven in his new destiny. Now that we arrange conferences, Seminars and references for salvation of his soul or paying him our homage for his enormous service he rendered for the humanity but the actual and real, perpetual and everlasting homage to him will be to organize or establish “Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Khan Baloch world scholars Society”. All scholars and literary people of the world particularly Sindh may be taken as its members for which necessary financial and other material resources may also be collected nationally and internationally. In order to encourage the living scholars of Sindh, Dr. Ghulam Ali Alana may be allowed as the Chairman of the newly setup Society or (DNBWSS) and others as its members like Mr. Muhammad Ibrahim Joyo, Dr. Nawaz Ali Shouq, Dr. Dur Muhammad Pathan, Inayal Baloch, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Sadhayo, Aijaz Qureshi, Dr.Aziz Rahman Bughio, Dr. Habibullah Siddiqui Dr.AbdulJabbar Junejo and others. During the lives of all Sindhi scholars, seminars, conferences and workshops on their lives may be arranged so that the living scholars should get encouragement to work and contribute more and more in the field of literature, history, culture, folklore, Shah Latif and other Poets of Sindh.
