Remembering A Forgotten Freedom Fighter From Melvisharam- Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib

Remembering A Forgotten Freedom Fighter from Melvisharam

Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib

                 (1863-1938)

78 years had passed since India gained independence. Every year on 15th August, we celebrate Independence Day by remembering the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters. In our town, Melvisharam, nearly every organization marks the day with grand celebrations. However, many of us are unaware that Melvisharam, too, had its own unsung heroes who played a significant role in India’s freedom struggle. One such notable figure was Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib, whose contributions to the movement and to society are both inspiring and invaluable.

Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib was a staunch supporter of the Indian National Congress and extended full support to senior Congress leaders. One notable example of his encouragement was towards Yacoob Hasan Sait, who was initially his staff member. Despite their professional relationship, Abdul Hakeem Sahib encouraged Yacoob Hasan to actively participate in the freedom struggle. Yacoob Hasan was imprisoned multiple times for anti-British activities. During his imprisonment, Abdul Hakeem Sahib continued to pay his salary and ensured it reached his family.

The Khilafat Movement began in 1919, and on 17th October 1919, first Khilafat Day was observed at Madras. Abdul Hakeem Sahib became a strong advocate of the cause. He was elected as the Vice President of the Madras Presidency Khilafat Committee. On 19th March 1920, second  Khilafat day was observed and Abdul Hakeem Sahib addressed a massive public gathering at Marina Beach, Madras, alongside Moulvi Ziauddin Mohammed Sahib (son of  Hazrath Moulana Abdul Wahab Sahib, founder Jamia Baqiyathus Salihath and also President VMES from 1902-1935) and Abdul Majeed Sharar, emphasising strong support for the Khilafat Movement.  

Sub Khilafat  committees were formed at the District level and for erstwhile North Arcot District, Janab C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib from Melvisharam Abdur Rahim Sahib of  Vaniyambadi, V.M. Obaidullah Sahib of Vellore (the Vellore old bus stand is named after him) Hazrath Moulana Ziauddin Muhammad Sahib of Baqiathus Salihath and few others were assigned responsibilities to carry out the Khilafat activities in their  region.

Due to their active participation in the movement, several leaders including Yacoob Hasan Sait, V. M. Obaidullah, Abdul Latheef, Mirza Abdur Rahman Giyan, Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib, and Rajaji were arrested by the British government. Abdul Hakeem Sahib also generously donated to the Khilafat Committee to support its cause.

In September 1920, when the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind issued a fatwa urging Muslims to join the Non-Cooperation Movement, Abdul Hakeem Sahib responded wholeheartedly. His contributions to the movement remain unforgettable.

In 1923, he served as the head of the Reception Committee for the Kakinada Congress Session, presided over by Maulana Mohammed Ali, with Jawaharlal Nehru as secretary. Abdul Hakeem Sahib made extensive arrangements for the delegates' food and accommodation, even bringing cooks and servants with him to serve traditional dishes like biryani. He personally bore all the expenses, and his hospitality was deeply appreciated by the Congress leaders.

On April 7, 1933, during a visit to Vellore, Mahatma Gandhi met Abdul Hakeem Sahib regarding the Bihar Relief Fund and support for the upliftment of the Harijans. At the time, Abdul Hakeem Sahib was the President of the North Arcot District Board. When Gandhji expressed disappointment over the local councillors’ lack of contributions, Abdul Hakeem Sahib responded, “I will give Rs. 200 on their behalf.” Gandhli insisted on a broader contribution, saying, “I will collect from you when I visit Madras, but I want your councillors to contribute too.” Eventually, Rs. 201 was collected on the spot and handed over to Gandhji.

According to historian Dr. Rahi Fidai, during another visit to Madras in 1933, Gandhiji, accompanied by Rajaji and K. Kamaraj, visited Abdul Hakeem Sahib's office. Their visit was arranged by Modi Abdul Gafoor Sahib, founder of the Modi Masjid in Bangalore and a former business partner of Abdul Hakeem Sahib. On learning the purpose of their visit i.e. fundraising for the freedom struggle, Abdul Hakeem Sahib immediately wrote and handed over a cheque for   Rs. 100,000 to Rajaji. The leaders were astonished at his generosity. (In 1933, the price of gold was Rs. 21 per sovereign. We can estimate the value of Rs. 1 lakh in today's terms by comparing gold prices.)

In a Congress meeting held in Arcot, Rajaji publicly praised Abdul Hakeem Sahib for his unwavering support and substantial contributions to the independence movement.

On another occasion, a delegation from the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, which included prominent scholars such as Hazrat Maulana Mufti Kifayatullah Sahib (Rah), Hazrat Allama Shabbir Ahmad Usmani (Rah) and Hazrat Maulana Ahmad Sayeed Sahib (Rah) visited Abdul Hakeem Sahib seeking funds for the independence cause. They were deeply impressed by his simplicity. He donated Rs. 10,000 to the delegation and also organized a public meeting in their honour, during which he helped to raise another Rs. 30,000, which was handed over to the delegation.

Apart from Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib, Tiyagi Shareef Sahib was another respected freedom fighter from Melvisharam. I had the privilege of seeing him in person, an elderly man with a saintly appearance. There is also evidence that some families from Melvisharam made financial contributions to support the Indian independence movement.

This article was compiled with the help of several valuable sources, including Mukhaiyar-e-Azam by Hafiz Abdur Razzaq Baqwi Sahib, Tamil Nadu Mein Musalman by Mukhtar Badri Sahib,  an interview with Dr. Rahi Fidai Sahib and an article titled 'Role of Muslims of Tamilnadu in the freedom struggle' compiled by my teacher Dr. S. Mohammed Yusuf Sahib, former Principal CAH COLLEGE Melvisharam. 

Feel free to comment for any sort of correction and additional information regarding this article . 

                   MD SADATHULLAH S 

                   Melvisharam 

                  14.08.2025