PAKTHINI ABDUL KHADAR SAHIB

 

 PAKTHINI ABDUL KHADER SAHIB -

    A DOYEN FROM MELVISHARAM

Born in 1872 in the Pakthini family of Melvisharam this illustrious philanthropist resembled his illustrious forefathers in making the tradition of the family proud. 

The family had its origin in Trichy. The word "Pakthini" is believed to have originated from the Tamil words "Paakku" (betel nut) and "Thinai" (raised platform, portico or veranda). It is said that betel nuts were traditionally spread out to dry on these raised platforms, and over time, the combination of these words evolved into the name "Pakthini.

This family is said to have traded grains with Tipu Sultan. Pakthini Abdul Khader's father was Pakthini Hadi Batcha (Pacha Sahib) whose father's name was again Pakthini Abdul Khader and his father Meera Hussain is said to have supplied grains to Tipu Sultan as it was his profession. (Oral Tradition)

Likewise his father Pakthini Hadi Batcha was a great philanthropist that he received great appreciation from Mysore Darbar for giving huge sums of money to relieve citizens from the great Mysore famine. 

                        ABDUL KHADAR SAHIB
   

Abdul Khadar Sahib had carried the leather business built up by his father and improved it greatly. He setup four tanneries for EI leather tanning. With his profound knowledge of leather, he reorganised the leather sector in the district and in Melvisharam. Gradually, he became an active member of leather trade. From 1947 to 1952 he served as the President of SISHMA (now AISHTMA). He had lead several deputations to the Government to seek redress for the grievances of merchants.

A pious Muslim, famous for his charities. His assistants maintained a list of orphans, widows and the needy whom Abdul Khadar Sahib gave monthly pensions. He had a great regard for scholars and Ulama. 

In 1941, S. M. Fossil, the earliest biographer of Abdul Khadar Sahib, praises him in the following words:

“Abdul Khadar Sahib is the connecting link between the Hindus and Muslims. He has given liberal donations both to Hindu and Muslim institutions. Any good cause, whether sponsored by Hindus or Muslims, has his generous support. His wholesome influence is responsible for the cordial relations that exist between Hindus and Muslims of Melvisharam.”  

He was very much interested in gardening and owned vast and numerous gardens in and outside Melvisharam. It is said that the fruits and vegetables from the gardens of Pakthini family were delivered to the houses of the poor after Maghrib prayers by the ladies of his family.

As President of Melvisharam Muslim Educational Society (MMES) from 1938 to 1956 worked for the educational upliftment of young men. 

 He was President (1939-1956) of the Quwwatul Islam High School, Bangalore. Similarly, he was the President (1941-1956) of the 162 year old grand Madrasa Baqiath us Salihath, Vellore. He was also the founder of Anjuman E Tablighul Islam (Estd.1941) and Madarsa E Madinatul Ilm (Estd.1945) at Melvisharam.

When his dynamic father died in 1939, he was unanimously elected for the various commercial and social positions  which his father had  held, a felicitation ceremony was organised at Bangalore, in which Mirza Mohammad Ismail sahib, the Dewan of Rajah of Mysore participated and commended him.

Professor Dr. Abul Fazal Sahib says,

"The greatness of this man can be assumed from the fact that he was from Melvisharam but he was the Muthavalli (1939-1956) of the Mosques in Melvisharam (Tamil Nadu), Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) Periamet (Chennai, Tamil Nadu) and Bangalore (Karnataka) all at the same time."

He died in 1956, living behind a rich legacy of charity and service. Elderly people recall that when Abdul Khadar Sahib died, a huge gathering offered his Janaza Prayer at the Eidgah of Melvisharam.  As per the tradition of our town, before the janaza prayer of the expired muthavalli was performed, the Jamath elected his eldest son Pakthini Abdul Shukoor Sahib as the new Muthavalli.

The KHADARPET locality (Mohalla) in Melvisharam is named in his memory. 

Valuable references such as the AISHTMA Centenary Souvenir, Al Baqiyath Magazine, and Islamic South by S. M. Fossil greatly aided me in compiling this article. 

I am deeply grateful to Janab Dr.D.Abul Fazal Sahib, Janab Dr. K. Masood Ahmed Sahib, Janab Kalambur Mohammed Yousuf Sahib and Hazrath Moulana Hafiz Malack Gulzar Ahmed Sahib for generously sharing important insights about Abdul Khadar Sahib. 

May Allah reward Janab (late) Zackria Sahib, fondly known as Zakir Visharami, and my uncle Janab (late) Pakthini Hadi Basha Sahib (eldest grandson of Abdul Khadar Sahib), who both shared facts during their lifetime. 

This article was written in 2023.

S. MOHAMMED SADATHULLAH 

MELVISHARAM