'KITAB GHAR' AHMED BASHA SAHIB
Janab Adam Ahmed
Basha Sahib (Kitab Ghar Ahmed Basha Sahib)
Introduction
The growth and popularity of Urdu in Melvisharam paved the way for the establishment of a dedicated publishing house. In 1952, Janab Adam Ahmed Basha Sahib founded Urdu Kitab Ghar (Urdu Book House) at Jameelabad, Melvisharam.
Early
Life
Born in 1917, he received his early education at Islamiah High School, Melvisharam, and completed his S.S.L.C. in 1937. He later pursued higher studies at Mohammadan College, Madras, where he obtained an M.A. degree. Ahmed Basha Sahib served as a teacher at Islamiah High School for few years. He was a poet and got the pen name ‘Ahmed’.
Two Friends – One Mission
Ahmed Basha Sahib was a close friend and trusted
associate (dast-e-raaz) of Janab S. M. Abdul Jameel Sahib. The
friendship between the two was remarkably close. As a reflection of this bond,
when his first son was born, Ahmed Basha Sahib named him Jameel Ahmed,
the first half of the name being derived from his friend's name and the second
half from his own.
S. M. Abdul Jameel Sahib was the founder President of Anjuman-e-Taraqqi-e-Urdu,
while Ahmed Basha Sahib served as its founder General Secretary. Together, they
worked tirelessly for the promotion of Urdu in this region.
It is worth mentioning that the Urdu names of the streets displayed in many streets of Melvisharam are a result of the efforts of
Anjuman-e-Taraqqi-e-Urdu. The organization also successfully petitioned the
Postal Department to issue Money Order forms in Urdu, making postal services
more accessible to Urdu-speaking residents.
Association
with Allama Mahwi Siddiqi
Ahmed Basha Sahib also enjoyed a close companionship
with Hazrath Allama Mahwi Siddiqi, one of the leading Urdu scholars and
literary figures of the region. He worked alongside Allama Mahwi Siddiqi as a
member of the editorial team of his two renowned monthly magazines, Me'yar-e-Adab
and Al-Irshad. Through his association with these literary ventures,
he gained valuable experience in writing, editing, and publishing.
It was on the advice and encouragement of Allama Mahwi
Siddiqi that Ahmed Basha Sahib established Urdu Kitab Ghar, which would later
become an important centre for Urdu educational publishing in South India.
Urdu
Kitab Ghar
Encouraged
by the success of his textbooks and supported by his close friend Janab S. M.
Abdul Jameel Sahib, Ahmed Basha Sahib established Urdu Kitab Ghar
in 1952.
The publishing house produced Urdu textbooks ranging
from the elementary level to the S.S.L.C. standard. It also published books and
other educational materials. All these publications received approval from the
Department of Education, Madras.
The reputation of Urdu Kitab Ghar soon extended beyond
Tamil Nadu. Its textbooks were approved for schools in Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, and Kerala. When the Government of Madras introduced a revised
syllabus in 1961, the publishing house promptly prepared and published Urdu
textbooks in accordance with the new curriculum.
On 20 January 1977, Janab Shabazz Hussain, Editor of
the Urdu daily Aaj Kal (New Delhi), visited Urdu Kitab Ghar. Impressed
by its achievements, he remarked:
"I am surprised
to know that in this part of Tamil Nadu there is an Urdu Book House supplying
school textbooks in Urdu to three neighbouring states."
After
reviewing the publications, he expressed his appreciation for their quality and
contribution to Urdu education.
Ahmed Basha Sahib was assisted by a dedicated team of
teachers from Islamiah High School in translating, editing, and preparing the
textbooks. Under his leadership, Urdu Kitab Ghar flourished until his demise in
1980. During its twenty-eight years of service, the Kitab Ghar published nearly
forty books on various subjects, many of which were printed in large numbers
and widely circulated.
The influence of these
publications extended even further, with some of the books finding a place in
the curricula of schools in Delhi and at Jamia Al-Azhar, Egypt.
Other
Services and Legacy
Apart
from his publishing activities, Ahmed Basha Sahib served as the first
Correspondent of Islamiah Girls Higher Secondary School, Melvisharam, from 1973
to 1978. He also served in administrative positions at Melvisharam Millath
Hospital, managed by Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Millath.
He
devoted his entire life to the promotion and development of the Urdu language,
leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the fields of education, publishing, and
community service.
Though Urdu Kitab Ghar ceased its operations decades ago, its contribution to Urdu education continues to live on through the thousands of students who learnt the language through its publications. The name of Janab Adam Ahmed Basha Sahib deserves a permanent place in the literary history of Melvisharam and South India.
A Humble Appeal
It
is a matter of concern that the present generation's interest in learning Urdu
has gradually diminished. Whether it is school textbooks, literary works, or
even Islamic literature, many young people today find it difficult to read and
understand Urdu.
Melvisharam was once widely known for its contribution
to Urdu education and publishing. The town that produced Urdu textbooks for
several states is slowly losing its zeal for the language.
My
earnest appeal to the younger generation is simple: at the very least, learn to
read and write Urdu. By doing so, you will not only connect with a beautiful
language but also with the literary, cultural, and religious heritage of your
forefathers.
Note
to Readers:
If
any reader possesses books, catalogues, advertisements, or other materials
published by Urdu Kitab Ghar, I would be grateful if they
could share the details with me. Such information would greatly help in
documenting and preserving an important chapter in the literary and educational
history of Melvisharam. (Whats App : 9344376199)
Source: 'Visharam Mein Urdu' by Hazrat Hafiz Abdur Razzaq Baqwi Sahib Rah.
S. Mohammed Sadathullah
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