HYDERABAD, Oct 5 Many scholars and intellectuals who read papers at an international moot on Shamsul Ulema Mirza Qaleech Baig's contribution to language and society on Sunday paid homage to the great scholar and said that literature was essential to bring change in society and promote human values.

The moot was organised by the Mirza Qaleech Baig Chair of the University of Sindh.

Reading papers in three academic sessions of the conference, the scholars said that Qaleech visualised needs of the future and focussed on promoting Sindhi language and literature.

They underlined the need for reprinting Qaleech's books and publication and translation of his unpublished manuscripts.

Dr Mohammad Hussain Tasbihi, a scholar from Iran, said in his paper that Sindh had always been a centre of attraction for people from across the world, especially Iranians. Firdousi had also mentioned Sindh in his Shahnama, he said.

He said that Persian was official language of Sindh in the days of Talpur rulers and saw its status gradually declining during the British rule in Sindh. But poets, mystics, historians and scholars of Persian language could still be found in Sindh, he said.

Native Sindhi poets and writers also used to write in Persian language, he said, reciting Persian poetry of Sachal Sarmast, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Mir Karam Ali Khan, Mir Murad Ali Khan, Mir Sobdar Khan, Nawab Wali Mohammad Leghari, Mirza Khusro Baig Gurji and Mirza Qaleech Baig.

He said that Shamsul Ulema Mirza Qaleech Baig who was bestowed title of Qaiser-e-Hind, was one of the greatest writers, poets, historians and a true lover of literature.

He is author of 457 books and translated rare books of other languages that is Persian and English into Sindhi. He is also known as the Shakespeare of Sindh. Of 457 books, 22 are on Persian prose and poetry.

Dr Mohammad Mehdi Tavassol, another scholar from Iran, said that for many years “comparative literature” had been centre of attention among scholars and literary critics of the world and the first scholar who introduced comparative literature in Sindh and started method of criticism of previous works, was Shamsul Ulema Mirza Qaleech Baig.

He introduced this method in 1906 and for more than two decades wrote or edited more than 457 books, he said and added that he also wrote many poems and adopted style of Saadi of Shiraz.

Eminent scholar Dr G.A. Allana said that Qaleech produced quality literature and contributed immensely to the promotion of Sindhi literature.

Prof Abdullah Mallah said that Mirza Qaleech is one of the pioneering figures of Sindhi language and literature, who served the language and literature as one serves one's family.

Qaleech not only sowed seeds of new ideas and concepts in Sindhi language and literature but also endeavoured to transplant in it thought-provoking ideas from different languages to enhance its beauty.

Dr Fatima Hassan, professor of Persian at Delhi University, said Mirza Qaleech translated Chachnama and enabled future generations to read history of their land.

Mirza Qaleech was a serious scholar as well as a great social reformer. “It is essential that we encourage our youth to be part of national and international seminars and conferences and provide them opportunity to express their views and share ideas,” she said.

Ms Mehar Afroze Habib Mirza said that even in his childhood Mirza Qaleech preferred to read books instead of playing games. Mirza Qaleech was her great grandfather and memories of this great scholar and unique personality were still alive in the family at his ancestral home in Tando Thoro, she said.

She said that Qaleech's library overflowed with books, his writing table, medal and robe were all reminders of his great genius and scholarly work and service to Sindhi literature and to people of Sindh.

She said that Mirza Qaleech Baig was awarded Qaiser-e-Hind medal for his meritorious work in 1906. In 1924, the British government conferred on him the title of Shamsul Ulema, she said.

Dr Syed Minhajul Hassan, chairman of the Department of History of the University of Peshawar said that history of Sindh written by Mirza Qaleech Baig is based on old history books viz. Chachnama, Tareekh Maasumi, Tuhfatulkiram.

Noted scholar Dr Shahid Iqbal Kamran, professor at the Department of Iqbal Studies at Allama Iqbal Open University, said that Mirza Qaleech Baig was lover of Sindh and Sindhi language and did justice with his both lives.

The others who spoke on the life of great scholar included Syed Mazhar Jamil, Ms Zunaira Yousuf, Dr Faizeh Zehra Mirza, Dr Adal Soomro, Prof Saeeda Shafique Memon, Ghulam Nabi Mughal, Dr Ghulam Mohammad Lakho, Ms Dure Shehwar Mirza and Prof Lal Jiskani.