January 2, 2005

THIS is a biography with a difference because it is as much an autobiography as a life story written by two well-known writers who were close to the subject, Mohammad Masud (1916-1985). The three of them take turns to complete the book which is marked by the feature that while it generally follows chronology it deals with various facets of Masud’s colourful life under different headings. I found this a diverting change from the usual narration of biographical details from birth to death.

Masud was a member of the Indian Civil Service which, on independence, became the Civil Service of Pakistan. He joined the former in 1944 with the initial years after appointment spent as officer-in-charge of the Bheel aboriginal tribe in Khandesh area of Bombay province. A sobriquet always got attached to his name, beginning with Masud Bhagwan of the Bheels, followed by Masud Hari of the haris of Sindh and then, for a long time, Masud Khaddarposh serving in various capacities in Punjab. The outstanding feature of his rather aggressive but endearing personality was the fact that he always wore homespun shalwar-kameez, the only CSP officer to do so, even when the occasion was a formal ceremony presided over by the governor-general of Pakistan.

By the way, the aggression was only a manner, probably arising out of the fact that he had always been fond of wrestling and boxing, for otherwise he evoked instant admiration and affection not only by his interest in the ways and problems of his people but also by his scholarship and erudition. As part of the education and training of an ICS officer he had been sent to St John’s College, Oxford, where, in addition to imbibing the literature and culture of the British, he also won a Blue in boxing. If I were to describe him in one sentence (having known and worked with him in the Punjab government) I would say he was a fearless fellow, as also fearsome for the humbugs and the hollow.

Before I proceed further, let me say that this book reads like fiction, it is so gripping in its description of Masud’s various characteristics and at least two of his service phases. There was his life among the Bheels who called him Bhagwan (god) because they believed he had been sent by fate to rid them of the oppression of the bania, the Hindu moneylender, and other exploiters. This was followed by his famous Note of Dissent to the official Hari Report after partition, a note that the government of Sindh never had the gumption to make public and which earned him the name Masud Hari. He had much to do with the awakening of the haris in the province.

In between, Masud earned the wrath of the Indian National Congress which accused him of supporting the Muslim League in the elections in 1946, as if the British government would have tolerated such interference by an officer of the ICS. Thus, wherever he served, he stood out from the rest of the bureaucratic fraternity, not only because of his khaddar shalwar-kameez but also by his strong pro-underdog attitude. There are in the book some beautiful stories arising out of this attitude when he was deputy commissioner of Muzaffargarh.

Masud was born in his ancestral house inside Bhati Gate, considered the heart of the walled city of Lahore. It was from here that he had his schooling and his four years in Government College, and earned the law degree in which he broke all previous records, and it was from here that he went off to join government service for the first time. His playmates were youthful wrestlers, with the presence of the legendary Gama Pehlwan to inspire and guide them.

This down-to-earth early life stood him in good stead till the end of his days and he never became an officer in the traditional sense of the word. He had a passion for the Punjabi language, and the Masud Khaddarposh Trust set up by his two loving daughters Shireen and Fauzia, is keeping alive this passion (among his numerous other interests) through its publications.

Masud Khaddarposh

By Abdullah Malik and

Ahmed Salim

Sang-e-Meel Publications, 25 Shahrah-i-Pakistan, Lahore. Tel: 042-7220100

Email: smp@sang-e-meel.com

Also available with Masud Khaddarposh Trust, Bhati Gate, Lahore

ISBN 969-35-1600-1

376pp. Rs450

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)