HYDERABAD: Scholars and other speakers at a conference held here on Tuesday eulogised Shamsul Ulema Mirza Qaleech Baig’s unmatched contribution to Sindhi language and literature as well as towards reforming society.

His contribution and services enlightened generations, brought about a positive change in society and promoted human values, they told the conference organised by the Mirza Qaleech Baig chair at the University of Sindh.

SU Arts Faculty Dean Prof Dr Javed Iqbal presided over the conference.

Prof Javed Iqbal said that Persian had been the official language of Sindh in the Talpur era but the language saw a gradual decline during the British rule.

However, he said, literary figures, mystics, historians and other scholars of the Persian language could still be found in Sindh.

Native Sindhi intellectuals’ works in Persian are also available in abundance, according to the professor, who recited poetry of Sachal Sarmast, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Mir Karam Ali Khan, Mir Murad Ali Khan, Mir Sobdar Khan, Nawab Wali Mohammad Leghari and Mirza Khusro Baig Gurji, besides that of Mirza Qaleech Baig.

Several scholars read their papers on the works and efforts of Mirza Qaleech Baig at the academic session of the conference.

They said the great scholar fully visualised future requirements of a reformed society and focused on promoting Sindhi language and literature to achieve the goal.

They underlined the need for publishing more of his works, reprinting the already published books and making arrangements for the translation of all his works.

Jami Chandio told the audience that Sindh has historically been a centre of literary activities and frequented by scholars from Iran, Iraq, Turkey and other countries. Firdousi had also made mention of Sindh in his Shahnama, he said.

Mirza Qaleech Baig was bestowed upon the title of Shamsul Ulema and Qaiser-i-Hind, because he was one of the greatest writers, poets and historians of the subcontinent, Mr Chandio said, adding that there were 457 books to his credit while he translated certain rare English and Persian books into the Sindhi language.

Twenty-two of the books authored by him were on Persian prose and poetry alone, he said.

Mr Chandio said that because of his broad vision, exceptional intellectual approach and enormous contribution to Sindhi language and literature, Qaleech Baig is known in this province as the Shakespeare of Sindh.

The audience was informed that Qaleech Baig translated Chachnama and enabled future generations to read history of their homeland.

Besides being an intellectual, he was a great social reformer.

Ishaq Samejo, the man in charge of the Shamsul Ulema Mirza Qaleech Baig chair, pledged that more such events on the great scholar’s person and works would be organised to enable the new generation to fully benefit from the literature.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2014