Dr Javaid Rahi
Mian Bashir Ahmad Larvi passed away on 14th of August 2021 after living a long, successful and contented life. Mian ji was a prominent Sufi Muslim, eminent author, social reformer and veteran tribal leader of Jammu and Kashmir. His relentless efforts and contribution towards the empowerment and educational upliftment of the Gujjars, Bakarwal and other downtrodden communities of J&K can never be forgotten. His philosophy, teachings and life will continue to inspire the tribal and nomadic people of Jammu and Kashmir. Mian Bashir Larvi who is popularly known as Baba Sahaib in Gujjars believed in a spiritual vision of life and he always stood by his vision. He promoted such values throughout his life among his immediate disciples, general followers and his well wishers spread far and wide. He relentlessly strived for social equality among the masses in general.
Mian Sahib was a multi-dimensional personality who led the tribal community of J&K in particular, in social, spiritual, religious, economic and political realms. He was the head and Gaddi Nasheen of the revered shrine of Baba Abaid Ullah Larvi, popularly known as Babaji Sahib (RA), at village Babanagari Wanghat in Ganderbal district of Kashmir, for around half a century.
Early life and Education
Mian ji was born in 1923, at Pehalnar, Ganderbal to Mian Nizam-ud-Din Larvi (RA) and Bibi Ghulam Fatima. He received his early education locally from Molvi Abdullah Sahib and Molvi Ibrahim Chatergulli. After receiving the elementary lessons in Urdu, Arabic and Persian besides Islamic Sciences, at home, he joined a school for formal education. Side by side, he was formally initiated into the Naqashbandi order of the Sufism, as was the convention in the family. He started receiving the spiritual lessons from his ‘Murshid’ (teacher) Hazrat Mian Abaid Ullah Larvi RA, his grandfather and Hazrat Mian Nizam-ud-Din Larvi RA, his father.
Naqshbandi Sufi Order
Sufism as practiced in Naqshbandi order was the most formidable influence on his life. Named after Hazrat Bahaud-Din ‘Naqshband’ Bukhari, the order is one of the most popular Sufi orders in Islam across the world.
Hazrat Mian Abaid Ullah Larvi (RA)- Baba Ji sahib, the grandfather of Mian Saheb was a trained guide in this order. Hazrat Mian Nizam ud Din (RA) -Haji Baba Sahib was also a devout follower of the same order of Sufism. With the result, Mian ji became an ardent follower of the same Sufi order, practicing and preaching its rituals and teachings among his followers. Such spiritual upbringing and Sufi understanding of Islam developed in Mian Sahib respect for other Sufi orders, sects and other religious traditions.
Owing to the same spiritual linage, Mian Bashir Ahmed regularly visited Sirhand Shrief in Punjab to pay his obeisance at the shrine of Sheikh A?mad Sirhindi (1564- 1624), renowned mystic and theologian and a respected guide in Naqshband order.
A Tribal (Gujjar) Leader
Mian Bashir Ahmad was the most influential tribal leader of Jammu and Kashmir. He will be remembered in history as a freedom fighter, religious and social leader and hero of Gujjar and Bakarwal tribe. He remained associated with top leaders of the country including Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi. In fact, Indira Gandhi is reported to have visited the Shrine of Babaji Sahib at Wanghat during her visit of Kashmir in 70’s.
He was closely associated with prominent leders of J&K, like Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah, Mir Qasam and Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad.
Mian Sahib was elected as a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in 1967, 1972, 1977 from Kangan and 1983 from Darhal in Rajouri District . In between he served as a Minister in Sheikh Abdullah’s Cabinet in 1972 and 1977, as a Deputy Minister in 1971 and 1977 and as a Minister of State from 1977 to 1980. In 1980, he resigned from Abdullah’s cabinet for his resentment over the grant of Scheduled Tribe status to Gujjars and Bakarwals (subsequently granted in 1991) and for not providing due share to his tribe in Cabinet and other spheres of life.
Later life
In 1980, he left active politics and solely devoted himself to his spiritual role, preaching hadith, tafsir and other branches of religious education. Having been an influential orator, he was able to convince people about Islamic teachings, Sufism, etc. He performed Hajj twice. He was also the head of Gujjar Jirga (a tribal system of arbitration whereby the disputes among tribal groups are resolved amicably.
Padama Bhushan Award
In 2008 Mian Bashir Larvi was conferred with the third highest civilian award “Padam Bhushan” by Government of India, for his outstanding contribution and service towards tribal Gujjars, Bakarwals and other downtrodden groups of society. During 1947, 1965 and 1971 India-Pak wars, Mian Sahib had proactively worked for peace in Jammu and Kashmir and had helped in rehabilitating thousands of people in tribal and border areas.
Represented India in United Nations
Mian Bashir Ahmed also had the honour of once representing the nation in United Nations session, where he fervently represented the case of India as the champion of the global peace and prosperity. He also headed many delegations to international forums and stressed the need to create an environment of friendship and cordial relations between the countries. He consistently strived to establish strong bond of communal harmony and mutual co-existence in J&K and other parts of the country.
As an author
Mian Bashir Ahmad has compiled a number of books in Gojri, Urdu, Punjabi, including ‘Israr e Kabari’, ‘Ashar e Nizami’, ‘Babaji Diyan Siharfian’, six Volumes of ‘Neer Sumandar ‘ Gojri series’ , ‘Mata e Faqar -o- Danish’ as told to Khush Dev Maini, ‘Baba Ji Sahib Larvi’ , ‘Maaraf-ul-Tabarqat’, etc. These books mainly deal with topics of spiritualism, mysticism, Sufism, Islamic theology, divine love, besides his poetic compilations representing Gujjar ethos and rich heritage. Some of his books are on socio-ethnic profile of Gujjars- Bakarwals are popular among masses. One of his important contributions is his biographical account of three generations of Babaji Sahib Larvi in book , ‘Mata e Faqar -o- Danish’ published in Urdu.
Mian Sahib was often invited to grace seminars, conferences and other literary and cultural events in and outside state. He always loved to attend such functions because of his commitment to such areas of life. He attended such events not only in India but abroad also.
He also penned his personal anecdotes in his dairies which is a mine of information for scholars interested in working on Mian Saheb and his legacy. He would document day to day happenings of his life, family, society and politics of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mian family has played a key role in enriching Gojri language and literature. The stalwarts of Gojri like Mian Ismail Zabi , Khuda Baksh Zaar, Israel Asar, Isreal Mehjoor, Meharud Din Qammar , Sain Qader Baksh, Iqbal Azeem , Naseem Poonchi, Ishitiaq Ahmed Shouq, Nazir Ahmad Nazir, Zabhi Rajourvi, Barkat Shah had started writing Gojri poetry in 1905 onwards under the influence of Mian Nizam ud Din Larvi RA. The family as per legacy started organising poetic events at the shrine of Babaji Sahib. Mian Bashir Larvi Saheb not only continued this tradition but encouraged many more to write and participate in the literary Mehfils organised in Wanghat Kangan.
Later on Mian Bashir Ahmed Larvi himself compiled “Neer Samundar”, a series of books in the genre of Se harfi/poetry . In this book series, the poetry of prominent poets of Gojri was published. It can easily be argued that Mian Bashir Sahib played a pioneering role in institutionalizing the Gojri language in J&K in Radio in 1969 and J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in 1978.
Struggle for consciousness among Gujjar -Bakarwal tribe
Mian Sahib was the most popular tribal leader of Jammu and Kashmir. His life and contribution epitomised the perfect blend of spirituality and social reform. Throughout his life, he emphasised the spread of education among the tribals of J&K, besides their political empowerment and economic upliftment. He was a visionary whose ideals gave a strong sense of community, dignity and consciousness among Gujjar Bakerwal tribes.
He persistently struggled for grant of Scheduled Tribe Status to Gujjars and Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir. in this connection, he continued to lead delegations to Union Governments to apprise them directly about the issue. It was primarily due to his consistent efforts and his personal commitment to this cause that the Gujjars and Bakarwal were enlisted as Scheduled Tribes in J&K in 1991.
Death and burial
Mian Sahib passed away on 14 August 2021 at 8.40 PM at his native village. He was 98 years old. His body was entombed on the following day in the shrine of Baba Ji Sahib RA located at Babanagari Wanghat Kangan, in Ganderbal District, 45 KM from Srinagar – the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
With the death of Mian Sahib, an era of enlightenment and education has come to an end. Though, the tribal community in J&K has lost a great and visionary leader, his legacy in terms of his contribution and teachings will continue to inspire and guide his immediate followers and the generations to come.
As per the will of the departed soul, his son Mian Altaf Ahmad, a former Minister and renowned Gujjar leader, is the new Gaddi Nisheen of the said Shrine.
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