New Delhi: The slogan ‘Inquilab Zindabad’, which means ‘Long Live Revolutions’ is possibly one of the most famous slogans in the history of the Indian freedom struggle. It was the source of inspiration for innumerable freedom fighters and Independence activists as it reminded everyone about the importance of the revolutions in bringing down and ousting the British colonial government from India. The slogan was coined by Syed Fazl-ul-Hasan, known by his pen name Hasrat Mohani. In this article, we will learn some interesting facts about him.
9 Interesting facts about Hasrat Mohani
1. A famous poet
Besides being a freedom fighter and an activist, Hasrat Mohani was also a noted Urdu poet. He authored the famous ghazal ‘Chupke chupke raat din’, picturised in the Bollywood movie ‘Nikaah’ (1982) and sung by Ustad Ghulam Ali, the famous Pakistani Ghazal singer.
2. Demand for complete Independence
In the history of India, Hasrat Mohani was the first person to demand complete independence from British rule along with Swami Kumaranand. In this regard, he was supported by Maghfoor Ahmad Ajazi. Earlier, the fight mostly revolved around certain administrative and policy-related demands from the British.
3. Love for Lord Krishna
This may come as a surprise but Hasrat Mohani was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna. So much so that the famous Urdu poet also wrote verses expressing deep love for Lord Krishna. Infact, he even used to go to Mathura often to celebrate Janmashtami, the annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna.
4. Expelled from college
Hasrat Mohani had a stellar record in school and he would go on to complete his BA in 1903 at Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College which would later go on to become the Aligarh Muslim University. However, before completing his degree, he was expelled from the college three times for criticising the British government. Later, Aligarh Muslim University would name a hostel after him.
5. Member of Congress and Muslim League
Mohani was a member of both the Congress and the All India Muslim League, and he was the president of the latter party in 1919. In 1921, he presided over an annual session of the All India Muslim League.
6. Opposition to Partition
Mohani was vehemently against the Partition of India and he resigned as a member of the All India Muslim League after the Partition Plan was declared on June 3, 1947. After the Partition, he chose to live in India and became a member of the Constituent Assembly of India which drafted the Constitution.
7. A simple life
Mohani refused allowances from the government and did not live at official residences. He instead resided in mosques and used a shared tonga to go to the Parliament. A man who lived a simple life, he used to travel in third-class railroad cars.
8. Founder of the Communist Party of India
Mohani was among the founders of the Communist Party of India and was influenced by the Russian Revolution. He even converted his Kanpur house as the base to make all the preparations for the Kanpur Communist Conference in 1925, which was the Communist conference on an all-India scale.
9. Famous books
Some famous books of Hasrat Mohani include ‘Kulliyat-e-Hasrat Mohani’, ‘Sharh-e-Kalam-e-Ghalib’, ‘Nukaat-e-Sukhan’ and ‘Mushahidaat-e-Zindaan’.
Mohani was vehemently against the Partition of India and he resigned as a member of the All India Muslim League after the Partition Plan was declared on June 3, 1947. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
