Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri was born on Monday 29 January 1849, (05 Rabi-ul-Awal 1265 Hijri) in village Alampur, Tehsil Dasuya, District Hoshiarpur, India. He was gujjar by caste and sub-caste was Kisana. His grandfather’s name was Ch. Sultan Ali and grandmother’s name was Hajra Bibi. His father’s name was Ch. Murad Bakhsh and he married twice. First marriage was solemnized at village “Ludhiani” and no offspring got from her. The second marriage did with the daughter of Khudadad at village “Dhotan”. His daughter’s name was Rehmat Bibi. The same lady was the mother of Hazrat Moulvi Sahib. Hazrat Moulvi Sahib was the only son of his parents. His mother Mohtarma Rahmat Bibi died when Moulvi Sahib reached at the age of 6(six) months only. His father died when Hazrat Moulvi Sahib was only 12 years old.
No information regarding his formal education has been received so far from anywhere and it has to be accepted that the knowledge which Moulvi Sahib had, was God gifted which can be seen in his poetry. However he received early education from Moulvi Hamid Sahib of his own village and also read some books of Arabic and Persian. After this he got some knowledge from Moulvi Usman of another near by village Ghilzian.
After getting formal education, Hazrat Moulvi Sahib started teaching in a Primary School of Meerpur, where he taught as a teacher for 14 years from 1864 to 1878. In 1878, he was transferred to village Mahesar. It is situated about 2 miles from Alampur, where he taught 4 years and after this he resigned in 1882 and came back to Alampur. He served as a teacher for about 18 years. When he resigned at that time his age was about 33 years.
The habits and behavior of Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri were exceptionally nice and delicate. He had a dignified and impressive personality. He never talked in anger and he was very social. While walking, he watched down side. He walked significantly. He wore very good, neat and clean dresses. He always talked politely. He was fond of humour too. He used to wear white shirt (Kurta) with white dhoti and turban on head. For cleaning teeth, he used to misvak regularly. God bestowed him with the quality of fluency of speech and simple/pure language. People respect him very much. The great personalities never dared to tell a lie before him.
Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri was of medium features. His height was about 6 feet. Features of his face were beautiful. His body was slim but not weak, but it was healthy and of medium nature. His beard was short. Teeth were white, parallel and beautiful. His colour was fair and reddish. Eyes were medium neither big nor small but a little reddish. His hands were fleshy and reddish. His hair was thick but not so long. Forehead was not thin but was average. Neck was neither slim nor fat.
Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri got married thrice. First marriage was solemnized with Karam Bibi, the daughter of his maternal uncle named Ali Bakhsh at village Dhotan, Tehsil Bhunga, estate Kapoorthala in 1869 A.D at the age of 20. That wife died in 1873 A.D. There was no child from her. The second marriage took place at village “Sakrala”, Distt. Hoshiarpur in 1881 A.D. This wife died in 1886 A.D. From this wife he had a daughter named “Ayesha”. Ayesha Bibi was married with Ch. Sultan Ali who was inhabitant of village “Ballaran” near by Alampur. Both husband and wife died before 1947. They had one daughter named Ghulam Fatima and one son named Fazal Ahmed. Fazal Ahmed died in youth, whereas Ghulam Fatima was married with Muhammad Ali. Both husband and wife came to Pakistan and after a few years they died. Their offspring is residing in Distt. Faisalabad and Distt. Toba Tek Singh. Third and last marriage took place in 1309 Hijri i.e in the year 1891 A.D with Mohtarma Zainab Bibi daughter of Ghulab Gujjar at village “Khanian Vadhaya”. She gave birth to a daughter whose name was “Khadija Bibi”. Moulvi Sahib passed away two months before the birth of Khadija Bibi. Before dying, Moulvi Sahib forecast to his wife, Zainab Bibi that she would have a baby. She would name her Khadija Bibi. So it happened accordingly. At the age of 5, the mother of Khadija Bibi died. Khadija Bibi was married with Ch. Abdul Aziz. He belonged to a famous zimindar family of Alampur. Khadija Bibi died before Pakistan came into existence. Ch. Abdul Aziz lived for a long time after the creation of Pakistan. He died in 1975. Mohtarma Khadija Bibi had 2 sons and 3 daughters. The eldest son named Abdul Laif died at the age of 18 years before Pakistan came into existence. Saeeda Begum, Masooda Begum, Abdul Rasheed and Razia Begum are younger than Abdul Latif. Razia Begum got married with Chaudhary Ghulam Qadir after 1947. Ch. Ghulam Qadir was the resident of village Phambra, Tehsil Bhunga, in the estate of Kapoorthala, India. After this he resided in village 142 G.B Girewal, Tehsil Samundri, Distt. Lyallpur, Pakistan. The author, Sahibzada Masud Ahmed is one of the sons of Razia Begum who is maternal daughter of Moulvi Sahib and Sahibzada Masud Ahmed is maternal grandson of Moulvi Sahib.
At the crucial moments of partition of Indo-Pak in 1947, unfortunately the people had to migrate from their ancient motherland once for all. My family also had to migrate in a hurry, leaving all his assets except the box which was full of hand written books of great sufi poet Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri. When they left the village and were passing along the streamlet (Baen) which used to flow by the village carrying the box of books, the Sikhs attacked my family suddenly. They not only snatch the box of books forcibly but also harmed the human lives. Therefore the books which have reached me by any source I am trying my best to make these books available in the market for the people. Therefore the books which are available will only be discussed here. Most of Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri’s work is available in Punjabi. Besides this, he also wrote important books in Urdu, Persian and Arabic as well. Work of Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri has also been included in the course from Matric to M.A level in Pakistan. Dr. Sadiq Janjua and Dr. Hafeez Ahmed had done their PhDs on the personality and work of Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri. The information provided by me about the books printed/published of Moulvi Sahib, the dates and years mentioned are orderly and authentic to the best of my knowledge. Because all the information is already available in the books of Moulvi Sahib. The detail of books available now is as under:
He wrote his first book “Dastan-e-Ameer Hamza” which consists of 3 volumes and the same was completed within 3 months.He wrote its first volume at the age of fifteen in a months time in 1864 A.D, 1281 Hijri. Whereas he completed its second and third volume on Thursday 29th April 1869 A.D, 16 Muharam 1286 Hijri, 8 Besakh 1926 Bikarmi at the age of 20 in two months only. The total verses of “Dastan-e-Ameer Hamza” are approximately 20,000.
Second book “Rooh-ul-Tarteel” was completed in 1868 A.D, 1285 Hijri at the age of 19. The total verses of "Rooh-ul-Tarteel" are 256.
Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri completed his third book “Ahsan-ul-Qasas” in a months time in 1290 Hijri, 1873 A.D at the age of 24. He got “Ahsan-ul-Qasas” published during his life time. “Ahsan-ul-Qasas” consists of 6,666 verses.
Fourth book “Masla-e-Tauheed” which is in Urdu was completed in 1878 A.D, in 17 Zikad, 1295 Hijri at the age of 29. This book is in prose.
“Seeh Harfi Huliya Shrif (Muhammad PBUH)” was written on Tuesday, 27 Rabi-ul-Awal 1297 Hijri, 9th March 1880 A.D, 28 Phagan 1936 Bikarmi at the age of 31. The book was written at the desire of Meeran Wa Jani Mothi.
He wrote letters (Chithian) in poetry to his three friends namely Syed Roshan Ali, Heeray Shah and Sahibzada Ghulam Yaseen. The letter written to Syed Roshan Ali was written on 8th Muharam 1300 Hijri, 26 Katak 1939 Bikarmi, Monday 10 November 1882 A.D at the age of 33.
He wrote a “Seeh Harfi Sassi Punnu” which is beautiful example of his poetry.
He wrote a “Chopat Nama” which is beautiful example of his poetry.
“Pandh Nama” this relates to a story where a woman asked about way to her destination. Which is beautiful example of his poetry.
The 10th and last book is “Maarb-ul-Khashien” which is in Urdu. He wrote this book in 1887 A.D, 1305 Hijri at the age of 39. This book is in prose.
* His two other books, “Qissa Ropan” and “Gujjar Nama” could not be found till yet.
Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri died on Monday 7 March 1892 A.D and according to Islamic calendar 7 Shaban 1309 Hijri at the age of 43 years. He was buried in graveyard of village Alampur and his holy shrine is also there. May God rest his soul in peace. He remained sick for three days. As he knew that his last moments have come, so this was informed to all the people and friends who want to meet him could meet. After three days he left the world for good in the morning. His Nimaz-e-Jinaza was offered by one of his close friends a Saint “Moulvi Abdullah Sahib” from village Talwandi. He had a promise with him that one who left alive will lead the Nimaz-e-Jinaza of the other. When Moulvi Sahib died, Moulvi Abdullah Sahib was at village “Pindori” which is situated at a distance of few miles from Alampur. He knew about the death of Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri through divine inspiration. He arrived there walking a long distance. When the dead body of Moulvi Sahib was being bathed, tears welled up in his eyes. Moulvi Abdullah Sahib wiped out the tears of the saint with his handkerchief and used it on his face. His body could be easily moved. After bath and funeral ceremony his dead body was put in the grave, Moulvi Abdullah Sahib announces loudly “I am going to disclose a secret that Moulvi Sahib was my best friend and he was at the peak of prophecy”. Here, I deem it necessary to clarify some points so that correct and authentic information could reach to the coming generation as well as for the researchers.
Also in accordance with Khalipha Fazal Din Patwari date of death of Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri falls on Monday 7 March 1892, and 7 Shaban 1309 Hijri, 24 Phagan. Whereas grave of Moulvi Sahib was cemented on March 1920 and on it date of death has been written as 7 March 1892.
Respectable father of Sahibzada Masud Ahmed, Ch. Ghulam Qadir (late) had too much dedication and devotion with Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri. For the construction of Mazare-e-Aqdas of Moulvi Sahib he contacted in India with Sardar Nirmal Singh in 1990. He, re-renovated the grave of Moulvi Sahib in 1991 with the help of his friends.
The author arrived at the shrine of Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri on 20th April 2007 after 1947, at that time he saw personally, Moulvi Sahib’s date of birth (29 January 1849) and date of death (7 March 1892) were mentioned on the epitaph of his grave. The author participated in different seminars as a Chief Guest which held in the memory of Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri. A lot of Indian people attended these functions and showed love with the famous Sufi poet. Print and electronic media gave a wide coverage to these functions. On the occasion of a dinner hosted by Deputy Commissioner Hoshiarpur in the honour of the author, Sahibzada Masud Ahmed. At that time I presented a Memoir to the Deputy Commissioner in which it was demanded to rebuild the Mazar-e-Aqdas of Moulvi Sahib, construction of residential rooms for the visitors and scholars, a research centre and a library. It was also demanded that the well of Moulvi Sahib’s time should be renovated whereas a road should be constructed to link Dasuya-Miani road with the Mazar-e-Aqdas. In the presence of honourable persons of the locality Deputy Commissioner promised with the author that he will act upon it very soon. In this connection author, Saihbzada Masud Ahmed gave rupees 10,000 Indian to the President, Sardar Jarnail Singh Ghumman of Sahit Sabha Dasuya Garhdiwala for the construction of the Memorable Well of the Moulvi Sahib. After a few days, the departure of the writer, the inhabitants of the area and with the special co-operation of Sardar Jagdish Singh Sohi, a road was got built which leads to the shrine of Moulvi Sahib in May 2007.
During 1994-1995, a “Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri Memorial Hall” was established in Govt. High School of Alampur. This Memorable Hall used to Moulvi Sahib’s Masjid. On 20th April 2007, the author Sahibzada Masud Ahmed arrived at the shrine of Moulvi Sahib, at that time I fixed the date of Urs Mubarak 7 March according to 24 Phagan which is the date of death of Moulvi Sahib.
Moulvi Sahib was a great experienced physician too. He built a Masjid near his house. About 40 students from far and wide areas were being taught by Moulvi Sahib in his Maktab. They also acquired free education in Medical (Tib), Urdu and Persian from Moulvi Sahib. Whereas he belonged to an Agriculturist/Ziminidar family. The Founding President of Punjab University Lahore Mr. G.W. Leitner has written in his book “History Of Indigenous Education In The Punjab” part II page 49 about Moulvi Sahib “At Alampur, under the Direction of the excellent Moulvi Ghulam Rasool, is a large Maktab with 40 pupils, where Persian and Urdu are very well taught by him gratuitously”.
Moulvi Sahib wrote letters (Chithian) to Syed Roshan Ali in verses. Due to misunderstanding of one verse of the letters people took wrong meaning of the verse. They used to understand that Syed Roshan Ali was a Patwari. Moulvi Sahib used the word Patwari as a proverb. According to my family knowledge I know this fact as well as Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri also mentions it in detail in his hand written Urdu prose while Syed Zameer Hussain Shah grandson of Syed Roshan Ali is residing in Fort Abbas, his age is 85 years in 2006, he also certifies my statement that Syed Roshan Ali was not a Patwari. Syed Roshan Ali was married once. It was arranged in a Pathan gentle family through Moulvi Sahib. I want to explain it necessary that Syed Roshan Ali was a pupil of Moulvi Sahib. Syed Roshan Ali was the grandfather of Syed Rasheed Muhammad Shah and Syed Zameer Hussain Shah. They certified that Syed Roshan Ali after marriage went to village “Gobind Garh urf Dabri Khana” which fell in the estate of “Nabha”. He settled there and started practicing as a physician and also performed the duties of an Imam Masjid.
Rasheed Muhammad Shah says “Moulvi Ameer-ud-Din Jalal Abadi, was the pupil of his father Syed Inayat Shah. Moulvi Ameer-ud-Din Jalal Abadi after completing his early education from Syed Inayat Shah, he went to Ludhiana for continuing his education and he got further education there. He received different knowledge from there. But he used to come in the house of Syed Inayat Shah. He was a great preacher. Therefore letters (Chithian) written by Moulvi Sahib were available with Syed Inayat Shah but Moulvi Ameer-ud-Din Jalal Abadi took away these letters from him. During his speeches he recited those letters before the audience and they were charmed/fascinated.
Being a family member the author is awared of this fact that the father of Moulvi Sahib was not Imam Masjid of any Mosque but some writers, without any research wrote him as Imam Masjid, which is incorrect. He was a sacred person and his ancestral profession was an Agriculturist.
Various persons has shown different views without any investigation and with their own guess has given remarks in curriculum books and other research books, about the spiritual pedigree of Moulvi Sahib. Some persons has written that Moulvi Sahib was the follower of chain of Chishtia and another person indicated that Moulvi Sahib was of the view of Naqshbandia, but they have no authenticated and clear proof about it. At that time I had not any clear proof or reference that’s why I used to say that Hazrat Moulvi Sahib has not become the disciple of any saint apparently. This is a matter of secret since the death of Hazrat Moulvi Sahib for about 117 years, but in March 2009 I got a hand written spiritual pedigree of Hazrat Moulvi Sahib in poetry. The spiritual pedigree has been written in 3 languages i.e Urdu, Persian and Punjabi. Hazrat Moulvi Sahib wrote this spiritual pedigree about at the age of 12 years, at the request of his friend. He also mentioned about it through his verses and it is proved that Hazrat Moulvi Sahib was not a disciple of any saint apparently. Now I have a certificate in the form of spiritual pedigree by the grace of Allah. Publishing this spiritual pedigree I will make it available in the market for the people. It is also a fact that Moulvi Sahib was a Saint by birth.
I always talked with honesty and accepted the truth heartily. I understand that it is good to take responsibility and research and to get full information with care before to write on any historical personality, in which there should be no touch of personal interest. So that correct, certified and useful information may reach to the coming generation and this task should be achieved with intensity of responsibility, sincerity and honesty.
Ahsan-ul-Qasas, Dastan Ameer Hamza and Letters (Chithian) written by Moulvi Sahib have already been translated into Gurmukhi language in India. These are available with author, Sahibzada Masud Ahmed. PhD thesis written by Dr. Uttam Singh Bhatia, published by Language Department Punjab Patiala is also available with me. Urs and different other functions are being celebrated in the memory of Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri each year in Pakistan. The author, Sahibzada Masud Ahmed laid foundation of “Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri Trust” in 30 November 1990. My two books have been published about the life and literary work of Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri. First book with the title of “Doonghy Raaz” (A study regarding Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri) was published by Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri Trust (Regd.) in 1999. The topics/essays regarding Moulvi Sahib written by great personalities of India and Pakistan are available in this book. This book has gained popularity in the literary circles of India and Pakistan. My second book with the title of “Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri: Personality and Work” has recently been published by the Pakistan Academy of Letters in 2011. After that same book was published by Chetan Singh the director of institution of Punjab Govt. of India “Language & Literature Department” after get it translated into Gurmukhi script from Professor Dr. Rehman Akhtar of Punjabi University Patiala on March 2014 in India. The book releasing ceremony was held at Presidency Hotel in Hoshiarpur, India. In which writer, Sahibzada Masud Ahmed participated as a special guest. On May 2013, 7 rare books of Hazrat Moulvi Sahib were compiled in 3 books by me and the same was published by “Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri Trust” (Regd.). All the seven books have been publishing at the end of Ahsan-ul-Qasas. Later on in May 1962 the late Muhammad Alam Kapoorthalvi collected all these writings and published them in a shape of books and it was named “Sat Phul” but I decided that these books may be published with their real names. Therefore the letters which Hazrat Moulvi Sahib wrote in poetry to their friends which became popular with the name of “Chithian” and they were published with the same name. Three writings of Moulvi Sahib with the name of Seeh Harfi Sassi Punnu, Chopat Nama and Pandh Nama were collected and published with the name of “Dard Kusalay” by writer, Sahibzada Masud Ahmed. Similarly “Huliya Sharif (P.B.U.H) also became popular with this name among the people and it was published accordingly. I arranged these books in a new order after fulfilling the deficiencies of the verses as well as rectification of compilation and meanings of difficult words included in it. On August 2015 one of the remarkable writing of Hazrat Moulvi Sahib “Maarb-ul-Khashien” was published first time and has made it available for the people. After that with the grace of God I compiled a booklet consisting of selected verses from “Ahsan-ul-Qasas” and “Chithian” and got published in August 2015. Similarly the remaining available books have been got composed and the same are under the process of publication.
Since 7 March 2008 our Organization has started to give the Awards, appreciation certificates and shields to the important literary personalities from all over the world in recognition of their literary services in the name of Hazrat Moulvi Sahib from his village Alampur, Tehsil Dasuya, distt. Hoshiarpur, India. Up till now our organization has been organized literary seminars in different cities of India and Pakistan, awards, shields and appreciation certificates have been awarded to the important personalities.
Maternal Grandson of Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri
(Founder & President)
Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri Trust (Regd.), Faisalabad, Pakistan.
(Founder & Chairman)
Hazrat Moulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri Trust (Regd.), Hoshiarpur, India.
Postal Address: Post Box No. 1022 People's Colony Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Cell No: +92-313-8666611, +92-300-4473366
Website: www.alampuri-research.org
E-mail: president_alampuri@yahoo.com, president_alampuri@hotmail.com
