Sheikh Abdullah | |
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 Sheikh Abdullah and his wife Waheed Jahan (right)[1] | |
| Born | Thakur Das (1874-06-21)June 21, 1874 |
| Died | March 1965(1965-03-00) (aged 90) Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Education | BA LL.B. |
| Alma mater | Aligarh Muslim University |
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| Known for |
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| Spouse | Waheed Jahan Begum |
| Children | Begum Khurshid Mirza[2] Rashid Jahan |
| Father | Mehta Gurmukh Singh |
| Relatives | Mehta Mastram (paternal grandfather) Hamida Saiduzzafar (daughter-in-law) Salman Haidar (grandson) |
| Awards | Full list |
Sheikh Abdullah (bornThakur Das; June 21, 1874 – March 1965), also known asPapa Mian, was an Indianeducationalist,social reformer, lawyer, founder ofWomen's College, Aligarh and a member of the Executive Council of theAligarh Muslim University who served to the post from 1920 to 1928. Later in 1902, he was appointed to theAll India Muhammadan Educational Conference as a secretary for women's section.[3][4] He is primarily known for his contribution to theMuslim women education duringBritish India period.[5][6]
The recipient ofnumerous accolades, including aPadma Bhushan, he also served a member of United Province Legislative Council, a legislature ofUnited Provinces of British India.[7] During his time at AMU, he was associated with theAligarh Movement. He worked at several posts at AMU such as Honorary Treasurer and University's court member from 1920 until he died in 1965.[6]
He was born as Thakur Das to Mehta Gurmukh Singh on June 21, 1874, inPoonch district ofJammu and Kashmir. He originally belonged toBrahmin community of Kashmir. Das converted toIslam in 1891 after he went toLahore forhigher education. He marriedWaheed Jahan Begum (also known as Ala Bi), daughter of Mirza Mohammad Ibrahim in 1902, with whom he had six children, including five daughters and a son. One of his daughters, Mumtaz Jahan, served as Principal of the Women's College at Aligarh Muslim University for 30 years.[5] Mehta Mastram, alambardar of Bhantani village was his paternal grandfather. He was trained inUnani medicine byHakeem Maulvi Nooruddin, a court physician toMaharaja of Kashmir. The physician was a member of theAhmadiyya Muslim community, which Thakur Das also joined.[7] Later when he went toUnited Province, he met withSir Syed Ahmad Khan and adoptedSunni Islam, leaving the Ahmadiyya.[7]
He originally started his basic education withPersian andSanskrit language from aMaktab in Poonch.[7] He did hisearly schooling from an uncertain school in his village, and later he went toJammu where he received further education. In 1891, Abdullah didmatriculation in Lahore and then obtainedBachelor's of Arts andBachelor of Laws from the Aligarh university.[5]
In 1935, British India awarded him with the honorary title of "Khan Bahadur". After completing his education from the Aligarh, the university awarded him aDoctor of Law, an honorary degree, in 1950. In 1964, eighteen years later of thepartition of the Indian subcontinent, thegovernment of India awarded himPadma Bhushan, the third-highest Indian civilian award, in recognition of his contribution to female education.[3] The university's women's college, Abdullah College is named after him.[6]
He died inUttar Pradesh, India, in March 1965. His life is covered in a book titledMuslim Leadership and Women's Education in Uttar Pradesh, 1886–1947 written by Nasreen Ahmad.[7]
The Abdullah School and Abdullah Hall, which comprise nine hostels for girls at AMU are named after him.[8][9]
In 1975, a documentary titledPapa Miya of Aligarh, based on his life and directed byKhwaja Ahmad Abbas was released.[10]
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