Leading the red shirts of Peshawar: A page from the life of Jirnaal Ghulam Haider Kha

My Great Grand Father: Remembering his struggle against the British Raj and his memories of Mahatma Gandhi and Bacha Khan.

Ghulam Haider Khan was born in a Hindko Speaking Siddiqui family of Peshawar. He joined Khudai Khitmatgaars tehreek whose leader was Bacha Khan. He was highly impressed from Bacha Khan’s movement of nonviolence against the British Raj. On return from a visit to Calcutta when a fellow comrade of his asked him how was his meeting with Gandhi. He replied, “ The meeting was very positive and when he helped Gandhi ji to get out of his car, Gandhi ji smiled and said he loves Islam”. Jirnaal Ghulam Haider Khan had close terms with Shahrukh Khan’s father and Uncle Gaama. They were staunch supporters of Mahatma Gandhi and Bacha Khan too. Haji Adeel’s (ANP)(1944-2016) father Hakim Abdul Jalil (Khudai Khitmatgars) also used to visit Ghulam Haider Khan. Gaama made a small political party of his own Anjuman e Ghurba. He used to hold strong rallies against British Rule.

Jirnaal Ghulam Haider stayed in different jails of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. Once when he got released of the prison alongside his comrades. All of them were coming in a bus which was of police, suddenly Gaama screamed slogan of Independence which lead to the arrest of all of them again.

Abad Khan from pir pihai and Waris known as Chacha Waaris were also members of Khudai Khitmatgaars and made sure that when Subash Chandra Bose comes to NWFP (now Khyber Pukhtunkhwa), he should not be recognized. They made him dress like a Pashtun tribesman and made sure that he crosses the border of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and goes to Russia through Afghanistan. Abad Khan and Waris were later on arrested by the police. They both were tortured brutally. During the torture Abad Khan lost his eye. Abad Khan received a letter from Congress so that they could compensate his losses. He refused and answered that he fought in order to make sure that India’s 30 crore people become independent.

When India was divided. A lot of Hindu businessmen started leaving this area (NWFP during that time). Bacha Khan held a meeting of Khudai Khitmatgaars and asked them to take care of their Hindu Brothers. Jirnaal Ghulam Haider also made a markaz in Khalsaa high school Peshawar where a lot of food and furniture was provided to the Hindus and Sikhs, however during the riots all of this got looted which resulted in a loss of Rs 20000 to 25000.

When Jirnaal Ghulam Haider Khan passed away, Bacha Khan led his red hat Khudai Khitmatgaars to his home and offered prayers. He kissed his son’s (Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui) forehead and asked him that if anything is required he can always ask for his help.When basic democracy’s tickets were distributed during the era of Ayub Khan. Jirnaal Ghulam Haider Khan’s younger brother was awarded a ticket and he won his seat respectively.

These memories are recorded by my grandfather Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui born on 5^th December 1932. He worked in the Accountant General Office and retired as an Accountant Officer Grade 18 in 1992. He passed away on 7^th of December leaving behind a lot of memories of the city called Peshor (Peshawar).

Great Grand Son,

Osama Siddiqui