The Khaksar Tehrik

in Pictures

Presentation for the
New York Conference for Asian Studies
October 2007

By Nasim Yousaf
Author and Researcher
Allama Mashriqi
Founder of the Khaksar Movement
Nasim Yousaf (sitting center)
with Mashriqi (standing)
In 1930, Mashriqi resigned from
Government service and laid
the foundation for the Khaksar
Tehrik (Khaksar Movement).
His movement was not the result
of a landslide. It was constructed
painstakingly. Each entrant had to
be persuaded

- Muhammad Saeeds (journalist) book, Lahore: A Memoir
Mashriqi (front row, right) led the first batch of
Khaksars; he made no distinction between
himself and his fellow Khaksars.
With the first batch of Khaksars,
the foundation for the freedom
of British India was laid.
Additional batches of Khaksars were formed all
across India to deliver Mashriqis message.
Mashriqis message emphasized a
soldierly life, equality, brotherhood, and
a focus on self purification.
Mashriqi, Delivering a Speech
Here, a Khaksar delivers a lecture to fellow Khaksars.
The Khaksar Tehrik was dedicated to
the service of mankind.
Khaksars Performing Social Service
"Long Live The Ideals of the Khaksars...Peace,
Amity, Brotherhood, Service - Irrespective of
Caste or Creed, One God, One Humanity, One
Practical Religion, -- Yes, One Religion, Which
Means Goodness In Action"
- The Radiance (Aligarh), 1943

1934:
The Khaksar Urdu
weekly, Al-Islah, was
launched.
Khaksar camps were held regularly
to impart the Khaksar program.
A View of a Khaksar Camp
Khaksars Holding Mock Wars
Khaksar Leaders at a Khaksar Camp
In picture: Sher Zaman, Pir Baksh and Dr. Nazar Muhammad
Khaksar parades instilled the spirit
among the public to rise for freedom.
Khaksars marched in military formation
for miles on the streets of India.
The Khaksar Tehrik was a
well-disciplined organization.
Mashriqi (on the right) with his children.
By the late 1930s, the Khaksar
Movement had spread to every corner
of India and had millions of followers
and supporters. The Tehrik also had
branches in foreign countries.
The Government felt threatened by the
formidable discipline of this grassroots
Movement. Consequently, the Punjab
Government imposed restrictions on
the Movement in February, 1940.
On March 19, 1940, police opened fire
against Khaksars protesting the ban,
and indiscriminately killed or injured
many innocent Khaksars.
Serious Clash
Between
Khaksars And
Police
The Tribune (Lahore), March 20, 1940
Allama Mashriqi
was arrested on
March 19, 1940
following the
Khaksar tragedy.

The Tribune (Lahore), March 21, 1940
Police also injured
Mashriqis son, Ehsanullah
Khan Aslam, on March 19,
1940. He later succumbed
to his injuries and died on
May 31, 1940.
With the Governments actions, the
Khaksars long, tough, and most
unparalleled fight against British rule in
India began.
Muslim Leagues Historic
Session March, 1940
Khaksars were tear gassed (left) while the League session was in progress (right).
In 1941, the Government of British
India banned the Khaksar Tehrik
throughout the entire India.
In January of 1942,
Mashriqi was released
from jail, but his
movements were
restricted.

In December of 1942,
the restrictions on
Mashriqi were
removed, and he was
once again able to
address the public.
A Crowd Listening to Mashriqis Speech
Mashriqi put in sincere efforts to bring about
the famous Jinnah-Gandhi meeting in order for
the two to settle their political issues and undo
the Divide and Rule policy of the British;
historians have thus far neglected this effort.
Jinnah-Gandhi Meeting
Following the failure of the Jinnah-Gandhi
meeting, Mashriqi presented The Constitution
of Free India, 1946. A.C. to keep India united.
In 1946, Mashriqi took steps to bring about a
forcible end to British rule and called the Azad
Hind Fauj Conference. Major General S.D. Khan,
Col. Ihsan Qadir, and others also came to meet
Mashriqi.
Major General S.D.
Khan of the Indian
National Army, with
Mashriqi.
Transfer of Power Announced
Mashriqi and others efforts toward
independence did not go unnoticed. By
1947, circumstances in India had reached a
boiling point, and the British had no choice
but to announce a transfer of power.
In March of 1947, Mashriqi asked 300,000
Khaksars to assemble in Delhi by June 30
of the same year. This was to ensure that
the British would follow through on the
transfer of power, and that India would
remain undivided.
Despite stern measures to prevent the
Khaksar rally, 70,000 to 80,000
Khaksars (according to media reports)
assembled in Delhi at the end of June,
1947. But it seemed that nothing could
now stop the division of India.
In 1947, Pakistan and India emerged
on the world map as separate
countries, and the nation was divided
into three parts.
Mashriqis dream of an independent,
united India did not materialize. It is
important to note, however, that
British India would not have been able
to seek freedom without the efforts of
people like Mashriqi.
Allama Mashriqi Died in 1963
Dawn (Karachi), August 28, 1963
Mashriqis Funeral
Nasim Yousaf (right side in circle) with Mashriqis body.
Well over 100,000 people attended
Mashriqis funeral. With his death, a
chapter in the history of the Indian
subcontinent came to a close.