Abstract
This article brings into focus Allama Muhammad
Iqbal’s contribution for the welfare of a family that
was affected during the coercive recruitment system
introduced during the First World War. In the light
of revealing new sources it argues that although
conscription was never introduced yet the level of
coercion experienced by the Punjabis suggests that it
was ‘conscription in disguise’ and therefore resistance
to recruitment intensified towards the end of the war.
The case study material pertaining to the Shahpur
district of the British Punjab demonstrates that
disturbances broke out at various places. District
officials were humiliated and at times they were
attacked by angry mobs. The case study of the
murder of a tehsildar, Sayed Nadir Hussain, throws
valuable light on the theme of recruitment and
resistance. People had become averse to recruitment
due to the high-handed methods of the officials.
They fiercely resisted the overbearing attitude of the
officials that resulted into recruitment related
disturbances. Allama Muhammad Iqbal had personal
relationship with the family of the aforementioned
tehsildar. He, therefore, came forward to assist the
family of the deceased tehsildar, and by writing to the
Chief Secretary of the Punjab pleaded for
extraordinary pension for the family. It was not in the
jurisdiction of the Indian authorities to sanction such
a large pension. The British sought the sanction of
the Secretary of State for India. Hence the family was
granted extraordinary pension due to the efforts of
Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Dr. Tahir Mahmood , Dr. Muhammad Sultan Shah. (2012) DR. MUHAMMAD IQBAL’S ROLE IN THE GRANT OF AN EXTRAORDINARY PENSION TO THE WIDOW OF SAYED NADIR HUSSAIN SHAH: A CASE STUDY OF A VICTIM OF ARMY RECRUITMENT DRIVE IN COLONIAL PUNJAB DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR SUFISM:, Iqbal Review, Volume , Issue 1.
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