The Scholar Who Bridged Cultures: Remembering Imdad Imam Asar Nawab whose grave in Gaya, Bihar is cared for by a Hindu family

By Syed Amjad Hussain, New Age Islam 14 February 2025 Syed Imdad Imam Asar Nawab was a renowned Urdu scholar, historian, and poet whose literary brilliance continues to inspire. His grave in Gaya is lovingly cared for by a Hindu family, symbolising India's rich tradition of communal harmony and shared heritage. Main Points 1. Imdad Imam Asar was a celebrated Urdu poet, historian, and literary critic who revolutionised Urdu literary analysis. 2. His book Kaashif-ul-Haqaaiq was a pioneering work in Urdu criticism, comparing Eastern and Western literary traditions. 3. His sons, Syed Ali Imam and Syed Hasan Imam, played key roles in Indian politics, while his sister, Rasheed Un Nisa, was India’s first female Urdu novelist. 4. A Hindu family in Gaya has been maintaining his grave for over 50 years, upholding Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb. 5. The University of Hyderabad honours his legacy with the Imdad Imam Asar Award, ensuring his contributions remain celebrated. — A Life Rooted in Learning and Scholarship Born on 17 August 1849 in Karai Parsurai near Patna, Bihar, Syed Imdad Imam Asar Nawab was a towering figure in Urdu literature, history, and education. Coming from a lineage steeped in scholarship, he was destined to leave an indelible mark on India's intellectual landscape. His father, Syed Wahiduddin Khan Bahadur, was honoured with the title of Shamsul Ulama and held esteemed judicial positions, including that of Chief Justice, a role previously held by Asar’s grandfather. This scholarly environment profoundly shaped Asar’s upbringing, instilling in him a deep love for knowledge. Under the guidance of Syed Muhammad Mohsin Benarasi and his own father, Asar received a rigorous education. He later pursued law, but his true passion lay in literature and history. His thirst for knowledge and his ability to analyse various literary traditions would eventually make him one of the most respected scholars of his time. A Teacher, Historian, and Literary Pioneer Asar began his academic career at Patna College, where he taught history and Arabic. He was not just an educator but a mentor who encouraged his students to appreciate both Eastern and Western literary traditions. Later, he served as Madar-ul-Masaam in Surajpur, Uttar Pradesh, further cementing his reputation as a learned scholar. Recognising his contributions, the British government conferred upon him the titles of Shams-ul-Ulema and Nawab, honours reserved for intellectuals of exceptional calibre. The Literary Genius Who Broadened Horizons Asar’s literary contributions are vast and pioneering. His magnum opus, Kaashif-ul-Haqaaiq (also known as Bahaaristaan-e-Sukhan), is a groundbreaking work of Urdu literary criticism. In this, he explored poetry through various disciplines, including zoology, agriculture, music, and painting—a remarkable feat in the realm of literary analysis. His approach placed him alongside stalwarts like Altaf Hussain Hali, who revolutionised Urdu poetry criticism. Divided into two volumes, Kaashif-ul-Haqaaiq offered a comparative analysis of poetic traditions across the world. In the first volume, Asar drew parallels between classical poetry from Egypt, Greece, Italy, and Arabia, likening legendary poets such as Umra-ul-Qais to Urdu greats like Mir and Ghalib. In the second volume, he examined Urdu and Persian poetry, advocating for a broader engagement with world literature. He believed that had Urdu poets drawn inspiration from the depth of Sanskrit epic poetry, the language’s literary treasures would have been even richer. Among his other celebrated works are: · Deewan-e-Asar (1897): A collection of his poetry that reflects his unique literary vision. · Fasaana-i-Himmat: A tale showcasing his storytelling prowess. · Kimiyaa-i-Zara’at: A rare work demonstrating his knowledge of agriculture and science. · Fuwaid-e-Daarain: A piece further highlighting his diverse intellectual interests. His Deewan-e-Asar was later compiled and edited by Sarwar-ul-Hoda, and published by the Ghalib Institute, New Delhi in 2013, ensuring that Asar’s poetic legacy continued to inspire future generations. A Family of Luminaries Asar belonged to a family deeply engaged in India's political and literary spheres. His sister, Rasheed Un Nisa, is recognised as the first female Urdu novelist from India, a groundbreaking achievement in an era when women had limited access to formal education. His own sons followed distinguished paths. Syed Ali Imam served as the Prime Minister of Hyderabad State, while Syed Hasan Imam went on to become the President of the Indian National Congress. Their contributions to politics and governance carried forward Asar’s legacy of service to society. A Hindu Family’s Reverence for His Final Resting Place Despite his intellectual contributions, what truly exemplifies the beauty of India's syncretic culture is the story of his final resting place. Asar passed away on 17 October 1933 and was laid to rest in a mansion in Manpur, Gaya. Decades later, this mansion was purchased by Congress leader and former minister Awadhesh Singh in 1960. When the Singh family moved in, they discovered Asar’s grave, along with the graves of four of his descendants, in the rear section of the property. Instead of disregarding them, Awadhesh Singh and his family embraced their presence. For the last five decades, they have been taking care of these graves with utmost devotion. Every year, they organise Chadarposhi (draping the graves with sacred cloth) and perform Fatiha (prayers) on special occasions. Singh considers it a privilege to look after the resting place of such a great scholar, stating that his family has flourished under Asar’s blessings. "In today's climate of increasing divisions, it is a remarkable thing that a Hindu family has been taking care of a Muslim scholar’s grave for over fifty years," said Maulana Abdul Wakil Sabri. "This is a true embodiment of Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, the shared cultural and spiritual heritage of Hindus and Muslims in India." The Continuing Honour of His Name To ensure his legacy lives on, the University of Hyderabad has instituted the Imdad Imam Asar Award, which is conferred upon distinguished achievers in literature and academia. His literary and intellectual contributions continue to inspire generations, keeping alive his commitment to knowledge and creativity. His poetry remains a treasure for Urdu lovers. A couplet from his works speaks of the beauty of perception and vision: aañkh vaalā tire joban kā tamāshā dekhe dīda-e-kor ko kyā aa.e nazar kyā dekhe (One with sight can admire the spectacle of your youth, But what can the blind eye perceive? What can it see?) Another couplet expresses the mesmerising allure of his beloved: rū-e-rañgīñ jo tirā au gul-e-rā’anā dekhe phir na gulshan kī taraf bulbul-e-shaidā dekhe (If one beholds your colourful face and the radiant flower, The enchanted nightingale will no longer turn to the garden.) A Lasting Example of Unity and Heritage The story of Syed Imdad Imam Asar Nawab is not merely about an eminent scholar and poet—it is a testament to the timeless values of unity, respect, and knowledge. His works continue to shape literary discourse, while the care shown to his grave by the Singh family serves as a living example of communal harmony. In a time when divisions are often emphasised, the deep respect between Awadhesh Singh’s family and the memory of Asar reminds us that India’s true spirit lies in its shared heritage. Literature, history, and culture do not belong to any single community; they are the collective treasure of all those who cherish wisdom and humanity. As long as stories like these are remembered, the vision of an inclusive, knowledge-driven, and harmonious society will continue to shine. References · Diwan-e-Asar or Diwan Imdad Imam Asar published by Ghalib Academy · Sarwarul Huda "Imdad Imam Asar" published by AKS Publications · Imdad Imam Asar Adabiat Tawavvrat Aur Na published by Ghalib Academy, Delhi · Dr. Ateeq Anwar and Dr. Muhammad Tahir "Imdad Imam Asar And Classical Criticism Of Ghazal" published Vol. 3 No. 4 (2022): Dareech e Tahqeeq - Oct - Dec 2022 · Nasir Abbas Nayyar (September 30, 2018) "The Forgotten Literateur" The News on Sunday · "Imdad Imam Asar award https://herald.uohyd.ac.in/tag/imdad-imam-asar-award/ · https://www.etvbharat.com/english/bharat/awadhesh-singh-takes-care-of-tomb-of-imdad-imam-asar/na20220329205347613 - Syed Amjad Hussain is an author and Independent research scholar on Sufism and Islam. He is currently working on his book 'Bihar Aur Sufivad', based on the history of Sufism in Bihar. 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