Syed Qasim Mahmood (Urdu: 17 November 1928 – 31 March 2010) was a Pakistani intellectual and Urdu short story writer, novelist, editor, publisher, translator, and encyclopedist.
He compiled fifteen encyclopedias and one dictionary and left seven encyclopedias uncompleted, produced three collections of short stories, wrote one novel, one novelette, and five dramas for Radio Pakistan, wrote story of one film, Bagi Sipahi (Rebel Soldier), translated works of international fiction, science & technology, edited nine literary and social magazines, and brought forth nine scientific and literary magazines.
From his publishing companies, he published 211 scientific and literary books, wrote many articles on literature, science, politics and sociology in national newspapers and magazines.
Early life
Syed Qasim Ali Shah was born in Kharkhoda, a town in Sonipat district, British India. His father, Syed Hashim Ali Shah, was a landlord. Syed Hashim's father left behind many acres of land, but he could not manage this property, so he sold some land every year to bear his home & family expanses. Syed Hashim was illiterate man and didn't like the new western education that Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, famous Muslim reformer of India, wanted to give to young Muslims. He called it Kufr (Disbelief). But Qasim's Mother, Firdausi Begum, wanted to educate his beloved eldest son in school after madrasa education.
She not only faced husband's oppression but also sold her only gold bangle, so with enough money Qasim obtained admission in the town's school. Qasim also didn't disappoint mother and in 1940, stood first in primary school examination in the Punjab province. He got 40 marks out of 40. Then the Chief Minister of Punjab, Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan (Punjabi politician) came to Kharkhoda to give Qasim a reward. Qasim became the first Muslim child in Punjab who stood first in primary examination. In 1947 in matriculation exam from Punjab University and he stood first in Ambala division of Punjab Province.
Qasim also took part in Pakistan movement. He was a joint secretary of Kharkhoda Primary Muslim league. Qasim's mother family lived in Delhi. During summer holidays, all children had a good time in Indian capital. In 1946, after matriculation exam, Qasim got a job in Hamdard Dawakhana, Delhi, and worked with well-known intellectual Hakim Said for some months.
In 1947 Indians Muslims got a new country, Pakistan, and millions of Indian Muslims embarked on migration to Pakistan. Qasim also reached Lahore by Train. When Qasim reached Lahore, his pocket was empty and he was alone. But he knew that God help those who help themselves.
A new beginning
He started doing small jobs to earn money. He sold newspaper in the bazaar, took a job of peon, became a wood cutter and then a telephone lineman. At last, he got a permanent job in the famous Urdu national daily, Zamindar as a jack of all trades. Because Qasim naturally liked writing and literary activity, he developed intimacy with great Urdu writers and journalists, e.g. Maulana Zafar Ali Khan, Maulana Azar Amritsari, Haji Laqlaq, Maulana Murtaza Ahmad Khan Maikash and Maulana Abu Saeed Buzmi extra. He intellectually benefited from them greatly.
The same year, 1948, he began working at the monthly Alamgir as a manager. Alamgir was a famous literary magazine in those days, with Hafiz Mohammad Alam its proprietor and editor. There Qasim build friendship with noted writers including Mirza Adeeb and Sheikh Mohammed Ismail Panipati. In 1949 he worked in weekly Khiam and he also worked at Publishers United, a famous publishing company, from 1951 to 1960.
In January 1950 Qasim went to Punjab University, Lahore, to receive his matriculation certificate. In the office he met the assistant registrar, Mohammed Afzal, who was impressed by Qasim's education. Mr. Afzal gave Qasim a high-paying clerical job in University. (In General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq's government, Dr. Mohammed Afzal was Minister of Education). In Punjab University Qasim became very active in promoting Urdu as a national language of Pakistan.
After some months Qasim set up the Urdu League organization. From this platform, he promoted the idea that university office work must be done in Urdu. He thought that the national Language Urdu should be the base for educational, political and economic progress and prosperity. In Punjab University administration, some were against Urdu and vigorously opposed Qasim. He wrote articles and pamphlets against them in the pen name of Qasim Mahmood, so he couldn't be traced; otherwise he could have lost his job.