ATA’ULLAH SHAH BUKHARI: 20TH CENTURY MUSLIM FIREBRAND AND ORATOR OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN SOUTH ASIA

Abstract

Ata’ullah Shah Bukhari was a Muslim firebrand who emerged on the Twentieth century Colonial Indian scene, and hailed from Patna (Bihar). Syed by cast, he obtained Madrasah-education as the Ashraaf tradition of his times. Later, he migrated to Delhi where he was recognized for his oratorical skills and later used to hold audiences spell bound for hours. He spent his life as a prominent Muslim urban leader and very distinguished orator among the freedom fighters in British India. He inspired millions through his oratory and did the spade work for the freedom movement against the colonial rulers. Though, he belonged to the second layer of the Muslim leadership in India before partition, and his political party was mainly based in the province of the Punjab, yet he and his party were a strong factor in the provincial politics of Punjab and ideological politics at the national level. The story of the freedom movement cannot be completed without highlighting the contribution of such influential voices. This article highlights the ideological orientation and religio-political struggle of Ata’ullah Shah Bukhari.