This is about late Abdul Rashid Khan your grand father. Unfortunately you missed him as he decided to leave this world earlier as per the will of God.
Those who had not seen him or did not have much time to spend with him usually asked me as to what kind of a person he was. To all of them I had one answer. That he could be identified as one in a million. He was well educated, had pleasant manners and any one would be proud to call him his friend. For many he was a friend in need, as he would go out of the way to help a person who approached him.
His father late Mr. Abdul Hamid Khan a shrewd, fairly well to do contractor lived in Anekal, a place twenty miles north of Bangalore. Mr. Rashid Khan followed in the foot steps of his father and towed the same line of business and continued to live in Anekal after the marriage. Only in the later years the whole family shifted to Bangalore.
Your grand father was very popular among all classes of people, Hindus, Muslims, rich or poor. This became evident when he became a public figure by being elected as a member of Representative Assembly in the State of Mysore. This was considered to be a rare achievement in our family.
You might ask as to how our family who lived 40 miles South of Bangalore and Mr. Hamid Khan's family living 20 miles north of Bangalore came to be related.
This was destiny and this is how it happened. My aunt (now my mother in law) lived in Anekal for sometime as my uncle who was a police Inspector happened to be transferred there. My aunt's house was pitched exactly opposite to your grandpa's house and the friendship developed between neighbors. As a result of this neighborly friendship, discussions took place regarding marriage possibility of Mr. A. Rashid Khan who was quite mature to be a bridegroom. My aunt suggested a visit by Mr. Hamid Khan's family to our place. After several visits to each others places the relationship was accepted and a grand marriage took place between your Nani (my sister) and your late grand father in 1932.
Safiya Bi's houseAbdul Hamid Khan's houseAccording to many citizens, that marriage was one of the best occasions in the town of Bangarapet and was remembered for a long time. The invitees included the elite among Hindus and Muslims of the town.
EXPENSES? My father gladly and liberally spent Rs. 5000/= (about $35,000 in today's money) for the entire marriage which included jewelry, costly clothing, dinners at several occasions, gifts for guests and transportation etc. That amount was considered to be fabulous in those days.
To tell you the truth I still remember that occasion, the follow up visits and above all the time I spent with your grandpa. He had a special liking for myself and Doctor Sab and he rarely missed an opportunity to entertain us in Bangalore 1932-35, when we happened to be in college Hostel in pursuit of our studies. He was not only our brother in-law but a friend and a well-wisher.
When Doctor Sab had to go Calcutta for his PhD after his MBBS for one year, Doctor Sab's wife spent that year in Anekal. Khusro then was hardly two years old and Sarwath was born there (in Anekal) your grand parents looked after them.
Your grandpa's untimely death was one of the biggest tragedies in our family.
Myself and Doctor Sab who had earlier migrated to Pakistan visited Bangalore to offer our deepest sympathies to our sister and at that time we also initiated the proceedings for your Nani's and her children's migration to Pakistan.
You know what? I am sincerely looking forward to meet your grand father (Inshallah) in Heaven. Ameen.