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Shahabnama (1999)

by Qudratullah Shahab(Favorite Author)

4.38 of 5 Votes: 3

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Sang-e-meel Publications

review 1: Read it twice and every time find something new as lesson for life. This is an autobiography of Mr. Qudrat ul Allah Shahab who worked as civil servant in Pakistan. He also worked as Principal Secretory of president Ayub Khan. He spent a balanced professional and personal life without compromising on things which are sometimes essential for progress in professional life. Amazing person ... salute you Shahab sb.
review 2: If any witness can define the struggle of independence, British influence over Indian mindset, post-independence fate of Muslim struggle, reason detere of political instability in West Pakistan, sentiments in 1965 war, Dhaka fall of 1971 and Pakistan's hapless political leadership after the demise of Quaid-e-Azam; I would call him Qudrat Ullah ... moreShahab. In an autobiography that is unputable, with an exception of last few chapters, Shahab describes his journey from a jovial school boy to a mature secretary at President's house. Spanning from sprituality to philosophy, determination, intergrity, faith, boldness, rudeness of politics to ups and downs of human life - his writing describes past, present and future of Pakistan lest we continue to remain under contemporary rulers.State of Muslim affairs at Dogra's period when even a cow was expensive then a Muslim's life, political shift in sub-continent, Quaid's vision, wisdom and foresightedness, Britain's influence over india and Congress' ties with British leadership. Conditions of Muslim minority areas, famine in Bengal, povery, hunger and deaths. Lavish life style of British officers and consequently adoption of similar luxuries by Muslim Rajas, Landlords and Indian Civil Officers.We have surely gotten an independent state but unfortuntaly our minds, appraoch, system and burocracy is still a slave of English mentality. Our nation lost viriginity the very first year of it's birth. Our leaders lost faith in our destination the first time they took oath and we were left alone with only the Allah's name to survive with. Even then innocent peoples of Pakistan were contended with this glory of faith with Allah's name but we were lead astray and were forced to believe that we can only survive on aids, grants and help from our sincerest western friends. We were forced to believe that green back is stronger and smarter then our paper back and our economy lost life.However, describing his last phases of life, Shahab was more emotional then instrumental. He has even discussed few things which are beyond human comprehension. An intorduction to invisible character forced me to believe that Shahab was inspired by the plot of 'Sophie's World'. Apart from his religious journey and his fight with wandering spirit in Government banglow, he has served the purpose of describing political philosophy which works behind state machinery. It is a book that describes nights and days of Pre Partition landlaords and Post Partition rulers. I would recommend it as a must read for any History lover. less

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