Sahaj Ram Sapru
Encyclopedia
Sahaj Ram Sapru was the grandfather of the British-Indian Muslim philosopher Sir Muhammad Iqbal
, who was an official in Kashmir
during the administration of the Afghan Governor Azim Khan
(1809–1819). According to R.K. Parimu, the author of History of Muslim Rule in Kashmir, and Ram Nath Kak
, writing in his autobiography, Autumn Leaves, Sapru had embezzeled state funds, and, when his guilt was established, Azim Khan gave him the choice of death or conversion to Islam. Sahaj Ram Sapru chose life, and he and his family assumed new names and moved from Srinagar
to Sialkot
in the Punjab
. After conversion, Sapru became known by his new Islamic name of "Sheikh Muhammad Rafiq".
Muhammad Iqbal
Sir Muhammad Iqbal , commonly referred to as Allama Iqbal , was a poet and philosopher born in Sialkot, then in the Punjab Province of British India, now in Pakistan...
, who was an official in Kashmir
Kashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range...
during the administration of the Afghan Governor Azim Khan
Azim Khan
Azim Khan was an ethnic Pashtun and the governor of Kashmir during the period 1810-1816. Prior to him the governor was Abdullah Khan Alukzai .Azim Khan owed Ranjit Singh an annual tribute of 8 lakh rupees...
(1809–1819). According to R.K. Parimu, the author of History of Muslim Rule in Kashmir, and Ram Nath Kak
Ram Nath Kak
Ram Nath Kak was a Kashmiri veterinarian whose autobiography Autumn Leaves is one of the most vivid portraits of life in 20th century Kashmir and has become a sort of a classic...
, writing in his autobiography, Autumn Leaves, Sapru had embezzeled state funds, and, when his guilt was established, Azim Khan gave him the choice of death or conversion to Islam. Sahaj Ram Sapru chose life, and he and his family assumed new names and moved from Srinagar
Srinagar
Srinagar is the summer seasonal capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated in Kashmir Valley and lies on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus. It is one of the largest cities in India not to have a Hindu majority. The city is famous for its gardens, lakes and houseboats...
to Sialkot
Sialkot
Sialkot is a city in Pakistan situated in the north-east of the Punjab province at the foothills of snow-covered peaks of Kashmir near the Chenab river. It is the capital of Sialkot District. The city is about north-west of Lahore and only a few kilometers from Indian-controlled Jammu.The...
in the Punjab
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
. After conversion, Sapru became known by his new Islamic name of "Sheikh Muhammad Rafiq".