Pirzadas
In touch with history and our destiny
Shaikh Ibrahim Soharwardi Danishmand-1 (Mastoi, North Waziristan = 1168-1260 AD) was one of the direct descendents of Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari and Peer e Hirat Muhammad Abdullah Ansari, who introduced Islamic practices in this region, in middle of 13th century AD. Another prominent name of that region was ‘Shaikh Ba-Yazeed-1 aliace Baba Shahbaz Parind’ (Kaniguram, South Waziristan = 1430-1508 AD) in the end of 15th century/begining of 16th century AD. They were known as ‘Ansaar Afghans’ in those areas (due to close relations & inter-marriages with Burki tribe).
In later years their descendents started moving towards different parts of Persia and India, where they were known as ‘Ansaar Danishmands’. The most famous names in this lineage are ‘Shah Ibrahim Danishmand-2’ (Bangal = 1455-1524 AD), ‘Shaikh Ahmad Ghous’ (Jalandhar = 1497-1590 AD), ‘Shaikh Ba-Yazeed-2 aliace Peer RoshaaN’ (Waziristan = 1525-1579 AD), ‘Shaikh Muhammad Darwesh’ (Jalandhar = 1579-1671 AD) and ‘MiaN Abdul Ghafoor Naushahi’ (Jalandhar = 1690-1774 AD).
One of the above famous personalities of Ansaar Danishmand phylogeny is Shaikh Ahmad Ghous, who visited and led a caravan from Kaniguram [Waziristan] to Jalandhar [India] in 1515 AD for settlement. In later years he migrated with his familial compound via Hirat (Afghanistan) to Lahore, Punjab (India) in 1555 AD. He did it under the patronage and accompaniment of Mughal king Humayun, in capacity of his religious and scholarly aids helping the Emperor in establishing the Islamic court systems for Indian subcontinent.
He later moved back to Jalandhar and established his own settlement with the name ‘Basti Karrar Khan’ (Mohallah Al Burk), but some of his descendents chose to settle in Lahore. They stayed here for about Two centuries [8 generations]. During this period one of the prominent names from this family is ‘Shaikh Saad-ullah Lahori’ (A Grand Son of Shaikh Ahmad Ghous & the Teacher for Fiqh & Hadees of famous Sufi poet Shah Hussain aliace Madho Lal Hussain’). In 1760 AD this entire family too decided to move back to Jalandhar and joined their tribe. They were settled in Basti Shaikh Darwesh, Jalandhar.
In coming years this family gained a great name for its passion for knowledge, literature and service to society. An important name in the begining period is ‘Mian Muhammad Azam’, Jalandhar [1749-1830 AD]. They got fame as “Pirzadas” and were widely respected for their nobility in religious and spiritual worlds along with modern education. There were about 1500 Manu-scripts in their family library at the time of partition of India in 1947.
Since 1947 they are settled in Lahore, Rawalpindi / Islamabad, Karachi [Pakistan] AND most of them in USA, Canada, Uk and other parts of the world.
Below are few of the most prominent personalities (profiles} of Pirzada Lineage in last 150 years (after 1870 AD) :
Basti Shaikh, Jalandhar India (Vedio arranged by Dr Danial Nagi)
Detailed information about this family (Ansaar Danishmand Pirzadas) is available in different books. Readily available reference Books are mentioned in the E.Book titled as “Genealogical History of Pirzadas of Jalandhar”- page # 144. (The E version of this book is available in this Website > Click here to view).
Aurang Zeb
An interesting and insightful account of our shared history. It makes you wonder how the transition from spiritual enlightenment to pursuit of worldly glories, began a hundred odd years ago among our ancestors, has completely transformed the ‘tribe’ and, collectively, what price it has exacted on us. I’m sure, many of us, at least some point in our lives, must have felt the need for a ‘navigator/divine guidance’ while standing lost at crossroads, contemplating on which direction to take because beyond the visible sign posts, there is whole world of unknown.
Should we endeavor to rekindle spirituality back in lives, if yes, then how and in what format? Is the 19th century map of ‘silsila’ still a credible model or there can be an alternative to a structured path to spirituality. I sincerely hope that this platform, apart from informing us who we are or were, also helps to pause or reflect on the need to reconnect and to be counted not as a number but as a member of a ‘broad-family’ with shared values – values that serve humanity, promote knowledge and provide meanings to our lives.
Sajid Pirzada
Dear Aurangzeb (2), Qatar, Hearing such a thought provoking comments, from E generation, is indeed a breath of fresh air to me. It makes me feel hopeful that all is not lost – ‘Ehsas e ZyaaN’ is there…..by the way we began to steer away from spirituality ‘silsila’ some 140 years ago and in 1951 it discontinued. The primary purpose of my this endeavor is that our current and coming generations can trace their roots and get familiar with their values which helped our ancestors to be successful….and one important thing……’I hope it can trigger a healthy debate between the likes of you in the tribe. I personally have no idea how it can be resurrected but have a hope that someone will come forward and press the re-set button !
Aurang Zeb
Salam All – Revisited the page today after a gap of say 4+ years (will not make any excuses – thought was always there!). Great work by Sajid bahi (a one man band). Any bright ideas how to make this page or a version of it a bit more interactive…our roots are now spread across the globe – therefore – there is a need to move with the time and find new ways to stay in touch. How about a bimonthly (or a quarterly?) update on who is doing what – academic achievements, weddings, births, deaths, etc. etc. just a thought..
with best wishes,
Aurang Zeb
Syed Faisal Alam
Assalamoaliqum. My name is Syed Faisal Alam. Qazi Syed Mehboob Alam was my great grand father. My grand father was Syed Masood Alam and father is Syed Manzoor Alam.
I was researching about history of my great grand father and found out that Pirzada family and Qazi family has close connections from Jalandhar. It is great to see that history of Pirzada family is well documented and shared. It is very interesting to see so many prominent personalities from this family. Unfortunately history of Qazi family is not well documented. We have no information about previous generations of Qazi Mehboob Alam who was Rais a Azam Jalandhar. Regards.
Beenish
I was going through parvez uncle family history. My grandmother Mehboob Begum, grandfather was Syed Mehboob Alam from what I remember from Jalandhar. I wish the family history was this well documented
Sajid Pirzada
Thanks for visiting the website and for liking the work too.
Sajid Pirzada
Responded to Syed Faisal Alam in f/b portion as below.