PROFESSOR KHALID AKBAR
for exceptional tasks by throwing them certain and varied challenges. It is aptly true in the case of great heroic figure and the great commander captain Husain khan who Necessity is the mother of invention. Similarly, nature creates and shapes exceptional personalities pioneered and headed the Freedom movement of Kashmir in 1947.
Husain khan was born in 1895 in kaala Coat Poonh, later named Husain Coat after him-in the family of Sardar Hashmut khan who was a local land lord. Having natural inclination to adventure and chivalry, he opted for Indian Army in preparation era following completing his basic education. In1914, when the First World War broke out, he showed his gallantry in such a unique way that he was awarded OBI medal by British Army. Similarly, by the order of His Majesty, George 5th, his name was published in London Gazette. Later on, he was the only Indian soldier who had this privilege to attend the crown wearing ceremony of George in 1937 .on this occasion, the British Government conferred upon him rifle and a costly uniform-a rare distinction to any Indian. Later on, when the Second World War erupted, he demonstrated his prowess in more powerful ways, earning ten medals in tandem.
Participating in these wars of such a massive scale and intensity not only diversified his strategic and war credentials, but also hardened his nerves and sinews. In the meantime, subcontinent was passing through very volatile and critical circumstances of its checkered history. The Muslims of subcontinent stood up under the visionary and unassailable leadership of Quaid Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. First Islamic state emulating the principles of social justice, equity and Islamic fraternity was in the offing in the comity of nations.
In these dire states, the warrior and patriotic like Hussain could not hold themselves back for a long time in the event of all upheavals happening around .Being seasoned campaigner and visionary, Husain knew what would become of his motherland-princely sate of Jummu and Kashmir. So he opted for retirement in 1945. In the partition plan, all the heads of the state were viciously delegated the right of deciding the future status of their states as against the aspirations of people. Husain instinctively realized that the Muslims majority of Kashmir would be acceded to India as Dogra dynasty was biased, prejudiced and partisan towards the Muslims.
Coincidentally, a massive political movement was going on across the state against the autocratic and coercive policies of Harry Singh. Similarly, the mainstream leadership of Kashmir adopted a resolution too to accede with Pakistan in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir. Hussain saw through the things and concluded that armed struggle was the call of the time to end this oppression. Therefore, he embarked on the comprehensive plan of organizing ex-army personals and volunteers. It took him quiet a time to form battalions of these veterans. The rulers of state were fully alive of revolt brewing up; therefore, they put the vigil on the rebellion activities of Husain and his followers but of no avail. Captain established his war head quarter in Miralgala Bunjosa. After reorganizing, the soldiers, the real genuine concern was scarcity of arms and ammunition; and finance to procure them was nonexistent. He did what was unprecedented in the history of Kashmir .He sold jewelry of his wife and other things and also utilized the lifelong saving of his family to the tune of 45 thousand-then a reasonable amount. Then, he procured arms and ammunition and attacked the security posts of Dogra near Patan forcing them vacate their positions. Consequently, the war front of Rawalakot was beefed up and fortified by large troops and heavy weaponry as Suddhans tribe residing here had always sustained their heroic spirits and resistance against all autocratic rulers-local or align. It was the most challenging war front for Mahjideen commanded by Mr. Khan. The struggle to occupy this front continued for many days. Eventually, the Dogra’s army was defeated and dug out from their hideouts. Four hundred troops of Dogra army were killed in this battle. The rest of army was fleeing on their heels towards Hajira and city of poonch. Husain recklessly followed them with his men. His immediate target was Poonch city. However, with the irony of Fate, a horrible bloody skirmish took place nearer Toli Peer in which fighting fearlessly, Captain Husain mortally wounded and 11 November 1947, embraced martyrdom. Captain had comprehensive plan to liberate the whole state. It was admitted by the commander of rivals’ force-colonel lukhum Pal in his memories on the bases of blueprints recovered from him at the time of his martyrdom that had Husain not been killed, he would have conquered the whole Kashmir. November is the historic month which reminds us the great sacrifice rendered by captain Hussain khan and his soldiers in liberating 4000 square miles of land known Azad Kashmir. Predominately, credit goes to Captain Husain khan who provided leadership, material and at the end, laid his life for this noble cause at the most critical juncture of the history of Kashmir.
The Writer is a Professor Government Boys Degree college Trarkhel Azad Kashmir District poonch
