Nawab Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan

NAWAB SAHIBZADA ABDUL QAYYUM KHAN

Date of Birth: 12^th December, 1864 and Date of Death: 3^rd December, 1937

            Nawab Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan, who belongs to the Lodhi dynasty, was born in Topi village of Swabi Tahsil, which is about 75 km. away from Peshawar in Pakistan on 12^th December, 1864.  His father was Sahibzada Abdul Rawoof, who was religious preacher, scholar and a prolific writer, and mother was Zainab.  Unfortunately, his father was murdered because of religious disputes and professional grudges in 1873.  After the death of his father, he reached his uncle’s home at Kotha village.  Nawab Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan learned Islamic scriptures at a very young age and also received physical training as a wrestler.  He got recognition as an intelligent student and an active sports person.  He was fond of mountaineering and participated in several mountaineering programs.  He finished his higher education from Calcutta University and joined in Government service as a Naib Tahsildar.  After enjoying several promotions he retired in 1919.  After retirement, he began participating in public welfare programmes and also took active part in Khilafat and Hijrat movements.  Nawab Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan got elected to the Indian Legislative Assembly in 1923 as an Ex-officio member and continued in that post till 1932.  He played an active role in the All India Muslim League since 1925.  He attended the meeting organised by the Muslim leaders in 1927 at Delhi and made several suggestions for the development and welfare of Muslims in the country.  He also attended the Round Table Conference at London in 1930-31 and impressed the British rulers on the problems of the Muslims by his electrifying speech.  He became the first Chief Minister of the North-West Frontier Province in 1932.  However he had to lose his position because of the impeachment motion in the All India Congress Conference, moved by Khan Abdul Gafar Khan Brothers under the leadership of Kr. Khan Saheb.  As Abdul Qayyum hails from a backward region, he had practical knowledge of the problems faced by the people in such remote areas because of the lack of education.  Thus, to improve such regions educationally, he established the Islamia College in Peshawar as its founder Secretary.  Nawab Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan, who was famously known as ‘North-West Province’s Sir Syed’ passed away on 3^rd December, 1937 in his native village.