Haji Mir Shams-ud-Din (1854-1934) was the paternal grandfather of my paternal grandmother. He was one of the founding members of Anjuman Hamayat-e-Islam, a body formed in late 19th century to advance and protect interests of Indian Muslims, chiefly through education. For his part, amongst other, Mir Shams-ud-Din, donated land and helped establishing Islamia College in 1904, located at Railway Road, Lahore.
Unfortunately, I know little about Mir Shams-ud-Din. He was of course, and there is little to doubt, a pious person who contributed towards uplift of Muslims. A man with vision and a heart big enough to do charity.
Mir Sahib had two sons. Mir Rehmat ullah, a Court Minister to King Amaan ullah of Afghanistan and Mir Habib ullah, the younger one. I have heard so much from my father about Mir Habib ullah (his maternal grandfather) that i can draw his virtual pen picture.
The picture above is the tombstone of Mir Shams-ud-Din, located inside Islamia College, Lahore. I stake no claim to his legacy merely on basis of lineage. By standing next to him, I only seek inspiration to follow in his foot steps. May he rest in peace. Aameen!
Subhan Bhai, thanks for writing about this! I’ve heard so much about it from Dad as well. May his soul rest in peace.
Well, he is certainly resting in peace given the way he spend his life. Husne Gomaan ka taqaaza hai. Allah Jalla Jalaalah marhoom kay darajaat buland ter farmai. Aameen.