Major Events Pre-1950
Leaving (?) pre-Partition Ludhiana
I was born in Ludhiana on 19 April, 1943, though my recorded date of birth is 11 July, 1942. After India's Partition, I was raised and educated in Lahore. I studied at Forman Christian College, Lahore and University of the Punjab. In 1964, I was selected to join the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) College of Aeronautical Engineering. I served in the PAF for 27 years, retiring voluntarily in 1991 as a Group Captain. My services were recognized with a National Award. I was told at the time of my retirement that if I did not retire, I was sure to get promoted to Air Commodore, with the strong possibility of another promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal. I cannot say what made me give up my career at its prime. The only reason that comes to my mind is that I was looking for "Fresh air". In my post retirement life I got what I was looking for, and have since lived a satisfied life.
I belong to a Muslim family that migrated from Kashmir to Ludhiana perhaps in the beginning of 19th century.
The Argument against Sati
Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772 - 1833) was a religious, social, and educational reformer. He challenged some aspects of traditional Hindu culture, such as sati.
Editor's note: This is a chapter from a book entitled TRANSLATION OF SEVERAL PRINCIPAL BOOKS, PASSAGES, AND TEXTS of THE VEDS, and SOME CONTROVERSIAL WORKS of BRAHMUNICAL THEOLOGY written by RAJAH RAMMOHUN ROY, Second edition, 1832. The book has four chapters related to women, all of which are available in the attached pdf file. One of the chapters is reproduced below. Footnotes in the original text have been brought into the main text, written in this manner {original footnote text}.
SEVERAL Essays, Tracts, and Letters, written in defence of or against the practice of burning Hindoo widows alive, have for some years past attracted the attention of the public.
Cabinet Mission Plan May 1946
Editor’s note: A high-powered British parliamentary delegation consisting of three Cabinet Ministers, Lord Pethick-Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps and Mr A B Alexander, arrived in India on March 23, 1946. They announced their suggested plan for India’s future on May 16, 1946. Their report, available at http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1946/may/16/india-statement-by-the-cabinet-mission, is attached as a pdf file. Key exceprts are reproduced below.
Rationale for banning Sati 1829
Under the East India Company, Lord William Bentinck was the Governor of Madras 1803-1807, and the Governor-General of India 1828-1835.
Editor's note: This document was written in November 1829.The source is SPEECHES & DOCUMENTS ON INDIAN POLICY 1750-1921, ed. A. Berriedale Keith, Vol. I
WHETHER the question be to continue or to discontinue the practice of sati, the decision is equally surrounded by an awful responsibility.
Sati Ban Regulation December 1829
Editor's note: This regulation was issued by the East India Company. The detailed rationale, available here, for this regulation had been given by the British Governor-General, Lord Bentinck, in November 1829.
A regulation for declaring the practice of suttee, or of burning or burying alive the widows of Hindus, illegal, and punish-able by the criminal courts. Passed by the governor-general in council on the 4th December 1829, corresponding with the 20th Aughun 1936 Bengal era; the 23rd Aughun 1237 Fasli; the 21st Aughun 1237 Vilayati; the 8th Aughun 1886 Samvat; and the 6th Jamadi-us-Sani 1245 Hegira