Jamia Journal Independent Student-run News Website of Jamia Millia Islamia (a Central University)
[Following is an official Jamia press release.]
In a rare gesture of generosity, Mr. Mustahsan Hamid Khan, a resident of Hattingen, Germany has gifted rare calligraphic sheets and priceless letters to Jamia Millia Islamia.
The treasure gifted by Mr. Khan includes a letter written in Urdu by the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Besides, there are 22 other letters written by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Zakir Hussain, Vijaylakshmi Pandit among others. These letters are written in English.
In addition, there are 8 other letters written in Urdu by Dr. Zakir Hussain to Mr. Mustahsan Hamid Khan’s father, Late Hamid Ali Khan, who was the director of Maktaba Jamia in the year 1928.
Mr. Mustahsan Hamid Khan came in possession of this heritage after the death of his father and when asked, what prompted Mr. Khan to gift these to Jamia, Mr. Khan said, “I wanted to return the Nation’s heritage back to Jamia, where it belonged.”
In addition to the letters, there are 30 calligraphic sheets gifted by Mr. Khan to Jamia which includes 3 priceless ones written by Emperor Shahjahan’s teacher. The other calligraphic sheets are in Persian, Arabic and Urdu.
On receiving the gift from Mr. Khan, Vice Chancellor Mr. Najeeb Jung said, “I thank Mr. Khan for his generous gift to Jamia Millia Islamia. I am sure this collection will be of great interest to historians and other researchers.” Mr. Jung added, “We will preserve these in the university archive with great care.”
Mr. Mustahsan Hamid Khan was a student of Jamia School and his gift to Jamia is a testimony of his attachment and fondness for his alma mater. He has been settled in Germany for the last 52 years.
Media Coordinator,
Jamia Millia Islamia
