Sindh Zamindar
Association
The Zamindar’s meeting was held in April 1921 at
Larkana. About a hundred and fifty Zamindars from
various parts of Sindh were present. Chief among
them being Fateh Mohammad Khan, Khan Sahib Shahnawaz
Khan, Dur Mohammed Khan, Jam F. K. Bhambo Khan, Mr.
Madhodas from Sukkur, Serai Shah Mohammad Lahori,
Ali Gohur Bhutto Khan Sahib, Dhuni Bux Jatoi, Jan
Mahomed Junejo, Mr. Chooharmal from Larkana, Syed
Abdul Hakim Shah, Dewan Himath Sing and. Mr.
Mathradas from Hyderabad, Hon. Mr. Bhurgri from Thar,
and Syed Allahando Shah from Nawabshah.
Ali Gohur Bhutto proposed the Hon. Mr. Bhurgri to
the Chair.
Mr. Bhurgri after thanking the Zamindars for
responding to his call to this meeting with the
object of forming a permanent Zamindar's Association
said that during the last eight years he had
entertained the belief that such an association was
urgently needed. He had moved the matter at a
Zamindar's meeting held during the last cold
weather, the present meeting being the outcome of
it. He went on to say: - There exist in Bengal and
Madras such associations which have made themselves
very useful. These associations not only voice the
grievances of the landholders, but they are
consulted by the local Govt. whenever any
legislation is undertaken on matters concerning the
land holders. These consultations are not merely
formal but the suggestions and the objections of
those associations on any matter concerning the
Zamindars are given due attention. The associations
there have weight with the Government and command
the confidence of their members. Unfortunately no
such associations exists in Sindh. As a result the
Zamindars have never an opportunity of presenting
their view on any given matter to the Government. As
an instance the Hon. Mr. Bhurgri said that he had
received private information that the Commissioner
intended to revise the rules about the granting of
(remission) mafi to Zamindars. This was a matter
which very vilally concerned the Zamindars and they
ought to be consulted such a state of affairs would
not be possible were there an association of the
Zamindars. The speaker continued: - Another
important matter is the narrowing of water sluices
by the P. W. D. The Begari canal was the first to be
touched by the department. If seems that the Policy
of Government is against encouraging the cultivation
of paddy. Now rise is the stable food of the bulk of
the Sindh people. Moreover, there are some lands on
which it is impossible to grow anything but paddy
and paddy always requires ample water. Next the
committee for local boards has suggested that
Zamindars should be charged 0-2-0 per rupee instead
of 0.1.0 per rupee. On both these matters Zamindars
must be consulted, for these and various other
reasons it is obviously necessary that there should
be a Zamindar's association. It may be that similar
associations started in some districts have failed
or are not quite up to the mark; those associations
have been working with honorary assistants. If the
associations paid their secretaries the work would
go on more systematically. Further the Hon.
Gentleman went on to Say that the Zamindars should
be up and doing. They should be vigilant in
safeguarding their interests. As long as they do not
make the Government understand that they exist and
that they must be heard, they would never be given
an opportunity for stating their wants freely and
openly to the Government. He then declared the
matter open for debate.
At this point Mr. Wali Mohammed Hassanaly inquired
from the president who was entitled to speak and
vote on the subject. On a former occasion the
president had ruled that Zamindars paying Rs.1,000
or over as assessment had the right of voting. Did
he continue in the same opinion?
The president gave a ruling that any Zamindar might
speak and vote on the subject.
Serai Shah Muhammed Lahore following thanked the
president for being, so vigilant about the interests
of Zamindars. He further said that Government never
pays any attention to the cries of individuals. An
association on the lines lay down by Mr. Bhurgri
i.e. with a paid Secretary and paid clerks would be
the most desirable one. Those were the only means
for making it successful.
Mr. Shah Nawaz Pirzada B. A. suggested that each
district should have a separate sub-association with
a paid Secretary. Meeting at short intervals should
be convened by those sub-associations and the
Zamindars must make it & point to attend
those meetings, Zamindars could collect together to
meet the Collector whenever desired to do so. Why
could they not make it convenient to attend,
meetings in which matters so nearly concerning them
were discussed?
Mr. Wali Muhammed Hassanally said that though Madras
and Bengal had Zamindars Associations yet there was
no necessity for one in Sindh. He said: - The
conditions of Sindh are particular and quite
district from any other part of India. Sindh is very
backward in education. What Zamindar's Association
has been able to do elsewhere, they would not have
the power to do in Sindh. Reference has been made to
other associations which failed. They failed not for
lack of funds but for want of sincerity and
enthusiasm. As an example the speaker cited the
Tando Zamindar's Association started by the Hon. Mr.
Bhurgri. There was no necessity for a 2amindaes
Association. The best thing would be to revive the
Sindh Muhammadan Association which was started some
time ago but had lain, dormant since. If revived, it
would quite satisfy the wants of the Zamindars. If
enthusiastic and energetic men were kept as
Secretaries it would be very useful, and moreover,
the Muhammadans would cease to merit the centre of
being lukewarm and of lacking enthusiasm so
frequently leveled at them.
Mr. Abdul Rahman, Bar-at-law, who followed Said that
he did not come with the intention of speaking but
necessity compelled him to do so. A Zamindar's
Association was absolutely necessary. Funds must be
found for it. It was true that the Muhamaden
Zamindars were immersed in debt and had decrees
against them, but this also was true that whenever
there was a photo of an officer to be taken they
were ever ready to subscribe. If they could
subscribe for such purpose as the above, why should
they not find money for an association which would
be for their benefit? It was regrettable that the
Sindh Muhammadan Association, started by the late
Mr. Hassanally, who had not been yet surpassed in
service to and love for his committee, should be as
good as dead, though the Muhammadan community had
advanced somewhat in education since his days, but
the Muhammadans were to blame for that. It was time
that the Zamindars took their own affairs in their
hands and brought their reasonable demands to the
notice of the Government. Though the Koran and other
scriptures contain piousinjunctions for peoples to
pay their debts yet there were few who actually did
so unless asked by their creditors. Similarly
Government would not give until Zamindars ask for
their just privileges; therefore an association
should be started. To allow Hindu Zamindars to join
there should be a Zamindar's Association.
Mr. Shumsuddin Bulbul suggested that as the
association had been decided on it only remained to
elect office-bearers to go about and work in each
division.
Mr. Mushtak Sing seconded Mr. Shamsuddin.
The President, after briefly replying to Mr. Wali
Muhammad Hassanally, put the following proposition
to votes: - “That a Sindh Zamindar's Association is
formed with a paid Secretary and a Clerk".
The proposition was passed unanimously,,
The president then asked the meeting to elect a
president of the Association and also honorary
Secretary possessing high educational qualifications
and experience whose advice and help the president
might avail himself of, whenever necessary; Secondly
to nominate members from each district to form an
executive committee; and thirdly to form a committee
for drafting rules of the association.
Mr. Mathradas proposed that the Hon. Mr. Bhurgri be
elected president of the Zamindar's Association,
Serai Shah Mohammed Lahore seconded him. The Hon.
Mr. Bhurgri was elected president. In reply the
Hon. Gentleman said that he thanked them for
conferring this honour upon him even though there
were far more influential and consequential
Zamindars in Sindh then he. He would have much
desired to have been left alone, but he was told
that any other man might find official pressure too
strong to be borne and he being already in disrepute
with the bureaucracy though it necessary to yield to
the desire of his friends and accept this
responsibility though only for a time.
Mr. Mathradaa Ramchand was then duly elected as the
Hon. Secretary.
Next it was decided that a secretary should be
engaged on Rs.100 per month and a clerk on Rs.15 to
20 per month. Many Zamindars promised handsome
subscriptions on the spot. Also an executive
committee was formed.
The material/data/information can be provided on
request.
