Shakir Ali Khan, lovingly known as Sher-e-Bhopal, was an indomitable force in India’s freedom struggle.
Hailing from Ashta (Sehore), then a part of the princely state of Bhopal, Khan’s presence was a constant in every significant people’s movement during the freedom struggle.
Khan was an Indian politician, activist, trade unionist, and journalist. He was a leader of the labor movement in Bhopal and led the struggles for the integration of Bhopal State with India. Despite being jailed several times for his activism, he emerged stronger after every arrest or internment.
Between 1934 and 1949, he worked at a number of different Urdu newspapers. The publications that he was linked to in Bhopal were frequently banned by the Nawab’s government. He also set up various trade unions at mills and factories in Bhopal.
In 1933, he founded the Anjuman Khuddam-e-Watan (League of Servants of Fatherland), serving as its secretary. The organization had a parochial character, arguing for the rights of the Bhopali population against the rule of Punjabi Muslims.
Through the Desi Pardesi movement, in 1934, instead of giving free land to the non-residents from outside, britishers were convinced to give free land to the people of Bhopal. Unemployed were considered to be given jobs first in government jobs.
Together with Tarzi Mashriqi (president of Anjuman Khuddam-e-Watan), he founded the newspaper Sabah-e-Watan in 1934. Serving as its editor, he was jailed in the same year for having published a cartoon mocking the Bhopal judiciary. Following this, he was sentenced to two months imprisonment for contempt of court. The arrest provoked popular protests and after seventeen days, the government decided to release him.
Later, with trade union leaders, in 1938, Khan founded the Praja Mandal (a platform for those who dared to voice their grievances against British rule). He was the president of Praja Mandal but soon resigned from the post. Khan was jailed for eight months. After his release, he was again arrested. He was prosecuted under the Defense of India Rules and sentenced to two years imprisonment. Upon his release, he founded the Mazdoor Sabha (‘Workers Union’).
In the heart of Bhopal, Praja Mandal became a hub of political discourse, a crucible where ideas of freedom and self-governance were forged. In his entire career, Khan was jailed six-times from 1934 to 1949.
Bhopal’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle was marked by acts of unparalleled courage. During the Quit India Movement of 1942, the city stood firm against colonial oppression. Its streets were filled with protestors advocating for an end to British rule. The harsh crackdown by colonial authorities only served to fuel the flames of resistance, with Bhopal’s citizens led by visionaries like Shakir Ali Khan unyielding in their pursuit of liberty.
In 1952, towards the establishment of the Communist Party of India, Khan was its secretary.
Post independence, having failed in 1951 assembly elections, he won four subsequent elections in 1957, 1962, 1967 and 1972 from Bhopal seat.
During 1968 to 70, he served as the chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board, and since 1967, Bhopal Development Trust, a trustee of Bhopal Development Authority, general and executive member of Madhya Pradesh Communist Party and member of Madhya Pradesh AITUC and Kisan Sabha.
Khan died on March 14, 1978 and was buried on March 15, 1978 after a historic funeral.
