Nizami Badayuni was a polymath from Badayuni, a poet, journalist, printer, publisher and an author, writing and editing books on various subjects and topics. He was born in 1872 CE / 1288 in his ancestral home situated in Mohalla Sooth of Badayun, a legendary land were the genius personalities such as Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya and Shakeel Badayuni among numerous others were born.
His father was Maulvi Fakhruddin belonging to the landed gentry in the city, who died in the year 1920. He had two sons – Wahiduddin and Nizamuddin. They trace their lineage to the second caliph of Islam, Hazrat Abu Bakr (R).
His education upto Intermediate is certain but its beyond is uncertain. He went to Aligarh for higher studies but he was called back by his family because English education in those days and his family was not appreciated. However, he had good command over English by self study translating from English for his newspaper ‘Zulqarnain’, which was being published by “Nizami Press”, which has a cherished history in the realm of publishing valuable books with distinguished printing qualities – Beautiful and Unique.
Nizami Badayuni began his journey of journalism publishing his articles in the journal ‘Alam-e-Tasweer’, Kanpur. Alam-e-Tasweer was published by Munshi Rahmatullah, an accomplished journalist who influenced Nizami enormously. Media outlets which his articles graced include amongst others Mahr-e-Neemroz, Bijnor, Al-Hilal, Moradabad and Urdu Akhbar, Moradabad.
As regards his poetry, first he wrote a masnavi ‘Subh-e-Meelad (published in 1896) and sent it to Maulana Hali for rectification. Hali rectified it and advised as well:
“Son, do not waste your time on common poetry. God did not make your for this task. You have community feelings in your heart. You should compose events influenced by these feelings.”
Nizami never ignored this advice his teacher, one of the celebrated personalities of Islamic and community history of South Asia.
Nizami Badayuni got married to the daughter of Maulvi Hamiduddin, Deputy Collector (Nizami Badayuni by Mohammad Kazmi). Many children were born to the Nizami couple but they did not survive beyond their infancy except for three:
- Ahiduddin Nizami
- Zahira Khatoon
- Ameena Khatoon
Nizami Badayuni passed away on 06th June, 1947 and he was laid to rest in his family graveyard at Mulla Sarai in Badayuni.
Dr Shams Badayuni acquired his Ph. D degree writing the thesis on “Nizami Badayuni and Nizami Press Ki Adabi Khidmat” ‘Nizami Badayuni and Literary Services of Nizami Press’. This book of about 400 hundred pages covers almost all aspects of the life of the man, Nizami Badayuni, who was an example of a community leader and who has left a legacy, we are proud of.
The services of Nizami Badayuni in authoring, print and publishing valuable books and publications shall be covered in posts.
Hamid Siddiqui
CEO – Muslims of India Portal
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