Amar Shahid Ashfak Ullakhan Khan

When you come into this world, you will hear my story and see my picture. Dont mistake this writing for my brains influence. I am of sound mind, and my intellect is functioning properly. My purpose in writing this for children is simply to make them realize their duty and refresh my memory. The revolutionary martyr Ashfaqulla Khan wrote these words to his nephews just before his execution. His aim was to make the countrys young generation aware of their responsibilities and commitments. Such patriotic revolutionaries have been forgotten today. Edited by Banarasi Das Chaturvedi, a sympathizer of revolutionaries and freedom fighters, this book introduces the reader to Ashfaqulla Khans revolutionary life and his poetic world. In fact, the paths to his writings and lifes destination were not two but one. The book chronicles Ashfaq Ullahs childhood, his youthful yearning for martyrdom, his outspoken rebellion against the British, and ultimately his execution for the nation. The most important sections of the book include Ashfaqs letters, messages, ghazals, poetry, and articles, in which he provides a detailed account of his family background, his childhood and educational upbringing, his school life and his desperate life, and his Zazbate-e-Ittehad-e-Islami (Islamic sentiments). To understand Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaq Ullah is to understand the legacy of the countrys Ganga-Jamuna culture and the patriotism and friendship that flowed through their very beings. In addition to Banarasidas Chaturvedi, the writings of Ramprasad Bismil, Manmathnath Gupta, Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee, and Riyasat Ullah Khan also offer a true example of Ashfaqs patriotism and integrity. Undoubtedly, this book proves helpful in viewing and understanding Ashfaq anew.