Who was Pandit Lekhram?
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Pandit Lekh Ram (1858 – 6 March 1897) was an Arya Samaj Hindu leader. He is famous for his encounters with the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. He also wrote a book in falsification of Ahmad's Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya and named it Takzeeb e Barahin Ahmadiyya (A falsification of the Barahin e Ahmadiyya). He was assassinated on March 6, 1897. Ahmadis claim, this was in accordance with the prophecies of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.[1][2]
Early life
editPandit Lekh Ram[3] was born in April 1858 CE. (the 8th of Chaitra, 1915 (Vikrami)) at a small village Sayyed Pur, Jhelum District (now Pakistan-some victims of partition call Pakistan as Muslim Bhaarat).His nickname was lekhu . His father's name was Tara Singh and his mother was Bhag Bhari. He served in the Punjab Police for some years, when posted at Peshawar, he came under the influence of the teachings of Munshi Kanhaiya Lal Alakhdhari and came to know about the founder of the Arya Samaj and its founder Dayanand Saraswati. He resigned the Police service voluntarily and devoted his life for the propagation of Vedas and became a preacher of Punjab Arya Pratinidhi Sabha. He was the founder of the Arya Samaj branch in Peshawar. He was married and had one son who died in early childhood.[4]
Activities
editHe wrote the life history of Dayanand Saraswati and some 33 other books in Urdu. Some of which were translated in English, Hindi and Sindhi. He preached the view points of Arya Samaj and vedic religion. He is reported to be an enthusiastic debater. When Mirza Ghulam Ahmad published his magnum opus the Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya (1884), Lekh Ram challenged him in very strong words and wrote a falsification of the book, namely Takzeeb e Barahin Ahmadiyya.[5][6]
As a speaker of Arabic, Persian, he involved in debates of multiple languages.[7]
Encounters with Islam
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Pandit Lekh Ram was active in converting Muslims to Hinduism, an enthusiastic missionary of the Vedic preaching. He objected to the Muslim religious tenets and criticized the teachings of the Quran. One Ahmadi Muslim writer records that Lekh Rams attacks on the Quran and Muhammad had been "most scurrilous" and he published the "most distorted translations of Quranic passages, common decency found it difficult even to read those translations. He held the most foul views about the Holy Prophet and the Holy Quran... Controversy with him began to mount. Lekh Ram went further and further in his abuse of the Holy Prophet (on whom be peace), and ridicule of Hazrat Mirza Sahib".[8] Lekh Ram became engaged in a "life and death " duel with the Founder of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in these complex theological debates. When Mirza Ghulam Ahmad published his magnum opus the Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Lekhran published his critical refutation with the name Takzeeb Barahin e Ahmadiyya (a Falsification of the Barahin e Ahmadiyya),[9] he also published many other critical booklets, e.g. Khabt e Ahmadiyya (the Ahmadiyya Delusion) etc. against Islam and Ahmadiyya [10]
Prayer Duel
editMirza Ghulam Ahmad from Qadian sought Lekh Ram's permission to publish 'news of the unseen' about him on March 1, 1886 in an Announcement in the news paper Riaz e Hind (Zameema) Amritsar (India)[11]
Ahmad had published his revelations of February 20, 1886 about the great future of his Movement that God had revealed to him, that he shall have an everlasting fame and prestige and his Message shall spread to the corners of the Earth and a Promised son shall be his heir and the like of him,[12]
Lekh Ram responded with his own set of prophecies about Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, his imminent death, destruction and humiliation with in 3 years [13]
Lekh Ram the subject of prophecy
editMirza Ghulam Ahmad claimed that, he had received knowledge from God, that Lekh Ram was due to meet with a fatal calamity within six years counting from February 20, 1893.[14]
"A miserable half dead cow; nothing awaits for it but disgrace and destruction."
"If within six years from today February 20, 1893, this man does not meet with punishment from God, which is unusual in its poignancy and tragedy and which impresses all and sundry with the fear of the Lord, then let everybody think that I am not from God."
"And God gave me the tidings that I will witness a day of Eid, and this day will be close to the Eid."
He went on: "And among the graces of God, which I have received, is this - that He has accepted my prayers relating to one Lekh Ram and that He has informed me that he will soon meet his deserts. This man was foul in his abuse of the Holy Prophet. I prayed against him. So, my God informed me that this man will die within six years. There are Signs in this for seekers-after truth."
A little later, Hazrat Mirza Sahib added further details to the prophecy. These were published as a note inside the title cover of his book Barakat ul-Dua.[15] It was headed:
`A further prophecy about Lekh Ram of Peshawar.' In the course of it he wrote: "Today April 2, 1893 A.D., (Ramadhan 14, 1310 A.H.), early in the morning, in semi-sleep, I saw myself sitting in a large house, some friends with me. Suddenly in front of me I saw a man, fearful looking with blood-shot eyes. As I saw, he seemed a strange creature, of a strange character. Not a human being I thought, but a dreadful and dangerous angel. He struck terror in those who saw him. As I looked at him, he asked, `Where is Lekh Ram?' Then he named another and asked me his whereabouts also. I then understood that this person had been appointed to punish Lekh Ram and this other man."
Lekh Ram's assassination
editOn March 5, 1897, an assailant stabbed Lekh Ram in the stomach, the wounds proved fatal and he died the next day to Muslim's festival Eid al-Fitr March 6, 1897 in the Mayo Hospital Lahore. He was cremated and the ashes dispersed into a river.
It is reported that a man with blood-shot eyes had come to him, wishing to be converted from Islam to Hinduism. People tried to dissuade Lekh Ram from entertaining him. But Lekh Ram did not heed. This man became Lekh Ram's trusted companion. Lekh Ram had appointed the fateful Saturday as the day of his conversion. Lekh Ram was busy writing. He asked for some book. This man pretending to reach Lekh Ram with the book, slipped a knife into his stomach, and turned the knife round and round so as to cut the entrails thoroughly. He then disappeared, this being the statement of Lekh Ram's family. Lekh Ram was on the upper floor of the house. Near the gate, on the ground floor, were many men; but no one saw the murderer come down and escape. Lekh Ram's mother and wife were certain he was still in the house. On a search of the house nobody was found.[17]
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was accused
editThe Hindu press, and public accused Mirza Ghulam Ahmad who had published prophecies of Lekh Ram's death, the Police investigated the case, but found no evidence to incriminate Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.[18]
Works
editAll his 33 works have been collectively published under the name Kulyaat e Arya Musafir, by Mahashe Keeshat Dev manager Sattya Dharam Parcharak Haridwar, at the Printing Press of Rai Sahib Munshi Gulab Singh Mufeed aam Press Lahore (1903).[19]
1. Tareekh-E-Dunya
2. Saboot-E-Tanasukh
3. Shri Krishn ka jeevan Charitra
4. Stree Shiksha
5. Stree Shiksha ke wasail
6. Namaste ki Tahqeeqat
7. Devi Bhaagvat Pareeksha
8. Puraan kisne Banai
9. Dharam Parchar
10. Patap Udharan
11. Murda Zaroor Jalana Chahiye
12. Murti Parkash
13. Itre Roohani
14. Saanch ko Aanch Nahi
15. Ram Chadar Ji ka Sacha Darshan
16. Christian Mat Darpan
17. Masal Neug
18. Sadaqat e Rigved
19. Nijaat Ki Asli Tareef
20. Sache Dharam ki Shahadat
21. Sadaqat e Ilham
22. Sadaqat e Usool wa Taleem Aray Samaj
23. Takzeeb e Barahin Ahmadiyya vol 1
24. Takzeeb e Barahin Ahmadiyya vol 2
25. Nuskha Khabte Ahmadiyya
26. Ibtaal Basharaat e Ahmadiyya
27. Risala Jihaad
28. Izhaar e Haq
29. Hujjat ul Islam
30. Rah e Nijaat
31. Sadaqat Dharam Arya
32. Radd e Khil’at Islam
33. Ayeena e Shafa’at
References
edit- ^ Pandit Lekh Ram (1858-1897)
- ^ Ian Talbot writes : "Relations grew particularly bad between the Aryas and the Muslims. Serious violence broke out in 1897 when a leading Arya Samajist called Pandit Lekh Ram was assassinated. Lekh Ram's greatest influence was in the north-west of Punjab. He had in fact joined the Peshawar Arya Samaj in 1880 and rose to prominence first as a missionary and then as editor of the Arya Gazette. At first he had limited his attacks to the Ahmadi movement of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, but he increasingly attacked orthodox Muslims as well. His pamphlet, Risala-i-Jihad ya'ri Din-i-Muhammad ki Bunyad (A Treatise on waging holy war, or the foundation of the Muhammadan Religion) caused a considerable outcry, when it was published in 1892. Until his murder by a Muslim five years later, Lekh Ram continued to stir up animosity by his vituperative writings." (Punjab and the Raj, 1849–1947", p. 72–73) Ian Talbot.
- ^ https://archive.org/details/AryapathikLekhram-SwamiShraddhanand-Hindi
- ^ Short Account of Pandit Lekhram "arya musafir"
- ^ Lekh Ram wrote Takzeeb Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya . Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya
- ^ Kulyaat e Arya Musafir, by Mahashe Keeshat Dev manager Sattya Dharam Parcharak Haridwar, at the Printing Press of Rai Sahib Munshi Gulab Singh Mufeed aam Press Lahore (1903)
- ^ The journal of Asian studies - Volume 28, Issues 1-2 - Page 45
- ^ Death of Lekh Ram
- ^ see Kulyat e Arya Musafir [Kulyaat e Arya Musafir, by Mahashe Keeshat Dev manager Sattya Dharam Parcharak Haridwar, at the Printing Press of Rai Sahib Munshi Gulab Singh Mufeed aam Press Lahore (1903).]
- ^ see Kulyat e Arya Musafir [Kulyaat e Arya Musafir, by Mahashe Keeshat Dev manager Sattya Dharam Parcharak Haridwar, at the Printing Press of Rai Sahib Munshi Gulab Singh Mufeed aam Press Lahore (1903).]
- ^ Announcement March 1, 1886 , Riaz e Hind Amritsar;
- ^ Announcement of February 20, 1886, Majmua ishtiharaat Vol -1 pp:102-103
- ^ Lekh Ram ki Peshgoi: Kulyaat Aray Musafir Part 3, pp: 496-498;
- ^ Revelations 1893, Tadhkira
- ^ Blessings of Prayer, p. 53
- ^ Invitation to Ahmadiyyat (Urdu:Dawat-ul-Amir) pp: 257-261; by Hazrat Al-Haaj Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih II, Second Successor to the Promised Messiah,[1]
- ^ Invitation to Ahmadiyyat (Urdu:Dawat-ul-Amir) pp: 257-261; by Hazrat Al-Haaj Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih II, Second Successor to the Promised Messiah,[2]
- ^ Short Account of Pandit Lekhram "arya musafir"
- ^ List of Lekh Ram's Works (Title Page) Kulyaat e Arya Musafir, by Mahashe Keeshat Dev manager Sattya Dharam Parcharak Haridwar, at the Printing Press of Rai Sahib Munshi Gulab Singh Mufeed aam Press Lahore (1903)
[[Category:1858 births]]
[[Category:1897 deaths]]
[[Category:Arya Samaj| ]]
[[Category:Arya Samajis]]
[[Category:Critics of Christianity]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Indian Hindus]]
[[Category:Hindu religious leaders]]
[[Category:People from Jhelum District]]