EVANGELIC ROOTS IN SULTANKOT & MISSA MAMA's HOSPITAL

 

Dr. Agha Inam ullah Khan

November 1, 2020

 

Dedicated to Khan Bahadur Jan Muhammad Khan Babar & Barnabas family

 

Acknowledgement

I offer my humble gratitude to all those who spared their time and shared valuable contribution to pen down this write up

Agha Sumair Khan who first explored the mention of Sultankot Maternity on internet back in 2007, which served as an incentive for me, and an intellect trigger to explore it further and document what is known for current & future generations of Sultankot to extend their humanitarian hand and continue to strive making sustainable efforts for the ultimate good of society

Professor Syed Atta Hussain Shah Bukhari from progeny of Syed Habash Shah Bukhari who shared his part of most valuable tale being resident in the neighborhood of maternity and having close ties with Barnabas family. I highly appreciate his support and the most valuable possession, the photographs for the write up

Master Siraj Ahmad Khan, teacher Primary Boys School for sharing Barnabas record from 1900 AD School Registers

For Photos by Mrs. Agha Musiullah Khan, Agha Sahad Khan, from the gallery of Agha Jan Akhtar, Syed Atta Hussain Shah Bukhari & Agha Zafarullah Shahid Khan

“Sultankot”, or fort of Sultan, westwards of National Highway at N65, was erected back in 1798 AD, by Amir Sultan Khan Babar (Ghora Khel Pashtun), related to Abdali King Ahmad Shah Durani. Amir Sultan had migrated consequent of mutiny in Afghanistan, and settled after purchasing land here in Sindh. He was not Babar as Mongol, but Babar "بابڙ" Pashtun from progeny of Sarban. Sarban was the first of 3 sons of Kish Imraul Cohen.

Kesh, or Qesh and also quouted as Imraul was a cohen from progeny of Jewish tribes from the last exodus in 586 BCE from Babylon, when they were being tortured and killed while establishing Neo-Babylonian Empire under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar. They settled in mountain terrains of Khorasan (modern Afghanistan). Kish or Baba Qais had accepted Islam on an invitation received from Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) through Hazrat Khalid-bin-Walid, after personally visiting prophet in Mecca along with delegation of 76 men headed by Qais for being royal blood of Saul. Saul as read in Bible old testament is quoted as Talut in Koran in chapter 2 “Sayaqool”. Qais along with his forefather Malik Avghana is buried on Koh-e-Suleiman mountain peak in Zhob Pakistan (previously part of Khorasan-Afghanistan).

Amir Sultan Khan Babar had served as Governor of Jalalabad Afghanistan before migrating to Sindh, on instructions of his grandfather Noor Muhammad Khan who along with his forefathers is buried in Kandahar-Afghanistan. Noor Muhammad Khan was executed brutally on orders of King Shah Zaman Durani with rumors whispered to King, of Sultan's grand father's  indulgence in divisive plot to overthrow the King. Fearing same fate Sultan never returned to Afghanistan despite end of Abdali rule there, and despite being married to King’s daughter who happened to be his paternal cousin. King’s daughter is buried in Syed Habash Shah Graveyard in Sultankot. Syed Habash Shah Bukhari was Sultan’s companion during their self-chosen exile from Afghanistan, and guide to choose the exact location for “Qila”. Sultan preferred erecting his own fort- “Qila”-the Kot ; which is now known as Sultankot town. Sultankot administratively fell previously being part of district Sukkur with revenue purchased land in Jacobabad (founded by British General Sir John Jacob), and then Shikarpur (founded in 1617 by Daodpota tribes of Sindh). Since their arrival in Sindh, Sultan’s clan has completely merged itself in culture of Indus valley civilization, and their mother tongue now is mainly Sindhi, and rarely Urdu, but not Pushtu anymore. Their ashes are fertilizing wild vegetation of land of Sufis.

 

Sultankot gate

Today 9^th generation of Sultan dwells in not just Sultankot, but in far off lands around the globe, including UK, USA, Canada, Germany, Middle East and Australia. Sultan’s children managed to acquire 5 awards during British Raj for their services of Public welfare; 3 Khan Bahadurs & 2 Khan Sahib. Originally conferred during Mughal era in sub-continent; the title Khan Bahadur was adopted by British rulers as well. It was a label of respect and honor spared exclusively for Muslim & non-Hindu individuals in sub-continent. The equivalent category for Hindus; it was named “Rai Bahadur”. Chronologically from top to bottom titles fall as “Sardar Bahadur, “Khan Bahadur” & Khan Sahib. The beneficiaries of the titles were given special title badge & an official document (or Sanad) by the Viceroy & Governor General on behalf of Government of British India.

Sanad

Most missionaries promoted their religion going to far off places around the world and getting involved in free medical services or taking teaching jobs to lift literacy among masses. The Evangelical movement is traced back in 1738 AD, and was seeded in Sultankot two centuries later in 1929, when Khan Bahadur (KB) Jan Muhammad Khan (member Bombay Council); 4^th in the progeny of Amir Sultan offered a plot in charity for building of a Maternity Home, and even bore the financial expenditure of the construction. On February 5, 1936 small event of laying a foundation stone for Maternity was hosted by KB Jan Muhammad at Sultankot. British having close ties with Khan Bahadur may have influenced him for the noble cause & it served the purpose of awarded title - the public service; as well as evangelic mission that helped British Raj further strengthen their ties, grow deeper roots of Christian missionary and promote their image among locals. Mrs. Kothawala was the chief guest of the event along with Ms. Cooper & couple of dozen other dignitaries from both Shikarpur & Jacobabad. The Maternity Home was built right opposite to the mosque which was also constructed on KB’s donated plot and financial assistance. Mrs. Kothawala most likely may have been the facilitator bringing in medical missionary for the nursing service as well. The Barnabas family- a Christian missionary successfully ran the hospital for decades and delivered thousands of babies both at maternity & home based deliveries for strictly purdah keeping families in Sultankot & in its peripheries. The Maternity was headed by Mrs. G. Barnabas popularly known as Miss Mama & the maternity became icon in Sultankot & its outskirts as “Missa Mama’s Hospital”.

Left- KB Jan Muhammad Khan in middle on his right Khan Sahib Hisamudin Khan-Right- Mrs. Kothawala beside the foundation stone

The idea to bring various Christian denominations on single platform mission for its promotion worldwide came from Charles Grant, George Uday of the East India Company and Rev. In 1787 a young member of British Parliament along with a young clergyman at Cambridge University William Wilberforce sent out the proposal. Eventually Baptist Missionary Society was formed in 1792 and then London Missionary Society in 1795 to represent various evangelical denominations. Finally, “The Church Mission Society CMS”; a British mission society in 1799AD, was established.

After the fall of Sindh in 1843 in a battle provoked by General Charles Napier; a commander of the East India Company’s Bombay Presidency Army, the first Magistrate of Karachi, Colonel Preedy, arrived with the British Army. Sindh was then annexed to Bombay Presidency & among many notables from Sindh, KB Jan Muhammad Shahpasand Khan was also member of Bombay Council. By nature, Colonel Preedy was a godly man, and within four years of his service he was able to establish a school on his own expense which was later run by Church Missionary Society (CMS) of the church of England following his transfer. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah became the most popular alumnus of the Church Mission High School.

In 1852 “Sindh Mission” of CMS was founded to preach Anglican literature in major cities, Karachi & Hyderabad in South, and Sukkur in north. These early Anglican missionaries from England were real pioneers in Sindh. The collector office was situated in Sukkur in those days overseeing both Shikarpur & Jacobabad.

In 1900 Sir Henry Holland arrived initially in Quetta to serve and start his career as medical missionary with Church Missionary Society (CMS) at a main hospital that stood near border of Afghanistan. And on request of a Hindu philanthropist in 1909 Dr. Holland came to Shikarpur to treat eye ailments, and the following year Sir Henry Holland Eye Hospital was established where hundreds of thousands have been treated free and now the hospital is occupied by builders’ mafia who intend to convert the historical monument into shopping complex with support of local politicians.

Sir Henry Holland

After inception of Pakistan, British influence began to diminish and was replaced by American lobbyists, in all walks. American missionaries voyage anchored at Karachi port in 1954. An American grad on that voyage along with her husband Ralph, narrates her part of story how thousands joined them for the cause eventually; in her book titled “Jars of Clay”, published in 2006. She has also co-authored a “Functional Sindhi”, a pedagogical grammar of the Sindhi language. She along with her husband Ralph served in Jacobabad until Salmons returned to take over. The Jacobabad Baptist Church was re-organized, and congregations held weekly evangelistic meetings.

In the fall of 1956, Warren and Shirley Webster moved to Dadu Church, and they were able to communicate in local Sindhi language, and soon were joined by Sam and Grace Pittman. In 1968, the church was formally organized as Dadu Christian Baptist Church.

In 1963, Christensens were urgently sent to Larkana. But couple of years before, in 1961 Addletons moved in its neighboring ancient city Shikarpur. Hu and Bettie regularly visited sweepers colony. Strange enough to this day most of sanitation job is still handled by non-Muslim folks; Christians & Hindus despite Muslim belief that, “Cleanliness is half of faith”. Hu taught worshippers Urdu songs & read Bible stories in Sindhi. When Hu organized larger worship service in hall in the community, Hindus objected, who were in majority in Shikarpur town contrary to the Muslim majority in rural Sindh. But even then, review  of the oldest record of students General Registration in Primary Boys School Sultankot established in 1873, reveals majority of Hindu students enrolled. On Hindus objection Hu had to move congregation to large verandah at his home. A significant number of newly converted Marwari Christians both educated and illiterate came to Shikarpur as well. As the medical ministry grew over time, number of educated Christians increased eventually as more and more nurses and other hospital personnel moved to Shikarpur. The illiterate Christians were engaged as guards, gardeners and sweepers in Shikarpur Christian Hospital.

In Sultankot, Hu and Bettie met Basil Barnabas at Mrs. G. Barnabas’ home located in portion of the same established Maternity. Mrs. G. Barnabas was popularly known as Missa Mama and even to this day elder citizens recall her as Missa Mama. She was a widow and her grown up Children Milly and Mr. Innocent Martin nick named Innu lived in Karachi. The Syed Family who travelled along with Amir Sultan lived in close vicinity of Maternity Home and had close ties with Mrs. Barnabas family. Syed Atta Hussain Shah Bukhari from same family; a former Professor at C&S College Shikarpur recalled his younger years and friendship with William Ralph Barnabas; son of Innocent Martin. Nick named Vicky; William Ralph as a school boy was Syed Atta Hussain Shah's friend. The school record confirms when education department officially notified the school administration for correction of his name in General Registration Register.

Official letter from Education Department

Shah shared that Innu and Ruby had two more sons Tony and Donnie, and a daughter called Nargis. Mrs. Barnabas was midwife at Maternity and Milly whom everyone called Milly Auntie, was a nurse and would help her mom in labors during her vacations in Sultankot. Together they had delivered thousands of babies in both Sultnakot town and villages in its surrounding peripheries. Two years after the maternity was establised, Mrs. Barnabas facilitated birth of my mother in 1938, and then myself in 1965; both being home based deliveries. Mrs. Barnabas’s husband’s brothers’ children Leonard and his brother Basil helped her with business side of Maternity Home at Sultankot. Leo & Basil had sister Nelly. Leonard and Nelly both remained single. Nelly worked in Red Cross Hospital Sukkur.

School G.R Register

Very few from Sultankot agreed to idea of sending girls to schools back in 60s. And there wasn’t any separate  school for girls in Sultankot either. The school register of Boys Primary School bears some names of girls registered, and it was not a co-education but some well to do families got their daughters registered in Boys School . My father sent my four elder sisters to Leonard for primary education. Many of other children from our immediate clan were sent to him by their parents as well. I can recall trembling in my vest with thumping heart in my chest sustaining the pressure of bladder filled from anxiety trying to learn ABC & Tables from Leo, before finally getting admission in Government Boys Primary School Sultankot in 1969. We all were scared of him. Both him & Mrs. Barnabas were like death angles for us. Scary but sober stare with frowning skin folds dipping on top of her nose bridge and a robotic nod when necessary, disciplined and expecting you to stay in order, dressed in long skirt and stockings and she never went out without a head scarf; reflecting a nun’s outfit.

 Left to Right- Syed Atta Hussain Shah, Mrs. Barnabas & Syed Akhtar Hussain Shah

Unlike her mother, aunt Milly was always smiling, friendly, puffing on cigarette dressed in shin high colorful skirt and sleeveless top and never cared to spare an ear to what people said; even though she loved to gossip herself. But she was kind and everyone felt a special relation with her. Besides English and Urdu, Milly spoke Sindhi with clear accent. Always visited everyone, and was more close to my father side of the family. She spent most of her time with my paternal aunt during her tenancy in Minton Hall in Karachi & then in her P.E.C.H.S residence, or with my mother in law (Khan bahadur’s daughter), and later with my cousin Asma; head of Asma’s Academy. Milly had worked at various hospitals and eventually lost her heart to a young lad from Kothwala Bohri family during her posting at Holy Family Hospital in Karachi. Unfortunately, it did not work further and she remained single for the rest of her life. She was more like our counselor, guiding angel and at times a confession window rather who was always ready to listen to lighten your burden and never leak it to another ear. She often slipped her tongue and called me with my father’s name, Aman, instead of Inam. May be she missed his chats with her and saw him in me. I could recall her week long stay with me and my wife back in January 1995 at our Hyderabad residence and last when we went to see her counting her days on hospital bed in 7 days Hospital Karachi. She was our family well-wisher and great friend to cherish your memories with. She sadly died of cancer two decades ago. Miss Mama had left even few years earlier.

Milly

Bettie had arranged to help Basil marry Catherine; a teacher who worked in an orphanage at Hyderabad, an adopted daughter of Chandu and Sara Ray. Basil & Catherine moved to Shikarpur when he took teaching job. Basil often helped Hu review his Urdu notes for any suggestions before delivering evangelic sermons. Pauline in her book writes about Basil often having heart pains only to discover later that it was just due to anxiety and depression. But in November 1967, he suddenly died of heart attack. Hu was called within half an hour of Basil’s collapse only to find his friend dead with smile on his face suggesting he had entered eternal peace. Syed Atta Hussain Shah does not agree to Pauline’s documented version on cause of death and claims that he died in his room due to an electric shock caught while he wanted to warm water in metal pan with electric heating rod. We had one such rod at home too and it was no mystery any more why  my father was always restless whenever someone  used it, and he never let children touch it. May be he was aware of Basil’s death for same reason. The room Basil died in, was lent to him for free by a Hindu merchant whose children he taught in Shikarpur. Realizing the inconvenience of his travel from Sultankot to Shikarpur city and back, Professor Shewa Ram Pherwani, who had served in Sociology department at Bombay University, offered him to stay in his huge house.

How cruel can fate be, only young widow orphan Catherine could tell. Since there were no funeral homes hence family members had to draw the courage to prepare his body for burial. Basil’s mother requested Hu, to bathe and dress Basil’s body. Basil’s Muslim friends had turned up in large numbers to pay their respect and say farewell. Most of that evening and night, the missionaries kept vigil with the family, until it was dawn, for last burial proceedings. Hu had desired to see Basil’s leadership in the fledgling Shikarpur Baptist Church. The voyage of American missionaries in Pakistan may have commenced since its inception, but the evangelistic roots in Sultankot were among the primordial ones.

 

Basil Barnabas resting his right arm on shoulder of a boy who is Retired. Prof. Syed Atta Hussain Shah. On his left Ralph William Barnabas on roof top of Maternity Home

I still sometime recollect my younger years, wandering to and fro in that 100 plus feet long narrow street where as a child I used to climb windows of maternity only to poke Mrs. Barnabas’s white Samoyed, and run fastest marathon to clear the street before Mrs. Barnabas would come to window and curse me or warn to complain it to my father, as she had caught me several times.

1936 Structure, rear northern wall of Maternity

The new Construction

Since Barnabas family left, only few midwives gave it a try but without much of success and it remained a ghost house for more than three decades. The walls inside had not just eroded but roof collapsed during Super floods 2010, with no funds available for its repair, until once again Khan Bahadur’s grandson named after him, Agha Jan Akhtar, a US grad, took the lead to collect some donations and got the whole new hospital reconstructed with more than PKR 10 million already spent. Hopefully soon we will re-live the Barnabas unforgettable memories and commendable services, with new hope. Amen. 

References

1. CMS Wikipedia

2. Jars of Clay, Pauline A. Brown

3. Babar Pashtun Qabeela, Dr. Hussain Babar

4. Gathered information from family and friends in Sultankot

5. Internet. Google search engine