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Shahab Nama / شہاب نامہ
یہ کتاب قدرت اللہ شہاب کی خور نوشت ہے۔
ایک بھرپور زندگی کے ہنسنے ہنسانے، رونے رلانے والے واقعات کا حیرت ناک اور عبرتناک مرقع۔
ماضی اور حال کے آئینے میں پاکستان کے مستقبل کی عکاسی۔
یہ کتاب سربراہوں کی کج رویوں، سیاست دانوں کی ہیرا پھیریوں، نوکر شاہی کی جی حضوریوں، بیوروکریٹس کی من مانیوں، انتظامیہ کی دھاندلیوں، سور معاشرے کی بے حسی کی بے لاگ داستان ہے۔ انگریز کا راج، ہندو کا سماج، سکھوں کا مزاج، مسلمانوں کا ٹمٹماتا ہوا چراغ، داخلہ اور خارجہ پالیسیوں کے لیل و نہار، با اعتماد اور نا قابلِ اعتماد "دوست" ممالک کے نقش و نگار، کشکولِ گدائی پر انحصار، محلاتی سازشوں اور آمریت کا جال،اقدار کا زوال،مارشل لاؤں کا جنجال، جہاد کشمیر اور جزوی آزادی، یو-این-او کی قراردادوں کی بے حرمتی اور بے ثباتی۔
مسجد اقصیٰ کی ایک رات، دین مبین کی تجلیات، قلب و نظر کے مشاہدات، تزکیہ نفس کے معاملات۔
کتاب کے آخر میں "پاکستان کے بارے میں چند اندازے" اور اسلام کے فیوض و برکات اور ذاتی مشاہدات شامل کرکے مصنف نے اس خود نوشت کو نیٔ جہت عطا کر دی ہے۔
ایک بھرپور زندگی کے ہنسنے ہنسانے، رونے رلانے والے واقعات کا حیرت ناک اور عبرتناک مرقع۔
ماضی اور حال کے آئینے میں پاکستان کے مستقبل کی عکاسی۔
یہ کتاب سربراہوں کی کج رویوں، سیاست دانوں کی ہیرا پھیریوں، نوکر شاہی کی جی حضوریوں، بیوروکریٹس کی من مانیوں، انتظامیہ کی دھاندلیوں، سور معاشرے کی بے حسی کی بے لاگ داستان ہے۔ انگریز کا راج، ہندو کا سماج، سکھوں کا مزاج، مسلمانوں کا ٹمٹماتا ہوا چراغ، داخلہ اور خارجہ پالیسیوں کے لیل و نہار، با اعتماد اور نا قابلِ اعتماد "دوست" ممالک کے نقش و نگار، کشکولِ گدائی پر انحصار، محلاتی سازشوں اور آمریت کا جال،اقدار کا زوال،مارشل لاؤں کا جنجال، جہاد کشمیر اور جزوی آزادی، یو-این-او کی قراردادوں کی بے حرمتی اور بے ثباتی۔
مسجد اقصیٰ کی ایک رات، دین مبین کی تجلیات، قلب و نظر کے مشاہدات، تزکیہ نفس کے معاملات۔
کتاب کے آخر میں "پاکستان کے بارے میں چند اندازے" اور اسلام کے فیوض و برکات اور ذاتی مشاہدات شامل کرکے مصنف نے اس خود نوشت کو نیٔ جہت عطا کر دی ہے۔
1248 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1987
515 people are currently reading
5615 people want to read
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December 25, 2016
I'm short of words right now but if I didn't say anything now I wouldn't be able later too.
Phenomenal just Phenomenal!
The most honest autobiography ever written.
One of the finest book in Urdu history and one of the best books of my life yet. This is so close to my heart, my heart weeps and laughs while reading. Such people are true assets of our country. A must read for every Pakistani. It encompasses heaps of information which is never mentioned anywhere.
The whole book is brilliant & my favorite but still I couldn't resist myself sharing few life-changing lines here,
(P.S: I wish someone translate this book into English and other languages)
گناه کا امکان گناه سے بھی زیاده خطرناک ہوتا ہے. بُری بات ہو جاۓ تو وہ ماضی کا ایک واقعہ بن جاتا ہے جس کے لیے توبہ کا دروزاہ بھی کھلا رہتا ہے اورآئندہ اس سے بچ کر رہنا بھی انساں کے اپنے اختیارمیں ہے، لیکن بُری بات کا امکان خون میں رچے ہوئے زہر کی طرح ہر وقت رگ و پے میں گردش کرتا رہتا ہے.
''خوشامد کی قینچی عقل و فہم کے پَر کاٹ کر انسان کے ذہن کو آزادئ پرواز سے محروم کر دیتی ہے۔''
''والد صاحب نے کہا کہ انسان کو کسی کے پیٹھ پر وہی بات کرنی چا ہیے جو وہ اس کے منہ پر بھی دہرا سکے. بات معمولی سی تھی لیکن میں نے اس پر عمل بڑا مشکل پایا ہے. ہاں جب کبهی اس پر عمل پیرا ہو نے کی توفیق ملی ہے اس وقت زندگی بڑی ہلکی اور آسان محسوس ہوئی ہے ''.
Phenomenal just Phenomenal!
The most honest autobiography ever written.
One of the finest book in Urdu history and one of the best books of my life yet. This is so close to my heart, my heart weeps and laughs while reading. Such people are true assets of our country. A must read for every Pakistani. It encompasses heaps of information which is never mentioned anywhere.
The whole book is brilliant & my favorite but still I couldn't resist myself sharing few life-changing lines here,
(P.S: I wish someone translate this book into English and other languages)
گناه کا امکان گناه سے بھی زیاده خطرناک ہوتا ہے. بُری بات ہو جاۓ تو وہ ماضی کا ایک واقعہ بن جاتا ہے جس کے لیے توبہ کا دروزاہ بھی کھلا رہتا ہے اورآئندہ اس سے بچ کر رہنا بھی انساں کے اپنے اختیارمیں ہے، لیکن بُری بات کا امکان خون میں رچے ہوئے زہر کی طرح ہر وقت رگ و پے میں گردش کرتا رہتا ہے.
''خوشامد کی قینچی عقل و فہم کے پَر کاٹ کر انسان کے ذہن کو آزادئ پرواز سے محروم کر دیتی ہے۔''
''والد صاحب نے کہا کہ انسان کو کسی کے پیٹھ پر وہی بات کرنی چا ہیے جو وہ اس کے منہ پر بھی دہرا سکے. بات معمولی سی تھی لیکن میں نے اس پر عمل بڑا مشکل پایا ہے. ہاں جب کبهی اس پر عمل پیرا ہو نے کی توفیق ملی ہے اس وقت زندگی بڑی ہلکی اور آسان محسوس ہوئی ہے ''.
February 18, 2018
FINALLY...
I've finished the book after one year. It's not like... I didn't like it but it was hard to swallow and difficult to digest.
The only lines I can recall from the book are: "Jab mujhy Chandrawati say mohabbat hui, tou usy mary huy teesara roz tha..." <3
And I'd never forget the horror part and the chapter he wrote for his wife. <3
I've finished the book after one year. It's not like... I didn't like it but it was hard to swallow and difficult to digest.
The only lines I can recall from the book are: "Jab mujhy Chandrawati say mohabbat hui, tou usy mary huy teesara roz tha..." <3
And I'd never forget the horror part and the chapter he wrote for his wife. <3
February 5, 2015
This book is one of its kind. Its an autobiography of an ordinary Muslim Kashmiri boy, who is intelligent enough to get into the prestigious ICS before Partition. We are treated for a rich journey which ultimately lands him into the president's office as one of his trusted officers, blessed by the Sufi mystics of the time. I loved the narrative style and the free flowing of information in the book. It represents a time when patriotism in Pakistan was still pretty raw and people believed.
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to read history of Pakistan.
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to read history of Pakistan.
November 7, 2013
JAHAN INQUILAB HOTA HAI - WAHAN QUDRAT-ULLAH SHAHAAB HOTA HAI....!
September 16, 2016
It's again one of those books that I wanted to review (Though they aren't many).
Read it more than once in intervals of months to years. May be that's why some parts of this are carved in mind. First time read it in my teen years and can remember buying three copies to give to some people from my next salary.
It's very important book in my life as it introduced me with sheer beauty of quality Urdu Literature. Before this book cheap crime magazine(They are with different name in market though, which I don't wana write here) were bread and butter.
This book is extraordinary in many aspects that its impossible to sum up in limited time.
The Humorous style of portraying real life story of himself should win the place for this book to be praised and categorized in comedy.
This book contains a lot of hilarious incidents that can make you laugh till your brains out. It's real amazing that old people who knew him when he was in main screen of bureaucracy, never had thought that this serious gentleman has such delicate heart. I really can't mention everything which made me laugh so hard because this review won't be enough. His Childhood experiences, His era with Governor General Ghulam Muhammad, Bitterness and bluntness of Iffat Shahab for religion, His experiences in recruiting as ICS officer and In Exams and experiences in being a Deputy Commissioner of District Jhangg.
The humbleness of the writer played most cunning trick that might no writer would be able to do. It's extraordinary for a writer to make it believe the reader that he was an ordinary guy. He really got succeeded and this makes him extra ordinary person. His piracy of poetry in childhood, stealing money from tombs, teaching an English brat in Camblepoor (Currently known as Attock which is my district as well), Winning competition of international essay award (pretending that it just happened mistakenly), Helping Mumtaz Mufti for his jobs but never mentioned it in here (Mumtaz Mufti claimed it in his Book Alakh nagri) and the attack of inferiority complex while entering in Examination Hall of ICS.
Writer was so religiously Fundamental but part moderate which is very rare combination. His respect of Saints specially tombs, Helping a Paish Imam when he asked for help by the reference of Holy Prophet, beating the black magic sorcerer who dominated the area by his black magic tricks, resigning in front of Ayub Khan when Ayub decided to exclude "Islamic" from Islamic Republic of Pakistan, volunteering for spying for Philistine kids and for their propaganda school course and performing Hajj in first priority.
He got hold of the book by Combining historic events in interesting way that new generation can easily remember about main events after Partition. His era with all heads of states, Expanding history of Kashmiri Politicians such as Sheikh Abdullah (Though I don't know is he Father or Grand father of Umar Abdullah the current Kashmiri Politician).
Patriotism and Corruption could be one of themes which are influencing the book. The shaky situation of Pakistan after Partition like when he explains that they used thorns for paper pins, Corruption in claim department, lack of management when he was commissioner and most importantly the real faces of our so called leaders and head of states.
Explaining all Emotional shocks which anyone usually faces in life in such frank style that nobody will share personal life as he did. His unfinished love with Chandra Watti. Death of Iffat and Maan Jee.
The haunted events made this book so so famous. I never believed in supernatural things before reading this book. It's certainly true that evil spirits can elect very nasty way to convey their message to living.
The determination, Tolerance and integrity is main lesson for us Youth.
He came from nowhere but got what he deserved. Became first Hindustani (Muslim or Hindu) to clear the ICS Exam (Corrarct me if I am wrong because I don't remember this part exactly).
How simple the advice looked given by his dad
"1. Always care and save your character.
2. Talk about anyone if you can say it on His face too".
How easy they look but they look oceans to cross when we have to act upon them. It didn't end after. He had to face Kabbalah Magic too. Which in some people's opinion killed Iffat (Baba Yahya Khan claimed it in his book Piya Rang Kala).
He struggled hard for his pension funds which General Yahya Khan ceased.
His struggle for Urdu Writers Guild with Molvi Abdul Haq (Father of Urdu).
It's best Autobiography in Urdu language in my humble opinion.
Read it more than once in intervals of months to years. May be that's why some parts of this are carved in mind. First time read it in my teen years and can remember buying three copies to give to some people from my next salary.
It's very important book in my life as it introduced me with sheer beauty of quality Urdu Literature. Before this book cheap crime magazine(They are with different name in market though, which I don't wana write here) were bread and butter.
This book is extraordinary in many aspects that its impossible to sum up in limited time.
The Humorous style of portraying real life story of himself should win the place for this book to be praised and categorized in comedy.
This book contains a lot of hilarious incidents that can make you laugh till your brains out. It's real amazing that old people who knew him when he was in main screen of bureaucracy, never had thought that this serious gentleman has such delicate heart. I really can't mention everything which made me laugh so hard because this review won't be enough. His Childhood experiences, His era with Governor General Ghulam Muhammad, Bitterness and bluntness of Iffat Shahab for religion, His experiences in recruiting as ICS officer and In Exams and experiences in being a Deputy Commissioner of District Jhangg.
The humbleness of the writer played most cunning trick that might no writer would be able to do. It's extraordinary for a writer to make it believe the reader that he was an ordinary guy. He really got succeeded and this makes him extra ordinary person. His piracy of poetry in childhood, stealing money from tombs, teaching an English brat in Camblepoor (Currently known as Attock which is my district as well), Winning competition of international essay award (pretending that it just happened mistakenly), Helping Mumtaz Mufti for his jobs but never mentioned it in here (Mumtaz Mufti claimed it in his Book Alakh nagri) and the attack of inferiority complex while entering in Examination Hall of ICS.
Writer was so religiously Fundamental but part moderate which is very rare combination. His respect of Saints specially tombs, Helping a Paish Imam when he asked for help by the reference of Holy Prophet, beating the black magic sorcerer who dominated the area by his black magic tricks, resigning in front of Ayub Khan when Ayub decided to exclude "Islamic" from Islamic Republic of Pakistan, volunteering for spying for Philistine kids and for their propaganda school course and performing Hajj in first priority.
He got hold of the book by Combining historic events in interesting way that new generation can easily remember about main events after Partition. His era with all heads of states, Expanding history of Kashmiri Politicians such as Sheikh Abdullah (Though I don't know is he Father or Grand father of Umar Abdullah the current Kashmiri Politician).
Patriotism and Corruption could be one of themes which are influencing the book. The shaky situation of Pakistan after Partition like when he explains that they used thorns for paper pins, Corruption in claim department, lack of management when he was commissioner and most importantly the real faces of our so called leaders and head of states.
Explaining all Emotional shocks which anyone usually faces in life in such frank style that nobody will share personal life as he did. His unfinished love with Chandra Watti. Death of Iffat and Maan Jee.
The haunted events made this book so so famous. I never believed in supernatural things before reading this book. It's certainly true that evil spirits can elect very nasty way to convey their message to living.
The determination, Tolerance and integrity is main lesson for us Youth.
He came from nowhere but got what he deserved. Became first Hindustani (Muslim or Hindu) to clear the ICS Exam (Corrarct me if I am wrong because I don't remember this part exactly).
How simple the advice looked given by his dad
"1. Always care and save your character.
2. Talk about anyone if you can say it on His face too".
How easy they look but they look oceans to cross when we have to act upon them. It didn't end after. He had to face Kabbalah Magic too. Which in some people's opinion killed Iffat (Baba Yahya Khan claimed it in his book Piya Rang Kala).
He struggled hard for his pension funds which General Yahya Khan ceased.
His struggle for Urdu Writers Guild with Molvi Abdul Haq (Father of Urdu).
It's best Autobiography in Urdu language in my humble opinion.
December 7, 2020
میری مثال اس وقت اس پتھر کی سی ہے جس کو وقت اور حالات کی گرد نے مزید سخت اور میلا کر رکھا ہے۔ ایسے میں کوئ کتاب اس قوت سے مجھ پر اثر انداز نہیں ہوسکتی کہ مجھے اندر سے جھنجھوڑ دے اور مجھ پر جمی ہوئ گرد اور سیاہی کو دھو دے۔
آج شہاب نامہ کو مکمل پڑھ کر کچھ تھوڑا سا بالکل واجبی سا شوق اپنے دین کو جاننے کا اور اپنے ملک سے محبت کا بیدار ہوتا ہوا محسوس ہوا ہے، گو کہ میں جانتا ہوں کہ یہ وقتی ابال ہے، مگر کچھ تو ہے۔
ہاں مگر اس کتاب کو پڑھ کر جو اردو پڑھنے کا لطف آیا اس کی تو کیا ہی بات ہے۔
آج شہاب نامہ کو مکمل پڑھ کر کچھ تھوڑا سا بالکل واجبی سا شوق اپنے دین کو جاننے کا اور اپنے ملک سے محبت کا بیدار ہوتا ہوا محسوس ہوا ہے، گو کہ میں جانتا ہوں کہ یہ وقتی ابال ہے، مگر کچھ تو ہے۔
ہاں مگر اس کتاب کو پڑھ کر جو اردو پڑھنے کا لطف آیا اس کی تو کیا ہی بات ہے۔
July 9, 2018
شہاب نامہ کا نام بچپن سے سنتے آئے تھے، آج پڑھ کے بھی دیکھ لی۔ جیسا سنا تھا اْس سے بڑھ کر پایا۔قدرت اللہ شہاب کا طرز تحریر انتہائی منفرد اور آسان ہے، ہم تو یا خدا پڑھ کر اْن کے دیوانے ہوئے تھے۔ مشکل سے مشکل بات آسانی سے بیان کرتے ہیں۔جموں میں پلیگ کے دوران لوگ چوہوں سے بھاگتے ہیں جبکہ موصوف چوہوں کو دموں سے پکڑ کے اِدھر اْدھر اْچھالتے ہیں، لوگ طاعون زدہ کے پاس تک نہیں پٹھکتے اور یہ موصوف صادقہ بیگم کے ارد گرد منڈلاتے رہتے ہیں۔ بچپن میں سکول سے بھاگتے ہیں، گھر جھوٹ بولتےہیں، کتابوں کے رسیا ہیں اور دادی سے کہانیاں سنتے ہیں اور مزار سے پیسے چراتے ہیں۔ غرض قدرت اللہ کا بچپن ایک روایتی بچے کا بچپن ہے۔لڑکپن میں ایک محبت کرتے ہیں گویا لڑکپن بھی روایتی ہے! البتہ جوانی سے زندگی کا رخ متعین ہوتا ہے کے آئی سی ایس میں شامل ہو جاتے ہیں۔
شروع سے ہی یہ کتاب آپ کو اپنے سحر میں جکڑ لیتی ہے اور تب تک نہیں چھوڑتی جب تک آپ اسے ختم نہ کر دیں، بلکہ میں تو کتاب ختم ہونے کے بعد تادم تحریر شہاب نامہ کے سحر میں گرفتار ہوں۔
جوں جوں آپ پڑھتے جاتے ہیں توں توں دلچسبی میں اضافہ در اضافہ ہوتا چلا جاتا ہے، ایک سے بڑھ کر ایک حیرت انگیز واقعہ ہر دوسرے صفحے پر آپکی راہ دیکھ راہا ہوتا ہے چاہے وہ سول لائنز کی ویران کوٹھی ہو یا مہاراجہ کشمیر سے ملاقات، مقدس مٹکا ہو یا درود شریف کی برکت، کشمیر میں اپنے افسروں سے تلخ کلامی ہو یا ریل گاڑی میں راشٹریہ سوایم سیوک سنگ کے کر کرتا دھرتا اندر کمار سے ملاقات، نندہ بس سروس ہو یا اورنگ آباد، ڈپٹی کمیشنر کی ڈائری ہو یا "یا خدا" کی کہانی، چندراواتی کی محبت ہو یا ہندو بنیے کی مکاری، اقتدار کی غلام گردشیں ہوں یا صاحبان اقتدار کی عیاریاں، نوکر شاہی کی چلاکیاں ہوں یا پاکستانی فوج کی مکّاریاں، دشمنوں کی سازش ہو یا دوستوں کی چشم پوشیاں، ممالک کے آپسی تعلقات ہوں یا داخلی بحران، صدور، وزرائے اعظم کے واقعات ہوں یا آپ بیتیاں ، جاگیر کے کاروباری ہوں یا مزہب کے بیوپاری یہ کتاب آپ کو ہر ایک کے اندر چھپے شخص سے واقف کراتی ہے، ہر پردے کو چاق کرتی ہے ہر کردار کو سامنے لاتی ہے۔
شہاب نامہ پڑھ کر ہمیں خوشی بھی ہوتی ہے اور غم بھی، یہ ایک ایسی کتاب ہے جو ہنساتی بھی ہے اور رولاتی بھی ، پاکستان بننے کو یہ واقعاتی طور سے بھی دکھلاتی ہے اور نطریاتی طور پر بھی، اور بہت کچھ سوچنے پر مجبور بھی کرتی ہے۔ میرا خیال جس نے یہ کتاب نہیں پڑھی اردو ادب میں اْس نے کچھ بھی نہیں پڑھا۔
شروع سے ہی یہ کتاب آپ کو اپنے سحر میں جکڑ لیتی ہے اور تب تک نہیں چھوڑتی جب تک آپ اسے ختم نہ کر دیں، بلکہ میں تو کتاب ختم ہونے کے بعد تادم تحریر شہاب نامہ کے سحر میں گرفتار ہوں۔
جوں جوں آپ پڑھتے جاتے ہیں توں توں دلچسبی میں اضافہ در اضافہ ہوتا چلا جاتا ہے، ایک سے بڑھ کر ایک حیرت انگیز واقعہ ہر دوسرے صفحے پر آپکی راہ دیکھ راہا ہوتا ہے چاہے وہ سول لائنز کی ویران کوٹھی ہو یا مہاراجہ کشمیر سے ملاقات، مقدس مٹکا ہو یا درود شریف کی برکت، کشمیر میں اپنے افسروں سے تلخ کلامی ہو یا ریل گاڑی میں راشٹریہ سوایم سیوک سنگ کے کر کرتا دھرتا اندر کمار سے ملاقات، نندہ بس سروس ہو یا اورنگ آباد، ڈپٹی کمیشنر کی ڈائری ہو یا "یا خدا" کی کہانی، چندراواتی کی محبت ہو یا ہندو بنیے کی مکاری، اقتدار کی غلام گردشیں ہوں یا صاحبان اقتدار کی عیاریاں، نوکر شاہی کی چلاکیاں ہوں یا پاکستانی فوج کی مکّاریاں، دشمنوں کی سازش ہو یا دوستوں کی چشم پوشیاں، ممالک کے آپسی تعلقات ہوں یا داخلی بحران، صدور، وزرائے اعظم کے واقعات ہوں یا آپ بیتیاں ، جاگیر کے کاروباری ہوں یا مزہب کے بیوپاری یہ کتاب آپ کو ہر ایک کے اندر چھپے شخص سے واقف کراتی ہے، ہر پردے کو چاق کرتی ہے ہر کردار کو سامنے لاتی ہے۔
شہاب نامہ پڑھ کر ہمیں خوشی بھی ہوتی ہے اور غم بھی، یہ ایک ایسی کتاب ہے جو ہنساتی بھی ہے اور رولاتی بھی ، پاکستان بننے کو یہ واقعاتی طور سے بھی دکھلاتی ہے اور نطریاتی طور پر بھی، اور بہت کچھ سوچنے پر مجبور بھی کرتی ہے۔ میرا خیال جس نے یہ کتاب نہیں پڑھی اردو ادب میں اْس نے کچھ بھی نہیں پڑھا۔
September 4, 2021
Considered one of Urdu's most successful memoir / Autobiography, Shahabnama, is a fantastic read authored by legendary Civil Servant and Urdu writer Qudrat Ullah Shahab.
This book is such a captivating read that I happened to read it twice in the year 2000 and 2001 and once halfway through in the year 2013.
Shahab enjoyed a decorated career in Civil services, being appointed as Principal Secretary to Governor Generals Ghulam Muhammad, Iskander Mirza and Field Marshal Ayub Khan’s regimes.
In his memoir, Shahab touch upon not only his official feats but different accounts of his personal life. His account of his student life in Srinagar Kashmir and later in Lahore and his crush on a Hindu girl, Chandrawati, shows Shahab was romantic at heart and was very thoughtful to those he loved and cared.
Shahab, being a Kashmiri, does not hide his attachment towards the region, which is very deep rooted, and his time spent alongside Hindus in social and professional capacity appears to be not good one and he does not leave any opportunity to malign Hindus as a whole. Such a sentiments are very much apparent in his writing where he supports the “Idea of Pakistan” with rigor and passion and calling all Hindus as “Hindu banyas” – which appears to be very derogatory tone. Similarly, “Hindu-Muslim Riots” at the time of partition – Shahab presents only one side of the picture – all together miss the fact that Muslims too killed Hindus and Sikhs.
Being a very modest, humble and private person in his personal life, Shahab lifts a lid off another aspect of his personality, spirituality. Termed as a saint and mystic by his close friend, Mumtaz Mufti, Shahab appears to stay grounded and humble in this regard but share certain events of his life where he experienced enlightenment, self-realization and spiritual epiphany. He dedicates a whole chapter “Ninety” on the topic of mysticism which is worth reading if someone finds comfort and solace in spirituality.
This memoir can be termed as a blend of facts and fictions, where Shahab sometimes appears to stretch the truth, and cherry-picked the events that support the official narrative of the government of Pakistan.
With all the loopholes this book has, this is still absorbing and fascinating read that grips the reader till the last page and the reader can’t help extolling his art of storytelling.
This book is such a captivating read that I happened to read it twice in the year 2000 and 2001 and once halfway through in the year 2013.
Shahab enjoyed a decorated career in Civil services, being appointed as Principal Secretary to Governor Generals Ghulam Muhammad, Iskander Mirza and Field Marshal Ayub Khan’s regimes.
In his memoir, Shahab touch upon not only his official feats but different accounts of his personal life. His account of his student life in Srinagar Kashmir and later in Lahore and his crush on a Hindu girl, Chandrawati, shows Shahab was romantic at heart and was very thoughtful to those he loved and cared.
Shahab, being a Kashmiri, does not hide his attachment towards the region, which is very deep rooted, and his time spent alongside Hindus in social and professional capacity appears to be not good one and he does not leave any opportunity to malign Hindus as a whole. Such a sentiments are very much apparent in his writing where he supports the “Idea of Pakistan” with rigor and passion and calling all Hindus as “Hindu banyas” – which appears to be very derogatory tone. Similarly, “Hindu-Muslim Riots” at the time of partition – Shahab presents only one side of the picture – all together miss the fact that Muslims too killed Hindus and Sikhs.
Being a very modest, humble and private person in his personal life, Shahab lifts a lid off another aspect of his personality, spirituality. Termed as a saint and mystic by his close friend, Mumtaz Mufti, Shahab appears to stay grounded and humble in this regard but share certain events of his life where he experienced enlightenment, self-realization and spiritual epiphany. He dedicates a whole chapter “Ninety” on the topic of mysticism which is worth reading if someone finds comfort and solace in spirituality.
This memoir can be termed as a blend of facts and fictions, where Shahab sometimes appears to stretch the truth, and cherry-picked the events that support the official narrative of the government of Pakistan.
With all the loopholes this book has, this is still absorbing and fascinating read that grips the reader till the last page and the reader can’t help extolling his art of storytelling.
August 1, 2008
A MUST-READ for Pakistanis...
June 1, 2016
I cried, I smiled, I shocked
August 29, 2025
Urdu Bingo 2025 (17) : A Memoir or Autobiography
4.5 🌟
کسی اور وجہ سے نہیں تو بہترین اردو اور اسلوب تحریر کی خاطر پڑھ لیں۔ مجھے یقین ہے یہ کتاب آپ کو مایوس نہیں کرے گی۔
Update : 28/08/2025
I just re-read Iffat Shahab's Chapter (ToT)
These are the chapters that filled my heart with warmth, and I would like to re-read them.
قائد اعظم اور فاطمہ جناح
علی بخش
بڑھیا کی رشوت
میاں بیوی کا ملے ہوئے سونے کو بوری میں بھر کر دینا
رحمت الٰہی
ڈچ ڈی ہاگ کے اسلام لانے کا واقعہ
عفت شہاب
ملاقاتی کا پورا باب بہت دلچسپ تھا۔
صدر ایوب نے تھوڑا بور کیا، پورے پورے ۹ ابواب ان کے نام پہ تھے۔
دیکھا جاۓ تو یہ شہاب نامہ سے زیادہ پاکستان نامہ تھا لیکن بہرحال بہت مزہ آیا پڑھ کر۔
4.5 🌟
کسی اور وجہ سے نہیں تو بہترین اردو اور اسلوب تحریر کی خاطر پڑھ لیں۔ مجھے یقین ہے یہ کتاب آپ کو مایوس نہیں کرے گی۔
Update : 28/08/2025
I just re-read Iffat Shahab's Chapter (ToT)
These are the chapters that filled my heart with warmth, and I would like to re-read them.
قائد اعظم اور فاطمہ جناح
علی بخش
بڑھیا کی رشوت
میاں بیوی کا ملے ہوئے سونے کو بوری میں بھر کر دینا
رحمت الٰہی
ڈچ ڈی ہاگ کے اسلام لانے کا واقعہ
عفت شہاب
ملاقاتی کا پورا باب بہت دلچسپ تھا۔
صدر ایوب نے تھوڑا بور کیا، پورے پورے ۹ ابواب ان کے نام پہ تھے۔
دیکھا جاۓ تو یہ شہاب نامہ سے زیادہ پاکستان نامہ تھا لیکن بہرحال بہت مزہ آیا پڑھ کر۔
September 24, 2015
I am going to give a short review of this book, because well its nearly 1300 pages and no way i can justify this masterpiece(bear with me, he is one of those people i wish i can get 20mins with) so here it goes.
The reasons this one of the best written book:
1.If you read this book you know what kind of man the writer is, his writing really reflects him no hold backs no cover ups you really know who you reading, that is; a person who is intelligent, a little proud, is honest, and really sees for the world it is, and is not afraid to talk his mind. And does not feel the need to justify himself. And of the time he is right.
2.there are many excellent urdu writers way better then the Shahab. Shahab, who in sense of saying has not written much but he has something that makes him really unique it is his excellent sense of sarcasm. He has the sense of sarcasm, that well, to be honest not a lot of Urdu writers have. Best Urdu sarcasm ever.
3. then comes the details of historical events and opinions. There are a lot of unbiasedness and accuracy in those. He does not care that he might be hurting what are Pakistan studies books love to shove at us as "nationality". he tells things for what they are which for most part in our History are really screwed up.
4.its the account of Ayub khan tenure with whom he spend a lot of time he gives real picture of how royally army screwed us over and who innocently they were convinced they were doing us a favor. Ayub Khan was not a bad man he was just not cut to be leader. then there is the matter of war of 1964. i think there are very few other people other then Shahab who don't treat that war as a strategic success. People fought that war our Jawaans and pilots and civilians, they were the braves who saved face, they bled valiantly. Our generals lost it.
5. Then comes the part of painful and highly controversial topic of separation of East Pakistan aka Bangladesh. Always have been told that it was Bhutto's fault or Mujib ur Rehman or India's or totally west Pakistan's. It was all those things but it was lot more then that. It was fault of the Pakistani politicians (east and west alike) and the our prejudiced British-complex bureaucrats faults and it took 24 years and a lot of dirt money make it happen and propaganda. It wont be wrong to put that also in Ayub Khan's list of incompetency's as a leader.(my opinion)
6. Also there in these chapters which give quiet good review of Pakistan foreign polices but more so all the other world leaders of the period of 60s who were kind of game changers in their own sense.
7. The first 200 pages of this book are fun and happy because they were the youthful days of his life. His life in Kashmir, first crush, first achievement, days in Lahore, first love and its loss. The most painful part of this book was the chapter about famine in pre-partition Bengal. that made me squirm in repulsion and disgust at humanity. Shahab's ability to get graphic is quiet commendable. He uses his this talent in another book (Ya Khauda) whose review i will give under that book .
8. Its obvious that he comes from practicing Muslmaan household or at least trying to be well practicing household. His religious opinions get a lot more visible as he matures and there is that issue of spiritualism which many people like to dub as fairytale which is odd. But quiet understandable. i am one of those people who can accept that reason has limits and believing simultaneously in science and spiritual world is quiet easy for me.
All and all this is one long book, its a journey of a life of a good man. A man who had his faults but he tried to be better. Who could not make much difference but he ended up making a lot of it by writing this book. I will read it again because i don't think i have done justice to it yet.
The reasons this one of the best written book:
1.If you read this book you know what kind of man the writer is, his writing really reflects him no hold backs no cover ups you really know who you reading, that is; a person who is intelligent, a little proud, is honest, and really sees for the world it is, and is not afraid to talk his mind. And does not feel the need to justify himself. And of the time he is right.
2.there are many excellent urdu writers way better then the Shahab. Shahab, who in sense of saying has not written much but he has something that makes him really unique it is his excellent sense of sarcasm. He has the sense of sarcasm, that well, to be honest not a lot of Urdu writers have. Best Urdu sarcasm ever.
3. then comes the details of historical events and opinions. There are a lot of unbiasedness and accuracy in those. He does not care that he might be hurting what are Pakistan studies books love to shove at us as "nationality". he tells things for what they are which for most part in our History are really screwed up.
4.its the account of Ayub khan tenure with whom he spend a lot of time he gives real picture of how royally army screwed us over and who innocently they were convinced they were doing us a favor. Ayub Khan was not a bad man he was just not cut to be leader. then there is the matter of war of 1964. i think there are very few other people other then Shahab who don't treat that war as a strategic success. People fought that war our Jawaans and pilots and civilians, they were the braves who saved face, they bled valiantly. Our generals lost it.
5. Then comes the part of painful and highly controversial topic of separation of East Pakistan aka Bangladesh. Always have been told that it was Bhutto's fault or Mujib ur Rehman or India's or totally west Pakistan's. It was all those things but it was lot more then that. It was fault of the Pakistani politicians (east and west alike) and the our prejudiced British-complex bureaucrats faults and it took 24 years and a lot of dirt money make it happen and propaganda. It wont be wrong to put that also in Ayub Khan's list of incompetency's as a leader.(my opinion)
6. Also there in these chapters which give quiet good review of Pakistan foreign polices but more so all the other world leaders of the period of 60s who were kind of game changers in their own sense.
7. The first 200 pages of this book are fun and happy because they were the youthful days of his life. His life in Kashmir, first crush, first achievement, days in Lahore, first love and its loss. The most painful part of this book was the chapter about famine in pre-partition Bengal. that made me squirm in repulsion and disgust at humanity. Shahab's ability to get graphic is quiet commendable. He uses his this talent in another book (Ya Khauda) whose review i will give under that book .
8. Its obvious that he comes from practicing Muslmaan household or at least trying to be well practicing household. His religious opinions get a lot more visible as he matures and there is that issue of spiritualism which many people like to dub as fairytale which is odd. But quiet understandable. i am one of those people who can accept that reason has limits and believing simultaneously in science and spiritual world is quiet easy for me.
All and all this is one long book, its a journey of a life of a good man. A man who had his faults but he tried to be better. Who could not make much difference but he ended up making a lot of it by writing this book. I will read it again because i don't think i have done justice to it yet.
August 13, 2023
I read Shahab Nama ages ago and did not find a chance to have a wonderful debate. Qudratullah Shahab sahib, through his words denied the allegations upon him.
Remember Hafeez Jalandheri said,
جہاں کہیں انقلاب ہوتا ہے
وہاں قدرت اللہ شہاب ہوتا ہے
We don't really have to specify the allegations, for he is believed to be one of the favorite of Elites of that time.
He said that, hunger is the cause of the most painful death and I tried to imagine that.
I asked a lot of people about two chapters having somewhat gothic elements, if it was all real? My philosophy teacher was of the view that there was no need to add those chapters as they were enough to flabbergast the readers. Secondly, he was of the view that Qudratullah was unjust in his treatment of "Patwari", they hardly earn something and when you're unable to expose big fish, you go for smaller ones and that's what Shahab sahib did. Well, I agree!
Shahab's readers hold opinions which are poles apart, you'll see some dying in his support and others will never like to listen his name and it's up to you. Neutrals like me will give a little edge to the writer. I had a nice time reading that bulky book. :)
Remember Hafeez Jalandheri said,
جہاں کہیں انقلاب ہوتا ہے
وہاں قدرت اللہ شہاب ہوتا ہے
We don't really have to specify the allegations, for he is believed to be one of the favorite of Elites of that time.
He said that, hunger is the cause of the most painful death and I tried to imagine that.
I asked a lot of people about two chapters having somewhat gothic elements, if it was all real? My philosophy teacher was of the view that there was no need to add those chapters as they were enough to flabbergast the readers. Secondly, he was of the view that Qudratullah was unjust in his treatment of "Patwari", they hardly earn something and when you're unable to expose big fish, you go for smaller ones and that's what Shahab sahib did. Well, I agree!
Shahab's readers hold opinions which are poles apart, you'll see some dying in his support and others will never like to listen his name and it's up to you. Neutrals like me will give a little edge to the writer. I had a nice time reading that bulky book. :)
March 6, 2014
this book is an amazing work,it's bold,expressive,with political facts and a touch of spiritualism .
unique one!
unique one!
September 1, 2019
I'll never suggest this book to read
April 22, 2025
مجھے نہیں پتا پاکستان میں ایک مخصوص طبقے کو شہاب صاحب کی اس آپ بیتی سے اتنی بڑی کیوں ہے؟ حالانکہ پاکستان کی بعد از تقسیم سیاست اور تاریخ کا ایک واضح نوشی کھینچنے میں بہت مددگار ہے یہ کتاب ۔ شاید اس کی بڑی وجہ ان کا مذھب کی طرف رجحان ہے؟
اگر آپ کو کتاب کے مندرجات پہ اعتراض ہے تو اس کو دلچسپ واقعات کے بیان کے طور پر بھی پڑھا جا سکتا ہے۔ تقسیم سے قبل جموں و کشمیر کے حالات کوں، چمکور صاحب میں الٰہی بخش کے واقعات ہوں، چندراوتی کا باب ہو ، انڈین سول سروس میں ان کے ابتدائی سال ہوں، یا تقسیم اور اس کے بعد کے واقعات، حج کا بیان یا پھر ڈاکٹر عفت شہاب کا باب۔ سب کچھ کتنا پر اثر اور دلچسپ ہی تو ہے۔ اس۔ سب کو اس نظریئے سے بھی تو پڑھا جا سکتا ہے
اگر آپ کو کتاب کے مندرجات پہ اعتراض ہے تو اس کو دلچسپ واقعات کے بیان کے طور پر بھی پڑھا جا سکتا ہے۔ تقسیم سے قبل جموں و کشمیر کے حالات کوں، چمکور صاحب میں الٰہی بخش کے واقعات ہوں، چندراوتی کا باب ہو ، انڈین سول سروس میں ان کے ابتدائی سال ہوں، یا تقسیم اور اس کے بعد کے واقعات، حج کا بیان یا پھر ڈاکٹر عفت شہاب کا باب۔ سب کچھ کتنا پر اثر اور دلچسپ ہی تو ہے۔ اس۔ سب کو اس نظریئے سے بھی تو پڑھا جا سکتا ہے
April 18, 2020
کافی عرصہ کے بعد ایک غیر معمولی نوعیت کی کتاب ہاتھ لگی۔ یہ کتاب میرے بابا کی پسندیدہ کتاب ہے۔ سو ایک دن میں نے بھی محض ورق گردانی کی غرض سے اس کو اٹھا لیا ۔ لیکن جیسے جیسے اس کتاب کو پڑھتا گیا ویسے ویسے میری حیرانی میں اضافہ ہوتا چلا گیا ۔بھلا ایک انسان اس قدر نڈر،راست باز اور بے باک کیسے ہوسکتا ہے ۔یہ قدرت اللہ شہاب ہی کی شناخت ہے۔
"جہاں انقلاب ہوتا ہے وہاں قدرت اللہ شہاب ہوتا ہے"۔
شہاب نامہ ایک سول سرونٹ کی خود نوشت ہے۔یہ کتاب ایک طرح تقسیم ہند سے لے کر جنرل یحیی کے دور تک کی کھلی کھڑکی کی مانند ہے جس سے ہر منظر واضح دکھتا ہے ۔
قدرت اللہ شہاب کی اس کتاب کا آغاز ان کے بچپن کے کچھ مناظر سے ہوتا ہے ۔ اس میں کوئی شک نہیں کہ آغاز سے ہی یہ کتاب قاری کو اپنے سحر میں جکڑ لیتی ہے۔ کتاب کا زیادہ طر حصہ تقسیم ہند،گورنر جنرل غلام محمد اور فیلڈ مارشل ایوب خان کے دور حکومت پر مشتمل ہے ۔تقسیم ہند کے دوران ہونے والے ہندو مسلم فسادات اور قیام پاکستان کے بعد حکومت پاکستان کو درپیش مسائل کو مصنف نے بہت عمدہ طریقے سے بیان کیا ہے۔
جنرل غلام محمد کے دور میں ہونے والے ملکی نقصان پر شہاب صاحب بہت دل گریفتہ نظر آتے ہیں۔لیاقت علی خان کی شہادت کے بعد ملک پاکستان کو ایک موثر سیاسی قوت کی اشد ضرورت تھی مگر اس وقت ایک فالج زدہ گورنر جنرل کو ریاست پر مسلط کردیا گیا ۔گورنر جنرل غلام محمد کے بعد مملکت خداداد کو وزیراعظم محمد علی کی صورت میں ایک سیاسی مدبر اور دوراندیش انسان نصیب ہوا ہی تھا کہ ایوب خان نے حکومت کا تختہ الٹ دیا۔ایوب خان کی انقلابی اصلاحات ایک پانی کا بلبلہ ثابت ہوتیں جو جتنی جلدی نمودار ہوتا اتنی ہی جلدی غائب ہو جاتا ہے۔
مزید براں مصنف کے تین خاکے قابل دید ہیں: چندراوتی،علی بخش اور عفت شہاب ۔علاوہ اس کے مصنف ایک پختہ مذہبی عقائد کا حامل بندہ ہے جس کا ��بوت ان کے حج بیت اللہ اور بیت المقدس میں گزاری ہوئی ایک رات کے بیان میں ملتا ہے ۔پھر جب انہوں نے فیلڈ مارشل ایوب خان کے اسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان سے لفظ "اسلامی " خارج کرنے کے عمل پر احتجاج کیا تھا ۔
کتاب کا آخری حصہ خاص طور پر پڑھنے کے قابل ہے ۔
P.S: Its not a book that you read ,its a book that you live.
"جہاں انقلاب ہوتا ہے وہاں قدرت اللہ شہاب ہوتا ہے"۔
شہاب نامہ ایک سول سرونٹ کی خود نوشت ہے۔یہ کتاب ایک طرح تقسیم ہند سے لے کر جنرل یحیی کے دور تک کی کھلی کھڑکی کی مانند ہے جس سے ہر منظر واضح دکھتا ہے ۔
قدرت اللہ شہاب کی اس کتاب کا آغاز ان کے بچپن کے کچھ مناظر سے ہوتا ہے ۔ اس میں کوئی شک نہیں کہ آغاز سے ہی یہ کتاب قاری کو اپنے سحر میں جکڑ لیتی ہے۔ کتاب کا زیادہ طر حصہ تقسیم ہند،گورنر جنرل غلام محمد اور فیلڈ مارشل ایوب خان کے دور حکومت پر مشتمل ہے ۔تقسیم ہند کے دوران ہونے والے ہندو مسلم فسادات اور قیام پاکستان کے بعد حکومت پاکستان کو درپیش مسائل کو مصنف نے بہت عمدہ طریقے سے بیان کیا ہے۔
جنرل غلام محمد کے دور میں ہونے والے ملکی نقصان پر شہاب صاحب بہت دل گریفتہ نظر آتے ہیں۔لیاقت علی خان کی شہادت کے بعد ملک پاکستان کو ایک موثر سیاسی قوت کی اشد ضرورت تھی مگر اس وقت ایک فالج زدہ گورنر جنرل کو ریاست پر مسلط کردیا گیا ۔گورنر جنرل غلام محمد کے بعد مملکت خداداد کو وزیراعظم محمد علی کی صورت میں ایک سیاسی مدبر اور دوراندیش انسان نصیب ہوا ہی تھا کہ ایوب خان نے حکومت کا تختہ الٹ دیا۔ایوب خان کی انقلابی اصلاحات ایک پانی کا بلبلہ ثابت ہوتیں جو جتنی جلدی نمودار ہوتا اتنی ہی جلدی غائب ہو جاتا ہے۔
مزید براں مصنف کے تین خاکے قابل دید ہیں: چندراوتی،علی بخش اور عفت شہاب ۔علاوہ اس کے مصنف ایک پختہ مذہبی عقائد کا حامل بندہ ہے جس کا ��بوت ان کے حج بیت اللہ اور بیت المقدس میں گزاری ہوئی ایک رات کے بیان میں ملتا ہے ۔پھر جب انہوں نے فیلڈ مارشل ایوب خان کے اسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان سے لفظ "اسلامی " خارج کرنے کے عمل پر احتجاج کیا تھا ۔
کتاب کا آخری حصہ خاص طور پر پڑھنے کے قابل ہے ۔
P.S: Its not a book that you read ,its a book that you live.
September 14, 2019
An integral part of almost all the libraries - no matter how small their budgets are - and available at almost all the book stores - no matter how impoverished their outlook is. This book is read with enthusiasm, dedication and curiosity unparalleled for any other biography written by any Pakistani author. One can disagree with Qudratullah Shahab's understanding of the events preceding and succeeding the partition of sub-continent. One can also make fun of Shahab's self righteousness and his portrayal of himself as Almighty's special gift bestowed upon this infant country - obviously supported by his friend, admirer (and a well known author himself) Mamtaz Mufti's public announcement that Shahab is a Baba / Saint. But his grip on the reader, events and his craft can not be ignored.
This book should be read - if not as an historical account then as a testament of how Pakistan's bureaucracy thinks of itself.
This book should be read - if not as an historical account then as a testament of how Pakistan's bureaucracy thinks of itself.
June 19, 2013
Unarguably the most amazing autobiographies I've ever read. It's a pity that this book never translated in English. It tells the life story of a senior bureaucrat who spent his early professional years in Indian civil services, remained in the top echelon of Pakistan's bureaucracy from 1947 until Yahya Khan's presidency and witnessed the political developments of that era first-hand. If I'm not exaggerating, I've read this book more than 10-12 times and still love to read it.
January 3, 2017
پتہ نہیں آج کیوں اس کتاب پر کچھ لکھنے کو دل کررہا ہے حالانکہ یہ میں نے آج سے چار سال پہلے پڑھی تھی مگر اردو ادب کا ایک شاہکار ہے یہ بلامبالغہ۔ یہ سوانح پاکستان کے قیام سے پہلے شروع ہوتی ہے اور کافی خوبصورت انداز میں اس دور کی ایک کہانی پیش کرتی ہے۔ انڈین سول سروس کا رعب، فرنگیوں کا فرعون جیسا رویہ، ہندو مسلم فسادات اور پھر پاکستان کے بنننے کے بعد کے واقعات پہ ایک سیر حاصل تبصرہ پیش کرتی ہے۔ اگرچہ یہ کافی ضحیم کتاب ہے مگر ایک بار شروع کرنے کے بعد بندہ اس کو ادھ پڑھا نہیں چھوڑ سکتا۔
November 14, 2016
One of the best book ever I have read in Urdu Language. Because of this i will lead more literature in Urdu language. Simple wow Autobiography............ Some time you will be sad, sometime laugh over all amazing Book... Thank Sir Qudrat Ullah Shahab for writting amazing book.. By the My father name is Shahab and My Name is Saqib :) Same like Author... and his son :)
June 7, 2016
What_a_book_One_Of_my_Best_In_My_Life...
February 1, 2014
One of my favorite books which i want to recommend all my friends.
March 15, 2014
One of the best Urdu Biography i have read in my life. Bravo on writing skills !
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September 8, 2014Shahabnama is one of the best selling biographies..the style of the writer is so eloquent that it kept me in its charm and enchanted me for days...
February 19, 2021
The book is over-rated. For those who might read it to get insight into the historical developments, it can feel somewhat too subjective, lacking and dogmatically distracted.
February 27, 2017
Shahabnama is one of my favorite biography/political book. Every single page brought in new joy and knowledge to me, I have read it once but I will love to read it once again, Highly recommended.
July 7, 2019
One of the most overrated books that I have ever read. Just like Mukhtar Masood, Shahab suffers from self righteousness and has a big pompous ego.
June 11, 2022
It was terribly, incredible Mashaa'Allah. Such a wholesome read. This book Gives inside details on govt of India and Newly made Pakistan.
March 20, 2021
This book can't be described in words.
Every person must read this book at least once in a lifetime.
Every person must read this book at least once in a lifetime.
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