Salam Teachers
Chirne Saver qibla k̃hanẽm
K̃hũ khonayi Kaba k̃hanẽm
Cẽ tẽrichig̃hnẽv maz̃h nik̃ht
Wuz dẽ har merka k̃hanẽm
Dedicating Teacher’s Day to Teacher “Haji Muhammad Gouhar” of Passu.
It is my honor to write about teacher Haji Muhammad Gouhar of Passu Gojal Hunza. He initiated female education in the region. Will let you know what he says about his journey and services for the community of Passu Gojal. He was a door opener in the field of female education and provided educated mothers to the communities.
Muhammad Guhar says, “When I become able to attend school my father also took me to school with my age fellows. Mr. Firoz from Kamaris was our teacher at Aga Khan Diamond Jubilee Primary School Passu Gojal Hunza. I spend less than a year in the school. My father decided to take me out of the school. Because there was no one to take care of the livestock in my house. So I became a shepherd’.
He enjoyed my life taking my animals to the mountains in winter and summer pastures. When he reached adulthood he joined Pakistan Army and his younger brother replaced me in supporting my family. Receiving my first salary was an unforgettable event for him.
Taking PKR 29 in coins was never my dream. After receiving the money he was asked to sign on the paper but he was not able to do it. So the clerk asked him to lubricate my finger with salvia, put on the ink pad, and press on the paper, which he had never done before. The clerk helped him do it, and he earned how to display my fingerprint. Guhar could not put his salary in his pocket. Because it was so heavy so he put the coins in his daman (lower part of my shirt) and came out with thanks.
His friend was waiting at the door he taught them how to display fingerprints and went to his room. Among all the soldiers with him, only one from Altit Center Hunza could sign the paper. This was the point in his life when he realized the importance of education. Guhar thought about what could he do to get a basic education. But could not find any way to get an education. During the war of 1948 with India, he was posted to Skardu.
Colonel Shah Khan from Gulmit Gojal was also posted in Skardu. He went to meet him, and after getting his guidance Guhar left for Kargil. As he was posted at the border of Kargil so it took 21 days to reach there from Gilgit. Luckily the war came to an end and he was posted to Kashmir. Then to Minimar in 1959 and in 1952 he was posted to khel/ kel in Astor district.
Each night we used organizing a dance party to keep us out of any stress. One night it was announced that there is a message from Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah to the Ismaili soldiers. I joined the group and the message was that, “If you have two children one boy and a girl educate the girl the boy has the opportunity to earn”.
At that moment it came to his mind what will happen to the girls of my village if there is no school for them. He had no idea but the message was always there in his find when he came back to my home. It motivated him toward the importance of education as well. He started reading and writing on my own. In the beginning, it was quite difficult but with the support of those who could read and write, HE improved his reading and writing skills.
After his 15-year service in Pak Army, he was able to read and write. After 15 years of service in the Pak Army, he got his retirement and came back with an amount of PKR 1500 as a pension. To use his pension effectively he opened a shop in his village. While sitting in his shop he observed that in the morning the boys of his village were going to school. But girls have seen either playing or doing household work.
From a shepherd to a female educator
The Farman of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III started clicking in his mind that my daughter should be educated. One day he offered sweets to some of them and asked them why they don’t go to school. They gave two reasons, the first reason was that their brothers go to school so they stay at home to help their parents. The second was that they do not have books. At that time a primary book was for PKR .25. He had a number of books in his shop for sale he offered a book to each of them. Five of them promised that from the next day, they will come to him for learning, read, and write.
As they left with a book with them he thought can he teach them or is he able to teach them? The answer was I will teach them how to read and write. Then they may find another person for further education. Inthe next day, he invited them to the old Jamaat Khana, where he started teaching them. The first who came were Gulshad daughter of Ghulam Muhamad, Mawjin daughter of Muhammad Khalil, and Moyi daughter of Samar Jon. The next day, he got 12 students. This gave me confidence that their parents believe in him and that he can continue. Within a few days, 65 children joined the school. It was a school with no fees and no salary.
The first reader was provided freely to each and every one of my students. Some of the parents started blaming he has detracted their daughters who were helping them with agricultural and household activities. Even some of them came to him to let their daughter go with them. As they need their support at home. would understand their grievances. He was also able to motivate them, telling importance of education in the future.
Gouhar got a bigger number of students and went to Khuda Aman to rent his old house free of cost so he could continue teaching. He kindly gave him the key to his house where Guhar continued educating girls. The children made damage to his house and he pushed him and all students out of the house. Gouhar went to Sham Big and requested for his house he again allowed him with my promise that we will take care of the house.
After one year Sulatan Ali Samarqnd came to him and discussed my teaching and the school. He was on exam duty in Diamond Jubilee Boys Primary School Passu. Sulatan Ali checked the attendance register and asked some oral questions from the students. He also took exams of his students under his supervision. The exam made him happy so he praised Guhar and went back. Sulatan Ali’s praise raised gave him confidence. After a few days, Sham Big visited his house, children damaged mad walls of his house. So he ordered me to take out the children of his old house as well.
I started teaching in the new Jamaat Khan. The Passu community invited Mir Muhammad Jamal Khan for getting added to the construction of the Passu suspension bridge which he accepted. At the occasion, Arbob Hassan Khan told the Mir that girls are reading and writing and reciting (nazm) poems sweetly. Gouhar was called to Mir of Hunza, after greetings they discussed his education and the school and they praised me in public, which boosted his morale and also the confidence of the community.
Arbob Hasan khan father requested that he is teaching with no wazifa/ salary. He responded that Qudrat Ullah Baig is responsible for Agha Khan Education Board and he will discuss it with him. After some time Haji Qudrat Ullah Baig sent a letter to Gouhar and he took the letter to Master Haqiqat teaching in a boy’s school. He suggested Gouhar visit Qudrat Ullah Baig with the list of students in my school.
The next day, he traveled to Karimabad Hunza by foot though there was a Jeep road but no vehicles. It took him a full day to reach Karimabad in the evening. As he reached Karimabad Tranpha Bedolo took him to Haji Qudrat Ullah Baig to whom he was unknown. he introduced himself to Qurdat and gave a list of students to him. He gave Gouhar PKR 60 a year’s salary since met Mir Muhammad Jamal Khan.
After meeting him his salary was raised up to PKR 10 per month. He was not able to teach math the community requested Mr. Izat Ullah Baig to support him in teaching-learning. That gave him much confidence. He served the community for 12 years from 1966 to 1978 even with no primary school certificate with him. Among the supporters, one was Ghulamud Din who always encouraged visitors from Karachi to visit his school, which gave him moral support. This is how his journey, from a shepherd to a female educator is.
Though Haji Gouhar did not give professional women to the community. But educated mothers for boosting education in the region he will be remembered as the initiator of women’s education in the region. Haji Guhar is not with us today but educated mothers are surrounding us. May his beautiful soul may rest in eternal Peace. Ameen.
