Sayed Atta Hussain Shah Musavi: A Beacon of Education and Scholarship in Sindh

Introduction

Sayed Atta Hussain Shah Musavi (October 28, 1898 – June 8, 1966) was an important figure in Sindh. He was known as a scholar, educator, and writer. Born in Rohri, Sukkur District, Sayed Wadyal Hussain Shah Musavi worked hard to improve education in Sindh. He focused on the less developed area of Tharparkar. Musavi has a Master’s degree in Persian Literature from Aligarh University. His career included roles as a deputy master and an Education Inspector. He made a lasting impact on education in Sindh. His hard work to create schools and support modern education in Tharparkar earned him lasting recognition. This is best shown by the Govt Atta Hussain Shah Musavi Degree College in Rohri, which reflects his vision. This article looks at his life, education, writings, and lasting impact. These include “Syed Atta Hussain Shah Musavi,” “Tharparkar education,” and “Rohri college.” This helps it stay relevant for readers and search engines.
Musavi’s multifaceted talents extended beyond education. He was skilled in Thari, Dhatki, and Gujarati. He was also a master of music and geomancy (Ilm-e-Ramal). This showed his wide range of interests. His work to create a degree college in Rohri shows his commitment to higher education in Rohri. His writings, both published and unpublished, added to Sindhi and Persian literature. He is an important figure in Sindh’s cultural heritage.

Early Life and Education

Sayed Atta Hussain Shah Musavi was born on October 28, 1898, in Rohri. He came from the respected Miraki Sadat family, which is known for its scholarly traditions. His father, Sayed Wadhil Shah, worked in education. He created an environment that helped Musavi grow intellectually. He received his early education in Rohri, mastering Arabic and Persian under Qazi Mian Ghulam Mehdi, a renowned scholar. In 1916, Musavi passed the Sindhi Final exam. In 1917, he graduated from Sindh Madrassah-tul-Islam in Karachi with honors. His academic journey ended with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from D.J. College in 1921. He also earned a Master’s in Persian Literature from Aligarh University. This education helped him influence Sindh’s educational circles. His ability to speak many languages helped him. He knew Sindhi, Hindi, Sanskrit, English, Persian, and Arabic. This skill was useful in his work as a teacher and writer.

Career and Educational Contributions

Musavi’s professional journey began in 1921 as a deputy master at Shikarpur High School. His love for education drove him to earn a B.T. (Bachelor of Teaching) from Bombay University in 1923. This helped him improve his teaching skills. Over the years, he held different jobs. He was the Superintendent of the Boarding House at Noor Muhammad High School in Hyderabad. He also worked as the Assistant Headmaster at Mirpurkhas High School. By 1927, he was promoted to Headmaster, a role he held until 1939. He was acknowledged for his academic abilities. He earned an M.A. in Persian Literature from Aligarh University during this time.

Musavi made his most important contributions as an Education Inspector and Administrative Officer. He worked in Tharparkar from 1939 to 1941. At the time, Tharparkar was educationally backward, with no high schools offering English-medium education outside Mirpurkhas. Musavi worked hard to set up EP classes and AV schools in the district. He brought modern English education to the people of Thar. His efforts helped create important places. These include the Muslim Hostel and Sharif Mosque in Mithi, and a high school in Diplo. This changed the region’s educational landscape. His work inspired teachers, students, and the community to learn. This helped start Tharparkar’s educational awakening.

In 1941, Musavi became the Assistant Educational Inspector for North Sindh. In 1947, he was made the Director of Zamindars’ Children’s Schools. He later served as the Educational Inspector for Sukkur Division. He retired in 1953 as Deputy Director of Sindh’s Education Department. Post-retirement, alongside his brother Syed Abdul Hussain Musavi, he founded the Sukkur Educational Society and established a college in Rohri, now known as Govt Atta Hussain Shah Musavi Degree College, a cornerstone of higher education in Sukkur.

Literary Contributions

Musavi’s literary output was as impressive as his educational endeavors. His published works include Kach Kothiyoon and Kashkol, both celebrated for their insightful essays and philosophical reflections. His unpublished works are also important. They cover many topics, including Sindhi lexicography, religion, and history. Notable unpublished manuscripts include:

1. Jins Kosh Sindhi (Sindhi Dictionary)

1. Kair Samjhai (Lexicography)

1. Syed Sahibdino Shah Balri Waro Kalam (Poetry)

1. Faqir Khush Khair Muhammad Hisbani Jo Kalam (Poetry)

1. Misri Shah Jo Kalam (Poetry)

1. Rubaiyat Sarmad Shahid (Quatrains)

1. Rubaiyat Umar Khayyam (Quatrains)

1. Sindh Ja Qadeem Kitabkhana (Ancient Libraries of Sindh)

1. Sindhi Boli Ji Qadamat Ain Kahangi (Antiquity of Sindhi Language)

1. Falsafa-e-Hajj (Philosophy of Hajj)

1. Arab, Arabia Ain Arab Jo Mulk (Arab and Arabian History)

1. Sawaneh Imam Ali Naqi (Biography of Imam Ali Naqi)

1. Masnavi Maulana Room Jo Salees Nasri Tarjumo (Prose Translation of Rumi’s Masnavi)

1. Tarikh-e-Rohri (History of Rohri)

These works reflect his deep engagement with Sindhi culture, Islamic scholarship, and regional history. He donated his library, which has over 300 rare books, to the Institute of Sindhology in Jamshoro. This helps keep his legacy alive for future generations. Students and researchers can access related academic resources in Sukkur to explore his contributions further.

Personal Life and Talents
Musavi was a polymath with a passion for music and geomancy. He played the tabla, harmonium, and other instruments with great skill, often performing classical ragas. His expertise in Ilm-e-Ramal, learned from Qazi Mian Ghulam Mehdi, added a mystical dimension to his persona. He was married twice. His first wife, from the Bhimiani family, died in 1918. His second wife was Bibi Bachal bint Ahmad Ali Khawajani. They had two sons, Sayed Shafquat Hussain Shah Musavi and Sayed Imdad Hussain Shah Musavi. His personal library, rich with rare manuscripts, underscored his commitment to knowledge preservation.

Legacy and Impact:

Syed Atta Hussain Shah Musavi's legacy continues through the institutions he built. He also made a difference in the lives of many people he helped. The Govt Atta Hussain Shah Musavi Degree College is located in Rohri. It is an important place for higher education in Rohri. It offers programs in both sciences and humanities. His work in Tharparkar continues to inspire educational initiatives, particularly for women’s education in Sindh. His literary contributions enrich Sindhi scholarship, and his donated library serves as a resource for researchers at institutions like Aror University.

Conclusion
Sayed Atta Hussain Shah Musavi was not just a teacher; he was a visionary. He changed education in Tharparkar and improved Sindh’s cultural heritage. His establishment of schools, colleges, and literary works reflects a lifelong commitment to knowledge and progress. If you are looking for “Sayed Atta Hussain Shah Musavi biography” or “Tharparkar education,” his story is inspiring. It gives insight into the academic history of Sindh. His legacy, embodied in the Govt Atta Hussain Shah Musavi Degree College, continues to empower generations.
References

• Sindhiana, Sindhi Language Authority: Syed Atta Hussain Shah Musavi Biography.

• Sindh Salamat: Atta Hussain Shah Musavi: A Scholar, Writer, and Educator. Community-driven platform confirming Musavi’s contributions to Sindhi literature.

• Sindhi Adabi Board: Literary Contributions of Syed Atta Hussain Shah Musavi. Catalog includes Kach Kothiyoon and Kashkol.

• Rohri.net: Biography of Dr. Sayed Akbar Hussain Shah Musavi. Contextualizes Musavi’s family legacy in education.

• Book: Adisi Asur Vajai Waat Thiya by Sharma Nandlal, 1966, Sindhi Adabi Board. Documents Musavi’s role in Tharparkar’s educational awakening.

• Institute of Sindhology: Musavi’s Donated Library. Houses over 300 rare books donated by Musavi.

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