HAJI TAURANGZAI

Introduction:
Haji Sahib, a leading figure of the freedom movement, was also the founder of
Peshawar’s historic Islamia College. Haji Sahib’s fearless struggle against the British
Raj encouraged the freedom fighters to set up educational institutions in the area.Haji
Sahib was not only a spiritual leader, but also one of the pioneers of the freedom
movement. He mobilised the people of India against foreign domination.

Early life and education

His real name was Fazal Wahid He was born to a noble family in 1858 at Turangzai; a
famous town in district Charsadda, modern Pakistan. His father's name was Fazal
Ahad. After receiving his early religious education at home, Haji Sahib went to the Darul
Uloom Deoband where he grew an attachment to Sheikh ul Hind Maulana Mahmood ul
Hasan and in 1890, accompanied the Sheikh on the Hajj.

Efforts of haji taurangzi

he fought against the British in the 1897 Frontier revolt, in which there was a general
uprising against the British by the frontier tribes. The revolt was ultimately unsuccessful,
and in 1908, Haji Sahib went on the Hajj once again. On his return he became
preoccupied with social work, education in particular. It was during this time he started
touring each village and town along with Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, better known as
Bacha Khan. The movement proved successful, and almost 120 schools were
established in the space of a few years. In 1913, Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan
chose Haji Sahib of Turangzai to inaugurate the foundation laying ceremony of the
Darul Uloom Islamia in Peshawar, present day Islamia College. In June 1915 the British
government issued an arrest warrant against him. Evading arrest at midnight, Haji Sahib
left Peshawar and headed for Mohmand Territory along with his sons and trusted
friends.

Death
In 1936, Haji Sahib fell seriously ill. With time, his condition worsened and died on 14
December 1937 aged 81.

His tomb has turned into a shrine for locals, and his children started construction of the
mosque along with Haji Sahib tomb in 1979 and completed it in 1990. The Mosque is
known as Turangzai Babaji Mosque.