Khan's political accomplishments alone are enough to warrant widespread knowledge of him amongst the young generation that is so disillusioned by the unsavoury politics of their times. Tamizuddin Khan was twice in the Bengal Cabinet as Education, Food and Health Minister. He gave up a lucrative legal practice to join the non-cooperation movement led by Deshbondhu C. R. Das for which Khan had to endure incarceration. After Partition, Khan was elected Deputy President of Pakistan's Constituent assembly when Mohammed Ali Jinnah was the President. Later, when Jinnah died in 1948, Khan was unanimously elected President of the Constituent Assembly. The assembly however, was unconstitutionally dissolved in 1954 by Governor General Ghulam Mohammad. Tamizuddin Khan, a lawyer by profession, challenged this illegal dissolution in the Sind Court in the famous Tamizuddin Khan versus Federation of Pakistan case -- and won. But the case was appealed and Pakistan's Federal Court set aside the judgement on the basis of a controversial doctrine. This decision was a blow to Pakistan's democracy and a preamble to the decades of dictatorship and military rule that were to follow.

These significant political events are described in detail in A Test of Time, along with Khan's farsighted analysis of their socio-political context. This includes the growing divide among the Hindus and Muslims and the continued repression faced by the latter group, that would later lead to nationalistic movements. The first four chapters are Khan's own writing and covers a period from 1889 when he was born, to 1926 as he could not finish his memoirs before his demise in 1963. The rest of the book is a continuation of Khan's life based on extensive notes left by him which have been reconstructed by the book's editor Mirza Nurul Huda, Khan's son-in-law with the help of other family members.

The book's launching took place at the Bar Association's auditorium of the Supreme Court. It was here that well known personalities, including Dr. Kamal Hossain, the main speaker, talked about the book and about the man who made history by standing up to injustice no matter what the consequences. The other discussants were economist Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, Dr. Razia Khan, writer and former university teacher, and the author's youngest daughter, Professor Begzadi Mahmuda Nasir, founder of Women's University, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, Professor Ahmed Kamal, historian and history professor of DU, and former Chief Justice Mostafa Kamal who chaired the session. The speakers spoke about Khan's political accomplishments and also gave a glimpse of the type of person he was -- principled, honest, self-effacing, full of humility yet with a steely resolve to stand up for what he believed in.

Khan's childhood days are described in detail in the first chapters of the book. Village life of the early 19th and 20th centuries is recounted, which include delightful accounts of a child's growing up -- playing pranks in school, being terrorised by sadistic teachers or inspired by kind ones, the relationship between Hindu and Muslim neighbours, fishing expeditions, boat racing, kite flying and so on. But there is also an underlying pathos in the writing, stemming from perpetual financial hardship that Khan had to go through. The author, in his lucid and direct style, describes how his own family became impoverished after their homestead in Faridpur got washed away by a merciless river Padma, how his father struggled to gather funds to get his son educated, his days as a university student studying English at Presidency College in Calcutta and then completing his law and MA Degrees from the University of Calcutta. Khan's life as depicted in the book, has been a great test of endurance. Apart from financial troubles, Khan had to bear the pain of losing many loved ones -- a supportive father, a brother, a sister, a favourite aunt, a doting mother, children and a loving wife. His days of incarceration are related with poignancy. The sub-standard food and harsh conditions of the jail when he joined the non-cooperation movement took a heavy toll on Khan's health. While in jail, Khan continued to defy his captors refusing to salute the Superintendent or other officials risking flogging. Even after he was released he preferred to take the hard way of fending for himself and his family instead of using his political connections.

Dr. Kamal, during his address, said that while reading the book he was struck by its relevance in today's context. Referring to the Tamizuddin Khan versus Federation of Pakistan case, Dr. Kamal said that Khan used his excellent education to defend an unjust position. Khan's involvement in the non-cooperation movement at considerable personal sacrifice, his defiance of his jailers -- all gave evidence to the inherent patriotism of Bangalis and their desire to fight injustice. "Every young person who protests against injustice should see Tamizuddin Khan as a model", said Dr. Kamal.

The first edition, published by University Press Limited (UPL) was sold out and this second edition has been published by the Tamizuddin Khan Trust. A Test of Time is valuable on several counts. It recreates the socio-political ambience of a momentous period in the history of the subcontinent. It also documents the thoughts, emotions and insight of a man who moulded his life and self to fight for the cause of justice and freedom. In that Khan is a true patriot whose example, no doubt, will remain timeless.

Copyright (R) thedailystar.net 2004