EARLY LIFE
Syed Muhammad Azeem was born in 1815 in Delhi. After his early traditional education, he went on to acquire the “forbidden fruit” of the time, i.e. English and contemporary education. He enrolled in the Delhi College.
In 1830, M Azeem was given a merit scholarship for his proficiency in English Language- thus the title “Munshi” was used for him.
After the completion of his education, he was employed in Delhi Gazette Press, as a compositor- where his monthly salary was five rupees. He also had the contract to supply printing materials to the Gazette.
Career in Journalism
During his time at Delhi Gazette Press, M. Azeem came to know of a press house being sold in Agra. In the meantime, when Punjab came under British Rule after the defeat of Sikhs, M. Azeem was determined to set up a printing press in Lahore.
With this in mind, he visited Lahore to select a place for the set up of his dream printing press. He came across a royal palace by the name of “Naulakha”.
It was situated outside the main city. The palace had many mansions and big courtyards. He bought the palace for setting up the first printing press of Lahore.
This was the location where the current Lahore Railway Station stands.
FIRST PRINTING PRESS OF PUNJAB
In 1848, the first publication of the press was a first for the entire Punjab. The press house was called “Lahore Chronicle Press”.
The publication was named “The Lahore Chronicle”. It was up-graded to a daily in English a little later. It consisted of separate English and Persian (Farsi) sections.
The staff was from all over India, and included English and other Europeans as well. Some were employed with the press in Agra.
The daily was published until 1963 under the name of Civil and Military Gazette.
Syed Shamsuddin’s (Azeem’s second son) journal describes a company with several share holders that owned the Chronicle. Syed Azeem had majority (twenty two) shares, and the rest belonged to a number of other people. Each share was worth two hundred and fifty rupees.
Other Publications
Due to a fall out between the various shareholders, M. Azeem parted ways with the Lahore Chronicles, and decided to set up his own publication. Syed Azeem named the new press house “Punjabi Press”.
He struck a partnership with Sir Robert Montgomery, who was the then Chief Commissioner of Punjab, and later perhaps was appointed the Governor. He was the one who suggested the name for the press house.
M. Azeem moved from Naulakha to a mention named Sultana wali haveli at the Wazir Khan Square.
In 1856, he published The Punjabi, from the property of Dewan Shankar Nath- adjacent to the Wazir Khan Mosque.
The newspaper was First published on 24th July, 1856.
An urdu biweekly newspaper named “Punjabi” was also published. Later it became a regular weekly.
Nafa’a Azeem was published in Arabic, three times a week.
Most people employed here became very well known and well off financially who, later went on to publish their own newspapers.
In 1861, the publications were temporarily halted, as M. Azeem had to travel to Delhi for his son M. Latif’s wedding.
When the printing business expanded, the press was shifted to a new location called “Kattrra Taar Kashan wala”.
By that time, the press had scribes or typing facility for every language of the Sub- continent. Printing machines were dedicated for different languages. This printing press was printing books and journals of every type and subject.
Naghma -e- Sanam, the first book on the art of music was also printed here. Dewan Muhammad Mardan Ali Khan wrote this outstanding book.
1857 War of Independence
During the so called “Mutiny” against the British Rule, the newspaper “Punjabi” was published whenever there was news from the war front. Sometimes, twice daily, or late at night. The “Breaking News” telegram came from the war front and, was quickly published and distributed via bull (“Saand”or zebu) riders! Breaking news was mailed at night to outer cities.
The newspaper “Punjabi” consisted of humour, political essays, international news and, weather report.
The newspaper was very popular due to it’s serious news content.
The newspaper was published until 1890.
M. Azeem also went to establish a branch of the press in Amritsar, and set it up in Karmonki deorrhi (meaning vestibule).
SOCIAL, PERSONAL, LITERARY AND PHILANTHROPIC ASPECTS OF LIFE
M. Azeem was a petit statured man. He was also good at gun shooting and swimming.
He never slept on a bed. He used a wooden platform (takht) to sleep during summer and, on the floor during winters.
Devotion to religion
His preference was to worship as much as possible. He would go out of the city (in Delhi), with a couple of other companions for prayer.
During one of these excursions that lasted several days, he was blessed with the vision of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H).
His daily recitations included the Dalayel-ul- Khairat, and Qaseeda Burda Sharif.
Syed Azeem had given his Oath of Allegiance to the Pir of emperors of Delhi, Mian Ghulam Naseer ud din of Chishtiya line of Sufiism.
Philanthropy
He was an expert chemist, and mostly distributed his formulations among the poor as charity.
His assistant was ordered to keep five hundred rupees handy, when going out- especially to social gatherings or weddings- so as to be able to help the host first and foremost if need be.
Many books printed at the press were donated to the department of education for distribution among poor students.
On the sixteenth of every month, daal and roti was distributed among the poor.
KHILLAT
He was presented with the royal costume “Khillat” for his services and efforts for the right and advancement of female education.
It was due to these services that he had the status of a “Vice-regal Courtier”, and was often visiting the Governor General and the Prince of Wales.
Poetry Recitations
Every month, a gathering of poets used to take place. It was open to public, and any one could come to participate.
Some former courtiers of Raja Ranjit Singh also used to take part regularly. One of them was Dewan Amar Nath, who wrote and recited the following naat verses during one of these gatherings:
Kya naat likoun main Mustafa ki
Noor haq o jalwa khuda ki
Jo baat k fehem main na aaye
Kya iss ka pata koi bataye
Kya naat kahe yeh zaar e khaak
Haq main jo ho tere maa irfnaak
Ab ghuncha e dil chaman chaman hai
Khaak rah paak panjtan hai
SAFEGUARDING SHIA RELICS
During the time Syed M. Azeem spent in Kat-trra Taar kashan wala,(during and right after the war of 1857)- colours and masts ( alam o shaday) used during Muharram processions were brought to Lahore for safekeeping.
Syed Azeem bought them all. They were mostly made from one piece brass and copper.
He got them varnished in gold and asked his personal scribe Maulvi Asad Ullah to inscribe them with devotional verses.
A new building was dedicated for the display of these relics. It was always fragranced with frankincense (loban).
Nawab Nawazish Ali Qazalbash would come for pilgrimage of these relics quite regularly.
In the open grounds attached to this house, the Muharram devotional gatherings were also hosted by Syed M. Azeem.
The dirge (soze, noha) reciters were invited from all over to take part in the mourning rituals.
On the seventh of Muharram, henna procession (part of mourning the groom to be Qasim son of Imam Hussain), was taken out as well.
Maatam or chest beating was never a part of these commemorations as the family follows the Sunni Sect, and has an Oath of Allegiance (beit), with the Chishtiya line of Sufis.
“Turban Exchange” Brotherhood with Nawab of Bahawalpur
Nawab of Bahawalpur Sadiq Muhammad Khan, son of Haji Muhammad Khan; was imprisoned in the Lahore Fort after the 1857 War of Independence.
Syed Muhammad Azeem visited him frequently. They became so close that they became brothers and exchanged turbans.
Nawab Sadiq had about five wives but was childless. He also asked if Azeem would give up his son Shams ud din for his adoption. Azeem’s wife declined.
The brotherly relations remained strong with the family and the third son of Azeem, Syed Siraj ud din was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Bahawalpur State.
Nawab Sadiq expired of diarrhoea during this imprisonment.
However, S. M. Azeem made strongest efforts through his newspaper The Punjabi, for the release of the Nawab. Just before the official orders of release, he passed on.
DEATH
In December 1884, Syed Azeem fell ill. His eldest son, Syed Muhammad Latif was deputed in Gurdaspur, who took his father with him.
Finally, on 27th January 1885, Syed Muhammad Azeem passed away.
His body was brought back to Lahore and buried in the exclusive family enclave of The Miani Sahib graveyard.
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