Rediscovering Identity IV: Syed Muhammad Latif.

EARLY LIFE

Syed Muhammad Latif was born around 1845, in Delhi. Although English education was disliked in the family, but his father Syed Azeem had set the new trend of acquiring the same- hence it was smooth sailing for S.M. Latif in this regard.

After his Arabic and Persian (farsi) coaching, he attended renowned educational institutions of India.
During the time at Kattrra Taarkahsan wala, Latif’s Arabic and Persian teacher was Munshi Asad Ullah.

KNOWLEDGE OF LANGUAGES

He was fluent in Urdu, Persian, Arabic, as well as Sanskrit and Hindi.
He also had great expertise in English and French.

MARRIAGE

He married the daughter of Qazi Wali Jaan, who was a very close relative of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Khanbahadur Judge Maulvi Sameeullah.
Due to this marriage, Syed Latif became very close to Sir Syed and often used to discuss various matters with him.
During Sir Syed’s trip to Punjab (1885), Muradabad’s newspaper “Nayyar Azam” criticized Sir Syed. To this, Syed Latif argued in favour of Sir Syed in his newspaper “Punjabi”.

EARLY WRITINGS

Due to the literary atmosphere of the family, Syed Latif’s inclination towards reading and writing was evident from an early age.
His first work was, however, a book of poetry named “Dewan-e- Latif”, which was published in 1870.

In 1865, when the newspaper “Punjabi”was relaunched, S. M. Latif was the translator and editor of the paper.

JUDICIAL CAREER

In 1868 Syed Muhammad Latif was appointed as the translator in the Punjab Chief Court, where his remuneration was hundred rupees per month. Soon he became a Reader in the court. Later he was promoted to the post of Extra Assistant Judicial Commissioner. Later on, he also served as District and Sessions Judge in many districts.

HIS FAMOUS BOOKS ON HISTORY

In 1888 he wrote his book “The History of Punjab with a description of Lahore”.

Next year, he completed his “History of Agra”.

In 1891, his book “Ancient History of Multan” was published.

The same year, his book “History of Punjab” was published.

Next year his remarkable book “History of Lahore” was published.

These books, even today, are considered as most authentic sources of the time periods they cover.

HONOURS

He was on the editorial board of the “Journal of Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal”, which was published from Calcutta, as well as of “Calcutta Review”.

He was the fellow of Punjab University, Royal Astronomical Society and Royal Geographical Society.
He was a member of Asiatic Society of Bengal and Societie De La Paris(France).

He also served as a resident correspondent of many British and European newspapers.

He was given the titles of Khan Bahadur and Shams ul Ulema.

EARLY DEATH

In 1902 his name was recommended for the Punjab Chief Court. However, before he could take up his post, he expired on 9th February 1902.