IQBAL was
born at Sialkot in 1877. He is descended from an ancient
family of Kashmiri Pandits some of whose descendants
are now living in Kashmere with the family name of Sapru.
The forefathers of lqbal embraced Islam about 200 years
ago out of sincere devotion to a Saint and even to-day
there are strong Sufistic tendencies that mark the members
of his family to an admirable degree. It may be said
that lqbal, as a true descendant, has inherited the
religious fervour of his ancestors along with, the noble
qualities of mind.
The parents of lqbal never thought that the boy would
become in future the pride of the whole family, nay,
the pride of the whole nation. There was nothing extraordinary
about him to mark him out from the children of his place.
He was sent to a Maktab along with other boys and after
some time his education began in an elementary school.
His success in the 5th standard won him a scholarship.
He finished the middle school course and the scholarship
he got in recognition of his merit made it easy for
him to take to the entrance examination.
His success in the entrance examination opened to him
the field of higher studies. The ambitious young man
could not stop with the laurels he had already won in
the school. He joined the Scotch, Mission College, Sialkot,
for his collegiate course. One thing happened at this
time, which, perhaps, is the chief factor in his life
to prepare him for his future greatness. His acquaintance
with Moulana Syed Mir Hasan, who was a very profound
Arabic Scholar of his time, exercised over him an imperceptible
influence in creating him a noble devotion to Islamic
culture and ardent appreciation for the literature of
Islam. lqbal, after finishing his course in Sialkot,
joined the Government College, Lahore, where he graduated
with distinction and a medal.
lqbal was extremely foitunate in his friendship with
Moulana Syed Mir I-lasan at Sialkot. Even in Lahore
good fortune followed him in the person of the well-known
Mr. Arnold. Mr. Arnold had been working in the Aligarh
College, but, as though by fortune, he was entertained
in the Government College, Lahore, while lqbal was a
student there. He found him a promising young man and
gradually made him his friend. He was no more the master
of lqbal but an experienced friend who took pleasure
in his company. He once remarked about him that he really
made his master wiser. Iqbal then took his M. A. degree,
the highest degree of the University and received a
medal for standing first among all the students.
After his M. A. Examination he was appointed lecturer
in History and Philosophy in the Oriental College, Lahore.
He subsequently became Assistant Professor in English
and Philosophy in the Government College, Lahore. He
was held in high esteem for his knowledge and ability
by the College authorities, and his. position there
gave him many excellent opportunities to carry on his
literary pursuits. His charming manners soon won him
the heart of his students, 'but Iqbal's ambition to
find out truth by means of higher studies could not
allow him rest satisfied with his condition. The liberalmindedness
of his brother at last helped him in realising his ambition
to go to England, where he remained for three years
in Cambridge pursuing his research. The University of
Cambridge conferred upon him a very high degree in Philosophy,
and his thesis on Persian Philosophy presented to the
University of Munich in Germany obtained for him the
degree of Ph. D. After his visit to Germany, he returned
to London and passed his law examination at Lincoln's
Inn. He also joined the London School of Economics and
Political Science with a view to study Sociology and
Politics. By this time lqbal became a renowned man.
His reputation secured for him for a short period of
3 months the place of Professor Arnold in the London
University. He acted there as the Chief Professor of
the Arabic Language.
|