Mera Sahib by Manto is a short Urdu story and a lovely insight into the every day life of the father of the nation, Quaid-e-azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. I have been in awe of the personality of the Quaid since I was a child. This December 25, on the birth date of the founder of Pakistan, I enjoyed reading about the Quaid from the unique perspective of his driver. Read all the details here.
Mera Sahib By Manto
Manto is a prominent Urdu writer and wrote the short story “Mera Sahib” in the early 1950s in Lahore as part of his collection “Ganjay Fareshtay“. In this story Manto shares details of Quaid-e-azam’s life in Bombay as narrated by his driver Mohammad Hanif Azad. For a man as revered as Quaid, there is a no dearth of his speeches and biographies written on his life. However, I loved reading about the Quaid from the accounts of a person who observed him up close and in a role that is usually forgotten in the background.
Read the Urdu version of the story here (it’s a short read of 23 pages):
And here is an English version translated by Pak Tea House:
Mera Sahib by Manto translated in English
I would like you to read the short story yourself and discuss it here and won’t give any spoilers. I do want to say that I fell more in love with the human side of Quaid-e-azam after reading Mera Sahib by Manto. Jinnah as a sahib (master), husband, father, friend and brother was as endearing and immaculate as Jinnah the leader.
The story made me laugh, smile and cry. It made me see the human side of Jinnah that we often forget, becoming occupied with his accomplishments. He was truly a leader, who inspired millions but also made precious sacrifices. His everyday life was as disciplined as his professional and public one. Jinnah remains one of the most inspiring people in my life. Happy birthday big guy.
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Beautifully written. I specially enjoyed tha part where Azad was selected for the job. First I thought how could he be selected without any interaction but then I think Quaid’s time was too precious to be wasted in petty matters. How generous he was with others. And check the servants, forcing Miss Jinnah to again do with the old cooks. I really felt sad at the mention of Quaid consoling himself when going through the old things of his wife and daughter.
بہت خوبصورت لکھا