Govt. Islamia College, Lahore was
founded in 1892 in a two room upper storey of Haveli Munshi Harsukh at
Sheranwala Gate, Lahore. The team of Lahorites who initiated this then humble
project had scanty resources but passion, compassion and foresight in abundance.
The College continued to teach and train students in this humble condition for
almost eight years. In 1900 degree classes commenced. This up-gradation was a
considerable achievement in those unspeakable circumstances. Looking at the
slim resources, some people looked down upon this step but the passion for
educating the sons of poor muslims prevailed and in the sway of the same spirit
arrangements were made for teaching Arabic at postgraduate level in 1905. In
1904 the college was shifted to a private building at Railway Road, Lahore.
In 1907 Sardar Habibullah Khan,
the ruler of Afghanistan, laid the foundation stone of Islamia College, Lahore
at Railway Road where it stands today an area of about ten acres. The zealots.
who were ebullient to see the dreams come true were not exhausted then. They
motivated the masses, appealed to the charitable and sent their representatives
to every nook and crevice to contact all and sundry for promoting this noble
cause.
It was not until 1912 that it
became possible to shift classes in this new building Habibia Hall, a tribute
to our benefactor, stands in the middle with rows of rooms, laboratories and
library on its both sides. Crescent (Jinnah) hostel was built on the left
behind the main building of the college. Later owing to overwhelming number of
candidates graduate and postgraduate classes were shifted in a building that
was known as DVA College. This now exists as separate college, though it was
originally a branch of Govt. Islamia College, Lahore Civil Lines is called
because it is situated opposite Police Civil Lines behind the district courts.
However, Govt. Islamia College
(Railway Road), Lahore continued to serve the community-mainly muslims. During
Movement for Pakistan this college was strong center of verve and valor.
According to annals during Pakistan Movement Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
visited Lahore 14 times and eleven times he came to Islamia College for he
reposed great confidence in the enthusiasm, energy and devotion of the students
of Islamia College Lahore they were not only the vanguards of Pakistan Movement
but also the bodyguards of Quaid-e-Azam. More than once they took up this
delicate and onerous responsibility and stood like a lead wall between Quaid
and threats.
In addition to Quaid-e-Azam
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the poet of the East, also visited
this college many times and by reading his inspiring poetry in Habibia Hall of
the college infused a spirit in the students of the time. Apart from these
honours, Govt. Islamia College, Lahore enjoys this honor that Allama Muhammad
Iqbal joined the college's teaching faculty for some time. In 1941 first
Pakistan conference was held in Govt. Islamia College, Lahore under auspices of
Muslim Students Federation which was formally opened by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad
Ali Jinnah. It was in this conference that Lahore resolution was termed as
Pakistan Resolution.
Under the dynamic Principal of
Sir Henry Martin, Dr Muhammad Taseer, The first Muslim doctor of English
Literature in sub-continent, Allama Abdullah Yousaf Ali, who translated the
Holy Quran into English, Khawaja Dil Muhammad etc. and invaluable and
immeasureable skill of the teaching faculty produced luminaries who scintillated
on the world horizon and not only added luster to the brilliance of the college
but also lit the darkness prevailing in the world. Ch. Rehmat Ali who suggested
the name for our homeland, Abdul Sattar Khan Niazi, a veteran politician,
Hameed Nizami, the top ranker in the realm of journalism, Abdul Hafeez Kardar,
the first skipper of Pakistan's cricket team, Fazal Mahmood, the devastating
bowler, Nasir Kazmi, highly sensitive and musical poet, Mr. Sartaj Aziz, a
seasoned parliamentarian are only a few examples to mention.
Before its centenary in 1992, a
computer block was built to meet the demands of the coming digital modern age.
Laboratories for B.Sc. Classes were also shifted in this block and a big Hall
and its basement was allocated to the Health and Physical Education Department.
Simultaneously a post graduate block was set up along the left corner of the
ground where the classes for masters in English and Urdu have been conducted
since then. The college is still playing its roles of enkindling a flame of
commitment and patriotism in the hearts of young students.
On 125th Anniversary of Government Islamia College Railway Road, Lahore, a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 8/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on November 01, 2017.
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