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Sir Abdullah Haroon (1 January 1872 – 27 April 1942) (Urdu: عبداللہ ہارون) (also spelled Seth Haji Sir Abdoola Haroon) was a British Indian politician and businessman who made major contributions towards developing and defining the role of Muslims in economic, educational, social and political fields in the Indian subcontinent.[1]

Key Information

Early life and political career

[edit]

Abdullah Haroon was born into a Sindhi Memon family in 1872 at Karachi, British India.[2][3][4][5][6] He lost his father at an early age of four and was raised by his grandmother who was a deeply religious lady. Early in his life, he worked as an 'assistant bicycle repairman' for 4 annas (quarter of an Indian rupee). He deeply believed in the dignity of labor. Then in 1896, at the age of 24, he started his own business as a small merchant in Karachi. He soon became very successful and was called Sindh's 'Sugar King' by his contemporaries due to his business trades in sugar.[5][1][7]

In 1913, he developed an interest in politics. He first became a member of the Karachi Municipality from May 1913 to September 1916. Again, he was a member of this body from 1 May 1921 to 21 August 1934.[8]

Abdullah Haroon first joined the Indian National Congress party in 1917 and started to participate in the Independence movement of India. He was elected as a member of the Central Legislative Assembly in 1924 and then re-elected twice in 1930 and 1934.[5]

Soon he was disenchanted with the policies of the Congress party of India and joined the All-India Muslim League and remained its strong supporter till his death. In 1919, he became president of the Khilafat Committee of Sindh, a branch of the larger Khilafat Movement of India under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jouhar.[5][1][8]

He also served as president of the Sindh Provincial Muslim League from 1920 to 1930.[1]

In 1930, he attended the All-India Muslim Conference and in the same year, he formed the Sind United Party on the pattern of the Unionist Party (Punjab) which called for the separation of Sindh from the Bombay Presidency, which actually materialised in April 1936 after the enactment of the Government of India Act, 1935. Abdullah Haroon joined the All-India Muslim League in 1937.[8] Although his party won a plurality of seats in the 1937 provincial elections, it was not able to form the government as its leaders like Haroon and Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto failed to be elected. He was knighted by King George VI in the 1937 Coronation Honours list and came to be known as Sir Abdullah Haroon.[9]

Meanwhile the decline of the Sind United Party led him to organize the Muslim League in Sindh in 1938 and he was elected its president in 1939.[5][1]

In October 1938, with the help of Shaikh Abdul Majeed Sindhi and Pir Ali Muhammad Rashidi, he organised the First Sind Provincial Muslim League Conference in Karachi, with Muhammad Ali Jinnah presiding. Participation in this conference was from all over India. Haroon headed the Reception Committee and his welcome address, which set the tone for the conference, was considered quite radical at the time. His warning was that, "We have nearly arrived at the parting of the ways and...it will be impossible to save India from being divided into Hindu India and Muslim India, both placed under separate federation". This also prepared the ground for adoption of the Lahore Resolution in March 1940. He also spoke at this historic event and endorsed the resolution.[5][8]

Abdullah Haroon also was a member of the Muslim League Working Committee that drafted and endorsed the 'Pakistan Resolution' on behalf of all Muslims of Sindh at the 27th Session of the Muslim League at Lahore on 23 March 1940.[5][1]

Death and legacy

[edit]

Abdullah Haroon died on 27 April 1942 in Karachi.[1][8] He had donated ten thousand rupees to the Muslim League at Allahabad in 1942. He was a philanthropist and active in social welfare projects throughout his life and contributed to many charitable institutions. According to Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust, ..."he had given away a princely sum of Rs 88,961 to charities, which would be equivalent to about Rs 10 million today".[1]

The Pakistan Post issued a commemorative postage stamp in his honour in its 'Pioneers of Freedom' series.[5]

Abdullah Haroon was widely considered to be so honest in his conduct with people that even Mahatma Gandhi had remarked about him, "I will trust this man with a blank cheque".[1]

There is a major street named after him in Saddar, Karachi called Abdullah Haroon Road. Its former name was Victoria Road and an official residence of Prime Minister of Pakistan, 10 Victoria Road, was located there.[10][11]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Abdullah Haroon

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Sir Abdullah Haroon (1 January 1872 – 27 April 1942) was a British Indian , , and early leader in the who advocated for Muslim interests in and contributed to the territorial and political foundations of what became . Born into a trading family in , he built a successful career while entering public life in 1913 as a member of the . Haroon initially aligned with the Indian National Congress in 1917 and participated in the Khilafat Movement before shifting to the Muslim League, where he served as president of the Sindh Provincial Muslim League in 1920 and remained active in the All-India Muslim League from 1925 onward. His efforts included organizing funds for Muslim causes, such as aid to Turks during Italy's invasion in 1911, and playing a key role in the successful campaign for Sindh's separation from the Bombay Presidency in 1935–1936, which enhanced Muslim political representation in the region. In 1936, he co-founded the Sindh United Party with Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto to contest elections, though it faced defeat in 1937, prompting him to refocus on League activities. Haroon's legacy endures through his family's continued involvement in Pakistani and his embodiment of pragmatic leadership that bridged with nationalist mobilization, earning posthumous recognition as a for principled engagement in the independence struggle. No major controversies marred his record, though his transitions between parties reflected the fluid alliances of pre-partition .

Early Life and Background

Family Origins and Upbringing

Abdullah Haroon was born in 1872 in , then part of British India, into a Cutchi Memon family, a Muslim trading community originating from the Kutch region of . His father died when Haroon was four years old, around 1876, leaving his mother, Hanifabai, widowed at the age of 17. Haroon's upbringing occurred amid poverty in following his father's death, with his mother playing a central role in raising him. He later attributed his personal character and determination to her influence, stating, "I’m as my mother made me," and maintained a close relationship with her, including sharing meals until her passing. The family resided in modest circumstances, and Haroon received only seven years of formal schooling before entering the workforce. This early environment of hardship and maternal guidance instilled a strong , prompting Haroon to begin contributing to the as a teenager through in around age 16. No records detail siblings in his , emphasizing instead the direct impact of his mother's resilience on his formative years.

Education and Initial Influences

Haroon was born on January 1, 1872, into a Kutchi Memon merchant family in British India. Orphaned at the age of four following his father's death, he was raised by his paternal grandmother, a devout Muslim who emphasized religious piety and moral discipline in his upbringing. This early environment fostered a strong commitment to Islamic principles that would shape his lifelong and political . Formal education was limited; Haroon received elementary instruction at home before briefly attending and N.H. Academy in Hyderabad, Sindh. By age 14, he had entered as a messenger and apprentice in his maternal uncle's trading firm, forgoing extended schooling in favor of practical business experience. Such modest academic background was common among self-made entrepreneurs of his era in Sindh's mercantile communities, prioritizing trade apprenticeships over institutional learning. Initial influences extended beyond family to emerging socio-political currents. His grandmother's religiosity aligned with broader Muslim concerns over preservation, drawing him into the Anjuman-e-Hami-e-Islam and Halal-e-Ahmar Sindh society by 1911, where he supported Turkish resistance against Italian and later Allied encroachments during . These activities marked his entry into public life, blending religious with anti-colonial sentiment, before his formal political engagements in municipal service from 1913.

Business and Economic Contributions

Entry into Commerce

Abdullah Haroon, orphaned at age four following his father's death, entered through humble beginnings in , motivated by his widowed mother's circumstances. He commenced working in in at age 16, initially assisting in family or related mercantile activities before launching his independent ventures. By 1896, at age 24, he established his own small-scale merchant business in , starting with modest capital after prior service in an uncle's enterprise. His early focus was on the sugar trade, beginning operations with limited stock such as a single bag of and opening a shop in Jodia Bazaar by 1899. This laid the foundation for rapid expansion into agricultural produce, leveraging Karachi's port access and regional demand. Haroon's self-reliant approach, rooted in Cutchi Memon entrepreneurial traditions, emphasized diligence and market acumen, enabling quick profitability despite starting from scratch. By the early , his sugar dealings had solidified his reputation, predating his political involvements.

Major Business Achievements and Wealth Building

Abdullah Haroon commenced his business career in 1896 at the age of 24, establishing himself as a small-scale in following the early loss of his father, which necessitated from limited resources. Initially trading modestly, he focused on the sector, beginning with a single bag of sugar and opening a small shop in Jodia Bazaar by 1899, leveraging diligence and market acumen to expand operations amid the competitive colonial trade environment of British India. By the early 1900s, Haroon's enterprise had grown substantially, earning him the moniker "Sugar King of " due to his dominance in sugar importation and distribution, which capitalized on regional demand and supply chains from ports like . This specialization enabled in commodities trading, transforming his initial venture into a prosperous commercial network that withstood economic fluctuations, including those tied to global sugar prices and local agrarian outputs. His success stemmed from persistent expansion and reputation for reliability, positioning him as a leading merchant prince in pre-partition . Haroon's wealth accumulation, built primarily through sugar commerce without reliance on inherited capital, funded subsequent philanthropic and political endeavors, reflecting a trajectory from humble origins to elite status—evidenced by his knighthood in 1937 and influence in Karachi's business circles. No precise net worth figures are documented for his era, but contemporaries noted his affluence as emblematic of self-made success in an era dominated by entrenched trading families.

Political Career

Early Political Engagement


Abdullah Haroon's political engagement began in the early , initially through local governance and support for Muslim causes. In 1911, he was appointed secretary and treasurer of the 'Halal-e-Ahmar Sindh' Society to raise funds aiding Turks against Italian invasion. He served as a member of the Karachi Municipality from May 1913 to September 1916, gaining experience in municipal administration. In 1917, Haroon joined the , driven by concerns over economic and social inequities affecting the underprivileged. From 1918, Haroon immersed himself in the , becoming president of the Sindh Provincial Khilafat Committee in 1919, a role he maintained until 1924; he also hosted key leaders like and Shaukat Ali in and presided over the 7th Sindh Provincial Conference that year. In June 1920, alongside other Sindhi , he signed a memorandum to the urging justice for in the terms. That same year, he was elected president of the Sind Provincial Muslim League, establishing early ties to Muslim organizational politics. He attended the in in 1920 and seconded a resolution at the Bombay Khilafat Conference for a Rs. 30 fund. In February 1927, he presided over the 20th All-India in . Haroon's early career also focused on provincial autonomy, particularly the separation of from . Elected to the in 1923 for a three-year term, he demanded Sindh's separation at the 1925 session in . In 1926, he proposed a resolution to that effect at the Delhi Leaders’ Conference and was elected to the Indian Legislative Assembly on November 18, serving until 1942. From 1931 to 1935, he participated in the Sindh Financial Inquiry Committee as a member and acting secretary, contributing to arguments for fiscal viability amid separation debates. These efforts culminated in Sindh's separation effective April 1, 1936, reflecting Haroon's persistent advocacy for regional Muslim interests grounded in economic self-sufficiency.

Leadership in the Muslim League

Abdullah Haroon joined the (AIML) in 1937, shifting from earlier associations with the due to disillusionment with its communal policies. In October 1937, he established contacts in that facilitated the League's expansion into , linking local Muslim elites to broader pan-Indian Muslim politics. Haroon played a pivotal role in reviving and organizing the provincial branch of the AIML. In early October 1938, he headed the Reception Committee for the First Sindh Provincial Muslim League Conference held in , presided over by . During the conference, Haroon delivered a welcome advocating for an independent federation of Muslim-majority states, a concept that foreshadowed the . He collaborated with figures such as and Pir Ali Muhammad Rashidi to institutionalize the League in , launching campaigns to popularize the idea of a separate Muslim homeland by late 1938. Elected president of the Muslim League in 1939, Haroon led efforts to consolidate the party's influence, including pushing for an all-Muslim League ministry in the province by 1942. As a member of the AIML Working Committee, he contributed to drafting the Pakistan Resolution adopted at the League's session in March 1940. Haroon chaired the League's foreign and domestic sub-committee, which produced working papers and reports that informed the resolution's framework, emphasizing the . He also endorsed the resolution during the 27th AIML session and hosted discussions in in 1939 at Jinnah's behest to refine the vision of a Muslim state. Under Haroon's leadership, the branch formed the Muslim League National Guards to counter militant Hindu groups, with his son heading the unit. His tenure strengthened the League's organizational base in , contributing to its electoral gains and alignment with the broader until his death on April 27, 1942.

Advocacy for Muslim Rights and Pakistan Movement

Abdullah Haroon joined the All-India Muslim League in 1918, following initial involvement with the Indian National Congress, and was elected president of the Sindh Provincial Muslim League in 1920. In this role, he focused on organizing Muslim communities in Sindh to assert political rights amid Hindu-majority dominance in provincial legislatures, advocating for separate electorates and safeguards against marginalization. His leadership transformed the provincial League branch into a mass movement by mobilizing local Muslims through conferences and appeals, countering opposition from Hindu organizations. From 1925, Haroon actively participated in affairs, serving on its working committees and promoting unity among Muslim leaders under . He organized the First Sindh Provincial Muslim League Conference in in 1938, which drew significant attendance and reinforced demands for Muslim autonomy in response to perceived threats from Congress-led governments' policies favoring Hindu interests. Haroon's efforts emphasized the distinct cultural and religious identity of , arguing that joint electorates diluted their representation and political voice. As a member of the Muslim League's Working Committee, Haroon contributed to drafting and endorsing the , known as the Pakistan Resolution, on March 23, 1940, which called for independent Muslim-majority states to protect within a federated . In , he played a key role in propagating the resolution locally, rallying support despite internal League factionalism and external resistance, thereby advancing the that separate homelands were essential for Muslim . His alignment with Jinnah positioned him as a in the push for partition, prioritizing empirical recognition of irreconcilable communal differences over unified .

Philanthropy and Social Initiatives

Support for Education and Welfare

Abdullah Haroon demonstrated a strong commitment to , channeling his business acumen into supporting and welfare initiatives during the British Raj and the early years of . He founded, organized, and funded numerous institutions, charities, and funds specifically dedicated to advancing and services for Muslim communities. These efforts were driven by his vision to empower socioeconomic development through accessible schooling and medical care, reflecting a pragmatic approach to addressing communal needs amid colonial constraints. Haroon's contributions included the establishment of multiple schools, dispensaries, and hospitals, which provided essential services to underserved populations in regions like . He allocated significant personal wealth to finance these projects, enabling the and operation of facilities that served thousands over decades. For instance, his financial backing extended to health infrastructure improvements, underscoring a focus on preventive care and as foundational to long-term . Throughout his life, Haroon remained engaged in social welfare projects, contributing to charitable institutions that prioritized for and welfare for the vulnerable. His was not sporadic but sustained, with large monetary donations supporting operational needs and expansions in these sectors, thereby fostering self-reliance in line with his broader advocacy for Muslim progress.

Role in Religious and Community Organizations

Abdullah Haroon served as president of the Provincial Khilafat from to 1924, leading efforts to support the preservation of the and promote pan-Islamic unity amid the post-World War I dismantling of Islamic political structures. During this period, he made his residence in a central hub for Khilafat activities, hosting meetings and coordinating non-cooperation initiatives aligned with broader Indian Muslim religious and anti-colonial sentiments. His involvement extended to the All-India Khilafat from to , where he contributed financially and organizationally to sustain the movement's advocacy for caliphal restoration. In philanthropy, Haroon founded the Islamiya Orphanage for Boys in , an institution that integrated educational facilities with a to provide religious instruction alongside shelter and schooling for Muslim orphans, reflecting his commitment to Islamic welfare principles. He established several religious trusts dedicated to supporting , madrasas, and community welfare programs aimed at uplifting economically disadvantaged Muslims in . These initiatives were funded primarily from his business earnings, positioning him as a key financier for local Islamic institutions that emphasized and moral . Haroon's community roles intertwined with religious duties, as he channeled resources into social agencies that addressed and among Sindh's Muslim population, often through frameworks rooted in Islamic charitable traditions like and . His leadership in these organizations underscored a pragmatic approach to , prioritizing empirical needs over ideological while maintaining fidelity to Muslim communal identity.

Personal Life and Family

Marriage and Immediate Family

Abdullah Haroon's first was relatively unsuccessful and produced no recorded children. In 1914, he married Nusrat Khanum, who became known as Lady Abdullah Haroon; she was the daughter of an Indian doctor and an Iranian woman from a Shia background, while Haroon belonged to the Sunni Memon community. The initially faced opposition from his due to religious differences but was eventually accepted, with the couple maintaining a close relationship with her until her death. With Nusrat, Haroon had five children: eldest daughter Doulat Haroon Hidayatullah (born 1915), who later authored a biography of her father and married Anwar Hussain Hidayatullah, son of Sindh's former chief minister Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah; sons Haroon, Mahmoud Abdullah Haroon, and Saeed Haroon (the youngest); and daughter Zeenat Haroon Rashid. Doulat was particularly close to her father, who supported her marriage despite community backlash from Cutchi Memons for marrying outside the group. Several of the children, including , Mahmoud, and Zeenat, actively participated in the alongside their parents.

Influence on Family's Political Legacy

Abdullah Haroon's dedication to the and the established a foundational of and political that permeated his family. As a key to and a member of the Muslim League's Working Committee, Haroon personally funded party activities and organized defenses against , directly involving his sons in these efforts and modeling a life of principled engagement in Muslim advocacy. His trajectory from orphaned messenger to prosperous businessman and influential —overcoming financial setbacks in and through resilience—provided both resources and a blueprint for family members to prioritize over personal gain. Yusuf Haroon (1916–2011), his eldest son, exemplified this inheritance by leading the Muslim League National Guards, a volunteer force his father formed in the 1940s to counter militant Hindu groups amid rising pre-partition tensions. Yusuf advanced to prominent roles, including (1944–1945), (1949–1950), and Governor of (1978–1979), reflecting the political passion and commitment to governance he drew from his father. Mahmoud Haroon (1920–2008), the second son, similarly extended the legacy as (1990–1993) and (1954–1955), while chairing the to amplify independent journalism rooted in the family's early support for Jinnah's vision. Haroon's emphasis on ethical leadership and self-reliance—evident in his establishment of a sugar mill in the 1930s despite age and risks—equipped his descendants with the independence to sustain multi-generational involvement in the and provincial administration. This pattern persisted through grandsons like , who served as Pakistan's Foreign Minister (2018) and UN Ambassador (2008–2012), perpetuating the clan's alignment with conservative Muslim political traditions.

Death and Posthumous Recognition

Final Years and Passing

In his final years, Sir Abdullah Haroon remained deeply engaged in political advocacy for Muslim interests through the , serving as a member of the and leveraging his influence to strengthen the party's position in the province. His efforts were pivotal in the establishment of 's first all-Muslim League ministry in March 1942, marking a significant consolidation of League control amid rising demands for Muslim autonomy. Haroon continued to support the League financially and organizationally, reflecting his longstanding commitment to the even as his health declined in his late sixties. Sir Abdullah Haroon died on 27 April 1942 in at the age of 70, shortly after these political achievements, depriving the Muslim League of one of its most dedicated patrons. His passing was mourned as a major loss to the League's provincial structure, which had relied heavily on his leadership and resources.

Honors and Enduring Legacy

Abdullah Haroon was knighted by King George VI in the 1937 Coronation Honours, receiving the title Sir Abdullah Haroon in recognition of his and business contributions in British . This honor reflected his prominence as a leading Muslim figure in , where he had advocated for provincial autonomy and Muslim interests since entering politics in the early 20th century. Posthumously, the Pakistan Movement Workers Trust awarded Haroon a gold medal for his meritorious service in the , acknowledging his financial and organizational support to the , including piloting the Sindh Provincial Muslim League's endorsement of Pakistan's independence resolution at its October 1938 conference in . Prior to his death on April 27, 1942, he donated 10,000 rupees to the during its Allahabad session earlier that year, bolstering the party's campaign for a separate Muslim state. Haroon's enduring legacy lies in his foundational role in mobilizing Sindhi Muslims for the , including his presidency of the Sindh Provincial Muslim League from 1938 and efforts toward 's separation from in 1936, which strengthened regional Muslim political infrastructure. As a philanthropist, he established numerous schools, dispensaries, and hospitals in , funding educational and healthcare initiatives that addressed community needs amid colonial neglect. His in trade and provided resources for these endeavors, while his family's subsequent political prominence—Yusuf Haroon as and , among others—extended his influence into Pakistan's early , perpetuating a legacy of and economic .

References

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