IQBAL

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.