Pandit Brij Mohan Dattatreya : A Forgotten Luminary with Kashmir Connection!

(Kashmir Rechords Exclusive)

Pandit Brij Mohan Dattatreya, known by his penname “Kaifi Dehlavi” or simply “Kaifi,” was a distinguished writer of Urdu, Persian, and Sanskrit in undivided India. Born on December 13, 1866, in Old Delhi, Kaifi hailed from a Kashmiri Pandit ancestry. His family had relocated from Kashmir at the dawn of the nineteenth century, an uprooting that left a deep emotional impact on him. Despite his longing to return to his ancestral land before the partition of the subcontinent, circumstances prevented him from fulfilling this dream.

Kaifi faced immense personal tragedies, losing his parents at a young age and his wife, the daughter of Sh. Ajodyanath Shivpuri, a Kashmiri Pandit from Lucknow, when she was just 40. He also endured the heart-breaking loss of two sons in their prime, one of whom was Pyare Lal Dattariya, the renowned editor of The Tribune when it was published from Lahore. Kaifi’s life came to an end on November 1, 1955, in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Early Life and Education

Growing up in the Sita Bazar area of Delhi, Kaifi’s father, Kanhaya Lal Dattariya, a Kotwal in the police department, ensured his son received an excellent education. He employed well-known scholars of Hindi, Arabic, and Persian to tutor Kaifi during his early years. Later, Kaifi attended Delhi’s prestigious St. Stephen’s College to master the English language.

In 1915-16, Brij Mohan Dattariya  moved to Europe for further studies. He also spent several years in Lahore, where his son was an editor of The Tribune. During his time in Lahore, Kaifi became a valuable asset to numerous Urdu organizations and institutions based in the city.

Literary Contributions and Legacy

Kaifi was a luminary not only in Urdu but also in Sanskrit and Hindi literature. From a young age, he displayed a profound interest in literature and classical studies, penning over 17 books during his career. Despite his prolific output, Kaifi’s legacy has faded in an era dominated by the noise of social media, and his contributions risk being forgotten by newer generations.

Kaifi played a crucial role in promoting Urdu, recognizing its cultural and linguistic richness. Through his writings, lectures, and public engagements, he emphasized the importance of Urdu as a medium of literary expression and cultural identity. His efforts helped bridge gaps between different linguistic communities and fostered a greater appreciation for Urdu literature. In recognition of his vast contributions to Urdu literature, the Sahitya Akademi in Delhi published a book on his life and works in 1989. However, his significance had already been highlighted by Kashmiri-origin writer and author Mohammad Din  Fauq in his 1907 book, based on life and works of “Great Kashmiris’’.

Professional Achievements

Kaifi had a distinguished career, editing a monthly magazine, Bharat Darpan, which he started in 1905. In 1911, he published a masterpiece, Tauzuk Qaseri, in Urdu from Jalandhar city. His mastery over languages earned him the applause of the Kapurthala Darbar, where he came into contact with Raja Daljeet Singh, who later became the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

When Daljeet Singh was appointed Prime Minister of Kashmir, he chose Kaifi as his Personal Secretary. Kaifi later became the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs for the J&K Government. After relinquishing his position in the Foreign Affairs Department, the Maharaja of Kashmir appointed him as the Collector of Chenani area in Jammu division.

A Return to Roots and Final Days

It is believed that  Dattariya Kaifi chose to work in Jammu and Kashmir to reconnect with his ancestral roots. However, destiny had other plans. During the partition, he found himself stranded in areas that became part of Pakistan. It took several months for him to prove he was still alive after erroneous reports of his killing  were published in some newspapers of the time.

Kaifi’s life story is one of resilience, profound intellectual achievement, and unfulfilled yearning for his ancestral homeland. His legacy, though overshadowed by time, remains a testament to his contributions to Indian literature and culture.