Justice Syed Mahmood – The First Indian Judge In High Court; Know His Life In 8 Points

Justice Syed Mahmood was the first Indian Judge in High Court. He was a jurist , an extraordinary scholar and an innovative thinker. Usually he did not meet anyone . He was a notable son of a notable father. Due to his exceptional capabilities, he had made his own identity among the British. He had a brilliant command on law , history , theology , sociology and political science. Justice Syed Mahmood was born in 1850. He was the son of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the renowned reformer of Muslim society. He passed the law examination on 13^th November, 1872. He started working as District Judge (Class-III) on 1^stAugust , 1879 under the State Government . He served as a substitute judge in the High Court in 1882, 1884 and 1886. He became the first Indian regular judge in the Allahabad High Court in 1887. It is worth mentioning that the historic Swaraj Bhawan next to Anand Bhawan was once the private residence of Justice Syed Mahmood. It was later bought by Raja Parmanand of Farrukhabad and he sold it to Pandit Motilal Nehru in 1899.

Syed Mahmood had left Allahabad

Justice Syed Mahmood had left Allahabad after selling his house but returned back after a few years. He retired in 1897 and was living in Allahabad. There is no documentary proof of the circumstances under which he sold his house (Swaraj Bhawan). In those days, in 1897, the students of Mayur Central College had formed a literary society. In this the students used to invite significant people. After the lectures, the students used to have question and answer session.

Visit only exceptional places

The students decided to call Syed Mahmood. He used to visit only exceptional places and he kept distance from going among the public. CC Das, Munshi Ishwarsharan, Iqbal Narayan Gurtu and Brajnarayan Gurtu decided to invite retired Justice Syed Mehmood to the Literary Society during their college days. Munshi Ishwar Sharan later became a noted advocate and became a prominent social worker. Iqbal Narayan Gurtu was the Vice-Chancellor of Allahabad and Kashi Hindu University.

North West Provinces Club

Braj Narayan Gurtu was the brother of Iqbal Narayan Gurtu. At that time Syed Mahmood was living at North West Provinces Club in Allahabad. CC Das, Ishwarsharan, Iqbal Narayan Gurtu and Brajnarayan Gurtu first ascertained how and when it would be possible to meet Syed Mahmood. All the four people while talking reached North West Provinces Club at 8:30 in the night. Brajnarayan Gurtu fearlessly opened the gate of the club and went inside while the other three people stood outside.

B.N Gurtu asked the servant of Syed Mehmood

The clerk of the club told B.N. Gurtu that it would be better to ask his servant about Syed Mahmood. B.N Gurtu asked the servant of Syed Mehmood that we  students want to meet your master, when and how can it be possible to meet him. It was sweltering that night. Syed Mahmood was sitting on a cane chair in the lawn. He also saw and listened to B.N. Gurtu. Syed Mahmood called B.N. Gurtu and asked him to sit on the chair. B.N. Gurtu had not expected even in his dreams that he would be able to meet Syed Mahmood, who looked so serious and sober so easily.

B.N. Gurtu felt sorry for Munshi Ishwarsharan

All this was unanticipated for him. After talking to Syed Mehmood for an hour, B.N. Gurtu felt sorry for Munshi Ishwarsharan, C.C. Das and Iqbal Narayan Gurtu standing outside the gate. He pleaded Syed Mahmood that if he give permission, he may also call his three companions standing at the gate. Syed Mahmood was in an ecstatic mood that day. He gladly permitted. B.N Gurtu called the other three as well and they all came to the room and sat on the chairs. After making sure that the four visitors were serious and sensible students, he spoke to them without any hesitation. He discussed philosophy, religion, sociology and law one after the other. C.C. Das, Ishwarsharan, Iqbal Narayan Gurtu and Brajnarayan Gurtu realized within a short time that Syed Mahmood had deep penetration in every subject.

Discussing Hinduism and Christianity

Discussing Hinduism and Christianity, Syed Mahmood mentioned that the story of the birth of Jesus Christ appears to have been taken from the story of the Krishna birth of the Hindus in the past. The mass killing of children and taking the baby Jesus to a safe place by the orders of King Herod, the killing of the sons of Vasudeva and taking Krishna to a safe place by the orders of Kansa. He said that Christ and Krishna, Joseph and Vasudeva, Mary and Devaki are remarkably similar. Regarding Hindu mythology, Syed Mahmood said that Hindus are not polytheistic in origin, they have only divinized the attributes of God. The Gods originated on the basis of the creator, the protector, the destroyer. After a while Mahmood said that it is too late now. Now you all go to your home. At the same time the church bell rang and felt that it was two o’clock in the night. Meanwhile Syed Mehmood accepted to join the Literary Society. He delivered a succinct lecture on ‘Equality, Justice and Companionship in the Anglo-Indian Context’ in the Society.

Cases which later became memorable

Lawyers used to go to Syed Mahmood’s court with a lot of preparation. It was not easy for everyone to answer the kind of questions he used to ask to the lawyers. He gave such decisions in many cases which later became memorable.

Syed Mahmood death

Syed Mahmood died on 11th May 1903. On his death, Justices Knox, Banerjee, Blair, Burkitt and Aikman along with the Chief Justice passed a condolence resolution but did not leave the High Court citing excessive work.