Colonel Mahboob Ahmad :- Great Freedom Fighter of India, Hero of Indian National Army.
Colonel Mehaboob Ahmad, who declared ‘ I have only one birth. If I had another thousand births, I would voluntarily submit them all to Subhas Chandra Bose to achieve his aim’ played an important role in Indian National Army for the emancipation of the motherland India, was born on 19 March, 1920 in Chouhat in Patna of Bihar state.
His mother was Begum Asmat Jahan and his father Khan Bahadur Doctor Wali Ahmad. Mehboob Ahmad completed his education at Indian Military Academy in Deharadun and joined Indian Army as a captain in 1939.
No, Ittehad was not in the motto of Azad Hind Fauj of Netaji
He was sent to Malaya warfare as a British Army officer during Second World War which started in 1939. He was taken as a prisoner of war along with other officers and soldiers when the British Indian Army faced defeat in the hands of Japan at Kota Bharu.
As a soldier of Azad Hind Fauj
Later in 1941, he joined Indian National Army formed by Captain Mohan Singh. In 1943, when Subhas Chandra Bose came to Rangoon from Germany and took up the reins of Indian National Army, Mehboob was promoted as ‘Colonel’.
Later he was appointed as ‘Military Secretary’ in Indian National Army. He played an important role as a coordinator between Indian National Army, Azad Hind Government and its leader Subhas Chandra Bose.
As the Military Secretary of Indian National Army, he was always very close to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and was privy to all the major decisions taken by Bose.
When Indian National Army was facing untold sufferings in the adverse atmosphere of Burma warfare due to the setback of Japan in the world War, he worked round the clock in providing the required food, uniforms, medicines and medical facilities and timely treatment to the injured and sick soldiers.
Colonel Mehboob who won the admiration of Subhas and other superior officers as a young and efficient army officer, was arrested along with other INA officers in 1945. Later he faced the trial in Red Fort.
Shaukat Malik of INA : the first ever Indian to hoist the Tricolour on Indian soil.
Role as a diplomat
Post Independence, Government of India appointed him as a diplomat to Iraq. As a diplomat, officer on special duty, director and High Commissioner he discharged his duties with the proven ability at home and abroad and won accolades from people as well as Heads of Governments.
He left his powerful imprint on all the fields he touched. After retirement in 1980, he settled down in his native place Patna. Ever since he kept participating actively in literary, social activities of Bihar. Colonel Mahboob Ahmad breathed his last on 9 June, 1992.
(Source : The Immortals, Album of 155 Muslim Freedom Fighters, authored by Syed Naseer Ahamed in 2014, Mobile : 9440241727)
