Gulaothi – A Small but Culturally Rich Town:

Gulaothi is a small but historically significant town located in the Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh (UP), India. It is situated about 60 km east of Delhi and 25 km north of Bulandshahr city, is part of the National Capital Region (NCR) and well-connected via roads.

Gulaothi has a rich Islamic and Mughal-era heritage and historically known for its Islamic scholars, Sufi saints, and madrasas. It was once considered an intellectual and religious center in western UP, especially during the late Mughal and British periods. 

During the Independence war of 1857, Gulaothi was a site of significant resistance against British colonial forces. On 29 July 1857, the Second Battle of Gulaothi took place, where commanders Haji Munir Khan and Ismail Khan, under the leadership of Nawab Walidad Khan of Malagarh, established a defensive position near the canal to thwart British advances into Bulandshahr district. Both commanders sustained severe injuries in the battle. 

Moreover, members of the Syed community actively participated in the Indian independence movement. For instance, Maulana Muhammad Mian Mansoor Ansari, a descendant of Munshi Syed Meharban Ali, was a key figure in the Silk Letter Movement, striving for India’s freedom from colonial rule.

Before partition, Nawabzada Liaqat Ali Khan addressed a political rally in Gulaothi which signifies the importance of this small town.

These event underscores the active participation of local leaders in the struggle for India’s independence.

It’s economy is traditionally based on agriculture, small-scale industries, and trade. Some of the notable points of interest are historic mosques and shrines dating back centuries and traditional Havelis (mansions) belonging to old landholding families.

Sadaat-e-Gulaothi – A Diverse & Learned Community:

Gulaothi has diverse Muslim population, alongside Hindus and other communities. Majority of Muslim population are Syeds who have lived here for generations and have played a significant role in its historical and cultural development.

The trace of Sadaat families in recent history goes back to late 19th century with Munshi Syed Meharban Ali being the first most prominent figure of Sadaat community in Gulaothi. He was a prominent Islamic scholar and educator of his time. He is best known for founding the Madrasa Manba al-‘Ulum along with Jamia Masjid in Gulaothi in 1870, which became a significant center for Islamic learning in the region and is still so.

Munshi Syed Meharban Ali’s dedication to Islamic education and his establishment of the Madrasa Manba al-‘Ulum significantly impacted the religious and educational landscape of Gulaothi and beyond. His family’s continued involvement in scholarship and public service underscores the enduring legacy of his contributions.

It will not be fair if we don’t mention the name of Hafiz Syed Shafi Uddin Saheb who was definitely the second most important personality of Gulaothi after Munshi Syed Meharban Ali.

While Munshi Syed Meharban Ali established an institution of Islamic education, Hafiz Syed Shafi Uddin established a traditional school in 1942 in his personal residence namely, Mufeed-e-Aam School in Gulaothi to provide worldly education to the children aimed at empowering them to meet the challenges of modern times. Started as primary school in 1942, this school progressed rapidly from primary to junior high in 1945 to high school in 1964 and finally to Intermediate college in 1989.

After migrating to Pakistan in 1971, he was rightly elected as President of Idara-e-Akhwan-us-Sadaat in 1972.

Apart from these two prominent personalities, Gulaothi has produced many known scholars, educators, poets, doctors, lawyers, bankers, beorocates and journalists. Some of the prominent figures belonging to Gulaothi are:

* Maulana Syed Muhammad Badar-e-Alam (Scholar). * Maulana Syed M. Asleh Al-Hussaini (Scholar). * Dr. Farhat Barni (Religious scholar). * Maulana Natiq Gulaothivi (Poet). * Allama Syed Rahim Ullah Qabil Gulaothivi (Poet). * Syed Muzaffar Zia (Poet) * Prof. Syed Irfane Rehmat (Academician). * Syed Ameer Hasan Ameer (Poet). * Prof. Raees Ahmed (Acamedician). * Prof. Dr. Syed Nafees Ahmed-TI (Educationist). * Dr. Zafar Zaidi (Scientist, Shaikh ul Jamia). * Dr. Syed Shamim Uddin Ahmed (Educationist) * Dr. Syed Mubin Akhtar (Psychiatrist). * Syed Usman Ghani Rashid (Lawyer). * Syed Muhammad Ahmed Wasti (Bureaucrat). * Syed Saif Uddin Saif (Social Activist). * Ahmad Rushdi (Singer). * Syed Saleem Shahzad (Journalist). * Syed Muhammad Iqbal Mehmood (Banker). * Syed Nusrat Kamal (Banker). * Syed Khalil Ahmed Jafri (Bureaucrat). * Dr. Sarfraz Zaidi. * Syed Haseeb Ahmed Jafri (Technocrat). * Syed Fasih Uddin Ahmed (Technocrat). * Syed Khalid H. Wasti Shaheed (Pilot). * Syed Tanzeem Hasan Wasti (Social Activist). * Syed Muhammad Hussain Yaqeen. * Syed Abdul Waheed Fida Gulaothvi. * Syed Shamsul Haque Khayal. * Abdul Qayyum Siddiqui (Bureaucrat). * Syed Aijaz Ahmed (Bureaucrat). * Syed Bilal Ahmed (Bureaucrat). * Prof. Aziz Ahmed (Academician). * Syed Zafar Niazi. * Syed Javed Iqbal (Technocat).

Idara Sadaat-e-Gulaothi – Lot More Than Just a Community Group:

Most of the Sadaat families migrated to Pakistan in 1947 after the partition and settled in Karachi. Unlike Gulaothi, Karachi was a metropolitan city making it difficult for the members of the Sadaat community to individually keep in touch with each other and assist in a time of need.

In 1952, a member of Sadaat community fell critically ill needing financial assistance which could not reach him in time as a result of which he passed away. At this time, some elders of the community felt the need to form a platform to not only to connect the members with each other through social gatherings but also to help those in a timely manner who may be in need of financial or moral assistance.

Accordingly, the Idara-e-Akhwan-us Sadaat-e-Gulaothi, Karachi was established in 1952 with Mr. Syed Ameer Hasan Ameer (Late) as its first president. The Idara was officially registered in 1965. However, it became inactive after few years for unknown reasons. 

In 1984, some younger members of the community notably of which were Syed Nasimuddin Hashmi, Syed Rashid Ali, Syed Ahsan Wasti and Syed Mubashir Wasti realized the need of a similar organization to unite Sadaat-e-Gulaothi community and work for their welfare. On the advice of the elder community members especially on the advice of Syed Muhammad Ahmad Wasti, Syed Usman Ghani Rashid, Syed Badar Ul Hasan Wasti, Dr Syed Zafar Zaidi, Syed Ahmed & Syed Safdar Ali it was decided to revive the already existed Idara Akhwan-us-Sadaat Gulaothi for the stated purpose. 

Accordingly, the first regular meeting in this regard was held at the residence of Mr. Syed Ahmad and an ad-hoc committee was formed consisting of Mr. Syed Ahmad as President, Syed Mubashir Hasan Wasti as General secretary and Syed Nasimuddin Hashmi as Treasurer. Efforts made by Syed Nasimuddin Hashmi & Syed Mubashir Hasan Wasti to reorganize the Idara were commendable. The number of registered members were increased from 25 to 150 within one year.

After reorganization, elections of the Idara were held to elect members of the executive committee in 1985. In these elections, Syed Muhammad Ahmad Wasti was elected as the first president of the Idara while Syed Mubashir Hasan Wasti and Syed Nasimuddin Hashmi were elected as general secretary and treasurer respectively.

After that, elections were regularly held every three years. In the eleven years period from 1985 to 1995, Idara performed well. In 1984, the Idara had only Rs. 1,400 in its account which increased to Rs. 1.40 million in 1995 and the numbers increased from 150 to over 400. Furthermore, the Idara granted many scholarships to needy students and financial assistance was extended to needy families of the community. However, during this period social work was targeted towards community members only.

The last elections of the Idara were held in 2015 in which Syed Wasim Uddin Hashmi was elected as president who is still serving the Idara as its President. During the ten years tenure of Syed Wasim Uddin Hashmi Idara performed really well. Some of the achievements of this era are:

• Its membership increased from 400 to about 800.
• Total assets of the Idara have reached an staggering amount of over Rs. 13.00 million. 
• Idara’s social welfare programs were expanded to include healthcare, food distribution, livelihood opportunities, youth development, relief & rehabilitation and many more.
• The reach of these programs was extended to non-members as well. 
• During times of hardship, including devastating floods in Pakistan, SG mobilized quickly to provide relief supplies, financial aid, and long-term rehabilitation to those affected in collaboration of other social welfare organizations.
• Our support extended beyond borders, as we joined hands with other social welfare entities to provide financial assistance to Myanmar refugees, to those affected  earthquake in Turkey and to our Palestinian brethren who are facing genocide in the hands of Israel standing in solidarity with those displaced and suffering.
• Established collaboration agreements with other social welfare organizations to extend & enhance its programs

After a gap of 10 years, the executive committee of the Idara has decided to hold fresh elections in 3rd week of July 2025. Mr. Wasim Uddin Hashmi has decided not to take part in these elections for any position.

If you are interested in learning more about Gulaothi or about the Sadaat families of Gulaothi, please read the following books:

1. Gulaothi by Syed Mansoor Aqil.
2. Tazkira-e-Gualothi by Syed Razi Uddin Hashmi, Syed Nasim Uddin Hashmi & Nadeem Mahir

The PDF version of both these books is available in the “Resources” section of this web site.

You may also like to go through the “Shajra-e-Sadaat-Gulaothi by Syed Zafar Uddin Ahmed and updated by Syed Naeem Ahmed. You may find it interesting as you will find not only the details of your immediate family but also the details of your ancestors of which you didn’t have the knowledge about so far. PDF version of this “Shajra” is also available in the “Resources” section of this web site.