Hakim Ajmal Khan- The Versatile Genius

Hakim Ajmal Khan - The Versatile Genius, was complied and published by the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine in the year 1987 on the occadion of First International Seminar in Unani Medicine as a tribute to this great visionary. The acceptance and demand of the publication has been over-whelming which signifies the relevance of ideals of this great freedom fighter in the country perspective. It has also been a source of encouragement for the Council to bring out the second edition.

In today's country scenario, the ideals of Masih- Ul-Mulk Hakim Ajmal Khan are more relevant. His conviction for national integrity, Hindu-Muslim unity, co- existence of different systems under one roof and the personal qualities which elevated hin to Head 'Hindu Maha Sabha' and the 'Muslim league' those days, makes him more relevant today. The new generation ought to know all this to make not only India, but the World as a whole, a place for happy and mery living, for the man kind. As a physician, Hakim Ajmal Khan enjoyed World- wide fame and had an absolute command aver the theory and practice of Unani Medicine. Strong will power and spiritual force played an important role for his miraculous diagnostic power tor which he is so famous. All this needed to be imbibed in theory and practice of today's healers.

With the encouragement and support, we got for the first edition. we feel great pleasure in launching the second edition. We hope it will be equally acceptable and popular.

There are people who accomplish several great feats in their lifetime. And there are people whose life becomes a great feat in itself. But Ajmal Khan lived a life that was both full of several great achievements and a great national achievement in itself.

One of the most outstanding Hakims of twentieth century, Ajmal Khan was a distinguished litterateur, a true Indian, a thorough democrat and above all a great humanitarian. Coming from Delhi's famous Sharif Khani Family, known after his great grandfather who in his own right was a great scholar and physician of Unani Medicine, Hakim Ajmal Khan lived upto his family tradition. The Hindustani Dawakhana and the Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbi College in Delhi are teh living example of his immense contribution to the multipronged development of our two great Indian systems of medicine - Unani Tibb and Ayurveda. He is the first scholar on record to have given the concept of scientific research in these indigenous medical systems. As a great patron of education, he rose to become the first Amir (Chancellor) of Jamia Millia Islamia Delhi's oldest university.

In spite of his pre-occupations with his medical practice and the development of education, Ajmal Khan's life was equally devoted to India's freedom struggle. He played a positive role in keeping united the country's two major communities - Hindus and Muslims - at a time when the alien rulers were trying to propagate communal hatred for their vested interests.

**Contents and Sample Pages**