Rahat Zakheli

Sayyid Rahatullah Rahat Zakheli (راحت زاخيلي; 19 February 188329 May 1963) was a Pashto poet, writer and novelist in Azakhel Bala, Nowshera, in what is today Pakistan. Rahat, often referred to as the pioneering figure in the development of Pashto prose and journalism, grew up in the region of NWFP, British India, which was then under British colonial rule.

It was in the year 1884 that Syed Farihullah, his father, bestowed upon him the name Syed Rahatullah, in the village of Zakhel (Present day- Azakhel Bala), situated in Nowshera, Pakistan.

Early education
The child Rahatullah did his primary education with his father in the family of Sayyeds. Then he studied Arabic grammar and syntax, which was a part of education at that time. In his youth, he was so saddened by the death of his younger brother Syed Shafqatullah that he started writing poetry. He wrote and sang 50 Persian and 3 Arabic ghazals in his brother's separation.

Studied Christianity
Dr. Lancaster, a Christian figure in the 19th Century from Europe, who went to the Indian Subcontinent with the intent of spreading the teachings of Christianity. Under the guidance of Dr. Lancaster, Rahat Zakheli was introduced to the Christian faith. It is recounted that, at one point, he conveyed to the priest,"'After immersing myself in the study of your books, my intellect seemed to dim.'"After this, Rahat Zakheli started studying the Holy Quran and learned to write for his life.

Pashto Literature
In 1911 he published the first Pashto weekly newspaper called "Afghan" and in 1912 he wrote the first Pashto novel "Mah Rukh". In 1917, his first fairy tale "Kunda Jinai" (A Widow Girl) published in the Afghan newspaper became very popular.

Rahat Zakheli demonstrated his literary versatility by writing in both Persian and Pashto concurrently, and he further showcased his linguistic prowess by translating Allama Muhammad Iqbal's renowned Urdu poem, "Shikwa and Jawab-e-Shikwa," into Pashto. This exceptional feat earned him the epithet "Afghani Iqbal" among the intellectual circles of his time. In 1923, he undertook another remarkable translation endeavour, rendering Sheikh Saadi's "Gulistan" from Persian into Pashto.

Rahat's commitment to promoting Pashto language and literature was also reflected in his journalistic pursuits. In 1930, he inaugurated the Pashto newspaper "Staray Ma She",(a "welcome" / "greetings" in Pashto ) but regrettably, it faced censorship and was banned by the British authorities a mere year later. Undeterred, Rahat Zakheli continued his editorial journey, and in 1948, he assumed the role of editor for the Pashto section of the newspaper "Shahbaz," where he continued to champion Pashto language and culture.

Death
Rahat Zakheli died on 29 May 1963, and his final resting place in his village Azakhel Bala, Nowshera. In commemoration of his legacy, a poignant line from his poetry captures the essence of his enduring influence.

Scholarly Analysis and Research

 * 1) Dr. Hanif Khalil's research paper, "The Scholastic and Literary Contribution of Rahat Zakheli," offers an in-depth analysis of Rahat Zakheli's significant role in 20th-century Pashto literature. The paper covers various literary genres and highlights Zakheli's multifaceted talents, emphasizing his contributions as a journalist, calligrapher, and translator.
 * 2) M. Zarin Anzoor's paper, "Pashto First Novel; A Critical View on Rasheed Ahmad’s Research," reevaluates the inception of Pashto novels. Anzoor suggests that Noor Muhammad's work, long considered the first Pashto novel, remains incomplete, casting doubt on its primacy. He proposes "The Least of the Moon" as a stronger contender, emphasizing the ongoing quest to uncover Pashto literature's true origins, showcasing the dynamic nature of literary research.
 * 3) Dr. Qadar Wahid's paper, "The First Pashto Novel and Novelist," enters the discourse surrounding Pashto novel origins. Wahid challenges Rashid Ahmad's assertion that Noor Mohammad Taraki was the first Pashto novelist, presenting robust arguments to refute it. Dr. Wahid argues that Rahat Zakheli deserves the title of the first Pashto novelist, intensifying the scholarly debate on the topic.