Person · young freedom fighter
Maqbool Sherwani
Also known as Sherwani
Maqbool Sherwani (c.1928 - 7 November 1947), the Baramulla Kashmiri freedom fighter who led the local resistance against the Pashtun tribal militia invasion of Kashmir in October-November 1947. Born at Baramulla, Sherwani was a 19-year-old National Conference activist when Afghan Pashtun irregulars (supported by Pakistan) invaded Kashmir on 22 October 1947. He deliberately misdirected the invaders for days to delay their advance on Srinagar, buying time for the Indian Army's airlift on 27 October 1947. The Pashtun militia captured him on 6 November 1947 and crucified him on a wooden plank by nailing his hands and feet, then shot him. His 7 November 1947 death delayed the Pashtun advance crucially. The 1948 Sherwani Hall at Baramulla honours him.
- Date
- 1928–1947
- Function
- Social reform & movement
- Confidence
- Established / referenced
Connections (1)
- AnalogueChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Maqbool Sherwani's 7 November 1947 crucifixion by Pashtun tribal militia at Baramulla during the 1947 Kashmir War closed Kashmir's accession-era chapter in which Hari Singh (last Dogra ruler of Kashmir) finally signed the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947 and the Indian Army airlifted into Srinagar on 27 October 1947. Sherwani's resistance helped delay the Pashtun advance crucially during the three-day window before the Indian Army's intervention.
Sources
Standard biography; regional historiography.
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