Found in translation: Bacha Khan’s tale to come alive in English

Young author is translating nationalist leader’s autobiography

PESHAWAR:

All great stories are worth telling – especially if it is that of a leader who led a nonviolent movement against the British Raj. Now the tale of Bacha Khan can reach a wider audience as a young man from Peshawar has taken it upon himself to translate the nationalist’s autobiography. 

Farid Gul Mohmand has nothing to do with politics and is not affiliated with the Awami National Party led by Asfandyar Wali Khan, the grandson of Bacha Khan. “I was in class IX when I first came across the book [written by Bacha Khan] ‘Zama Jond o Jadojehad’ (My Life and Struggle). However, it was years later when I was reading it that it had a profound effect on me so I decided to translate it into English,” Mohmand told The Express Tribune.

Mohmand added the book provides inspiration whenever he travels to new places and he uses it to gain wisdom, a fresh perspective and develop a better understanding of humanity. For him, the book has always been his best companion.

Mohmand decided to spread the powerful message of the great Pukhtun leader who he feels is not only a symbol of peace for the nation, but the entire world. He added Bacha Khan was the torchbearer of an unrelenting struggle against the British Raj and a promoter of human-centric values. So far, Momand has translated a few chapters of the book.



“I had no clue that the book had already been translated into English in the 1960s,” he said. “However, when I approached people at Bacha Khan Markaz, they appreciated the idea and assured me of their complete support.” Farid has already authored a compilation of short stories and an English poetry collection called Paris Hilton Versus the Poor Poet and Other Poems.

Following is an excerpt of his translation from the book:

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2015.