Naseem Mirza Changezi

Naseem Mirza Changezi (1910 – April 12, 2018)[1] was an Indian independence activist. He was also believed to have been one of the oldest living individuals in India at the time of his death.[2][3]

Naseem Mirza Changezi
Born1910
DiedApril 12, 2018 (aged 108; disputed)
Pahari Imli, Old Delhi, India
Alma materZakir Husain Delhi College
OccupationIndependence activist

Early life and education

Naseem Mirza Changezi traces his family's roots in Old Delhi from the times of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. He was educated at the Anglo Arabic College, now called Zakir Husain Delhi College. Over the years, he collected a large number of books in Urdu and Persian.[4]

He met revolutionary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh in 1929. Bhagat Singh told him of his intentions to bomb the Central Legislative Assembly and wanted his help in finding a safe house to hide in. Naseem later went into hiding in Gwalior after Bhagat Sigh carried out his mission.[4]

Personal life

In 2016, he was still living with his 90-year-old wife, Amna Khannum, and 60-year-old son, Mirza Sikander Beg Changezi, in the Old Delhi area. His youngest son, Mirza Tariq Beg, lives in Karachi, Pakistan. Changezi had seven daughters and two sons. Many of them still live in the Old Delhi area. He had 20 grandchildren.[4]

In 2016, Naseem Mirza Changezi claimed to be 106 years old.[2][4][5]

Legacy

Naseem, in his lifetime, claimed to have seen many events in Indian and world history, World War I, Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Satyagraha (Nonviolent resistance), Khilafat movement, the making of New Delhi, Second world war, Quit India Movement and finally the independence of India.[2] His life story has been covered by many newspapers and TV documentaries.[4]

In March 2016, Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal unveiled three busts of the famous martyrs at Delhi Legislative Assembly who gave their lives for the cause of Indian independence movement, Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Hari Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar. Naseem Mirza Changezi was selected to address the gathering at the official ceremony. He remarked that martyr Bhagat Singh wanted all religions and sects in India to live together in unity.[5]

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References
  1. City Obituary – Old Delhi’s Living Encyclopedia, Naseem Mirza Changezi, Dies at 108, 1910-2018 The Delhi Walla, Published 22 April 2018, Retrieved 14 April 2018
  2. Young at 106: Mirza Changezi, the grand old man of Delhi's Walled City Hindustan Times (newspaper), Updated 29 May 2016, Retrieved 21 December 2017
  3. General, The Delhi Walla · in (12 April 2018). "City Obituary – Old Delhi's Living Encyclopedia, Naseem Mirza Changezi, Dies at 108, 1910-2018". The Delhi Walla. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  4. "The Biographical Dictionary Of Delhi – Naseem Mirza Changezi , Born Old Delhi, 1910 – The Delhi Walla". Thedelhiwalla.com website. 24 October 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  5. Bhagat Singh wanted all religions, sects to coexist: Naseem Mirza Changezi The Indian Express (newspaper), Published 24 March 2016, Retrieved 21 December 2017
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