Chenghez Khan legacy lives on

Representing the glory of Delhi when it was the epicentre of Mughal culture, Naseem Mirza Chenghezi is Chenghez Khan's 94-year-old descendant and is referred to as 'living history' by many. With his white flowing beard and lean face, Chenghezi has an aristocratic look about him.

Pahari Imli, behind the historical monument Jama Masjid in Old Delhi, where he lives prides itself in its 19th century claustrophobic existence. The maze of alleys with just about four feet wide passageways lead you to his house where he lives along with his wife, Amna Khanum, his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

Chenghezi is the 23rd generation of Mughal ruler Chenghez Khan. Obviously his life is replete with history which he narrates proudly. "My grandfather Mirza Ali Beg Khan shot three generals of the British Army in 1834 in Delhi. He was caught a year later and hanged," Chenghezi says.

With the enthusiasm of a young child, Chenghezi describes the valour and great deeds of his ancestors. His father was a deputy collector in Hissar, Haryana, a state bordering Delhi. He had 52 villages in Hissar. He sided with the rebels and was punished for it. All his property was looted and the British captured him in 1857 and imprisoned him for life. Chenghezi still has in his possession the original papers on his father, which he displays proudly. His father lived till he was 95.

Coming back to the present, he says, "Recently a historian and businessman from London, Mohammed Qasim had met me. He took my blood sample to get a DNA test done to probably prove my lineage."

Chenghezi gets you hooked to his stories. He narrates numerous anecdotes relating to Babar, Humayun and Sher Shah Suri. One is about a thoughtful Babar in huddle planning his strategy with the help of his generals and spies. Chenghezi goes on, "During the battle of Panipat Babar had only 12,000 cavalrymen to depend upon while Ibrahim Lodhi had 40,000 soldiers, a majority of them on horseback. But as was in his blood, Babar fought courageously and won the war."

Born in Delhi, the descendant of Chenghez Khan went to school in 1915. "I took part in the Swaraj movement of the Congress. And since I was well-educated, I was sent to infantry during the World War II, in 1939, to fight against Germany."

He adds, "During the freedom struggle I set fire to parts of the Old Delhi railway station, but was never caught. Hence my name is not in the record books." But unlike most freedom fighters, Chenghezi says, "I never claim to have gone to jail. In fact, confessions by most political leaders who claim to have gone to jail during the freedom struggle is all bunkum."

According to him it was a gimmick to either invite publicity or to get pension prescribed for freedom fighters.

With airs about him, he declares: "In 1942 the government decided to give pension to people who fought during the 1857 mutiny or to their families. But it was considered below the dignity of our family to live off the Britishers."

He worked with the anti malaria department of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi as health inspector in 1964 and was with them for 27 years. Chenghezi has two sons – Sikander Mirza, who is in the handicraft business and Tariq Mirza, settled in Pakistan.

Chenghezi is also the proud owner of a library of 9,000 books on Islam with some rare Urdu manuscripts and paintings. A matriculate from Anglo-Arabic School in 1928, he was also a good sportsman. Displaying photographs of yesteryears, he says, "I joined Delhi Independent Club and played hockey in Mumbai and Bhopal and also played the Aga Khan Tournament and went to Afghanistan."

An ardent Muslim, he does his namaaz five times a day and emphasises a great deal on better education for all. However conservative his outlook may be about life and his obsession with his legacy, Chenghezi's family is highly educated.

His zest for life is summed up thus: "What goes on in mind is received by our heart. So we should always think and feel healthy. I am confident I shall live till 120 years, which is my goal. When cricketers can hit a century with a five-kilogramme bat, why can I not hit a century with a healthy bent of mind?