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Kavisekhara Dr Umar Alisha

(1885 – 1945) – (Andhra Pradesh)

Dr. Umar Alisha (Aged 59), also known as Kavisekhara Dr. Umar Alisha, born on February 28, 1885 Pithapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India. He was the sixth Peethadhipathi of Sri Viswa Viznana Vidya Adhyatmika Peetham. He succeeded his father, Mohiddin Badusha.

Dr. Umar Alisha actively participated in the Khilafat Movement, a unique battle against British rulers in the early 1920s. The movement was waged with Gandhi caps by the students of the Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medical School, which later became the Andhra Medical College.

He wrote over 50 books in Telugu reflecting his ideas on patriotism, women’s education and freedom, the dowry system, and spiritual philosophy, among others. He passed away by January 23, 1945, Narsapur, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Positions held

  • Peethadhipathi – Sri Viswa Viznana Vidya Adhyatmika Peetham – 1928–1995
  • Member – Indian National Congress: 1916–1930
  • National Secretary – Khilafat Movement – 1924
  • Vice-President, Secretary – Muslim League, Madras Branch
  • Member of the National Legislative Assembly (Parliament) – North Madras constituency: 1936– 1945
  • Member – Education Committee – Banaras Hindu University
  • Member – Muslim Board of Studies for Telugu – Andhra University – 1933.

He was awarded the following titles:

  • “Moulvi” by Aligarh Muslim University.
  • “Pandit” by All India oriental conference and declared on this occasion that: First Muslim Telugu Poet in Andhra Pradesh to have learned Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, English” – 1924
  • Awarded and honored by the Arya University of France.
  • “Doctor Literarum” (Doctor of Literature) by International Academy of America – 1936.