A flex billboard marks the grave of Muslim leader and educationist Moulvi Syed Murtuza Saheb on Jaffer Shah Street in Tiruchi.
| Photo Credit: R. VENGADESH
The poor condition of freedom fighter and educationist Moulvi Syed Murtuza Saheb’s grave in Tiruchi has raised concern among residents.
A flex board marks the final resting place of Moulvi Syed Murtuza Saheb, a staunch nationalist who was instrumental in arranging Mahatma Gandhi’s 1921 visit to Tiruchi, facing the Shams Peeran Mosque on Jaffer Shah Street.
An asbestos sheet partially protects the grave from the elements, as shops nearby continue to do business as usual. The spot is filled with debris and litter from the roadside.
A summary of Murtuza Saheb’s achievements such as his membership of the Madras Legislative Council in 1912 and a 24-year long career as an elected member of the Central Legislative Assembly are listed out on the board for the benefit of passers-by.
Murtuza Saheb organised protests in Tiruchi against the Rowlatt Act, a repressive law passed by the Imperial Legislative Council in 1919 to suppress nationalist movements in British India. He was also an active participant in the Khilafat movement. In 1938, he was elected as the president of the Tiruchi District Muslim League.
Murtuza Saheb also served on the Advisory Committee of All India Radio and South Indian Railway.
A noted scholar of Arabic and Persian, Murtuza Saheb was known for his efforts to promote education among Muslims, and was the founder of Government Islamiah High School in Tiruchi.
According to The Hindu archives, Murtuza Saheb passed away on November 6, 1949 at the age of 99, a few days after suffering from a hip dislocation caused by a fall while he was at his prayers in the mosque.
Sources said the gravesite, set on family-owned land, was being maintained by the deceased leader’s relatives at present.
“Moulvi Syed Murtuza Saheb was among the most prominent leaders of India’s freedom struggle in Tiruchi and created a name as a progressive public figure. The authorities should protect the sanctity of his grave, and demarcate it clearly from the public road,” K. Syed Jafar, general secretary, Muslim Literary Society, told The Hindu.
Published – August 25, 2026 06:57 pm IST
