Remembering a Progressive Icon
Tribute to Comrade Mir Muhammad Khan Talpur, a Forgotten Revolutionary
Comrade Talpur was a principled revolutionary, an unwavering socialist, and a true son of Sindh
By Col. ® Hassan Imam
Comrade Mir Muhammad Khan Talpur was a principled revolutionary, an unwavering socialist, and a true son of Sindh who dedicated his life to the rights of the oppressed and the dream of an egalitarian Pakistan.
Comrade Mir Muhammad Khan Talpur played a significant and often underrepresented role in the early history of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). He was one of the core founding members of the PPP in 1967. He was part of a small group of leftist intellectuals, activists, and politicians who gathered with Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to form a new political force that could challenge the status quo, especially the military-bureaucratic elite and pro-Western capitalist class. He is widely recognized — especially among progressive and leftist historians — as the first Secretary General of the PPP during its formative stage. He played a central role in organizing the party at the grassroots level and mobilizing support, particularly in Sindh.
As a committed Marxist-Leninist, Talpur pushed for a strong socialist orientation in the party’s early ideology. His political stance aligned with other leftist founders like J.A. Rahim and Dr. Mubashir Hassan. He believed in land reforms, social justice, and empowering workers and peasants — ideas that heavily influenced the PPP’s original manifesto.
Talpur initially had a close working relationship with Bhutto, but differences began to emerge when the PPP leadership started compromising with feudal lords and military elites for political expediency. Being ideologically firm, Talpur became critical of Bhutto’s authoritarian tendencies and the party’s shift away from its socialist principles.
Due to his ideological disagreements, he eventually distanced himself from the PPP. However, he remained a respected figure in leftist politics and continued to advocate for the rights of the working class and peasants, especially in Sindh and Balochistan.
Legacy
While not always highlighted in mainstream PPP history, Comrade Mir Muhammad Khan Talpur is remembered by progressive circles as a principled revolutionary, a grassroots organizer, and a true ideologue of socialism in Pakistan. His role is crucial to understanding the real ideological foundation of the PPP before it became a more mainstream political force.
Comrade Mir Muhammad Khan Talpur was deeply disappointed and disillusioned with the Pakistan People’s Party leadership, particularly with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s decisions regarding Balochistan in the 1970s. Here’s a breakdown of that period and his stance:
In 1973, Bhutto’s government dismissed the NAP (National Awami Party)-led elected government in Balochistan, claiming it was conspiring against the state. This move was followed by a military operation in the province — a controversial and violent crackdown on Baloch nationalists. This was seen by many as a betrayal of democratic and progressive values, especially coming from a party that had originally promised to empower provinces and uphold people’s rights.
As a committed leftist and believer in people’s self-determination, Comrade Talpur strongly opposed the military action and was vocal in criticizing the PPP leadership’s authoritarian approach. He believed that instead of addressing political grievances through dialogue, the party had chosen repression and militarization, particularly targeting the already marginalized Baloch people.
This event marked a turning point in Talpur’s relationship with the PPP. He had already grown wary of the increasing feudal and militarist influences within the party, but the situation in Balochistan symbolized a line crossed for him — representing the death of the party’s original socialist vision.
Following this, Comrade Talpur further distanced himself from the PPP and continued to work with progressive and nationalist movements, especially those advocating for provincial autonomy and the rights of oppressed nationalities. His opposition to Bhutto’s Balochistan policy earned him respect. Baloch, and Sindhi nationalist circles saw him as a principled revolutionary. However, he was marginalized from mainstream PPP narratives that sought to downplay internal dissent.
I am honored to be considered like his son. He respected me and loved me like a real son. I am preserving his letter written to me when I was posted in Larkana. He was such a courageous person and an honest politician.
Mir Muhammad Talpur mentioned many things on various occasions, stating: “Though I did not have a direct friendship with your father (Ali Hassan Kadri), I met him many times at Maulana Ghulam Muhammad Girami’s residence along with Comrade Hyder Bakhsh Jatoi. Though he was not interested in politics, he was very thorough on the subject and the overall prevailing situation. His discussions focused on reforms of the state in light of Imam Ali’s teachings, particularly regarding public services and improving the social system. Since I was a social worker interested in uplifting common people, I took an interest in his discussions and was highly inspired by his visionary approach to understanding religion in a social context.
I heard him mention that it was Imam Ali’s follower Abuzar who founded the movement of socialism in the early days of Islam, and many Eastern Europeans were engaged in the teachings of Abuzar. On another note, your father-in-law, Haji Sataabo Khan Mirjat, was a buddy and activist in the peasant movement. He was very reliable, energetic, and sincere — a true comrade. Haji Sataabo was very active in politics, fighting for the uplift of the social stature and fundamental rights of common people and committed to his cause.
Comrade Mir Muhammad Talpur was a vibrant and vocal person, and I met him through our friend Ali Ahmad Lakho. Due to many conflicts, Comrade Talpur resigned from the People’s Party, primarily due to the Balochistan insurgency and the induction of feudal lords into the party. Sohail Sangi contributed a report on Comrade’s death in the Daily Dawn, stating: “The peasant leader and veteran politician, who was equally popular among friends and foes for his witty and no-holds-barred remarks, Comrade Mir Muhammad Talpur is no more. He died in Tando Jam on 16th April 2013, at the age of 88.”
The late Talpur led a simple and rustic life and was a great orator. He began his political career by joining the Khaksar Tehreek in pre-partition days and later became a leader of the Sindh Hari Committee after independence. He subsequently joined Bhutto and was a founding member of both the Pakistan People’s Party and the Sindh Hari Committee. Outspoken, straightforward, and often blunt in political speeches and writings, Talpur had the courage to speak the truth to the face of any man, regardless of his political or social status.
Once, at a party convention, when Zulfikar Ali Bhutto claimed during a speech that the PPP was a party of peasants and workers and that there was no place in it for feudal lords, Comrade Talpur stood up and said: “Are Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and Makhdoom Talibul Maula landless peasants? This is the height of stupidity.” He was liked by friends and foes alike for his candid and frank remarks, which often landed him in trouble. He angered PPP workers when he made scathingly blunt remarks against PPP leaders at a public meeting of the Sindh Hari Committee at the chamber.
Talpur was also an avid reader who contributed over a dozen articles to different newspapers. A man with keen observation and sharp wit, he wrote four books: Kara Munh Mochara Munh (White Faces and Black Faces), memoirs titled Kaneen Budho Ankheen Ditho (Whatever Heard and Seen) and Puchhano (Accountability), and Lahooti Lade Waya (The Lahooti’s Left). His books are full of political jokes and a humorous take on the history of his times, carrying significant messages for revolution.
He resigned from the PPP due to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto government’s decision to launch a military operation in Balochistan. Nawab Khair Bakhsh Mari visited him many times in Tando Jam and remained his guest. He also had brotherly relations with Ghaus Bakhsh Bizinjo and Nawab Akbar Bugti. He was friendly with Abdul Hameed Bhashani, Khan Ghaffar Khan, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Ibrahim Munshi, and Captain Zafarullah Poshni, as well as with leaders of the pre-partition Indian National Congress and the Communist Party of India.
I saw him paying great respect to Comrade Subho Gianchandani of Larkana, who I met through Comrade Mir Muhammad Talpur at his residence while I was posted in Larkana. Comrade Talpur constructed a monument in memory of youth killed at Thorhi Phatak during General Zia’s military government. During a trip to Larkana with him, he showed me this monument and the epitaphs on the graves of some historical personalities of Sindh.
Sindh will dearly miss a man who was not only an eyewitness to many important historical events but was also an active participant in these events spanning over half a century. He will always be remembered for his natural wit, political acumen, straightforwardness, and courage to speak the truth in all circumstances. Murtaza Bhutto also wrote him a letter which he published in his memoirs. I have seen the original letter at Comrade’s home. A great Sindhi literary activist, Mohtarma Veena Shrungi, also wrote a beautiful letter to Comrade and thanked him for his remembrance and appreciation of the Lateef Day organized in India.
During the last days of my father, Comrade visited me many times and asked me to kindly ask your father to pray for us too. He is a great shelter for you, even at this age.
Mir Hussain and Mir Hassan’s Haveli (Badshahi Bungalow, Hyderabad)
Napier left Sindh after the military rule of four years and handed over the region to R.K. Pringle, the Commissioner in Sindh. The overall policies of the Raj were changed in Sindh through new bureaucratic rule under the Commissioner. The Talpur rulers were sent out of Fort Pacca Qilla. Mana Dhori, which is now Latifabad and Ranibagh area, was the hunting reserve of the Talpurs. The British Raj constructed a huge Haveli, like a castle, for Mir’s family; nowadays, it is in the possession of Mir Zulfiqar and Mir Fateh Ali. This palace was decorated with Persian-style furniture and beautiful fixtures of the time.
According to the Heritage of Sind, “The Badshahi Bungalow is the Palace of Prince Mir Hassan Ali Khan Talpur, the son of the last ruler of Hyderabad, Mir Naseer Khan Talpur. This Palace is located in Tando of Talpur Mirs in Latifabad Unit No. 4. The Historic Palace of Talpur Mirs was constructed in 1863.” This Badshahi Bungalow was well kept by its owner, Mir Muhammad Ali Talpur of Tando Mir Noor Muhammad, until it was nationalized and sealed by former Prime Minister Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in the 1970s. This palace was neither restored by the government nor maintained by its owners. It was returned to its owners by the ministry later, but the possessors faced financial issues in maintaining it properly. Mir Haider Talpur, its present owner and custodian, faces similar problems. A fund for the preservation of the heritage sites of Hyderabad would greatly help in preserving its vanishing glory.
In 1974, Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was invited here by the Mirs. Bhutto Sahib was impressed with the princely decorated palace of Mir Hussain. He asked the Mir to hand over possession, leading to the haveli being cordoned off by Hyderabad Police. Later, Mir Rasool Bakhsh intervened and requested Bhutto to call off the police and send them back to the barracks. The story was narrated by Comrade Mir Muhammad Talpur, and the event was confirmed later by Mir Zulfiqar (grandson of the Talpur rulers). Zulfiqar mentioned that Bhutto wrote a letter of excuse and forgiveness to his elders. However, Dr. Mir Ata said that the Miri palace was sealed and not returned to the Mir until Mir Ali Ahmed Talpur became the defense minister and requested General Zia-ul-Haq to release the Mir palace and return possession.
Murtaza Bhutto demonstrated great respect for Comrade Mir Muhammad Talpur. When the Comrade arrived, Murtaza Bhutto was smoking a cigarette, but in respect for the Comrade, he threw away the cigarette.
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Colonel ® Hassan Imam is the former Head, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Karachi Sindh.
