235
looked upon him as a friend to be proud of. There
was the stamp of old Hyderabad on him, and
though an orthodox Hindu, he looked like a Moulvi
of the earlier regime—his well-kempt beard com-
• pleted the illusion! In him, Hyderabad lost a
* memorable type of Hindu gentleman, a type that
had helped to bring about a brotherly feeling
between the two communities.
Mr. Abdullah Yusuf AH
There came to Hyderabad in 1921-22, at Sir Ali
Imarn'^ recommendation, some men who are still
remembered on account of their distinctive merits.
For Mr. Abdullah Yusuf Ali I have always had a
very high regard. He is well-known in England
as an Indian of exceptional literary ability ; and in
India he is still better known as having presented
to the world a very helpful rendering of the Qur'an,
with just the kind of clear suggestive commentary
that is appreciated by the modern reader. It was
unfortunate that he could not remain long with us ;
his duties called him back to England which was
his permanent residence, in 1922-23, though he
returned periodically to India to lecture at the
Islamia College, Lahore.
Official life in Hyderabad had less attraction for
him than the duties of a servant of Islam, and
the literary man in him was above the official.
He was a type quite out of the common, with an
independence and elevation of spirit not easily
understood or appreciated by the man in the
street. We were members of the Executive