It was a fine morning on 18th June 2025, which felt special. Our DNN24 team was excited as we left Delhi at half past six, heading towards Aligarh. It was nearly four more hours, but we were light-hearted with expectations. The only wish echoing in our minds was to meet the legendary historian, Professor Irfan Habib.
With each mile, the city sank in the distance in the rear, and the countryside clanked across the windshield, bringing a perceptible mingling of excitement and apprehension. Did we meet him? So the real test started when we arrived at Aligarh at a perfect time of 10.30 am.
There was no personal communication with Professor Habib, and any effort to communicate directly with him appeared to hit a bottleneck. Disappointment began to seize us, and we felt helpless at one point. However, as they say in one of the popular dialogues in one of the Shah Rukh Khan movies, when you want something in your heart, the universe will conspire to give you it.
Just then, our prayers were answered, and we were introduced to Dr. Shariq Aqeel, the Chief Medical Officer of the Aligarh Muslim University. After a brief conversation, he kindly agreed to accompany me to Badr Bagh, where Professor Irfan Habib resides. We had new hope, and the trip had a new turn, which was very exciting.
The big Bungalow of Badr Bagh
Entering Professor Habib’s large bungalow in Badr Bagh was like traveling into a new era. The historical house was high up, embraced in the memories of the prosperous past. When we entered as we passed through the gates, time was working slower.
The inside had Mrs. Saira Habib reading the paper; she did it with a lot of grace. We identified ourselves and stated the reason for our visit. She smiled sweetly, and that was an expression of pleasant hospitality. Then, at last, the time we were waiting came.
Professor Irfan Habib himself appeared, and our hearts skipped a beat. This was full of history and respect. It was not a typical house but rather a living museum with stories of the past. Outside, the garden was growing green; peacocks walked, and parrots talked in the trees.
Occasionally, even a crow harkened his presence. The serenity of Badr Bagh, the bungalow estate’s vintage vibe, and meeting one of the most famous cricket players made the setting memorable. It was not an interview but a trip into the soul of Aligarh.
A Legendary Tale Takes Place
Our conversation with Professor Irfan Habib was nothing short of magical. We asked him for an interview, and he appointed us at the half of the sixth evening. We were a little ahead of time because we wanted to make the best use of this opportunity, which came once in many’s lives. It was a fabulous night, and as the sun sank, our conversation flew.
The scholar, Professor Habib, spoke not only with the seriousness of decades when he described the century of true student life but also with a friend’s benignity. He talked about Aligarh, its culture, and the changes he observed over time.
He talked about history and life, values, perseverance, and the significance of education. By the end of the day, the city of Aligarh, morning struggles, and evening conversation in the town of Aligarh all merged into one beautiful memory.
It became our favorite story, which would be held in our hearts and never forgotten. The story is about the meeting with a historian and the meeting with history itself.
Professor Irfan Habib’s Home:
A Living Oasis of HistoAmidt of modern Aligarh, where new buildings rise every day, Professor Irfan Habib’s hiss is a gentle reminder of the past. The house is plain but unbelievable, and full of atmosphere bringing history to life.
The garden connected with the house is green heaven, and the sun rays through the leaves and birds singing add to the music. The Badr Bagh afternoon was very peaceful, and each corner of the place talked of a different past.
Peace and quiet were nearly poetic. Professor Habib’s presence reflected the magic of the occasion, whose humility and wisdom made us feel we were in the presence of a sage. The experience was not in gathering facts of an interview, but rather, it was in the emotion of the atmosphere of Aligarh; how one can understand the traditions of the Aligarh citizens and how history has not been forgotten, not only in books but also in the ways these people existed and the memories they have. Memories made there were the most beautiful ones, a treasure one can have for the rest of one’s life.
Name of Aligarh and the mission of AMU: Academic Discussions
Our interview started with questions about the name of Aligarh and its strong attachment to education. We discussed the interesting problem of how the city received its name, and Professor Habib gave us a typical answer. He clarified that the historical record is not clear in many cases, but it is said that the name of Aligarh was brought by Najaf Ali Khan in the 19th century. The conversation then turned to the founding of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
Professor Habib shared that Sir Syed Ahmad Khan established the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) College, which later became AMU in 1921. Sir Syed had a vision to deal with the situation where Muslims did not have much modern and English education in his time. In his view, such education was not easy to realize during the progress under British rule otherwise.
To fill in this vacuum, he started the institutions of a college where Muslims can be educated traditionally as well as modernly. I also liked how Professor Habib explained things so clearly and intelligently that comprehending the complicated historical facts was a smooth sailing process. His utterances captured his knowledge and showed how he loved education and reform.
Persian Word and the name Tarkash
When evening became night, we put the question to Professor Habib as to whether we could visit his famous library. He introduced us to the world of books: row after row, with each shelf with its own story. The library was like a gold mine, and each book appeared a portion of the history. In the discussion, Professor Habib mentioned the Persian language. His words sounded regretful, as he said that nowadays, very few people read Persian.
He referred to the Tarkash style in Persian literature, primarily in poetry, letters, biographies, and narratives. Every word in the show Tarkash was full of meaning and interpretable on many levels, as with arrows in a quiver; each arrow had its mark. We lost so much time in the discussion that it became captivating.
Professor Habib was highly knowledgeable and very welcoming when presenting his information. Our visit to the library was not limited to books; we were to learn more about the depth of the culture and language and how traditions are passed down through generations.
Birth/Home: an extraordinary coincidence
Professor Habib told us about a charming circumstance. He revealed that his birth year is the same as the year of his house, 1931. This house was constructed by a British company, the company that also built a laboratory in the university in the same year. Professor Habib’s modest lifestyle was evidenced by a simple Maruti car and a motorbike parked outside. Time passed quickly as we walked around the garden and talked more.
Professor Habib’s simplicity inspired me. At departure, he allowed us to the gate on his own, and this little action told us about his low profile. It was an interview and a trip through the universe of knowledge and memories. Soon, viewers can watch this beautiful conversation with Professor Irfan Habib on DNN24. The meeting was not merely questions and answers but a learning story with memorizing moments.
Closure: A Day to Remember
Meeting Professor Irfan Habib was a dream come true. It was also memorable not because of the worried time and finding no answers but because of the excitement when we finally saw him. A chat with one of India’s most respected historical researchers at his Home in Badr Bagh, crammed with history and nature, was the best place to discuss history. The stories of Professor Habib, his modest life, and his affection towards knowledge amazed us a lot.
It was not purely a fact-gathering exercise but an attempt to get the feel of Aligarh and the origins of AMU; it was also an opportunity to learn it under the tutelage of a man who has devoted his life to history. When we departed his house, we were richer in no monetary sense but in remembrance and knowledge. This escapade will forever be an unforgettable episode in our lives, and this is because, once in a way, we should never forget that what counts is not necessarily the end of it all.
Also Read: Shaikh Ibrahim Zauq “Khaqani-e-Hind”: Who Dreamed in Verse and Rose to the Mughal Court
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