Principals of GTCH

 Since 1926 there were seven principals of this great seat of learning including the current one. One of them was founder member too. They were having differential qualities which differentiating them from each others. Here the brief details of those sevens who lead this premier institute for 94 years and brought identifiable changes in this Alma matter.           

1. Prof. (Hkm.) Mohammed ldris

On 28h January 1895, he was born at Behrawan, Patna, Bihar. His father’s name is Mr. Abdur Rahman. He received religious and higher education from Madrasa Hanfiya of Patna city then decided to get medical education (Tibbi) from Lucknow, for this purpose he took admission in Takmeel-ut-Tibb college of Lucknow and awarded medical degree in 1910. He stays there for 2 more years to get experience and to become perfect in diagnosis and treatment. He was expert in treating the patients and prescribing the medicines. His bosomed friend Hakeem Qutubuddin forcibly brought him Patna to start Matab (clinic). During this period, a movement was run to establish a Tibbi College in Patna. A resolution was passed under the presidency of Hakim Ajmal Khan to establish Tibbi College in Azimabad. After marathon effort and struggle of great physicians of Azimabad, Govt. of Bihar established Tibbi School in 1926 in Patna. Hakim Mohd. ldris a founder member served as Professor and 1st Principal in this Tibbi College from 29 July 1926 to 26-10-1951. He was very skilled administrator. Hakim Saheb died in 1952.

2. Prof. (Hkm.) Abdul Ahad

He was born at Danapur- near Patna on 19 February 1912. After primary education at home, He joins Madrasa Islamia Shamsul Hoda; secured distinction marks in the exam of Aalim in 1933. He was fond of writing, delivering speeches and studying of literature since beginning, therefore he established a literary society named ldara Tahreer in 1955 to increase interest of literature among the people. He got admission at Ayurvedic and Unan Tibbi College, Karolbagh, Delhi in 1933 and appeared in the final exam of Fazil-e-Tibb wa Jarahat in 1937 and Stood first, during his students life he was awarded gold medal in writing and speech competition. He joined and served as House physician in his college from 1937-38. Finally he started his own Matab by the name of Sehat Ghar (Health Home) in Patna. After a Short period of time he became famous in diagnosis and treatment. On 3 August 1941 he was appointed as professor in Govt. Tibbi College, Patna and promoted as senior Professor on 7the of September 1951. Due to inbuilt talent and self effort he become Principal of this College and served for long. On 27th October 1951, he becomes Deputy Superintendent of Bihar indigenous medicine. He was very skilled administrator that is why attar retirement from the post of principal he served on this post very successfully too. He Presided annual Tibbi Conference in Jalandhar on 18-19 April 1955 and honoured with the title of Allama-e-Tibb. He became member of executive committee of State board and faculties of Indian Medicine of India and served as Vice President of this board from 1966 to 1970. He performed his duties in various sector of health. In 1957 he becomes member and secretary of Unani Pharmacopeia Committee, Govt of Bihar. He also served as founder general Secretary of Anjuman Atibba-e-Bihar and joins advisory Board for Unani of CCRIMH (Delhi) from 1974 to 1978. On19th June 1970 he retires from the past of Principal.

3. Prof. (Hkm.) Ashraf Karim

He was native of Mohalla Khanquah, Bihar sharif, Nalanda and born on 1 May 1923. His father’s name is late Hakim Md. Sharafat Karim. After primary education at home, he got admission in Madrasa Azizia, Bihar Sharif, Nalanda in 1927. In 1938 he secures top rank in the exam of Aalim for the state of Bihar & Orissa. In 1939 he went to Madrasa Islamia Shamsul Hoda for Fazil but unfortunately left the course meanwhile due to lack of interest. After that he reached Deoband and got admission. During his stay in Deoband he met the famous scholars like Moulana Ajaz Ali and Moulana Obaidulah Sindhi. His uncle called him back and admitted him in Madrasa Shamshul Hoda for Fazil once again. In 1940 he secured distinction marks and awarded gold medal. Azizia medal was awarded to him by Madiasa Azizia, Biharsharif also. Same year, he got admission in Govt. Tibbi College. Patna. Again he secured gold medal here in 1944. During his education he was general Secretary of Anjuman Khuddam-e-Tibb (students literary body of Govt. Tibbi College) and performed his duty very well. After completion, he started Matab for three year at Biharsharif. He established Unani Pharmacy at Sandal Street, Kolkata in 1947 and stay there for five years. He was also Joint Secretary of Anjuman Atbba-e-Kolkata. On 8th October 1953 he was appointed as professor in Govt. Tibbi College, Patna. Hakim saheb was a real Hakeem as he started clinic in Sabzi Bagh & 1ater in Nanmohiya, Patna. He was fond of speeches and essay writing, his articles were classical and published in famous Journals of that time. His great achievernent was to introduce a new syllabus. During his tenure 24 bed 1PD building was built temporarily. He was an honorary project officer in Clinical Research Unit, Patna under Dept. of Health, Central Government for Research in Unani Tibb, New Delhi. He was president of Anjuman Khuddam-e-Tibb and joint Secretary of Anjuman Attiba-e Bihar for long period. He took the charge of principal temporarily on 15 February 1970, and appointed full-fledged on July 2nd1570. He retired on 30 April 1981.

4. Prof. (Hkm.) Syed Alimuddin Balkhi

He was born in an educated family on 9 February 1927, at Khanquah Balkhiya, Raipur, Fatuha Patna. His father late Hakim Moulana Syed Shah Taqui Hasan Balkhi was a great religious scholar, expert in speech delivery, diagnosis and treatment by Unani Therapy. He was student of Maseeh ul Mulk Hakim Ajmal Khan. 

Hakim Alimuddin Balkhi got primary education of Arabic, Persian and Urdu at his ancestral place. He left Bihar and went Nadwat ul Uloom, Lucknow for further studies. He also got admission in Madrasa Ilahiyat, Kanpur; where from he got degree of Aalim in 1542. During partition of India, most of his relatives migrated to Pakistan that’s why he could not continue education in Ajmal Khan Tbbia College, Aligarh and Nezamia Tibbia College, Hyderabad. Later he came back to Bihar and got admission in Govt. Tibbi College, Patna and conferred GUMS degree in 1952. He was appointed as professor in 1957 and promoted on the post of principal on May 1st 1981. A well functioning indoor (IPD) was inaugurated in his supervision and many vacant posts had been filled in his tenure. He was very good administrator. He has ability to deliver lecture in Urdu, Arabic and Persian and was having good ability of writing on Unani Medical Sciences as well as on Islamiyat.  He wrote many articles in Urdu and Arabic languages. Char Maquala (four Articles) is a good example of his literary ability. He retired on 31-03-1985 recently died in late 2019.

5. Prof. (Hkm.) Shamim Ahmad

He was born at Kaler, Arwal, Jahanabad. Late Maulvi Md Zameruddin was his father, was highly educated, MSc in Physics (1967), LLB (1972) from Patna University, GUMS from Govt. Tibbi College & Hospital (1980) and Maulvi from B.MEB, Patna (1981). He joined this college as professor in dept. of Physics & Chemistry on Dec 18th, 1969. Served as principal from March 1st 1985 to January 31st 2003 and hold a post of manager of State Pharmacy of Ayurvedic and Unani Medicine Patna and nominated dean in faculty of Unani medicine on October 5th1985 of Bihar University, Muzaffarpur. He attended different national and international seminar, wrote various articles on Unani Tibb in various pioneer journals and news papers in English and Urdu language. He was member of many Unani organization of state and country level. His great achievement was to establish law & order in the campus and to regularize academic session. Hakim Saheb retired on 31.03.2003.

6. Prof. (Hkm.) Mohammad Shahabuddin

He was born at Bhikachak, Belaganj, Gaya on Jan 1st1950. His father’s name is late Abdul Bari. He got IA degree from Magadh University, Bodh Gaya and GUMS (Hons.) from Govt. Tibbi College, Patna. He joined as Hakim in State Unani Dispensary, Raghopur on 17.02.1975. Later he joined as Unani Medical Officer in Hansdiha on April 1st1979. On 14th March 1983 he took charge of in-charge Shafakhana, OPD of Govt. Tibbi College and Hospital. On June 30th 1983 he joined as demonstrator in the Dept. of Anatomy and later promoted as Lecturer, Reader & Professor in the same Department. He was appointed as Principal on December 17th 1994 & Dean in faculty of Unani Medicine, Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Muzaffarpur in 1992. He had broad experience in teaching of Moalejat, Kulliyat, Hifzane Sehat, Surgery, Qabalat & Amraz-e-Niswan. He was president of Ayurvedic and Unani Medical Officer Association from 1985 to 1990. He performed better as member in Ayurvedic and Unani state council, Bihar, Senate of BRA Bihar University, Muzaffarpur,  Unani faculty of Calcutta University. He retired on December 31st 2014.

7. Prof. (Hkm.) Md Zeyauddin

He was born on 9th of August 1954 at Sherpur, Rafiganj, Aurangabad, Bihar; son of late Md Shamsuddin. His scholastic record shows that he passed Metric from BSEB, Bihar, in 1968 and got degree of G.U.M.S with distinction in Medical jurisprudence, Toxicology and midwifery in 1975 from Govt. Tibbi College, Patna. He served in different settings of health and education. He was first appointed as a Unani Medical officer on December 22nd 1976, later on promoted as demonstrator on July 11th 1983, lecturer on August 5th 1986, Reader on July 10th 1991 and professor (Dept. of Tahaffuzi Wa Samaji Tibb-PCM) on July 11th 1993.

Professor Md. Zeyauddin has attractive and versatile personality and performed well in many walks of health and education. He served the Community as Patron, President, Secretary as well as Editor also. He is General Secretary of All India Unani Tibbi Conference (AlUTC), Bihar branch, editor of the Unani Tib (Quarterly) & Alumni directory of Govt. Tibbi College & Hospital (GTCH), Patna published on the auspicious occasion of platinum Jubilee (75 year) of Govt. Tibbi College, Patna in 2001. He is patron of Shams Memorial Foundation (Regd. Bihar) and Bihar Unani Medical Society, Patna, which is registered Society for development of Unani System of Medicine in Bihar. He loved to be with books and posses endless capability to write on Unani Medical Science; there are three important manuscripts namely Tahaffuzi-wa-Samaji Tibb, Allama Hakim Md. Kabeeruddin-Hayat-wa-Khidmat and Motaaddi Amraz are under publication.

He appointed as 7th principal of GTCH on 01-01-2015; has special interest for the development and progress of Unani System of Medicine at large and GTCH in particular. The college is going through a metamorphic change in his leadership, ever increasing numbers of out-patients and increasing bed occupancy in Indoor ward is due to his managing skill, able administration and keen personal interest in changing the scenario. His efforts to creating academic atmosphere in college and acute practical approach in hospital are sole reason for inevitable change. Unlikely others he is the one who restores the value of his post and gives a message to aspirants, and boost the morale of many. He must be credited for various upgradation and new things in the campus like; affiliation of the college to the Aryabhatta Knowledge University (AKU), Patna, start of rotator internship, upgradation of infrastructure-model class rooms, practical labs and museum, upgradation of central Library, new Shafakhana, CCTV enabled campus, getting administrative clearance and huge budget (15 Core) for G+5 building for upcoming 14 PG departments. During his tenure central library named as “Kabiruddin Central Library”, college herbal garden named as “Kewal Dheer Herbal Garden” and Moalejat IPD ward as “Hkm. Shakoor Ward” to pay respect to India’s Reynaud Hakeem and Bihar’s son Allama Kabiruddin and two Alumni of this college namely Hakim Keawal Dheer and Hakim Shakoor respectively. Recently due to his personal effort, the college Academic Council approved to open two new advanced centres ie, Geriatric Care Unit (GCU) and Neuro Rehabilitation cum Diabetes & Obesity Management Unit (NRDOMU) in Dept. of Tahaffuzi Wa Samaji Tib. NRDOMU is running efficiently and starts bringing fame for the college while establishment of GCU is under process. College has applied and trying to fulfil the minimum criteria to raise the intake of UG Course (BUMS) from 40 to 100 and to open PG/MD in five departments namely- Kulliyat, Moalejat, Ilmul Advia, Tahaffuzi Wa Samaji Tib and Mahiyatul Amraz; we are hopeful to get the permission for the above in coming session. Lastly we must say his efforts and ideas need to be supported and answered equally from his colleague and GTCH fraternity in general; only then this college may regain its lost values.

Source: article- Hkm. Md Shamim Akhtar and Hkm. Md Tanwir Alam.“Principals of Govt. Tibbi College & Hospital; A brief Introduction”. Souvenir released on 91st College Foundation day(29th July 2017) of Govt. Tibbi College & Hospital, Kadam Kuan, Patna, Bihar. 2017: 4-7.