Ali Mohammad Jan

Ali Mohammad Jan
علی محمد جان فاضلی
Born
Ali Mohammad Fazili

(1914-09-03)September 3, 1914
Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
DiedOctober 31, 1988(1988-10-31) (aged 74)
Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
Alma materKing Edward Medical College, Lahore (MBBS)
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (DCH), (MRCP)
OccupationsPhysician, medical educator
Known forDiagnostic skill and patient care
TitleLuqman of Kashmir
FatherGhulam Rasool Fazili
AwardsPadma Shri (1975)

Ali Mohammad Jan Fazili (Urdu: علی محمد جان فاضلی, 3 September 1914 – 31 October 1988) was a Kashmiri physician known for his diagnostic skills and patient care. Known locally as the "Luqman of Kashmir",[1] he became well known in the region for his medical expertise and dedication to the welfare of his community. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1975 for his contributions to the field of medicine.[2][3]

Early life and education

Born on 3 September 1914 in Gojwara, Srinagar, Ali Jan was born to the Fazili family. He completed his MBBS degree from King Edward Medical College, Lahore, in 1937.[4]

He pursued postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom, earning a Diploma in Child Health (DCH) and membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP, Edinburgh).[5][6]

Medical career

Ali Jan began his medical career by working in rural areas across Jammu and Kashmir, providing healthcare for over a decade. After completing his studies in the United Kingdom, he joined government medical services, including a period at the Chest and Disease Hospital in Drogjan, Srinagar.[7] He later resigned to establish a private practice.

He was known for his capacity to diagnose various ailments through physical examination, often relying less on advanced diagnostic tests.[8] Locally, he was sometimes referred to as a "magic healer" or "Luqman-e-Kashmir"[a] due to his reputation for accurate diagnoses.[4] He was widely believed to possess a Dast-e-Shifa, or the power of healing through his touch.[5]

Jan built a residence in Magharmal Bagh, Srinagar, which also functioned as his clinic. The building remains a local landmark, for his contributions to healthcare in the region, though the clinic has been unoccupied since the death of his second wife, Dr. Tajwar.[4]

Awards

In recognition of his services to medicine and public health, the Government of India honoured Jan with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour in 1975. The award was conferred in the category of Medicine.[2][3]

Death and commemoration

Ali Jan died on 31 October 1988 in Srinagar.[4][5]

Thirty-six years after his death, the Kashmir Care Foundation (KCF), under its "Kashmiri Global Connect" initiative, organized an event titled Clinical Sciences: Treatment Using Local Knowledge to honour his life and contributions.[9]

Dr. Ali Jan road in Srinagar, connecting Downtown and SKIMS, Soura,[10] was named in his memory.

Notes

  1. ^ meaning Luqman of Kashmir, referring to the Quranic figure Luqman, and honouring Ali Jan as a wise and insightful healer in the Kashmir.

References

  1. ^ Lal, Dr Altaf (2024-12-24). "Celebrating the genius of Dr Ali Jan". Greater Kashmir. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  2. ^ a b "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Himachal PLUS". www.tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  3. ^ a b "Awardees | Awards". awards.gov.in. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  4. ^ a b c d saleemir (2022-06-07). "Dr. Ali Jan the Great". Kashmir Health. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  5. ^ a b c "Dr Ali Jan, Kashmir's 'magic healer' and his family of spiritual leaders". awazthevoice. Archived from the original on 2025-09-23. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  6. ^ Makhdoomi, Rumana; Khan, Faroque A. (2023). Warriors and Falcons: Life Sketches of 100 Outstanding Kashmiri Doctors. Partridge Publishing India. ISBN 978-1543709261.
  7. ^ GILANI, SYED NISSAR H. (2025-08-02). "Healing the Valley: Missionary Hospitals & Kashmirs Healthcare". Rising Kashmir. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  8. ^ Life, Kashmir (2022-06-09). "Legendary Ali Jan". Kashmir Life. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  9. ^ "Empowering Youth with the Power of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – Kashmir Care Foundation". Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  10. ^ Salam, Auqib (2022-06-07). "Inordinate delay in restoration of Dr Ali Jan Road takes toll on commuters". Greater Kashmir. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
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