15 Jul. 24: Renowned historian and prolific writer Rafat Qureshi passed away on Friday at the age of 77. Qureshi, who had recently moved to Canada, succumbed to a brief illness, according to a report citing a family member.
Born on October 10, 1946, Qureshi made significant contributions to the field of history, particularly with his extensive documentation of the history of erstwhile Aurangabad. He authored over 400 books, including reviews and articles, gaining widespread recognition for his deep commitment to history and heritage. His debut book in Urdu, History of Aurangabad, received acclaim from scholars, academicians, and researchers alike. Another notable work, Kahani Ek Sheher Ki, focused on the historic city of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and was praised by various sections of society.
Qureshi’s recent publication, Mayadevi ki Englishstan Yatra, also garnered popularity. Besides writing, he contributed articles to esteemed publications like The Times of India (Aurangabad Plus) and ran the periodical Art and Glamour for several years. Coming from a family involved in Himroo handicrafts, Qureshi was dedicated to preserving the traditional art of weaving for future generations.
As an advocate for heritage conservation, Qureshi played a pivotal role in initiating heritage walks in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. He leaves behind his wife, historian Dulari Qureshi, two sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.
Advocate Swapnil Joshi, co-convener of INTACH, mourned Qureshi’s death, highlighting his lifelong dedication to heritage protection.
“He was an enthusiastic and passionate historian who deeply valued history and culture. Besides being a scholar of international repute, he was a great human being who enjoyed sharing heritage stories with the younger generation,” Joshi said.
