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“Button Sahib”, born Jahan Dad Khan, renamed John Paul Warburton, called “Wa-ar-button” by Punjabis, in the land he served. Older and lesser known (step)brother of Sir Robert Warburton (the famed political officer of Khyber, who penned Eighteen Years in Khyber).
“Button Sahib”, born Jahan Dad Khan, renamed John Paul Warburton, called “Wa-ar-button” by Punjabis, in the land he served. Older and lesser known (step)brother of Sir Robert Warburton (the famed political officer of Khyber, who penned Eighteen Years in Khyber).
Arguably, the most famous (non-fictional) policeman in British and Punjab’s history, Button Sahib is the only Civil Servant who received praise by none other than Rudyard Kipling. That too for his ability to disguise himself as an indistinguishable insider to crack open any case.
Born an Afghan (named Jahan Dad Khan) to a relative of the King of Afghanistan Shah Shujah, by an unimaginable twist of fate Button Sahib was adopted by Colonel Robert Warburton whom his mother, Shah Jahan Begum had married. Soon the family was out of Kabul and living in Punjab.
He joined the Punjab Police in 1863, but had already saved quite many lives by helping English families escape to Amritsar in 1857. Over 40 years of service, he solved many famous cases in Punjab, ranging from Serial Poisoning Killer Sharfuddin to Cattle Kidnapping blackmailers!
He served primarily in Ludhiana, first as ASP, later DSP, from where his services were called in to solve cases in Peshawar, Sialkot, Patiala, Karnal, Delhi and so on. His last role was AIG Railways in Lahore, where he busted a judge for taking a bribe from Nawab of Bahawalpur.
My own favourite in his story remains the strange, syncretic nature of the names in Button Sahib’s family. The book I’m quoting, written in his memory, comes from his grandson “G. D. Martineau”, full name Gerald Durrani Martineau. His daughter too was named Durrani Warburton.
On his retirement, he received unanimous tributes from leading Hindus and Muhammadans of Lahore. This was not just for his services solving crimes but also prevent many communal riots which were increasingly frequent in Punjab.
His retirement gift was a grant of land, in Punjab.
His retirement gift was a grant of land, in Punjab.
And so was born the Town of Warburton, situated midway Sheikhupura and Nankana, less than 80 kilometres West of Lahore.
Warburton remains a small quite town today, perhaps, like the story of Button Sahib. Four routes of Pak Railways serve the town. Punjabis call it Wa-ar-button.
Warburton remains a small quite town today, perhaps, like the story of Button Sahib. Four routes of Pak Railways serve the town. Punjabis call it Wa-ar-button.
