Qasem Jo

Qasem Jo (; 1878–1957), better known as Ustad Qasim (استاد قاسم), was an Afghan musician, composer, and singer. He is generally considered by musicologists to be one of the most well-known Afghan musicians of the 20th century. He descended from a musical lineage, as his father, Sitar Jo, was both a musician and a nawab (viceroy). Upon a friend's invitation, Qasim's father immigrated from his native Kashmir to Afghanistan to provide his musical services to the country's monarchy, and it is here where Qasim was born.

During Qasim's life, Afghanistan was ruled by a monarchy. From the age of 20 onward, Qasim provided his musical services to various Afghan sovereigns, including Emir Abdur Rahman Khan,

Qasim influenced many Afghan musicians, such as Rahim Bakhsh and Mohammad Omar. Many of his direct descendants also carried on his musical legacy, becoming musicians like him.

The most famous first- and second-generation students of Qasim include:

Ustad Natu (singer) Ustad Saber Ustad Rahim Baksh (singer) Ustad Nabigul Ustad Mohammad Omar (rubab player) Ustad Nazar (dilruba player)

Further prominent descendants and students of his include Ustad Yaqob Qasimi, Esa Qasimi, Yusuf Qasimi, Asef Qasimi, Musa Qasimi, Ustad Breshna, Zahir Howaida, and Nashenas.

Awards in Afghanistan

Award of an ivory rubab The title of Ustad Medal for music by the independent concerto Title of "Star of the East" Man of the Year in 1929 A gift of 20 hectares of land from Mohammed Nadir Shah Gold medal and a new Chrevolet A bust of Ustad Qasim in front of the station headquarters of Radio Kabul After his death, a gravestone in the capital city of Kabul