NAWAB MOHSIN-UL-MULK

Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk

(1837-1907)

                                                                Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk (born 9 December 1837 died 16 October 1907) was a prominent Muslim politician. His real name was Syed Mehdi Ali. He was a close friend of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and was involved in the Aligarh Movement and was one of the founders of the All India Muslim League. His real name was Syed Mehdi Ali.

Mohsin-ul-Mulk was born in the town of Etawah. Most of his early education was in and around Etawah. As per the trends and tradition during that period, he was given a thorough basic education in Persian and Arabic.

In 1867, he sat for the Provincial Civil Service examination and topped the list of successful candidates. He was appointed as Deputy Collector in U. P. In 1874, Mehdi Ali proceeded to Hyderabad to enter into the service of the Nizam. For his meritorious services over nearly 20 years, he was conferred the titles of Munir Nawaz Jang and Nawab Mohsin-ud-Daula by the Nizam of Hyderabad.

During his posting as Tahsildar in Etawah, Mohsin-ul-Mulk met Sir Syed Ahmad Khan for the first time. This meeting resulted in a long lasting companionship and Nawab Mohsinul Mulk became a staunch supporter of Sir Syed's vision and Mission for the rest of his life. Very few friendships have been as stable and strong as the frienship of these two. Mohsin-ul-Mulk retained a very high level ofrespect despite difference of opinionfor hisdear friend. Thereafter, Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, became one of the strongest supporters of Sir Syed's mission and Aligarh Movement.

He became member of the Scientific Society from its inception in 1864. He wrote passionate articles in Tahzeebul Akhlaq to support Sir Syed's vision and spread his mission and became a spokesperson of Sir Syed's social thoughts and the Aligarh Movement.

When Sir Syed formed The Committee Of The Supporters Of The Advancement Of Muslim Education, Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk was his key companion, and started collecting donations for the cause of the newly formed committee.

Upon retirement from service in 1893 from State of Hyderabad, he came to Aligarh and offered his services to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan to assist him in spreading the message of Aligarh Movement. Upon the death of Sir Syed, he was appointed as the Secretary of the Muslim Educational Conference in 1899.

He also became the successor of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan in all aspects. After Sir Syed's death in 1898, he became Secretary of the MAO College management and took Sir Syed's burden on his own shoulders and is regarded with as much respect as his forerunner. He continued the mission of Sir Syed while giving special attention to bring religious and oriental stream scholars together on one platform, i.e. MAO Colleges that the students could benefit from the scholars to have a proper understanding of religion alongside modern scientific education. He appointed a committee under the Chairmanship of Maulana Habibur Rahman Khan Sherwani to improve the religious studies courses in MAO College. Maulana Shibli Nomani was also a member of that committee. He played a key role in renewing Allama Shibli Nomani's relationship with Aligarh and as a result Allama Shibli joined Aligarh once again.

Mohsin-ul-Mulk remained the Secretary until his death in 1907. He was thus instrumental in the development of MAO College, which eventually became the Aligarh Muslim University in 1920.

In later years, the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) honored him by naming a Hall of residence after him. The foundation stone of the Hall was laid by the then Vice Chancellor, Mr. Badruddin Mohsin Tyabji on November 4, 1963. It started with an initial strength of 400 and is now one of the largest residential Halls both in size and strength, having 900 students and six different hostels: Allama Shibli Hostel (Previously this was Sir Ziauddin Hostel), Ameen Hostel, Majaz Hostel, Maulana Hali Hostel, Maulana Mohd. Ali Johar Hostel, and Saifi Hostel.)

Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, being a farsighted and politically conscious leader, carried on correspondence with the private secretary of the Viceroy to give his point-of-view on the necessity of separate presentation for the Muslims in all legislatures and local bodies. He presided over the 9th session of Muhammadan Educational Conference which was held in Aligarh in 1894 where he proposed a resolution to help and support Nadwa tul Ulama, the newly formed religious school in Lucknow. His impressive presidential remarks softened the hearts of modern educationists to support the cause of Nadwatul Ulama.

In 1906, he became Secretary of All India Muslim League. Along with Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk, he was asked to draft the constitution of the League.

Towards the beginning of 20th century, the Hindi-Urdu controversy arose in the United Provinces. Mohsin-ul-Mulk took up the pen in defense of Urdu in collaboration with the Urdu Defense Association. He authored following books; Mazaameen-e-TahzeebulAkhlaq (Collection of hisarticles published in Tahzeebul Akhlaq), Taqleed-e-Amal, Kitabul Muhabbat-o-Shauq Makaateeb,Musalmano(n) ki Tahzeeb, Aayaat-o-Bayyanat

Sir Syed Ahmed khan and Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk's patronage of Urdu led to its widespread use amongst Indian Muslim communities and following the Partition of India its adoption as the official language of Pakistan.

On 16 October 1907, he died in Simla.

Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali had paid a befitting tribute to Nawab Moshin-ul-Mulk which he richly deserved:

“A friend of Muslims; the people’s benefactors

Freedom’s battle he won, and fell a martyr.”