NAWAB VIQAR-UL-MULK

Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk

and

the Muslim nationalist movement

Nawab Mushtaq Husain Viqar-ul-Mulk (March 24, 1841-January 27, 1917), also known as Mushtaq Hussain, was a Muslim politician and one of the founders of All India Muslim League. He is also known for his involvement in the Aligarh Movement

The association of Maulvi Mushtaq Hussain known as Viqarul Mulk with Sir Syed began from his early career when he worked under him for some time. Sir Syed was highly impressed by his capabilities. Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk was born in Amroha (UP) and started his education at a maktab and later on became a pupil of Maulvi  Rahat Ali Amrohi, under whom he learned advanced Arabic, Hadith and Fiqh.

He later joined government services where he came in contact with Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in 1861 in the United Provinces (UP). In 1866, he started his career as a humble worker of the Aligarh Movement. He also became a member of the Scientific Society. In 1870, he was awarded second prize in an essay competition arranged by the Society for the Promotion of Education among Muslims.

The subject of his essay focused on bringing about an educational renaissance among the Muslims. In 1875, he was invited to serve in Hyderabad State under the British. He continued to serve for 17 years and as a result of his meritorious services, he was elevated to the rank of a Nawab, his full title being Nawab Mushtaq Hussain Viqar-ul-Mulk.

He served the state of Hyderabad from 1875 to 1892. Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk was a member of the Shimla Deputation in 1906. He wanted the Muslims to organize themselves politically and to safeguard their political rights. Starting his political career with the Aligarh Movement, he represented and guarded the Indian Muslim cause at a few significant events which includes the Shimla Deputation.

Viqarul Mulk was one of the most ardent followers of Sir Syed and a very active worker of his camp. For the Scientific Society he translated a book `French Revolution and Napoleon'. When the College Fund Committee was formed, he became one of its members and worked ceaselessly for popularizing the movement of Sir Syed. He raised a huge amount of Rs. 7 lakhs and 50 thousand for the establishment of the M.A.O. College.

After the death of Mohsin ul Mulk he was elected unanimously Secretary by the Board of Trustees and took over charge in January 1908 when he was 67. He had sharp differences with the European staff of Aligarh College but Sir Syed and Mohsin-ul-Mulk believed in Anglo Muslim alliance. He, therefore, tried to put the necessary checks on the unquestionable authority of the Principal, which led to a serious clash between him and the European staff resulting in the resignation of Principal Archbold. The matter became so serious that it went to the level of Lt. Governor. However, Viqar ul Mulk did not yield on the question of autonomy of the Institution. From a political point of view, his secretary ship was hard and stormy but he worked with courage.

Viqarul-Mulk had strong religious bent of mind and did not wish the students to grow up without a full share of religious training. He made it clear that those who did not say their prayers were liable to be turned out of College. This pleased the Ulemas who were opposed to English education (like Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi).

They now supported the College and like Maulana Abdul Bari of Firangi Mahal chose the Aligarh College for education of their own children.

Viqarul Mulk was primarily a leader of the Muslim community and he was one of the founders of the Muslim League in 1906 in Dhaka. It was during his Secretaryship of the M.A.O. College that intense efforts were made to set up a Muslim University at Aligarh. He succeeded in collecting donations for this purpose.

Thus, it may be said that after Sir Syed he was the most eminent figure behind the Aligarh Movement. During the life of Sir Syed Ahmad, the Aligarh Movement was confined to the upper and middle class Muslim society. Mohsin ul Mulk widened its activities and Viqar ul Mulk made it a mass movement creating Aligarh a Centre of Muslim intelligentsia. By 1915, he was paralyzed by a stroke. He passed away on January 27, 1917, and was buried in his family graveyard at Amroha.

Viqar-ul-Mulk has carved a niche for himself in the history of the Aligarh movement as Sir Syed's close confidante and the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the MAO College from 1907 to 1914 during a very turbulent phase of the history of the institution. He also played a role in shaping far-reaching political developments as one of the founders of the All India Muslim League of which he was the first Joint Secretary.

By all accounts he was a very stern, uncompromising person not given to levity and humor so characteristic of the Muslim elite of the age. Someone writes of him as a person "who commanded respect and fear rather than affection". Without going into his biographical details it will be sufficient to note that Mushtaq Hussain resigned his position as Tehsildar in UP as his Collector was not agreeable to his taking a few minutes off for the Zuhr prayers.

It was Sir Syed who wrote of Viqar-ul-Mulk, "I believe that Mushtaq Hussain would not change his opinion even if God revealed Himself against it" (quoted by Francis Robinson in "Separatism among Indian Muslims" pp 399-400; Oxford 1993).

Viqarul Mulk Hall: During the Vice Chancellorship of Sir Ross Masood, Aligarh Muslim University honoured Viqarul Mulk by naming its first Hall of residence outside the original MAO College campus after him. Viqar ul Mulk Hall today has four hostels: Jubilee Hostel, Marris Hostel, Muzammil Hostel and Nasrullah Hostel.