Nawab Mohammad Ismail Khan (1884–1958) was an Indian Muslim politician and leading activist of the All-India Muslim League (Urdu: آل انڈیا مسلم لیگ). Mohammad Ismail Khan was born in August 1884, in Meerut then located in the British India province known as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. He was the son of Nawab Ishaq Khan, and the grandson of the famous poet Nawab Mustafa Khan Shaifta. Upon completing his early schooling in India, he proceeded to England, at the age of twelve to continue his studies as a full time boarder at Tonbridge School in Tonbridge, Kent. He went on from there to graduate from Cambridge University. In those days travel to the United Kingdom was by ship from Bombay and around the Cape of Good Hope, taking more than a month to reach. He returned to India at the age of twenty-four and opted for a career in Law. His father, as a career ICS officer had become a Judge and was also a founding member of the Muslim League and a close friend of Motilal Nehru's. Therefore, on Ismail Khan's return he was sent to live with the Nehru family and joined their law practice in Allahbad. While practicing law in India, he befriended Muhammad Ali Jinnah, with whom he entered politics.
In 1910, Ismail Khan became a member of the All-India Muslim League and its working committee as well as a member of the United Provinces Legislative Assembly. He would also contest and win election to the Central Legislative Assembly and presided over the All India Khilafat Committee. Khan was a member of the foundation committee of the Jamia Millia Islamia, but was opposed to the Indian National Congress's campaign for Swaraj through civil disobedience. In the 1930s, Khan would lead the U. P. Muslim League and served as the chairman of the All-India Muslim Civil Defense Association. In 1934 and again in 1947, he served as vice-chancellor of Aligarh University.
Although a close supporter of Jinnah and the Pakistan movement, Khan opted not to migrate to the newly created state of Pakistan. He was elected to the Constituent Assembly of India and was a signatory to the Constitution of India. Nawab Mohammad Ismail Khan died on June 28, 1958 in Meerut.
In 1937, the 25th Annual Conference of All India Muslim League was held in Lucknow under the chairmanship of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Before attending this historic session, Quaid-i-Azam wore a spotless sherwani in which he looked very elegant. At this occasion, Nawab Ismail Khan offered his cap to the Quaid saying that it will suit him well with the achkan on. The Quaid graciously accepted this offer and the wearing of Nawab Sahib's cap greatly added to his personality. With the achkan and the cap on, as the Quaid appeared on the dais, the huge crowd of 50,000 persons burst into loud cheers and the slogans of Allah-o-Akbar, after seeing their Quaid in this dress. The clapping continued for a long time. Since that day the Ismail cap became to be known as Jinnah cap all over the subcontinent.
[I am thankful to Muhammad Musa Khan, grandson of Nawab Muhammad Ismail, for his help and support]
ReplyDeleteWhen Khilafat movement came to an end with that short honeymoon of Hindu Muslim unity came to an end as well. Then there arose conflicts in between Hindus and Muslims. So Nawab Ismail Khan tried to reorganize Muslims. Dr Saif uddin kachlo arranged all parties’ conference in the presidency of Nawab Ismail Khan from 16-19th July 1925, at Amritsar. Although Nawab Ismail Khan was not much good orator but he wrote his speech by himself. In his speech he said that he said that now Muslim league is the only party which can protect the rights of the Muslims. Nawab Ismail Khan participated in the conference of all parties on 2nd February 1928. Nawab participated in all the sessions of All Parties Conference whole-heartedly. After that Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar called for a session of All Muslim Parties on 1st January 1929 in Delhi. Nawab Ismail Khan delivered a very heat touching an inspiring speech. In this session All India Muslim League, Khilafat Committee and Jamiat Ulema e Hind also participated. From 1930 to 1935 it was a very tough time for Indian Muslims. By the efforts of Chaudary Khaleeq u Zaman there was built all India Muslim unity board in the presidency of Nawab Ismail khan in Lucknow. It’s 1st session was called on 15 or 16th of may in 1934. All the members of khilafat committee were also the members of Muslim league. Nawab Ismail Khan joint Muslim league in 1926, and then never left it on any occasion until the Pakistan came into being. After 1926, Nawab Ismail Khan never missed any session of all India Muslim league. He was with Jinnah on every occasion and never let him alone. Nawab Ismail Khan also acknowledged Pakistan resolution which was presented by Chaudary Khaleeq u zaman in 1940 at minar e Pakistan Lahore. He was also the chairman of committee of action. In 1945-50 Nawab was the member of Indian legislative assembly. In 1950-52 he was the member of Indian parliament. He was also the vice chancellor of Muslim university Aligarh from October 1947 to November 1948. On 14th august 1947 Pakistan came into existence. Nawab Ismail Khan refused to migrate to Pakistan for the welfare of Indian Muslims. After the creation of Pakistan he came twice a time to Pakistan. First time in 1951-53 and second time in 1955-56. He died on 28th of June 1958 at the age of 74 year in Mustafa castle at Meerut, U.P India. He was buried in family graveyard at the shrine of Hazrat Nizam uddin Auliya.
https://historypak.com/nawab-mohammad-ismail-khan/