Nawab Waqar-ul-Mulk

NAWAB WAQAR-UL-MULK

Date of Birth: 24^th March, 1841 and Date of Death: 27^th January, 1917

            Nawab Waqar-ul-Mulk, who believed the partnership in political power besides education, is very essential for the development of Muslims, was born on 24^th March, 1841 in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh.  His actual name was Sheik Mushtaq Hussain.  After completing traditional education, he joined the government school.  He became a teacher in the same school where he was educated.  Later, he served as an official in the British Government.  The Nizam of Hyderabad honoured him with the title of ‘Nawab Mushtaq Hussain Waqar-ul-Mulk’.  Later he became famous as ‘Nawab Waqar-ul-Mulk’.  He met Sir Syed Ahmed Khan in 1861, after which he began to help the activities of the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College run by the later in Aligarh.  Upon the invitation of the Nawab of Nizam, he entered the service of state of Hyderabad in 1875 as a first grade officer.  The Nizam, who recognised his talents, appointed him as the Minister for Law.  He was admired for the report he had submitted in 1878 suggesting reforms in the Judiciary.  Nawab Waqar-ul-Mulk spent some time in his native village Amroha after returning from the service of Nizam Government.  Later, he joined the movement for the protection of Urdu in 1900, which was started by Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk.  He pleaded for Muslim participation in power politics as it was needed for the accomplishment of their democratic rights.  He had renovated the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental Defence Association in 1901.  Nawab Waqar-ul-Mulk was one of the Muslim representatives, who had submitted a memorandum to the Viceroy appealing for the political representation for Muslims in October, 1906.  Meanwhile, Saleemullah, the Nawab of Dhaka, organised All India Mohammedan Educational Conference in December, 1906.  On the concluding day of the Dhaka conference, All India Muslim League was formed as proposed by Nawab Saleemullah which was supported by Hakim Ajmal Khan.  Nawab Waqar-ul-Mulk played a vital role in the formation of the Muslim League.  Since then, he dedicated his remaining life for the development of the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College and the All India Muslim League.  He did not care for his health and being busily engaged in the activities of Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College and the All India Muslim League, Nawab Waqar-ul-Mulk passed away on 27^th January, 1917.