Research Paper--- NAWAB MOHSIN-UL-MULK

Contents
1. Introduction……………………………………….Page 04

2. Chapter 1-Family background and Early Life…Page 06

 Family background and early education

 Early Life
3. Chapter 2-Relations of Nawab and Syed………Page 08

 First meeting with Sir Syed

 Letter of Mohsin Regarding Syed
 Services of Nawab Mohsin as a member of
Scientific society
 Services as member of THE COMMITTEE OF THE
SUPPORTERS OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF
MUSLIM EDUCATION
 Services of Mohsin for Aligarh Movement after
retirement
4. Chapter 3- Political Involvements……………..Page 13

 Idea of Separate representation of Muslim

 Role in formation of ALL INDIA MUSLIM
LEAGUE

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5. Chapter 4-Urdu Hindi controversy and Mohsin’s

Reaction……………………………………………...Page 16

 Background of Urdu Hindi controversy

 Urdu Defence Association
6. Chapter 5- Death of Nawab Mohsin…………...Page 20
7. Conclusion………………………………………..Page 21
8. References………………………………………...Page 22

9. Bibliography………………………………………………….Page 24

DEDICATION

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I would like to dedicate my research to the

martyrs of freedom movement who sacrifice their
lives to get separate homeland for us.

I would also like to dedicate my research to my

parents, teachers and friends, who help and
guide me during my research and without
whom my research would not be completed.

"I humbly thank to Allah Almighty, the most Merciful

and the most Beneficent, who gave me health, thoughts
and co-operative people, who helped me in achieving
this goal”

Introduction
Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk was born on 9th December
1837 in Etawah. Etawah small town of Utter Pradesh
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(UP). His real name was Syed Mehdi Ali. Mohsin-ul-

Mulk was a most peace - loving and accommodating of
man.
He was a close friend of Sir Syed
Ahmed Khan. He was one of the strongest supporters
of Sir Syed’s mission and Aligarh Movement and was
involved in the Aligarh Movement. He thought that
Syed’s idea is right for Muslims of India.
He politically contributed Muslims
of India. He was Political and Financial Sectary of
Hyderabad. Moreover he also became the sectary of
Aligarh’s college. He was a very prominent Muslim
politician. He worked really very hard for the
betterment of Muslims of India and devoted his whole
life for this purpose. He is one of the founders of All
India Muslim League. He became the sectary of Muslim
league at the time of its formation. He wrote many
books for Muslims so that Muslims would be able to
defend themselves. He also took strong stand against
Urdu Hindi controversy and to save and defend Urdu
language he also made an association named as Urdu
Defence Association.

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My research is divided into five

chapters. First chapter will tell u about the family
background and the early life of Mohsin. Then the
second one will tell u about his first meeting with
Syed’s and his relationships with him. As well as
services done by him in Aligarh Movement. Then the
third chapter will allow u to know the political services
and involvement of Nawab Mohsin. Then the last
chapter of this research will tell u about the services of
Mohsin to protect and defend Urdu language and
about formation of Urdu Defence Association. And in
last chapter I will discus about his death.

I would like to thanks to my

parents, teachers and friends who guide me about my
research topic and helped me in compiling this
research paper.

Chapter 1
Family Background and Early life

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 Family BACKGROUND And Early

EDUCATION:
Mohsin-ul-Mulk was the son of Syed Mir Zaamin Ali, and was born in
the town of Etawah. Eatwah, a small town of Utter Pradesh (UP). He
was born to a family of Barah Syeds. Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, fondly
known as Syed Mehdi Ali.

Most of his early education was in and

around Etwah. As per the trends and tradition of that time and
period, he was given a thorough basic education in both Persian and
Arabic; at that time it was a trend and proud to taught and learns in
these two languages. He devotes full attention to studies.

 Early Life:
As describe earlier that first he devote his full attention to his
studies. Then at the age of 30 in 1867 he sat for the Provincial Civil
Service examination. As he worked hard and devoted his full
attention he topped the list of successful candidates. It was a very big
achievement for him. As the result he was appointed as Deputy
Collector in U. P. He started doing job there. Then he met there a
man who is the founder of two nation theory. It was no other than
Sir Syed Khan. He met Sir Syed Ahmed during his job as Deputy
Collector for the first time.

In 1874, Mehdi Ali proceeded to Hyderabad to

enter into the service of the Nizam. For his meritorious services over
nearly 20 years, he impressed the Nizam of Hyderabad due to which
he was conferred the titles of Munir Nawaz Jang and Nawab Mohsin-

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ud-Daula by the Nizam of Hyderabad. He really deserves that title

because he was very able person.

Chapter 2
Relations of Mohsin and Syed

 First meeting with Sir Syed:

Mohsin was appointed as Tahsildar in Etwah, actually he met Sir Syed
during his posting as Tahsildar in Etwah. There he met Syed for the
first time. It was his first meeting with Syed and this meeting results
as long-lasting companionship of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Nawab

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Mohsin-ul-Mulk. Nawab Mohsin ul Mulk became a staunch and a

very strong supporter of Sir Syed’s vision, thoughts, ideas and
Mission for the rest of his life. Very few friendships have been as
stable and strong as the friendship of these two. Mohsin-ul-Mulk
retained a very high level of respect despite difference of opinion for
his dear friend. Thereafter Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, became one of
the strongest supporters of Sir Syed’s mission and Aligarh
Movement.

 Letter of Mohsin Regarding Syed:

Sir Syed visited England to see the British that why they are
respected all over the world? What is the main difference between
we and they? Where we lack? And to see many more things.
Regarding Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s visit to England, Nawab Mohsin ul
Mulk wrote a letter to his Honorable friend Hajji Ismail Khan:

“ '

“Syed Ahmad Khan went to England to see with his own eyes
the nation which is respected all over the world, and to see
the people in their own homes and in their own country.
Whatever he observed, he made known to his own people
when he returned. When people go to Britain from this
country, they usually go for the sights, the theaters, the parks
and the museums. But this great friend of Islamic faith went
there and sat down in a library to write the Khutbat-e-
Ahmadiya and to visit colleges and Universities. He went
there for the sake of his people, he stayed there for the sake
of his people and he came back for the sake of his people”

This letter shows the real purpose of visit of Syed to London as

well as respect of Syed in the hearth of Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk.

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Nawab Mohsin told him that he went London not for sake of
himself but he went London for sake of people, for sake of
nation. Here people represent Muslims. He actually said that
he went there just for Muslims.

 Services of Nawab Mohsin as a member

of Scientific Society:
As he became one of the strong supporter of Sir Syed’s vision
so He became member of the Scientific Society from its
inception in 1864. He worked a lot for this society and tries to
help the Muslims of India by this society. The main purpose of
society was to translate the English books into Urdu language
so that the Muslims can understand that books.

He wrote passionate articles in

Tahzeebul Akhlaq to support Sir Syed’s vision. The main
purpose was to spread the ideas of Sir Syed and told Muslim
about the importance of that idea so that the Muslim would
support them. Many people regard Mohsin-ul-Mulk as ‘the
cause of Sir Syed’s Success’ but, perhaps, it will not be wrong to
say that his contribution towards the Muslim University was as
significant as that of its founder. Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk tried
to spread the vision and thought of Syed’s to the Muslim nation
of India.

 Services as member of THE

COMMITTEE OF THE SUPPORTERS
OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF
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MUSLIM EDUCATION:
Sir Syed formed THE COMMITTEE OF THE SUPPORTERS OF
THE ADVANCEMENT OF MUSLIM EDUCATION. Mohsin
support his idea also and helped the Syed in formation. As it
name shows it was for the advancement of Muslim
education. The main purpose of this committee was to
support and help the Muslims in education because Syed
and Mohsin both knew that the education is the only too by
help of which they took out Muslims from their current
position. Education lights the life of person and give people
new life. Syed and Nawab both knew it and that’s why they
form such a platform from where Muslims could get
education. Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk was his key companion
in the formation as well as he also helped Syed in collecting
donations for the cause of the newly formed committee.

 Services of Mohsin for Aligarh

Movement after retirement:
In 1893 he take retirement from service from state of
Hyderabad. Now he wanted to work just for betterment of
Muslims and for Aligarh. So after the retirement he came to
Aligarh and offered his services to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan to
assist him in spreading the message of Aligarh Movement.
Then he started working just for Aligarh movement. In other
words we can say that he started working for Muslims.

He also became the successor of Sir Syed

Ahmed Khan in all aspects. He continued his mission and take
place of Sir Syed in that mission. In 1898 Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
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died, and Nawab Mohsin took the responsibilities of Syed’s on

his own shoulder and took place of Syed in Aligarh movement.
He became Secretary of the MAO College management in 1898
because of death of Syed. Syed’s wanted to see this college as
university but his dream couldn’t come true in his life. Nawab
tried his best to change this college into university. He 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
College so that the students could benefit from the scholars to
have a proper understanding of religion alongside modern
scientific education. Mohsin and Syed both felt that Muslims
should get Religious education but just religious one is not
enough. So Muslims should get scientific education along with
religious one. To improve the quality of religious education in
MAO he appointed a committee under the Chairmanship of
Maulana Habibur Rahman Khan Sherwani. The main purpose of
this committee was to improve religious education course
taught at MAO so that Muslims got this education easily and
deeply. 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 Nadwatul
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.

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Chapter 3
Political Involvements

 Idea of Separate representation of

Muslims:
Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk was 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 representation for the Muslims in all
legislatures and local bodies. He felt that Muslims are a
separate nation of India so Muslims should get separate
representation in legislatures and local body. So he started
working for separate representation of Muslims. It was Nawab
Mohsin-ul-Mulk who first gave utterance to the need of
separate representation for the Muslims in the services. It may
be recalled that the Deputation, which was earlier led by the
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Aga Khan in 1906 to see the Governor General of India, for

recognition of the Government to the principle of separate
representation in services was, in fact, laid down by Nawab
Mohsin-ul-Mulk. Mohsin-ul-Mulk wrote an article in the Aligarh
Institute Gazette as to what should be done by the Muslims to
safeguard their political interests. So it meant that the
foundation stone of Simla deputation and separate
representation of Muslims was made by Nawab Mohsin-ul-
Mulk. Sir Syed never believed in the policy of silence; he had
always boldly expressed the views of his community on all
important matters. However, since he, in his own person, was
more than an institution, and, after his death, the necessity of
forming a Muslim organization had become more and more
imperative. Actually, the Simla Deputation by suggesting a
procedure, under which the Muslims could secure genuine
representation without clinging to official nomination,
facilitated the introduction of the system of election in India,
and, there is no wonder that leaders like Gokhale even did not
object to its basic proposals.

 Role in formation of ALL INDIA

MUSLIM LEAGUE:
Congress was made by Hindus in 1885 and it pretended to be
the party of whole India but just work for sake of Muslims.
Firstly Sir Syed forbid Muslims to took part in politics and he
said that Muslims should devote their full attention to studies.
Both religious and scientific one. In beginning Nawab Mohsin
was in his favor that Muslims should not took part in politics

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but after the death of Syed’s Congress start working for just
Hindus and the rights of Muslims were not safe over there. So
Nawab Mohsin felt that Muslims should had their own platform
or their own party which represent Muslims of India. At that
time the proposal of joining the Hindu Congress was, therefore,
considered ‘tantamount to suicide, and it was categorically
rejected’.

After the work of the deputation was

over, Mohsin-ul-Mulk got busy with the formation of a Muslim
political organization. On 30 December, 1906 at Dacca, the All-
India Muslim Educational Conference held its annual session,
and many Muslim renowed leaders were present in this
meeting, Nawab Mohsin was also a part of this meeting, on this
occasion, it was decided to organize a separate organization of
Muslim India called the All-India Muslim League. Nawab
Mohsin ul Mulk became Secretary of Muslim League. Mohsin-
ul-Mulk and Viqar-ul-Mulk were appointed to draft its
constitution. He worked really hard to make it. The Aga Khan
was to be its permanent President. Mohsin-ul-Mulk was,
however, unable to do more than preliminary spade-work for
the League, as he passed away before its first formal session
which was held at Karachi. But he played a vital and very
important role in its formation and early stage.

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Chapter 4
Urdu Hindi controversy and Mohsin’s
Reactions

 Background of Urdu Hindi controversy:

Urdu was the official or we can say national
language of India. Urdu was the language of Muslims. Hindus
couldn’t bear that. They just not only hate the Muslims but also
their each and every thing. So they couldn’t bear that Urdu
would be the national language. So in 1867 Urdu Hindi
controversy started. According to this Hindus want to change
the national language of India. And want to replace Urdu by
Hindi. They also want to change the script. Muslim leaders took
strong stand and said to not to change the language or script.
Sir Syed and Nawab Mohsin was the famous leaders at that
time. Both of these two leaders opposed very strongly to this
demand of Hindus. Nawab Mohsin tried to wake up the
Muslims so that they couldn’t allow Hindus to succeed in
achieving in their goal.

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The followers of Sir Syed tried their level

best to save Urdu language. As describe earlier Nawab Mohsin
was the one of the biggest supporter and very close friend of
Sir Syed. Mohsin-ul-Mulk was the outstanding person who
organized the Muslims in defense of Urdu. He told that if we
didn’t take stand then what would be result of that. He started
to unite the Muslims so that they wouldn’t allow Hindus to
succeed in their bad aims. Initially efforts of Nawab Mohsin
bear fruit and they seceded to unite the Muslims and Urdu was
maintain as the language.

 Urdu defence association:

Earlier, the success of the Hindi movement led Sir Syed to
further advocate Urdu as the symbol of Muslim heritage and as
the language of all Indian Muslims. His educational and political
work grew increasingly centered around and exclusively for
Muslim interests. He also sought to persuade the British to give
Urdu extensive official use and patronage. His colleague,
Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk] established Urdu Defence Association,
committed to the perpetuation of Urdu. To Muslims in
northern and western India, Urdu had become an integral part
of political and cultural identity. However, the division over the
use of Hindi or Urdu further provoked communal conflict
between Muslims and Hindus in India.

Towards the beginning of 20th century,

the Hindi-Urdu controversy again flared up in the United
Provinces. This time Nawab Mohsin used the pen to save Urdu.
He wrote books to save it. Mohsin-ul-Mulk took up the pen in

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defense of Urdu. He authored following books;

1. Mazaameen-e-Tahzeebul Akhlaq (Collection of his articles

published in Tahzeebul Akhlaq)

2. Taqleed-e-Amal

3. Kitabul Muhabbat-o-Shauq Makaateeb

4. Musalmano(n) ki Tahzeeb

5. Aayaat-o-Bayyanat

The purposes of these books were to unite the Muslims and

told them about value and importance of Urdu for them.

Mohsin-ul-Mulk led the Muslim Educational Movement and

played a significant role against the anti-Urdu movement of the
Hindus and their demand for the introduction of Hindi written
in the Nagri Script as the official language. He resented against
a ruling in 1900, when Lieutenant-Governor Sir Anthony
MacDonnell government issued a resolution declaring that
Hindi written in the Nagri script would enjoy equal status with
Urdu as the language of law courts in the provinces and that in
the future only such persons would be appointed, except in a
purely English office, to Government job who knew Urdu as
well as Hindi. The Hindus welcomed the resolution with
gratitude. The Muslims, on the other hand, perceived in it the
repetition of the situation that followed the change of official
language and resulted in their general exclusion from
government offices. Protest meetings were held against the
resolution in almost all important Muslim centers in the
country. However, an organized movement against it was
started by the Aligarh leaders.

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Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, the Secretary of

Aligarh College and, in all respects, a successor of Sir Syed, took
upon himself the responsibility of representing the Muslim
point of view. A protest meeting was held at Aligarh in May
1900, where he delivered a strong speech and a resolution was
passed asking the Government to withdraw it’s order. Later, a
representative meeting of the Urdu Defence Association was
held at Lucknow on August 18, 1900 under the President ship
of Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk in order to protest against the
Government’s decision recognizing Hindi, and to demand its
withdrawal. Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk’s action was resented by
the Lieutenant Governor of U.P., who asked Mohsin-ul-Mulk to
choose between the Secretary ship of the Aligarh College and
the President ship of the Urdu Defence Association.

The Association embarked upon an active

campaign for the withdrawal of the resolution. The Lieutenant-
Governor, MacDonnell himself visited Aligarh and warned the
trustees of the Institution as well as President of the Urdu
Defence Association, saying that the Government would be
compelled to discontinue financial aid to the College. In view of
the importance of the College, Mohsin-ul-Mulk had to give up
the President ship of the Association. As was anticipated, his
withdrawal from the Association weakened the movement for
the protection of Urdu and it could not be continued further
with the vigour with which it had started.

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Chapter-5
Death of Nawab Mohsin

 Death:
It may be recalled that the last days of Mohsin-ul-Mulk were
embittered by the strained relationship between the European
staff and the College students, which culminated in a strike by
the students. Luckily he was able to see the affairs amicably
settled. Towards the end of September 1907, he left for Simla,
where details about the proposed reforms and Muslims’ share
in the new arrangements were under discussion. He met the
Viceroy and carried on negotiations with other officers. This
stay, however, at a high altitude was too much for a badly
damaged heart and Mohsin-ul-Mulk fell seriously ill in the
beginning of October.

He passed away on 16 October, 1907 at a place which was the

scene of his greatest political triumph (at Simla). He was laid to
rest at Aligarh by the side of his former chief and co-worker, Sir
Syed Ahmad Khan.

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Conclusion

Nawab Mohsin was really a great personality. He was one of

the founders of Muslim leagues. As later on Muslim league was
the party that laid down the foundation of Pakistan so we can
say that Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk was the one of the founder of
Pakistan. He politically contributed a lot to the Muslims of
India.

I regard Mohsin-ul-Mulk as ‘the cause of

Sir Syed’s Success’ but, perhaps, it will not be wrong to say that
his contribution towards the Muslim University was as
significant as that of its founder. I think his books benefits a lot
to the Muslims of India and these books unite the Muslims at
one platform and guide them the right path. This path is
nothing more than the path of separate homeland. He just
guide Muslims the right path after his death Muslims were
succeeded to get their separate homeland and Pakistan was
created in1947. We must remember our great leader and hero
because he is the one of those who unites the Muslims to get
this piece of land. In my point of view or you can say that I will
describe him as:

“He was a benefactor of the people, a friend of the Muslims,

He fell a martyr - but not before the battle had been
won!"

May Allah shed affection on his soul.

(Amen)

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References

1. www.wikipedia.org
2. Hayat-e-Mohsin by Mr. Amin Zuberi
3.www.storypakistan.com
4.www.pakistanherald.com
5.www.apnaghar.itgo.com
6.www.nazriapak.info
7.www.askbiography.com
8. Muslim Politics and Leadership in the South
Asian Sub-continent.. Published by:Institute of
Islamic History, Culture and Civilization,
Islamic University (Islamabad)
9. www.pakistan-karachr.info

10. www.allamaiqbal.com
11. www.angelfire.com
12. www.trueknowledge.com
13. www.heritage.com

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14. www.himalay_region.info
15. www.essortment.com
16. www.storyofpakistan.com

Bibliography
1. Encyclopedia Britannica
2. Hayat-e-Mohsin; Written by Mr. Amin

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Zuberi.
3. Scribd.com

4. Wikipedia

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