Viqar Ul Mulk

India's prominent educational and political activist An ardent activist in the educational development and political processes of India's Muslims, Nawab Viqar Ul Mulk got involved in the nascent movement of the Aligarh Muslim University. Respected by the students at large, he became an honorary secretary of Aligarh College, in 1907, after the death of Mohsin-ul-Mulk. He had sharp differences with the European staff of Aligarh College despite Sir Syed and Mohsin-ul-Mulk who believed in Anglo Muslim alliance. Viqar Ul 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 the 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. As a member of the delegation, headed by Agha Khan, in 1906, Nawab Viqar Ul Mulk presented a letter, on behalf of Indian Muslims, concerning 'Muslim Representation' to Lord Minto, India's Governor General, for the 'Reforms'. Viqar Ul Mulk was one of the founding fathers' of All India Muslim League, established on 30 December 1906, and had drafted its constitution along with Muhsin-ul-Mulk. He became the first secretary of the newly established political party. Born Mushtaque Hussain in Meerut (UP), in a family of modest means, he served the state of Hyderabad, a princely state of British India, from 1875 to 1892, where he was given the title of Nawab Viqar Ul Mulk.

Compiler: M. Nauman Khan / Ghulam Mohiuddin