Muhammad Habibullah
| Khan Bahadur Sir Muhammad Habibullah KCSI KCIE | |
|---|---|
|
A portrait of Sir Muhammad Habibullah | |
| Diwan of Travancore | |
|
In office 1934–1936 | |
| Monarch | Chithira Thirunal |
| Preceded by | T. Austin |
| Succeeded by | Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer |
| Education Member of the Executive Council of the Viceroy of India | |
|
In office December 1924 – 1930 | |
| Governor General |
E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax, George Goschen, 2nd Viscount Goschen (acting) |
| Preceded by | Sir Mohammed Shafi |
| Revenue Member of the Executive Council of the Governor of Madras | |
|
In office 17 December 1920 – 27 December 1924 | |
| Governor |
Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon, Charles Todhunter (acting), George Goschen, 2nd Viscount Goschen |
| Succeeded by | T. E. Moir |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
22 September 1869 Madras |
| Died |
16 May 1948 (aged 78) Madras |
Khan Bahadur Sir Muhammad Habibullah KCSI KCIE (b. 22 September 1869 - d. 16 May 1948) was an Indian politician and administrator who served as the Dewan of Travancore from 1934 to 1936.
Early life
Habibullah was born in Madras to Aushukh Hussain Khan Saheb on 22 September 1869.[1] He was a member of the Arcot royal family and closely related to the Nawabs of Arcot.[2] He went to school at Zila High School, Saidapet, Chennai, India and graduated in law.[3] He joined the bar at Vellore in July 1888.[3]
Local administration and politics
Habibullah was involved in local commerce politics and in 1895 was elected the Non-Official Honorary Chairman of the Vellore Municipality. Habibullah resigned his practice at the bar on being elected the Official Secretary in September 1901, serving until September 1905 when he was elected Chairman, a position he served for 14 years (1905-1919).
From July 1919 to January 1920, Habibullah acted as a member of the executive council of the Governor of Madras in the absence of P. Rajagopalachari, who was on leave.
In the British administration
Habibullah was India's delegate to the first session of the League of Nations in 1919.[4] On 17 December 1920, he was appointed as the member for Revenue in the Governor's Executive Council for the Madras Presidency, a post he held until 27 December 1924.[5] In 1925, Habibullah was appointed a member of the Executive Council of the Viceroy of India and served from 1925 to 1930.[4] He was also the leader of India's delegation to South Africa in 1926-27.[4]
Dewan of Travancore
Habibullah was appointed Dewan of Travancore by Maharajah Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma on 15 March 1934. During the two years that he held the Dewanship of the state, many reforms and developments were implemented in the state, particularly in the electorates, the state forces (the Nair Brigade) and the civil services.
Immediately after he assumed office, Muhammad Habibullah appointed a committee for Franchise and Delimitation to determine the question of adequate representation in relation to the electorates and state assemblies and communities of the state. Specific numbers of seats were reserved for Christians, Ezhavas and Muslims in the general constituencies. However owing to objections by the Nairs, the issue was not resolved and was reopened in 1939.
During 1935-36 the Dewan appointed a new Public Service Commissioner in Travancore. This was a new post in the civil services of the state, without caste and religious prejudices. For positions in the government service that paid less than Rs. 150 per mensem, preference was to be given to less powerful sections of society. For positions above this salary, appointment was on merit, and a public service examination had to be passed. However it was felt that for proper communal representation, 60% of appointments would be based on examination results, with the remaining 40% being based on both communal representation and exam results. Military and temple services were excluded from these principles. In 1935 electricity was produced on a profitable and large scale in Travancore with the creation of the Pallivasal Hydroelectric Scheme.
The next important activity of Dewan Habibullah was with regard to the Nair Brigade. In 1936 Travancore joined the Indian State Forces whereby the Nair Brigade and the Maharajah's Bodyguard came to be known as the Travancore State Forces. So far only Nairs, who were the military caste of Travancore were allowed to join the forces of the state but by new legislation, military service was thrown open to the other communities of the state as well. The Maharajah himself was the Colonel-in-Chief of the forces.[6]
In 1936 Muhammad Habibullah retired from service and was succeeded by Sir C.P. Ramaswami Iyer.
Habibullah died in Travancore on 16 May 1948.
Family
Habibullah married Sadathunissa Begum.[7]
Honours
Habibullah was awarded the title Khan Bahadur by the Government of India in 1905.[1] He was made a Companion of the Indian Empire in 1920 and a Knight Bachelor in 1922.[8] In 1924, he was made a Knight Commander of the Star of India.[8] In the same year, he was promoted from a Companion of the Indian Empire to a Knight Commander of the Indian Empire.[8]
Habibullah Road in T. Nagar, Chennai is named after Sir Muhammad Habibullah.
Notes
- 1 2 Aḥmad Saʻīd (1997). Muslim India, 1857-1947: a biographical dictionary. Institute of Pakistan Historical Research. p. 144.
- ↑ More, J. B. Prashant (1997). The Political Evolution of Muslims in Tamilnadu and Madras, 1930–1947. Orient Longman. p. 34.
- 1 2 Nalanda Year-book & Who's who in India. 1947. p. 407.
- 1 2 3 Nalanda Year-book & Who's who in India. 1949. p. 453.
- ↑ The Times of India directory and year book including who's who. Bennett & Coleman Ltd. 1922. p. 55.
- ↑ Travancore State Manual Volume II by TK Velu Pillai 1940
- ↑ "Arcot (Princely State)". Indian princely states website.
- 1 2 3 Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage. Burke's Peerage Limited. 1937. p. 1885.
References
- Eminent Mussalmans. G. A. Natesan. 1926. pp. 414–423.
| Preceded by T. Austin |
Diwan of Travancore 1934 to 1936 |
Succeeded by C. P. Ramaswami Iyer |
