Wasif Ali Mirza Khan

Sayyid Sir Wasif Ali Mirza Khan Bahadur ( bn, ওয়াসিফ আলী মির্জা; 7 January 1875 – 23 October 1959) was the Nawab of Murshidabad during 1906–1959. Sir Wasif Ali Mirza was educated at Sherborne School, Rugby School and later at Trinity College. He succeeded his father Hassan Ali Mirza Khan Bahadur at his death on 25 December 1906. On 11 December 1931, Wasif Ali was forced to surrender the administration of his estates to the Government of India after incurring a debt of 19 lakhs. On 15 August 1947, the Radcliffe Award allotted the district of Murshidabad to Pakistan and the flag of Pakistan was hoisted at the Hazarduari Palace but within two days the two dominions exchanged Khulna, which is now in Bangladesh, and then the flag of India was hoisted at the grand palace on 17 August 1947. The Government of India also resumed him all his estates in 1953. Wasif Ali was also the founder and president of the Hindu–Muslim Unity Association in the year 1937, named ''Anjuman-e-Musalman-e-Bangla'', which promoted Hindu–Muslim unity. The Nawab also built the Wasif Manzil.

Sir Wasif Ali died at the age of 84 at his Calcutta residence at 85 Park Street in Calcutta on 23 October 1959. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Waris Ali Mirza Khan Bahadur.

Life

Early years

Sir Wasif Ali Mirza was the eldest son of Hassan Ali Mirza by his first wife, Amir Dulhan Kulsum-un-nisa Begum. He was born on at Hazarduari Palace on 7 January 1875. At the age of 12, Sir Wasif Ali Mirza was sent to England for his education. He was accompanied by his younger brother, Nasir Ali Mirza Bahadur and were under the charge of Mr. Coles, the Principal of Dovetan College in Calcutta (the school is now known as Park Mansion) as the Atalıq. Sir Wasif Ali Mirza was educated at Sherborne School, Rugby School and later at Trinity College, Oxford. After completing his courses the young prince, visited places of importance in England and travelled extensively in Scotland, Ireland, Egypt, Austria, Turkey, Italy, France and Germany. He returned to Murshidabad on 27 October 1895 with his brother.

Later years

Sir Wasif Ali administrated the ''Nizamat'' on the behalf of his father, Hassan Ali Mirza from the years 1895 to 1899. He chaired the municipality of Murshidabad from 1899 to 1901 and also represented Bengal at the coronations of King-Emperor Edward VII and Queen-Empress Alexandra at Westminster Abbey in London in 1902, and also of King-Emperor George V and Queen Empress Mary at the same place in 1911. Sir Wasif Ali succeeded his father, Hassan Ali Mirza after his death on 25 December 1906 as the Nawab of Murshidabad under the oriental titles of ''Ihtisham ul-Mulk'' (Dignifier of the country), ''Raes ud-Daulah'' (Premier of the state), ''Amir ul-Omrah'' (Noble of Nobles) and ''Mahabat Jang'' (Horror in War). Sir Wasif Ali had also been a member of the Bengal Legislative Council for eight times and used to take great interest in Municipal matters and was the patron of the Calcutta Historical Society. The Nawab is reputed for efficiently managing his estates and also public charities. The Nawab is also well known for his English and Urdu

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