Sir Mirza Ismail

Sir Mirza Ismail was born in 1883 in Bangalore. His grandfather was a trader who dealt with Arab breed horses and carpets who migrated from Iran to India in 1824, and later settled down in Bangalore. Sir Mirza’s father, Aga Jan Ali Askar Shirazi, also lived in Bangalore. 

After Mirza Ismal received his early education in St. Patricks, he moved on to Central College, Bangalore. He graduated in 1901 and took up a position in the Government of Mysore as the Private Secretary to the Maharaja of Mysore. Later, he became the Dewan of Maharaja of Mysore at the age of 42. Sir Mirza also served as the Prime Minister of Jaipur during 1942-43.

Sir Mirza was asked by Nizam VII to serve as the Prime Minister of Hyderabad during a very difficult period of Hyderabad’s history. He took up the position on 3 August, 1946, but resigned in May, 1947 by sending a letter to the Nizam while in Bangalore. When Mehdi Yar Jung went to Bangalore to persuade him to reconsider his decision, Sir Mirza refused. Throughout his career, Sir Mirza was an able statesman, experienced administrator, and a man with a long record of constructive activities. He had a nationalist outlook and wanted to set up a responsible government in Hyderabad that included due representation to the State Congress and other communities of Hyderabad based on population. However, the local leaders opposed the idea. After his resignation as the Prime Minister of Hyderabad, he was offered the prime ministership by the Maharaja of Kashmir and also of Baroda, but he declined.

While in Hyderabad, Sir Mirza took several steps to improve the city’s roads and beautification. As a result, the Nizam gave him the title of Amin-ul-Mulk.