Saiyid Nurul Hasan

Saiyid Nurul Hasan Biography

Saiyid Nurul Hasan was an Indian politician and historian who hailed from Lucknow, British India. He served as Union Minister of State (with Independent Charges) of Education, Social Welfare and Culture, Government of India (1971-1977). A former member of Rajya Sabha, he also served as the Governor of Bengal and Odisha during the period 1986-1993. He was born into an affluent Muslim family of Syeds and landlords and many of his ancestors are influential figures in Indian politics and literature. He is a predecessor of Sir Syed Wazir Hasan, a jurist and Secretary who later President of the All-India Muslim League, an influential figure of pre-independent era.

Saiyid Nurul Hasan was born on 26 December 1921 in Lucknow as the son of Saiyid Abdul Hasan and Nur Fatima Begum. He served as district settlement officer. Sir Syed Wazir Hasan was his maternal grandfather. His maternal uncles - Sajjad Zaheer was an Urdu writer and a leading member of the Communist Party of India while Ali Zaheer was an Indian politician and congress leader who was a member of first cabinet formed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He also served as India's Ambassador to Iran. Nadira Babbar, a noted theatre artist, who is married to actor-politician Raj Babbar is his cousin. Hasan married Nawabzadi Khurshid Laqa Begum Sahiba, the eldest daughter of Nawab Raza Ali Khan of Rampur and the couple had two children.

He completed his graduation from Muir Central College, Allahabad, and did his higher studies from New College, Oxford. Years later he also served as president of the Oxford India Majlis. After studies, he started his career as a Lecturer in History at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London. He later joined AMU, India as professor. Hasan was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1969-1978, and served as a Union minister during 1971-1977. He died of renal failure in Kolkata in 1993 aged 71, while serving the position of governor of Odisha.

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Updated: June 08, 2018