Shaukatullah Shah Ansari Biography 
Shaukatullah Shah Ansari was an Indian politician, diplomat and physician from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. One of the prominent political and nationalist leaders in pre-independent India, he was a member of 1st Lok Sabha, representing Bidar parliamentary constituency. He also served as the 17th Governor of Orissa, during the period, 31 January 1968 – 20 September 1971. He actively participated in the Non-cooperation movement, and soon after Independence he was appointed Counsellor in Indian Embassy at Ankara, Turkey in 1948. Many of his family members are associated with politics, diplomacy and social work.
Shaukatullah Shah was born on 16 June 1908 in Yusufpur-Mohammadabad town in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. His father Amjadulla Shah served as district judge at Mirzapur. He graduated from Aligarh Muslim University and obtained his Bachelor Degree in Sciences and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from Geneva High School, Switzerland and University of Paris, France. Shaukat studied about the Movement for France and became committed to socialism before his return to India. He was adopted by nationalist leader Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, and thus he became a family member of Ansari political family.
Though he was involved with Indian National Congress, he also helped Communist party members. Later he drifted away from CPI in 1939 when the demand of Pakistan surfaced and left party supported it. As the leader of Azad Muslim Board, he rejected the partition of India into two countries based on religion. As a freedom fighter, he actively participated in the Non-cooperation movement. He was in active politics till his death.
Abbas Ansari and Umar Ansari are the youngest members of his family, currently associated with regional politics. Afzal Ansari, Mukhtar Ansari & Sibakatullah Ansari are other prominent members of Ansari family associated with politics, affiliated to BSP. Afzal Ansari currently serves as a parliamentarian in the 17th Lok Sabha. Mohammad Hamid Ansari - retired Indian Foreign Service officer, and 12th Vice President of India and Farid Ansari, a lawyer and politician associated with freedom struggle movement are some other influential members of Ansari family.
Published: January 05, 2020
Updated: January 05, 2020
