Syed Wazir Hasan

Syed Wazir Hasan Biography

Sir Syed Wazir Hasan was an Indian jurist and Secretary, and a politician associated with All-India Muslim League. One of the early leaders of All-India Muslim League, he served as its president too. One of the influential figures in Indian judiciary in the pre-independent era, he was the first Indian Chief Justice of the Awadh Chief Court, who served during the period, 1930–1934. His Presidential address at the 24th Session of Muslim League in 1936 received unanimous praise for highlighting Hindu-Muslim unity. He passed away in Lucknow in the same month, India became an independent nation in 1947.

He was born into an influential family of Syeds in Lucknow in the year 1874. His father’s name was Syed Zaheer. As per Zamindar tradition, he was to look after the land. But he quarreled with his dad for getting English education, he succeeded in this attempt and later became a barrister. He later became a judge and retired as Chief Justice of Oudh, receiving a knighthood. He was knighted in the imperial 1932 New Year Honours list. He had 4 brothers, and most of them were prominent names in Urdu poetry. He had two sisters too.

His sons and grandsons too followed his legacy, and became influential figures in Indian politics and literature. His son Sajjad Zaheer was an Urdu writer and a leading member of the Communist Party of India. His son 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. Noted politician and historian Saiyid Nurul Hasan is his grandson. Nadira Babbar, a noted theatre artist, who is married to actor-politician Raj Babbar is his granddaughter.

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Updated: June 08, 2018