052. Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan

In my previous post, "The Last Assembly", I wrote about the members of the last Provincial Assembly of United Punjab. One of the most prominent among them was Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan. Before winning the 1946 election to the Punjab Assembly, he had also been elected in 1937. He later served as a minister in the interim government of India, and notably, he was the representative of my native constituency — Pind Dadan Khan.

Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan was born on 16 August 1895 in Pind Dadan Khan, District Jhelum. His father was Raja Saif Ali Khan, a Khokhar Rajput. He showed an early interest in politics, and his political career was supported by his uncle, Pir Fazal Shah of Jalalpur Sharif, who had considerable religious influence in the area and was a firm supporter of the Pakistan Movement.

He began his education in Pind Dadan Khan, completed his matriculation from Jhelum, and was then admitted to Government College Lahore. However, due to his active participation in demonstrations against the Rowlatt Act, he was expelled from college and had to return to Pind Dadan Khan.

Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan began his political career with the Unionist Party, and in 1923, he was elected a member of the Legislative Council. That same year, he met Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for the first time. Over the next 25 years, he maintained close contact with him and, on several occasions, played an important role in bridging differences between the Unionist Party and the Muslim League.

Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan

He was elected to the Punjab Assembly in 1937 on the ticket of the All India Muslim League. He was one of only two members elected on the League’s ticket. However, he later switched sides and joined the Unionist Party of Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan. The only other winner from the Muslim League was Malik Barkat Ali, an advocate from Lahore. It is perhaps no coincidence that Lahore and Pind Dadan Khan remain strongholds of the Muslim League to this day.

However, in keeping with the tradition of the Muslim League, Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan rejoined the party in 1944, probably sensing a change in the political winds. He was re-elected from Punjab Assembly Constituency No. 77 (Pind Dadan Khan) in the provincial elections of January 1946.

By 1946, it was becoming increasingly clear to both the British rulers and the Indian public that the sun of the British Raj was about to set in the East. To manage affairs during this transitional period, the Viceroy of India appointed an interim government, consisting mainly of nominees from the Congress and the Muslim League. Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan was one of the five ministers nominated by the Muslim League in October 1946. The other four were Liaquat Ali Khan, I. I. Chundrigar, Sardar Abdul Rab Nishtar, and Jogendra Nath Mandal. He served as the Health Minister in the interim government.

After the creation of Pakistan, he was appointed Minister of Rehabilitation—a role of great importance due to the massive refugee crisis that followed Partition. Although he served in this position for only a year, in 1948 he was appointed Ambassador to Iran. He later served as ambassador to Turkey, India, and Italy.

He died in 1963 and was buried in Pind Dadan Khan, beside the grave of Dadan Khan, the founder of the town. He was 68 years old.

I visited his tomb on 31 March 2014, in Pind Dadan Khan, which is just 30 kilometers away from my native town Lilla, located in the same tehsil. It is a small but beautiful tomb made of marble. The tomb contains two graves, one is that of Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan, and the other belongs to Dadan Khan, the founder of the city.

A school for the blind and deaf has been established adjacent to the tomb. The location of the tomb is at 32°35'7.72"N, 73°2'43.73"E.

 Tomb Of Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan - Pind Dadan Khan (31.3.2014.)

  Tomb Of Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan - Pind Dadan Khan (31.3.2014.)

 Tomb Of Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan - Pind Dadan Khan (31.3.2014.)

 Graves Of Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan (Left) and Raja Dadan Khan. (31.3.2014.)

Pind Dadan Khan is an old city and was an important administrative and commercial centre during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It served as a major hub for the trade of salt from the nearby Khewra mines, which are just 7 kilometers from the town. I feel that much more can be written about him, and I hope readers will contribute further to this subject.

Tariq Amir

June 02, 2016.

Doha - Qatar. 

051. The Last Assembly (Punjab Provincial Assemly: 1946 - 1947)

A few weeks ago, I came across a website listing the names of all the members of the Punjab Assembly of 1946–1947. Students of history will readily understand the significance of this information, as this was only the second, and the last, elected assembly of the Province of Punjab in British India. It was this very assembly that took the fateful decision to divide Punjab between Pakistan and India.

In January 1946, elections were held to elect the 175 members of this assembly. One can safely say that these elections effectively served as a referendum on the question of Pakistan. Without securing a victory in Punjab, it would have been impossible for the All-India Muslim League to claim Pakistan. The election for this provincial assembly proved to be a great success for the Muslim League.

(Note: Unfortunately, I missed copying the website address, which I should have included here for reference.)

Party	Seats
Muslim League	73
Congress	51
Akalis	22
Unionists	20
Independents	9
Total	175

It was a great victory for the Muslim League as it won 73 Muslim seats out of a total of 86. Thus justified its claim to be the voice of Muslims in the province.

Punjab Legislative Assembly

Second Assembly (March 21, 1946 to July 4, 1947)

SPEAKER

       Diwan Bahadur S.P. Singha, M.A., LL.B.    (West Central Punjab — Indian Christian)
       (March 21, 1946 to July 4, 1947)

DEPUTY SPEAKER

       Sardar Kapur Singh, B.A., LL.B. (Ludhiana East — Sikh, Rural)
       (March 26, 1946 to July 4, 1947)

PREMIER

       Malik Sir Khizar Hayat Khan Tiwana, K.C.S.I., O.B.E. (Khushab — Muhammadan Rural)

MINISTERS

1.    Chaudhri Lahri Singh, B.A., LL.B. (Rohtak North — General, Rural) — Minister of Public Works

2.    Mian Muhammad Ibrahim Barq (Alipur — Muhammadan, Rural) — Minister of Education

3.    Mr Bhim Sen Sachar, B.A., LL.B. (Lahore City — General, Urban)  — Finance Minister

4.    Nawab Sir Muzaffar Ali Qizilbash (Lahore — Muhammadan,  Rural) — Minister of Revenue

5.    Sardar Baldev Singh (Ambala North — Sikh, Rural) — Minister of  Development

MEMBERS

1.    Abdul Ghafur Khan, Chaudhri (Shakargarh — Muhammadan, Rural)

2.    Abdul Hameed Khan, Khan Sahib Sardar (Muzaffargarh — Muhammadan, Rural)

3.    Abdul Hamid Khan, Rana, B.A., LL.B. (Pakpattan — Muhammadan, Rural)

4.    Abdul Hamid Khan, Sufi (Karnal — Muhammadan, Rural)

5.    Abdul Haq, Mian (Okara — Muhammadan, Rural)

6.    Abdul Sattar Khan, Mr (Mianwali North — Muhammadan, Rural)

7.    Ahmad Jan, Maulvi (North-West Gurgaon — Muhammadan, rural)

8.    Ajit Singh, Sardar (South-West Punjab — Sikh, Rural)

9.    Akram Ali Khan, Chaudhri (Taran Taran — Muhammadan, Rural)

10.   Ali Akbar Khan, Chaudhri (Kangra and Eastern Hoshiarpur —  Muhammadan, Rural)

11.   Allah Bakhsh Khan Tiwana, K.B. Nawab Malik Sir, M.B.E. (Sargodha — Muhammadan, Rural)

12.   Allah Yar Khan Daultana, Khan Bahadur Mian (Mailsi —  Muhammadan, Rural)

13.   Anwar Khan, Rai (Jaranwala — Muhammadan, Rural)

14.   Asghar Ali, Khan Sahib Captain Chaudhri (Gujrat East — Muhammadan, Rural)

15.   Ashiq Hussain, Major Nawab, M.B.E. (Multan — Muhammadan, Rural)

16.   Ashiq Hussain, Sayed (Dipalpur— Muhammadan, Rural)

17.   Atta Muhammad Khan, Sardar, B.A., LL.B. (Dera Ghazi Khan North — Muhammadan, Rural)

18.   Aziz Din, Chaudhri (Lyallpur — Muhammadan, Rural)

19.   Bachan Singh, Sardar (Ludhiana Central — Sikh, Rural)

20.   Badlu Ram, Chaudhri (Rohtak Central — General, Rural)

21.   Bagh Ali, Mian (Fazilka — Muhammadan, Rural)

22.   Bahadur Khan Dreshak, Sirdar, M.B.E. (Dera Ghazi Khan South — Muhammadan, Rural)

23.   Bahawal Bakhsh, Chaudhri (South-East Gujrat — Muhammadan, Rural)

24.   Barkat Ali, Malik (Eastern Towns — Muhammadan, Urban)

25.   Barkat Hayat Khan, Sardar (North Punjab  — Labour)

26.   Bashir Ahmad, Mian, Bar-at-Law (Ferozepore East — Muhammadan, Rural)

27.   Behari Lal Chanana, Lala (South-East Multan Division — General, Rural)

28.   Beli Ram, Thakur, B.A., LL.B. (Kangra East — General, Rural)

29.   Bhagat Ram Sharma, Pandit, B.A., LL.B. (Kangra West — General, Rural)

30.   Bhagwan Das, Lala (Commerce and Industry)

31.   Budhan Shah, Pir (Khanewal — Muhammadan, Rural)

32.   Dalip Singh Kang, Sardar (Lyallpur East — Sikh, Rural)

33.   Dalip Singh, Thakur (Kangra South — General, Rural)

34.   Daud Ghaznavi, Maulana (East Punjab — Labour)

35.   Dev Raj Sethi, Mr (Lyallpur and Jhang — General, Rural)

36.   Durga Chand Kaoshish, Pandit (East Punjab — Landholders)

37.   Faiz Muhammad, Khan Bahadur Shaikh, B.A., LL.B., M.B.E. (Dera Ghazi Khan Central — Muhammadan, Rural)

38.   Faqir Chand, Pandit (West Lahore Division — General, Rural)

39.   Fateh Muhammad Sayyal, Chaudhri, M.A. (Batala — Muhammadan, Rural)

40.   Fazal Elahi, Chaudhri (Gujrat North — Muhammadan, Rural)

41.   Fazal Elahi, Mr (East Central Punjab — Indian Christian)

42.   Fazal Haq Piracha, Khan Bahadur Sheikh (Bhalwal — Muhammadan, Rural)

43.   Ganga Saran, Rai Bahadur Lala (Trade Union Labour)

44.   Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Raja (Pind Dadan Khan — Muhammadan, Rural)

45.   Ghulam Farid, Chaudhri, B.A., LL.B. (Gurdaspur East — Muhammadan, Rural)

46.   Ghulam Muhammad Shah, Syed (Jhang East — Muhammadan, Rural)

47.   Ghulam Mustafa Shah Jilani, Khan Sahib Makhdum Sayed (Lodhran — Muhammadan, Rural)

48.   Ghulam Rasul, Chaudhri (South West Gujrat — Muhammadan, Rural)

49.   Ghulam Samad, K.S. Khawaja (Southern Towns — Muhammadan, Urban)

50.   Gibbon, Mr, C.E. (Anglo Indian)

51.   Gopi Chand Bhargava, Dr (University)

52.   Guest, Mr P.H. (European)

53.   Gurbachan Singh Bajwa, Sardar, B.A., LL.B. (Sialkot — Sikh, Rural)

54.   Gurbachan Singh, Sardar (Ferozepore West — Sikh, Rural)

55.   Gurbanta Singh, Master (Jullundur General — Rural, Reserved Seat)

56.   Harbhaj Ram, Chaudhri (Lyallpur and Jhang — General, Reserved Seat)

57.   Hari Lal, Munshi, B.A. (Hons), LL.B. (South-West Towns — General)

58.   Iftikhar Hussain Khan, Nawab (Ferozepore General — Muhammadan, Rural)

59.   Inder Singh, Sardar (Eastern Town — Sikh, Rural)

60.   Isher Singh Majhail, Sardar (Amritsar North — Sikh, Rural)

61.   Jagdish Chander, Mr (Karnal North — General, Rural)

62.   Jagjit Singh Mann, Sardar (Central Punjab — Landholders)

63.   Jahan Ara Shah Nawaz, Begum, M.B.E. (Outer Lahore —  Muhammadan, Women, Urban)

64.   Jahan Khan, Chaudhri (North-West Gujrat — Muhammadan, Rural)

65.   Jaswant Singh, Sardar (North-West Punjab — Sikh, Rural)

66.   Jiwan Lal, Pandit (South-East Gurgaon — General, Rural)

67.   Jogindar Singh Mann, Sardar, M.B.E. (Gujranwala and Shahdara — Sikh, Rural)

68.   Kabul Singh, Sardar (Jullundur East — Sikh, Rural)

69.   Kale Khan, Raja (Rawalpindi East — Muhammadan, Rural)

70.   Karamat Ali, K.B. Sheikh, B.A., LL.B. (North-Eastern Towns — Muhammadan, Urban)

71.   Kartar Singh, Sardar (Lyallpur West — Sikh, Rural)

72.   Kehar Singh, Sardar (Jagraon — Sikh, Rural)

73.   Khair Mehdi Khan, Raja (Jhelum — Muhammadan, Rural)

74.   Khan Muhammad Khan Kathia, Mehr (Montgomery — Muhammadan, Rural)

75.   Kidar Nath Sehgal, Lala (Amritsar and Sialkot — General)

76.   Krishna Gopal Dutt, Chaudhri (North-Eastern Towns — General)

77.   Lehna Singh Sethi, Dr (North Western Towns — General, Urban)

78.    Man Singh Jathedar, Sardar (Sheikhupura West — Sikh, Rural)

79.   Mangoo Ram, Chaudhri (Hoshiarpur West — General, Rural, Reserved Seat)

80.   Manuel, Mr P (Anglo-Indian)

81.   Matu Ram, Chaudhri (Ludhiana and Ferozepore — General, Reserved Seat)

82.   Mehr Chand, Chaudhri (Hoshiarpur West — General, Reserved Seat)

83.   Mehtab Khan, Chaudhri (South East Gurgaon — Muhammadan, Rural)

84.   Mir Muhammad Khan, Rai (Samundri — Muhammadan, Rural)

85.   Mohan Lal, Mr (Una — General, Rural)

86.   Mohar Singh, Rao Sahib Rao, B.A., LL.B. (North-West Gurgaon — General, Rural)

87.   Mohy-ud-Din Lal Badshah, Sayed (Attock South — Muhammadan, Rural)

88.   Mubarik Ali Shah, Major Sayed (Jhang Central — Muhammadan, Rural)

89.   Muhammad Abdullah Khan Sahib, Mir (Mianwali South — Muhammadan, Urban)

90.   Muhammad Abdus Salam, Mian (Jullundur North — Muhammadan Rural)

91.   Muhammad Amin, K.S. Sheikh (Multan Division Towns — Muhammadan, Urban)

92.   Muhammad Arif Khan, Khan (Jhang West — Muhammadan, Rural)

93.   Muhammad Feroz Khan Noon, Malik Sir, K.C.S.I., K.C.I.E. (Rawalpindi Division Towns — Muhammadan, Urban)

94.   Muhammad Ghulam Jilani Gurmani, Mian (Muzaffargarh North — Muhammadan, Rural)

95.   Muhammad Hassan, Chaudhri (Ambala and Simla — Muhammadan, Rural)

96.   Muhammad Hussain, Chaudhri, B.A., LL.B. (Sheikhupura — Muhammadan, Rural)

97.   Muhammad Hussain, Sardar (Chunian — Muhammadan, Rural)

98.   Muhammad Iftikhar-ud-Din, Mian, B.A. (Oxon) (Kasur — Muhammadan, Rural)

99.   Muhammad Iqbal Ahmad Khan, Rai (Ludhiana — Muhammadan, Rural)

100. Muhammad Jamal Khan Leghari, Khan Bahadur Nawab Sir (Tumandar)

101. Muhammad Khurshid Khan, Rao, B.A., LL.B. (Rohtak — Muhammadan, Rural)

102. Muhammad Nawaz Khan, Lt Col Sardar Sir, K.C.I.E. (Attock Central — Muhammadan, Rural)

103. Muhammad Nur Ullah, Mian (Toba Tek Singh — Muhammadan, Rural)

104. Muhammad Rafiq, Mian (Outer Lahore — Muhammadan, Urban)

105. Muhammad Raza Shah Jilani, Haji Mukhdumzada Syed (Shujabad, — Muhammadan, Rural)

106. Muhammad Sarfraz Ali Khan, Raja (Chakwal — Muhammadan, Rural)

107. Muhammad Sarfraz Khan, Chaudhri (Sialkot Central — Muhammadan, Rural)

108. Mumtaz Ali Khan, Sardar, B.A., LL.B. (Attock North — Muhammadan, Rural)

109. Mumtaz Muhammad Khan Daulatana, Mian (Sialkot South — Muhammadan, Rural)

110. Narindar Singh, Sant (Montgomery East — Sikh Rural)

111. Narotam Singh, Sardar, B.A., LL.B. (South-East Punjab — Sikh, Rural)

112. Nasar Din, Chaudhri, B.A., LL.B. (Sialkot North — Muhammadan, Rural)

113. Nasarullah Khan Nasir, Rana (Hoshiarpur West — Muhammadan, Rural)

114. Nasarullah Khan, Chaudhri (Amritsar — Muhammadan, Rural)

115. Nau Bahar Shah, Sayyed (Kabirwala — Muhammadan, Rural)

116. Pancham Chand, Thakur, B.A., LL.B. (Kangra North — General, Rural)

117. Parbodh Chandar, Mr (Gurdaspur — General, Rural)

118. Parkash Kaur, Shrimati Dr (Amritsar — Sikh Women)

119. Partap Singh, Sardar, M.A. (Amritsar South — Sikh, Rural)

120. Piara Singh, Sardar (Hoshiarpur South — Sikh Rural)

121. Prem Singh, Chaudhri (South-East Gurgaon — Reserved Seat)

122. Prem Singh, Mahant (Gujrat and Shahpur — Sikh, Rural)

123. Prithvi Singh Azad, Sardar (Ambala and Simla — Reserved Seat)

124. Raj Muhammad Khan, Chaudhri (Hafizabad — Muhammadan, Rural)

125. Ram Sharma Pandit, Shri (Southern Towns — General, Urban)

126. Rameshawari Nehru, Mrs (Lahore City — General, Women, Urban)

127. Ranbir Singh Mehta, Mr (Ludhiana and Ferozepore — General, Rural)

128. Ranjit Singh, Chaudhri (Hissar South — General, Rural)

129. Rattan Singh Tabib, Chaudhri (Ambala and Simla — General, Rural)

130. Rattan Singh, Sardar (Ferozepore East — Sikh, Rural)

131. Rattan Singh, Sardar (Ferozepore North — Sikh, Rural)

132. Roshan Din, Khan Bahadur Chaudhri (Shahdara — Muhammadan, Rural)

133. Sadiq Hasan, Sheikh (Amritsar City — Muhammadan, Rural)

134. Sahib Dad Khan, Khan Sahib Chaudhri, B.A., LL.B. (Hissar — Muhammadan, Rural)

135. Sahib Ram, Chaudhri (Hissar North — General, Rural)

136. Said Akbar Khan, Raja, B.A., LL.B. (Gujar Khan — Muhammadan, Rural)

137. Sajjan Singh Margindpuri, Sardar (Kasur — Sikh, Rural)

138. Salah-ud-Din, Chaudhri (Gujranwala North — Muhammadan, Rural)

139. Samar Singh, Chaudhri (Karnal South — General, Rural)

140. Sant Ram Seth, Dr (Amritsar City — General, Urban)

141. Sant Ram, Mr (Jullundur General — Reserved Seat)

142. Sardul Singh, Sardar (Lahore West — Sikh, Rural)

143. Shahadat Khan, Rai (Nankana Sahib — Muhammadan, Rural)

144. Shanno Devi Sehgal, Shrimati (South-Eastern Towns — General, Urban)

145. Shaukat Hayat Khan, Sardar (South Eastern Towns — Muhammadan, Urban)

146. Sher Singh, Chaudhri (Jhajjar — General, Urban)

147. Shiv Saran Singh, Sardar (Kangra and Northern Hoshiarpur — Sikh, Rural)

148. Shiv Singh, Sardar (Gurdaspur North — Sikh, Rural)

149. Sudarshan Seth, Mr (Eastern Town — General, Urban)

150. Sultan Ali Nangiana, K.B. Mian (Shahpur — Muhammadan, Rural)

151. Sundar Singh, Chaudhri (Amritsar and Sialkot — General, Reserved Seat)

152. Sundar, Mr (Karnal North — Reserved Seat)

153. Suraj Mal, Rao Bahadur Chaudhri, B.A., LL.B. (Hansi — General, Rural)

154. Swaran Singh, Sardar, B.A., LL.B. (Jullundur West — Sikh, Rural)

155. Tara Singh, Sardar Sahib Sardar (Ferozepore South — Sikh, Rural)

156. Tasadaq Hussain, Begum (Inner Lahore — Muhammadan, Women, Urban)

157. Tilak Raj, Professor, M.A. (Rawalpindi Division — General, Rural)

158. Udham Singh, Sardar (Amritsar Central — Sikh, Rural)

159. Ujjal Singh, Sardar (Western Towns — Sikh, Urban)

160. Virendra, Mr (West Multan Division — General, Rural)

161. Wali Muhammad Gohir, Chaudhri (Jullundur South — Muhammadan, Rural)

162. Waryam Singh, Sardar (Batala — Sikh, Rural)

163. Wazir Muhammad, Malik (Inner Lahore — Muhammadan, Urban)

164. Zafar-ul-Haq, Chaudhri (Rawalpindi Sadar — Muhammadan, Urban)

165. Zafarullah Khan Jhanian, Chaudhri (Ajnala — Muhammadan, Rural)

166. Zafarullah Khan, Chaudhri (Gujranwala East — Muhammadan, Rural)

The above list shows that the seats were divided into different categories. The rest were declared as general, reserved, for towns, technocrats, etc. 

Muhammadan	86
Sikh	32
Christians	2
Anglo Indian	2

It was the second provincial assembly, elected under the Government of India Act of 1935. Some names, which I found familiar or interesting include, Diwan Bahdur S.P. Singha, the speaker, Malik Khizar Hayat Khan Tiwana, Premier, MRs Rameshwari Nehru, a relative of Pundit Nehru, Master Tara Singh, a firebrand Akali leader and Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan the representative of my native constituency of Pind Dadan Khan and later a minister in the interim government of India.

The above map show the Provinces of British India and the princely states.

This map shows the location of Muslim majority provinces and the princely states with Muslim majority or ruled by Muslim rulers.

According to the Partition Plan of 3 June 1947, the Punjab Province was divided into East Punjab, consisting of 12 non-Muslim majority districts, and West Punjab, with 17 Muslim majority districts. This was referred to as a notional division, pending the actual boundary to be determined by a Boundary Commission.

The Punjab Assembly was also divided into two parts. It was decided that if either of the two assemblies voted in favor of partitioning the province between Pakistan and India, the Boundary Commission would determine the new border.

The West Punjab Assembly voted in favor of a united Punjab, but the East Punjab Assembly voted 50 to 22 in favor of division.

The above map shows the notional division of Punjab, based on the simple majorities of Muslim and non-Muslim populations. West Punjab was given the three western divisions of Rawalpindi, Multan, and Lahore, except the district of Amritsar. East Punjab got the Jullundur and Ambala divisions, plus the district of Amritsar.

The above map shows the Muslim majority tehsils (in case of Dasuya, Muslims + Christians) and the Hindu and Sikh majority tehsils. Princely states are also shown. 

As usual, at the end I would like to invite my readers for their valuable comments and would appreciate any additional information related to this subject. 

Tariq Amir

May 21, 2016.

Doha - Qatar.