5 Facts About Iskander Mirza You Didn’t Know 

The name Iskander Mirza might not ring a bell for many people, but he played a significant role in shaping the history of India and Pakistan. His contributions to both countries are often overlooked, and not many are familiar with his life story. In this blog post, we will uncover five facts about Iskander Mirza that you probably didn’t know.

Iskander Mirza was born in 1899 in Murshidabad, West Bengal, India. His family was of Iranian origin, but they had lived in India for generations. Iskander Mirza was an excellent student and went on to study at the prestigious University of Cambridge in the UK. After completing his education, he returned to India and joined the Indian Civil Service.

During his long career in the civil service, Iskander Mirza served in various capacities in India and Pakistan. He was known for his honesty, integrity, and dedication to public service.

Iskander Mirza played a crucial role in the creation of Pakistan. He was one of the key advocates of the idea of a separate Muslim homeland and worked tirelessly to achieve this vision. He was also instrumental in negotiations with the British government, which ultimately led to the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan.

After the creation of Pakistan, Iskander Mirza became the country’s first governor-general. He played an essential role in establishing the new country’s constitutional order and was a major figure in Pakistani politics for many decades.

In 1958, Iskander Mirza dismissed the then-prime minister of Pakistan, Feroze Khan Noon, and imposed martial law. He appointed a young general, Ayub Khan, as the new prime minister. However, Ayub Khan did not remain under Iskander Mirza’s control for long and eventually took over as the president of Pakistan, with Iskander Mirza being ousted from power.

Iskander Mirza spent the rest of his life in exile, and he died in London in 1969. He remains a controversial figure in Pakistani history, with some people considering him a visionary leader and others labeling him a dictator who paved the way for military rule.

Iskander Mirza was married to Rifaat Begum, and they had two sons together. Their elder son, Humayun Mirza, was a well-known journalist and writer. However, he died young in 1956 in a plane crash. Iskander Mirza’s younger son, Ahmad Mirza, was a businessman and philanthropist.

Iskander Mirza also had a daughter from a previous marriage. Her name was Dehlavi Begum, and she went on to marry Prince Aly Khan, the son of Aga Khan III.

Iskander Mirza’s contributions to both India and Pakistan were significant and cannot be ignored. He was an advocate of democracy and was committed to public service throughout his life. However, his legacy is often overshadowed by his role in the imposition of martial law in Pakistan and the subsequent military rule.

Despite this, Iskander Mirza will always be remembered as a leader who dedicated his life to public service and played a crucial role in the creation of Pakistan.

Q1. Was Iskander Mirza a Muslim?
Yes, Iskander Mirza was a Muslim. He was born into a Muslim family of Iranian origin.

Q2. Was Iskander Mirza an Indian or a Pakistani?
Iskander Mirza was born in India and served as a civil servant both in India and Pakistan. However, he is best known for his role as the first governor-general of Pakistan.

Q3. Did Iskander Mirza have any children?
Yes, Iskander Mirza had two sons and one daughter. His elder son, Humayun Mirza, died young in a plane crash.

Q4. Why is Iskander Mirza a controversial figure in Pakistani history?
Iskander Mirza is a controversial figure in Pakistani history because of his role in the imposition of martial law in 1958 and the subsequent military rule in Pakistan.

Q5. What was Iskander Mirza’s role in the creation of Pakistan?
Iskander Mirza played a crucial role in the creation of Pakistan as one of the key advocates of the idea of a separate Muslim homeland. He was also instrumental in negotiations with the British government.

Q6. How did Iskander Mirza die?
Iskander Mirza died in London in 1969 at the age of 70.

Q7. What is Iskander Mirza’s legacy?
Iskander Mirza’s legacy is that of a leader who dedicated his life to public service and played a crucial role in the creation of Pakistan. However, his legacy is often overshadowed by his role in the imposition of martial law in Pakistan and the subsequent military rule.

Iskander Mirza was a visionary leader whose contributions to the creation of Pakistan and public service are often overlooked. While his role in the imposition of martial law in Pakistan remains controversial, his legacy as a leader committed to democracy and public service cannot be ignored.

In conclusion, we hope that these five facts about Iskander Mirza shed light on a lesser-known figure of South Asian history and help you appreciate his contributions. We encourage you to learn more about the fascinating history of the Indian subcontinent and its role in shaping the world we live in today.