Sikandar Hayat Khan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Khan Bahadur Captain Sir
Sikandar Hayat Khan
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| Premier of the Punjab | |
| In office 5 April 1937 – 26 December 1942 |
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| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Malik Khizar Hayat Tiwana |
| Governor of the Punjab (Acting) |
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| In office 19 July 1932 – 19 October 1932 |
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| Preceded by | Sir Geoffrey Fitzhervey de Montmorency |
| Succeeded by | Sir Geoffrey Fitzhervey de Montmorency |
| In office 15 February 1934 – 9 June 1934 |
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| Preceded by | Sir Herbert Emerson |
| Succeeded by | Sir Herbert Emerson |
| 2nd President of BCCI | |
| In office 1933–1935 |
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| Preceded by | R. E. Grant Govan |
| Succeeded by | Hamidullah Khan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 June 1892 Multan, Punjab, British India |
| Died | 26 December 1942 (aged 50) Lahore, Punjab, British India |
| Political party | Unionist Party |
| Alma mater | Punjab University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  British India |
| Branch/service |  British Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1916–1920 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 67th Punjabis |
| Battles/wars | World War I Third Anglo-Afghan War |
Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan (born June 5, 1892 – died December 26, 1942) was an important Indian politician. He came from the Punjab region. He held many important jobs, including being the Premier of the Punjab.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Sikandar Hayat Khan was born in Multan, which was part of British India at the time. His father, Nawab Muhammad Hayat Khan, was a government worker. His grandfather, Sardar Karam Khan, died fighting against the Sikhs.
Sikandar went to school in Aligarh. He also studied at Aligarh Muslim University. Later, he went to King's College London in the United Kingdom to study medicine. However, his family called him back home around 1915.
Serving in the Military
During World War I, he first helped recruit soldiers in his home area of Attock District. Later, he became one of the first Indian officers in the British Army. He served with the 2/67th Punjabis.
He showed great bravery and skill during the war. He also served in the Third Anglo-Afghan War. Because of his excellent service, he received an award called the Member of the Order of the British Empire.
A Career in Business and Local Politics
After 1920, Khan started working in business. He was very good with money and managing companies. He became a director for many different businesses. These included tea estates, railway companies, and banks.
At the same time, he also got involved in local politics. He worked as an honorary magistrate. He was also the Chairman of the Attock District Board. In 1935, he briefly served as a deputy-governor for the new Reserve Bank of India. He then returned to Punjab to lead a political party.
Becoming a Political Leader
In 1921, Sikandar Hayat Khan was chosen to be part of the Punjab Legislative Council. This was the start of his important political career. He became a main leader of the Unionist Party.
This party was for the whole Punjab region. It aimed to protect the interests of landowners. The party included Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus.
Leading the Unionist Party
From 1924 to 1934, Khan was very active in politics. He was recognized for his work and was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1933. He then took over as the leader of the Unionist Party.
Khan led his party to win the elections in 1937. He then became the Premier of Punjab. He formed a government with the Sikh Akali Dal party and the Indian National Congress.
Helping Farmers
As Premier, Khan's government made many changes to help the farmers, known as Zamindars, in Punjab. When farmers faced hard times because of low crop prices in the late 1930s, Khan took steps to help them. He worked to free them from their debts.
World War II and Indian Independence
Khan did not support the Quit India Movement in 1942. This movement wanted the British to leave India immediately. Instead, Khan supported the Allied powers during World War II. He believed that working with the British would help India gain independence. He also wanted to keep Punjab united.
Working with the Muslim League
In 1937, after winning the elections, Khan decided to work with Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Jinnah was a leader of the All India Muslim League. Khan and Jinnah signed an agreement called the Jinnah-Sikandar Pact in October 1937.
This agreement brought the Muslim members of Khan's Unionist Party closer to the Muslim League. The goal was to unite Muslims in Punjab and India. They wanted to protect their community's rights.
Khan also helped create the Lahore Resolution in March 1940. This resolution asked for a self-governing Muslim majority region within a larger Indian confederation. However, Sikandar Hayat Khan himself did not want India to be divided. He believed that dividing India would break up Punjab and his party.
Final Years and Death
Khan's last years as Premier were difficult. He faced many challenges and disagreements. He worked hard to keep different political groups together. This effort likely affected his health.
Sikandar Hayat Khan passed away suddenly from heart failure on December 26, 1942. He is buried in Lahore, near the Badshahi Masjid.
Legacy and Family
Sikandar Hayat Khan had several children and grandchildren who became important public figures:
- Begum Mahmooda Salim Khan was Pakistan's first woman minister.
- Shaukat Hayat Khan was a senior Muslim League leader. He helped draft Pakistan's 1973 constitution.
- Tahira Mazhar Ali was a socialist leader and activist.
- Izzet Hayat Khan was a businessman and former ambassador.
- Tariq Ali is a well-known British-Pakistani writer.
- Yawar Hayat Khan was a senior director for Pakistan Television.
His grandson, Sardar Sikandar Hayat, also became a provincial minister.
See also
