Chiefs and Families of Note in the Punjab, Vol I, revised 1939

The Life and Time of Nawab Haji Sir Fateh Ali Khan Qizilbash with an introductory brief on Nawab Ali Raza Khan Qizilbash, his grandfather

Nawab Fateh Ali Khan Qizilbash was the son of Sardar Nisar Ali Khan Qizilobash, the youngest of three sons of Nawab Ali Raza Khan Qizilbash. His eldest son was Nawab Sir Nawazish Ali Khan Qizilbash C.I.E. and K.C.I.E. The British bestowed upon Ali Raza Khan the title of Khan Bahadur. He was created a hereditary Nawab in 1864 for his commendable services to the British during their campaign in Afghanistan and later on in India after the British withdrew from Afghanistan. Nawab Ali Raza Khan Qizilbash was also an Honorary Magistrate of Lahore justly possessing great influence in the city.

In 1857 when the English need was greatest Nawab Ali Raza Khan Qizilbash raised a troop of horses at his own expense by mortgaging his house and property in Lahore. Forming part of the celebrated Hodsons' horse the troop raised by Nawab Ali Raza Khan Qizilbash served with distinction throughout the Campaign where ever that gallant corps was sent and its gallantry was ever conspicuous. In raising this force he did not apply for any pecuniary assistance from the British.

Nawab Fateh Ali Khan Qizilbash's father Sardar Nisar Ali Khan Qizilbash the next in line to the family's title after his two older brothers, passed away during the lifetime of his second brother Nawab Nasir Ali Khan Qizilbash, hence Fateh Ali Khan Qizilbash inherited the title of Nawab from his uncle Nawab Nasir Ali Khan Qizilbash after the latter's death in 1896 consquent upon which control of the family's estate passed on to him.

Nawab Fateh Ali Khan Qizilbash was nominated a member of the Punjab Legistlative Council in 1897.

In 1902 he was invited as an official guest to the Delhi Darbar at which he was invested as a Companion of the Order of the British Empire.

In 1904 he was made an additional member of the Governor General's Legislative Council.

In 1911 he once again attended the Delhi Darbar as an official guest.

During the Great War he served the Empire with exemplary loyalty and devotion. Someof his war services include:

1. He dontaed Rs. 16,000/- towards the war effort when it broke out in 1914

2. A donation of Rs.6,000/- was paid by him towards the Aeroplane Fund in 1916

3. He contributed Rs.10,000/- to the First War Loan.

Apart from this he gave sums of money large as well as small aggregating to about Rs.100,000/- towards the prosecution of the war.

Besides, he supplied a large number of recruits both from the Punjab and his estate in the United Provinces. Moreover he offered himself and his eldest son Nisar Ali Khan Qizilbash for any service in connection with that campaign.

During the disturbances in the Punjab in 1919 the Nawab once again rendered valuable assistance to the administration.

At the time of the last Afghan War he was attached as liaison officer to the Kohat-Khurram Force.

The Nawab was very keen to promote education amongst the Muslim population so that they could keep pace with the Hindus and progress along with them. The Hindus had foreseen the advantages they could gain by mastering the the English language to qualify for important positions in the Government departments. This they knew was a sure way of stepping on to the first rung up the social ladder and thus gain influence in Government circles. They rightly believed that following this plan they would gain economically also and thus be in a position to dominate over the Muslim minority. Nawab Fateh Ali Khan Qizilbash foresaw this happening and thus dedicded to contribute in the noble cause of educating the Muslims and concentrated in this regard in two areas i.e. at Aligarh and the Anjuman-e-Himayat-e-Islam, Lahore. He raised funds which he augmented with personal contribution and started a school and an intermediate college at Lucknow and became the Honorary General Secretary of these insitutions. This position he held for several years.

He also built a block for the use of doctors at the Mayo Hospital, Lahore.

In 1921 he was made the Knight Commander of the Indian Empire.

He was the President of the Punjab Chiefs Association, the Anjuman-e-Himayet-e-Islam, Lahore, the Punjab Muslim League and the Anjumane-Islamia, Punjab.

He was also a liberal subscriber to all charitable causes and earned the respect of all classes both as a public spirited citizen and a leading Muslim nobelman of the Punjab.

Nawab Sir Fateh Ali Khan Qizilbash died on 28th October 1923 after suffering a protracted kidney condition. He added substantially to the property he had inherited from Nawab Nasir Ali Khan Qizilbash and left behind a greatly developed estate.

[Information kindly provided by Begum Afsar Qizilbash, Lahore]