Raza Ali Khan of Rampur

Who was Raza Ali Khan of Rampur?

Raza Ali Khan Bahadur was a nawab of the princely state of Rampur from 1930 to 1966. A tolerant and progressive ruler, Sir Raza expanded the number of Hindus in his government, expanded the irrigation system, completed elctrification projects and continued building schools, roads and sewage systems. Also patriotic, the Nawab sent his soldiers to fight in the Middle Eastern theatres of the Second World War. Acceeding to the Dominion of India on 15 August 1947, Rampur was formally merged with it in 1949 and with the new state of Uttar Pradesh in 1950. Afterwards, Sir Raza devoted himself to charitable projects and to his post as head of the FreeMasons in India as the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India.

Sir Raza died in 1966, aged 57, and like his father was buried at Karbala. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Murtaza Ali Khan Bahadur.