Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (13 May 1905 - 11 February 1977) was the fifth President of India from 1974 to 1977.

Early life and background

Fakhruddin's grandfather, Khaliluddin Ali Ahmed, of Kacharighat near Golaghat town, Assam, married in one of the families who were the relics of Emperor Aurangzeb's bid to conquer Assam

Ahmed was born on 13 May 1905, in Delhi, India. His father was Col. Zalnur Ali who married the daughter of the Nawab of Lohari in Delhi

He started his education in the Government High School from Gonda District, Uttar Pradesh, India. He matriculated from the Delhi Government High School and went to England for higher education in 1923 continuing studies at St Catharine's College, Cambridge. He started legal practice in the Lahore High Court in 1928.

Political years

He met Jawaharlal Nehru in England in 1925. He joined the Indian National Congress and actively participated in the freedom movement.

After Independence he was elected to the Rajya Sabha (1952-1953) and thereafter became Advocate-General of the Government of Assam. He was elected on Congress ticket to the Assam Assembly on two terms (1957-1962) and (1962-1967). He was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Barpeta constituency in 1971. In the Central Cabinet he was given important portfolios relating to Food and Agriculture, Cooperation, Education, Industrial Development and Company...
Read More