Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari (, ) was an Indian nationalist and political leader, and former president of the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League during the Indian Independence Movement. One of the founders of the Jamia Millia Islamia University he remained its Chancellor 1928 to 1936.

Early life and medical career

Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari was born on December 25, 1880 in Yusufpur-Mohammadabad town, Ghazipur district,(now part of Uttar Pradesh).

Educated at the Victoria High School, Ansari and his family moved to Hyderabad. Ansari obtained a medical degree from the Madras Medical College and went to England on scholarship studies. He achieved the M.D. and M.S. degrees. He was a top-class student and worked at the London Lock Hospital and the Charing Cross Hospital in London. He was an Indian pioneer in surgery, and today there is an Ansari Ward in the Charing Cross Hospital in honour of his work.

Nationalist activities

Dr. Ansari became involved in the Indian Independence Movement during his stay in England. He moved back to Delhi and joined both the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League. He played an important role in the negotiation of the 1916 Lucknow Pact and served as the League's president in 1918 and 1920. He was an outspoken supporter of the Khilafat movement, and worked to bring the official Khilafat body, the League and the Congress Party...
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