Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Liaquat Ali Khan

Role / Field:

First Prime Minister of Pakistan; 'Leader of the Nation' and 'Martyr of the Nation'.

Born:

1895-10-01

Died:

1951-10-16

Century / Era:

1895s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Liaquat Ali Khan (1 October 1895 – 16 October 1951) was a Pakistani lawyer, politician and statesman who served as the first prime minister of Pakistan from 1947 until his assassination in 1951. He played a key role in consolidating the state of Pakistan, much as Muhammad Ali Jinnah did in founding it. A leading figure in the Pakistan Movement, he is revered as Quaid-e-Millat ("Leader of the Nation") and Shaheed-e-Millat ("Martyr of the Nation"). Khan was born in Karnal, Haryana, to a wealthy Rajput family.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His grandfather, Nawab Ahmad Ali, provided significant support to the British during the Mutiny uprising of 1857–1858, earning him substantial rewards in the form of prestigious honours and complete remission of rent. Khan was educated at the Aligarh Muslim University and the University of Oxford. After first being invited to the Indian National Congress, he later opted to join the All-India Muslim League led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, an Indian independence activist who later advocated for a separate Muslim nation-state out of Hindu-majority India. Khan assisted Jinnah in the campaign for what would become known as the Pakistan Movement and was known as his 'right hand'. He was a democratic...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abd El-Razzak El-Sanhuri — Contemporary (Born in 1895) (1895): Pioneering Egyptian jurist, celebrated for authoring the revised Civil Code of 1948.
• Albert Cohen (novelist) — Contemporary (Born in 1895) (1895): Greek-born Swiss novelist who wrote in French, known for his memoirs and international work.
• Aleksandr Vasilevsky — Contemporary (Born in 1895) (1895): A pivotal Soviet general who commanded forces during WWII and served as Minister of Defense.
• Abanindranath Tagore — Contemporary (Died in 1951) (1951): Pioneering figure of the Bengal School, modernizing Indian art against Western influence.
• Agrippina Vaganova — Contemporary (Died in 1951) (1951): Foundational Russian ballerina and creator of the influential Vaganova method.
• Al Franken — Contemporary (Born in 1951) (1951): Comedian, writer, and politician known for SNL and his tenure as a U.S. Senator.
• Abby Stein — Shared historical date (10-01 · Born) (1991): Israeli-American author, rabbi, and activist who speaks on faith and gender identity.
• Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr — Shared historical date (10-01 · Died) (692): Mecca-based leader of a caliphate opposing the Umayyads during the Second Fitna.
• Ahmad Shah Durrani — Shared historical date (10-16 · Died) (1772): Founder of the Durrani Empire and modern Afghanistan's first ruler.
• Albrecht von Haller — Shared historical date (10-16 · Born) (1708): Swiss polymath, father of modern physiology, renowned anatomist and naturalist.
• 1895 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1895
• October 1 (10-01) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 1
• 1951 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1951
• October 16 (10-16) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 16

Frequently Asked Questions about Liaquat Ali Khan