The content of this article spans 96 years, 6 months.
Being a paternal grandson of Ahmed Abdul Aziz, (Aziz Jung) and son of Aliuddin Ahmed, (Deen Yar Jung), Dr. Hasanuddin Ahmed was a member of the Indian Administrative Service. A man with exceptional administrative and Scholastic abilities.
After earning his master’s degree in economics and finance, Dr. Ahmed joined the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS). In the course of his long career as an IAS officer, he served in various prominent capacities with distinctions such as Director Religious Affairs Department in the erstwhile state of Hyderabad, Secretary Government of India, in-charge of minority affairs, District Collector & Magistrate and Chairman Minorities Commission, (a State Minister’s Rank).
Dr. Hasanuddin Ahmed as a youth was very serious about his education, work, and the burden he was expected to carry being the descendent of a highly recognized family of administrators and scholars. While still young he founded the ‘Villa Academy Publishing’, and published several books authored by Aziz Jung Villa, by himself, and by other authors.
Dr. Ahmed besides being an administrator, was also a prolific writer with diverse interests which ranged from research, literature, poetry, to religious studies and nature cure. Many of his books have been translated in other Indian languages as well as in French and Turkish. His work on Urdu word count was widely acclaimed in literary circles. He has received several awards and honors for his works. After retirement from the administrative service, he served as Chairman Andhra Pradesh Minorities Commission.
He lived in Hyderabad at his paternal grandfather’s home Aziz Bagh, and engaged in social and cultural activities including intellectual and literary.
In 1947 he was deputed to study Endowments in Europe, where he spent several months learning the administration of Endowments in UK, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Greece, Turkey, and Switzerland.
Later while in Europe and Japan he donated several Urdu books to the overseas libraries to encourage the learning of Urdu language under the ‘Pustak Daan’ movement in the mid-1950s. He attended World Pacifist Conference and the World Religion Congress along with my mother in Japan to promote World Peace in 1954.
As an able administrator, an eminent scholar, and author of several books; he authored over 30 books in his lifetime. His scholastic publications were published worldwide. While just a student Dr. Ahmed’s book ‘the Science of Nature Cure’, was published.
In 1973 he earned his PhD from the prestigious Indian Ivy League University Jamia Millia in New Delhi founded by Dr. Zakir Hussain, President of India.
Dr. Ahmed spent more than 35 years serving the State and Central Governments in India and occupied high positions during his administrative career.
While in New Delhi in 1973 his Magnum Opus ‘Urdu Word Count’ was published. This book was released by the Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi.
In 1975 the President of India, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed released another noteworthy publication ‘Anjuman’ in New Delhi.
700 years of Amir Khusrau was published in New Delhi in 1975 under guidance and close supervision of Dr. Hasanuddin Ahmed. He also contributed by authoring the Preface to the book.
While he was District Collector and Magistrate at Mehboobnagar he founded a school for the less fortunate, which was run by the officer’s wives initially. At present the school is fully funded by the government and self-dependent with full-time teachers.
Throughout his life, Dr. Ahmed remained an asset to his family and community. There was never a dull moment in his life, he seemed to be a lot busier post-retirement.
He was a Ph.D. ‘Subject’ not a student. During his lifetime various Ph.D. students used Dr. Ahmed’s life and his publications for their Ph.D. Subject. He was a dedicated and huge advocate for educating young generation, he made that his goal and he accomplished it.
The scope of this article is to pass on our heritage and explore a rich legacy. The outcome of this article is my genuine effort to give tribute to my father Dr. Hasanuddin Ahmed’s outstanding career.