Raza Ali Khan of Rampur
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Sir Raza Ali Khan Bahadur GCIE, KCSI (17 November 1908 – 6 March 1966) 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 electrification 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, Iraq. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Murtaza Ali Khan Bahadur.
Titles
- 1908-1930: Nawabzada Muhammad Raza Ali Khan, Wali Ahad Bahadur
- 1930-1931: His Highness 'Ali Jah, Farzand-i-Dilpazir-i- Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mukhlis ud-Daula, Nasir ul-Mulk, Amir ul-Umara, Nawab Sayyid Muhammad Raza 'Ali Khan Bahadur, Mustaid Jang, Nawab of Rampur
- 1931-1934: Lieutenant His Highness 'Ali Jah, Farzand-i-Dilpazir-i- Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mukhlis ud-Daula, Nasir ul-Mulk, Amir ul-Umara, Nawab Sayyid Muhammad Raza 'Ali Khan Bahadur, Mustaid Jang, Nawab of Rampur
- 1934-1936: Captain His Highness 'Ali Jah, Farzand-i-Dilpazir-i- Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mukhlis ud-Daula, Nasir ul-Mulk, Amir ul-Umara, Nawab Sayyid Muhammad Raza 'Ali Khan Bahadur, Mustaid Jang, Nawab of Rampur
- 1936-1940: Captain His Highness 'Ali Jah, Farzand-i-Dilpazir-i- Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mukhlis ud-Daula, Nasir ul-Mulk, Amir ul-Umara, Nawab Sayyid Sir Muhammad Raza 'Ali Khan Bahadur, Mustaid Jang, Nawab of Rampur, KCSI
- 1940-1944: Major His Highness 'Ali Jah, Farzand-i-Dilpazir-i- Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mukhlis ud-Daula, Nasir ul-Mulk, Amir ul-Umara, Nawab Sayyid Sir Muhammad Raza 'Ali Khan Bahadur, Mustaid Jang, Nawab of Rampur, KCSI
- 1944-1946: Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness 'Ali Jah, Farzand-i-Dilpazir-i- Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mukhlis ud-Daula, Nasir ul-Mulk, Amir ul-Umara, Nawab Sayyid Sir Muhammad Raza 'Ali Khan Bahadur, Mustaid Jang, Nawab of Rampur, GCIE, KCSI
- 1946-1961: Major-General His Highness 'Ali Jah, Farzand-i-Dilpazir-i- Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mukhlis ud-Daula, Nasir ul-Mulk, Amir ul-Umara, Nawab Sayyid Sir Muhammad Raza 'Ali Khan Bahadur, Mustaid Jang, Nawab of Rampur, GCIE, KCSI
- 1961-1966: Major-General His Highness 'Ali Jah, Farzand-i-Dilpazir-i- Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mukhlis ud-Daula, Nasir ul-Mulk, Amir ul-Umara, Nawab Sayyid Sir Muhammad Raza 'Ali Khan Bahadur, Mustaid Jang, Nawab of Rampur, GCIE, KCSI, Most Worshipful the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Antient, Free & Accepted Masons of India
When he was alive, he called the people of Suhawa Sadat{the only shia village of Rampur State} to commemorate the grief of Imam Hussain A.S.
Honours
(ribbon bar, as it would look today)
- Nishan-i-Hamidia, 1st Class of Rampur
- Nishan-i-Iqbal, 1st Class of Rampur
- King George V Silver Jubilee Medal, 1935
- Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India (KCSI), 1936
- King George VI Coronation Medal, 1937
- Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE), 1944
- Indian Independence Medal, 1947
- Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal, 1953