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Iskander Mirza

Pakistani politician, statesman and military general (1899-1969) · India · Politicians · Died at 70

Iskander Mirza is read about 289 times a day, in 51 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 17 September 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 60 days, one point a day.

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Pakistan's first president, who declared martial law to save his own rule - then got overthrown three weeks later by the general he'd just empowered. The architect of his own exile.

PoliticiansPoliticianPolitics20th Century

A life in dates

1969Died13 November 19691967“My cardinal error was that, I trusted persons whom I knew, and helped, for twenty years; I regarded them as reliable and trustworthy friends.”In their words13 September 1967On the letter to the editor of The Times sent on 13 September 1967, quoted in Iskander Mirza Speaks: Speeches, Statements and Private

1958“Democracy without education is hypocrisy without limitation.”In their words20 October 1958Proclamation on abolition of the assemblies, quoted in PAKISTAN: To Be Happier & Freer, Time, 20 October 1958.

1957Collar of the Spanish Order of the Civil MeritAward1956“However, it must be plainly stated that while we are anxious to maintain friendly relations with India we must and shall defend our territory.”In their words26 March 1956The New York Times, 26 March 1956

1955“The elections were a peculiar type of elections which I have not understood from that day to this.”In their wordsAbout 1955 Pakistani Constituent Assembly election, quoted in "Chapter 28: One Unit", Iskander Mirza: Rise and Fall of a President (1997),

1939Officer of the Order of the British EmpireAward1899Born13 November 1899

Also in Deutsch

Photos 8

Iskander MirzaIskander MirzaAn illuminated Qur’an, commissioned by Mukhbir al-Dawlah, the Minister of Science and copied by Muhammad al-Musawi known as Hindi, Persia, Qajar, dated 1887-88 (1)An illuminated Qur’an, commissioned by Mukhbir al-Dawlah, the Minister of Science and copied by Muhammad al-Musawi known as Hindi, Persia, Qajar, dated 1887-88 (1)An illuminated Qur’an, commissioned by Mukhbir al-Dawlah, the Minister of Science and copied by Muhammad al-Musawi known as Hindi, Persia, Qajar, dated 1887-88An illuminated Qur’an, commissioned by Mukhbir al-Dawlah, the Minister of Science and copied by Muhammad al-Musawi known as Hindi, Persia, Qajar, dated 1887-88Iskandar Mirza funeral 1Iskandar Mirza funeral 1Iskandar Mirza funeral 2Iskandar Mirza funeral 2Iskandar Mirza funeral 3Iskandar Mirza funeral 3Iskandar Mirza funeral 4Iskandar Mirza funeral 4Iskander Mirza's FuneralIskander Mirza's Funeral

In their own words 4

,
Iskander Mirza
,
4 statements, newest first

  1. My cardinal error was that, I trusted persons whom I knew, and helped, for twenty years; I regarded them as reliable and trustworthy friends.

    Sep 13, 1967, On the letter to the editor of The Times sent on 13 September 1967, quoted in Iskander Mirza Speaks: Speeches, Statements and Private, Own words

  2. Democracy without education is hypocrisy without limitation.

    Oct 20, 1958, Proclamation on abolition of the assemblies, quoted in PAKISTAN: To Be Happier & Freer, Time, 20 October 1958., Own words

  3. However, it must be plainly stated that while we are anxious to maintain friendly relations with India we must and shall defend our territory.

    Mar 26, 1956, The New York Times, 26 March 1956, Own words

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Awards

Collar of the Spanish Order of the Civil Merit1957
Officer of the Order of the British Empire1939
Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire
King George VI Coronation Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal

In their orbit

Spouse: Nahid Mirza

About this person

Iskander Ali Mirza moved from Sandhurst to the British Indian Army, then spent years as a political agent in the Western region before reaching Joint Secretary at India's Defence Ministry in 1946. After Partition, he became Pakistan's first Defence Secretary under Liaquat Ali Khan, overseeing the 1947 war with India and crushing Balochistan's secession attempt in 1948. He governed East Bengal in 1954 to contain unrest from the language movement, then climbed to Interior Minister before displacing Malik Ghulam Muhammad as governor-general in 1955. When Pakistan's first constitution arrived in 1956, he became president - and promptly fired four prime ministers in two years through unconstitutional meddling. Facing a reelection he couldn't win, Mirza suspended the constitution on 8 October 1958 and imposed martial law through Army Commander Ayub Khan. Twenty-one days later, Ayub sent him into permanent exile. He died in London and was buried in Iran in 1969, remembered by many Pakistani historians as the man who broke democracy before it could stand.

Country
India
Category
Politicians
Type
Politician
Status
deceased
Dates
Lived 1899 to 1969 · aged 70

Politicians from India 6

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