The Indian Biographical Dictionary (1915)/Ameer Ali, Rt. Hon’ble Sir Syed
Ameer Ali, Rt. Hon’ble Sir Syed M.A.B.L., C.I.E., Bar-at-law: P.C. Member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council; born April 6, 1849; son of Syed Saadat Ali of Mohan, Unao, Oudh, of a family originally from Persia; descendant of Muhammad through the Imam Ali-al-Raza, of Mashad; educated at Hughli College, Calcutta; M.A. and B.L. (Cal.); called to the Bar at the Inner Temple, 1873; practised in the High Court, Calcutta; Fellow of the Calcutta University, 1874; Magistrate and Chief Magistrate, Calcutta, 1878-81; Lecturer on Mahommedan Law at Presidency College, Calcutta, 1875-9; President of the Committee of management of the Moslem Endowment, Bengal, 1876-1904; Member of the Commission to inquire into the affairs of the Ex-King of Oudh, 1879; Member of the Calcutta Corporation, 1881-1883; Member of the Bengal Legislative Council, 1878-83; and of the Governor-General’s Legislative Council, 1883-5; Tagore Law Professor, 1884; C.I.E., 1887; Puisne Judge of the Calcutta High Court, 1890-1904; President of the Committee of the Hughli imambara, 1876-1904; founder of the Central National Muhammadan Association, and its Secretary, 1876-90; a strong advocate of English education and of the education of Indian ladies. Publications: A Critical Examination of the Life and Teachings of Mahommed, The spirit of Islam. The Ethics of Islam, A Short History of the Saracens, Personal Law of the Mahommedans, Students’ Handbook of Mahommedan Law, Mahommedan Law, 2 Vols.; joint author of A Commentary on the Indian Evidence Act; and of A Commentary on the Bengal Tenancy Act; has frequently written articles in The Nineteenth Century, and is engaged on a History of Mahommedan Civilization in India; since retirement, settled in England, where, during 1908-9, he took a leading part in the deliberations of the Muslim League and obtained favorable concessions to Musalmans in connection with Indian Council Reforms; made a Privy Councillor and a member of the Judicial Committee, being the first Indian to be appointed to that distinguished body, 1910. Address: The Lambdons, Beenham, Berks. Reform Club.