Sardar Ahmad Ali

Background

In the 17th century Sardar Hassan Daula, who was an ancestor of Sardar Ahmad Ali lead a small army from his ancestral village Qila Daula, Dipalpur to Kasur to fight against the Sikh in the 2nd Sikh war, on the invitation of the Kasur Pathans. Later Sardar Hassan settled in village Qila Ganja situated around 20 kilometers from the city of Kasur after defeating the incharge cousin of Mahraja Ranjeet Singh and taking over his fort. Once the Sikhs were defeated by the allied forces including the British, the family re-established itself near the banks of river Sutlej and named their new village Ganja Kalan. Although the family members did not enthusiastically lobby with the British for any position of power or land, like some families which were granted high titles and lands by the British. However, considering the family influence and wealth, the British bestowed upon its members Honorary Magistracy's, the title of Khan Bahadurs and Sword of Honour.

Khan Bahadur Sardar Noor Burhan and Sardar Noor Muhammad, both highly respected and revered figures of the area during the British Raj were allotted thousands of acres of cultivable land near Pattoki by the British. However, both the famous brothers distributed the entire estate free of cost to the poor people of the area. Other estates sanctioned to the family by Her Majesties Government were also not accepted.

The family elders also played an important role in sanction and layout of major irrigation canals in the Ferozepur and Kasur areas.

Early years

Sardar Ahmad Ali hailed from the revered Daula Family of Dipalpur which traces its origin from the village Ghazna, Afghanistan. Sardar Ahmad Ali was born in 1914 in his ancestral village Ganja Kalan. His father Sardar Muhammad Ali, apart from having a vast estate, was also an honorary magistrate during the later part of the British rule but died at an early age.

Chairman District Board

Sardar Ahmad Ali started his political career at the age of 18 when he was elected Member District Board Lahore in 1930's. In the year 1950, the Sardar Sahib was elected as the first President of the Pakistan Muslim League and the President of the Punjab Council of all district boards.

Public Service

In 1950 Sardar Ahmad Ali defeated Nawab Qizalbash and was elected Chairman District Board Lahore. He was also elected to the Provincial and the National Assemblies throughout his political career until 1977 and headed a powerful group of MPs, along with Sardar Muhammad Hussain and another cousin Sardar Amjad Masood, which kept a check on the government.

Pakistan Movement

Since His elder cousin Sardar Muhammad Hussain was an MLA in the 1937 Provincial Assembly and was elected to all the Punjab Assemblies before partition, including the historic elections of 1946 and He was further elected a member of the Punjab Assemblies after 1947 and a member of the West Pakistan Assembly and also remained the President of the Lahore District Muslim League, member of Punjab PML working committee before 1947, besides being the Chief of the Arain Council and later head of the Muslim league in Kasur, therefore Sardar Ahmad Ali was introduced to Mr Jinnah when Mr. Jinnah attended a meeting and public rally near Usmanwala (the headquarter of the family) and where Mr. Jinnah encouraged the young Ahmad Ali to enter into the field of public service.

The family has the honour of being one of the founding families of Pakistan as Sardar Muhammad Hussain along with a cousin hailing from the famous Burj Jewa Khan family, both MLA's in the undivided India, cast two votes in favour of the creation of Pakistan.

Legacy

Perhaps his everlasting accomplishments include his devoted and lifetime service to the Arain people for whose cause he worked very hard and in whom he instilled a sense of unity and pride. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, whose father Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto attended the All India Arain Conference held in 1927 at Ganja Kalan showed immense respect for Sardar Sahibs cause of the Arain people, as Prime Minister. President Zia-ul-Haq visited Sardar Sahib and offered any high position for his support which was not granted to the extent that it was expected by the President.

During his political career he devoted special attention to education and therefore caused numerous government primary and high schools to be established throughout the Lahore District and Kasur. People still remember him for this service.

Other Positions

Other elected positions that Sardar Ahmad Ali held were: 1. Chairman, Public Accounts Committee 2. Chairman Lahore Gymkhana Club (3 Terms) 3. President, Punjab Provincial Co-operative Bank (27 Years)