Muhammed Abdul Ali

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Muhammed Abdul Ali
Princes of Arcot
8th Prince of Arcot
ReignJuly 1993 – present
PredecessorGhulam Mohammed Abdul Khader
Born (1951-08-09) August 9, 1951 (age 74)
Arcot, Tamil Nadu, India
SpouseSayeeda Begum
Issue
  • Nawabzada Mohammed Asif Ali
    Nawabzada Mohammed Naser Ali
House House of Arcot
FatherGhulam Mohammed Abdul Khader
MotherShamsunissa Begum
Religion Islam

Al-Hajj Nawab Ghulam Muhammad 'Abdu'l 'Ali Khan Bahadur; (born 9 August 1951) is the current and eighth titular Prince of Arcot and head of the House of Arcot in Tamil Nadu, India. He succeeded his father, Ghulam Mohammed Abdul Khader, as Prince in July 1993. Although the princely title is no longer legally recognised, it continues as a hereditary distinction acknowledged by the Government of India for ceremonial and cultural purposes. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Early life and education

Muhammed Abdul Ali was born on 9 August 1951 in Arcot, Tamil Nadu, as the eldest son of Nawab Ghulam Mohammed Abdul Khader and Shamsunissa Begum. [5] [6]

He undertook the pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca in 1966, along with his family and staff, a notable religious journey in his youth. [5]

Accession

Following the death of his father in July 1993, Abdul Ali acceded as the eighth Prince of Arcot. His succession was ceremonially acknowledged at the family seat, Amir Mahal, in Chennai. [5]

Under post-independence protocol, the Prince of Arcot retains a place in the Indian order of precedence roughly equivalent to that of a state cabinet minister, in recognition of historical standing. [7]

Public life

Abdul Ali has continued the family’s tradition of civic and charitable engagement. He served twice as Sheriff of Madras (now Chennai), in 1984–85 and 1988–89. [8] [9]

He founded the organisation Harmony India in the early 1990s to promote communal amity, secularism, and national integration. [10]

He also presides over the All India Muslim Educational Society (AIMES) and the Carnatic Family Association. [5]

Abdul Ali oversees the "Prince of Arcot Endowments", which administers various mosques, charitable trusts, and religious properties in Tamil Nadu, as well as endowed properties in Mecca and Medina. The body operates under the "Prince of Arcot Endowment Act, 1922". [11]

Recognition and awards

In April 2023, the Indo-Australian Association of Chennai conferred upon him the Meritorious Service Award for promoting inter-faith harmony and communal peace. [1]

In 2019, the Madras High Court dismissed a public interest litigation seeking to revoke his title and associated privileges, finding the title use and related facilities permissible under existing arrangements. [2] [12]

Personal life

Muhammed Abdul Ali is married to Sayeeda Begum. They have two sons [13] :

He resides at Amir Mahal, Chennai, and is known for his interests in literature, art, and horticulture. [5]

Legacy

Although no longer a ruling figure in constitutional terms, Abdul Ali remains a prominent cultural and community leader in South India. He is consulted in inter-faith dialogues, heritage initiatives, and continues to represent the Carnatic nobility in ceremonial and philanthropic functions. [1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Prince of Arcot receives meritorious service award". The Times of India. 26 April 2023. ISSN   0971-8257. Archived from the original on 9 October 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  2. 1 2 "HC rules in favour of the Prince of Arcot". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 December 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  3. "The Hindu : The House of Arcot". www.hindu.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2004. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  4. "The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Web site on Nawabs of the Carnatic". www.hindu.com. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "PRINCES | princeofarcot". princeofarcot. Archived from the original on 9 October 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  6. From our online archive. "King of the city". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 9 October 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  7. Menon, V. P. (1956). The Indian Constitution and the Princes. Orient Longman.
  8. "Prince of Arcot appointed Sheriff of Madras". The Hindu Archives. 3 January 1984.
  9. (India : State), Madras (1879). Report on the Administration of the Madras Presidency. Superintendent, Government Press.
  10. "Welcome to the Homepage of Shaikh Sadaqathullah (VU2 SDU) from India". www.qsl.net. Archived from the original on 9 October 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  11. The Prince of Arcot Endowments Act, 1922.
  12. "Plea to remove Prince of Arcot title rejected". The New Indian Express. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  13. Aval Vikatan (13 June 2022). Chennai -ல இப்படி ஒரு பிரமாண்டமான அரண்மனை-யா? | Live Visit | Palace Tour . Retrieved 9 October 2025 via YouTube.
Titles of nobility
Preceded by Prince of Arcot
4 July 1993–present
Incumbent
Heir:
Mohammed Asif Ali