Mohammad Hidayatullah, Jurist, Statesman
Jurist, Statesman

Mohammad Hidayatullah

Born 17 December 1905 · Uttar Pradesh — Died 18 September 1992

Served as Chief Justice of India and twice as interim President of India.

Mohammad Hidayatullah, OBE was an Indian jurist and statesman who twice served as interim President of India, in 1969 and 1982. He concurrently served as Chief Justice of India from 1968 to 1970 and then as Vice President of India from 1979 to 1984.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Mohammad Hidayatullah is the only Indian to have served as Chief Justice of India, Vice President, and Acting President of the country.

The Story

1
🌟 In 1927, Mohammad Hidayatullah sailed to study at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he secured a gold medal in 1930 and was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn at just 25 years old.
2
In 1943, at the age of 37, he became the youngest Advocate General of Central Provinces and Berar, a post he held until 1946 before ascending to Additional Judge of the High Court.
3📜 By 1958, Hidayatullah was the youngest Justice ever elevated to the Supreme Court of India, setting the stage for his appointment as the 11th Chief Justice in 1968.
4In 1969, he stepped into the unusual role of interim President of India following the death of President Zakir Husain, serving until the election of V.V. Giri, a rare instance of judiciary leadership assuming the nation's highest office.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Order of the British Empire

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1930, at Cambridge, Hidayatullah not only earned a gold medal but also presided over the Indian Majlis, showcasing leadership among Indian students abroad.

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Through the Years

3 photographs from the archives
Mohammad Hidayatullah, Former Acting President of India, portrait photograph (1958)
Mohammad Hidayatullah, Former Acting President of India, portrait photograph (1958)
1958
Mohammad Hidayatullah as the 6th Vice President of India in an official portrait (1980)
Mohammad Hidayatullah with Indian leaders including Indira Gandhi and Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy (2014)

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Uttar Pradesh family of poets and lawyers
Mohammad Hidayatullah was born into a well-known family with legal and literary traditions in Uttar Pradesh.
1905
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Education
Graduated from Morris College Nagpur
Received Malak Gold Medal for academic excellence upon graduation.
1926
📚
Education
Called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn
Completed B.A. and M.A. at Cambridge, awarded gold medal and became Barrister-at-Law.
1930
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Career
Appointed Advocate General of Central Provinces
At 37, became youngest Advocate General in India for Central Provinces and Berar.
1943
⚡
Career
Elevated to Supreme Court Justice
Youngest Justice appointed to Supreme Court of India at that time.
1958
⚡
Career
Appointed Chief Justice of India
Became 11th Chief Justice and first Muslim to hold the position.
1968
⚡
Career
Served as Interim President of India
Assumed presidency after death of Zakir Husain until V.V. Giri's election.
1969
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Career
Became Vice President of India
Served from 1979 to 1984 including another stint as acting President in 1982.
1979
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Career
Chancellor of Hyderabad University
Led the university from 1986 to 1990, influencing higher education.
1986
🕊️
Death
Passed away
Died leaving behind a legacy in Indian law and governance.
1992
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He was the youngest Advocate General of an Indian state when appointed in 1943 at age 37 for Central Provinces and Berar (now Madhya Pradesh).

02 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

From 1963 to 1970, Hidayatullah was President of the Indian Law Institute, influencing legal research and education during a formative period in independent India.

03 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Hidayatullah was awarded honorary degrees including LL.D. from the University of Philippines and D. Litt. from Universities of Bhopal and Kakatiya, reflecting his academic stature beyond India.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Hidayatullah's judgments, particularly in Madhav Rao Scindia v Union of India, clarified the constitutional relationship between the Union and states, impacting federal governance. His leadership roles in legal institutions like the Indian Law Institute advanced legal scholarship and international law studies in India. His interim presidencies bridged constitutional transitions with judicial steadiness, demonstrating the integration of the judiciary with executive responsibilities.

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