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Sir Fazal Ibrahim Rahimtoola CIE (1895–1977) was an Indian politician. He served as Sheriff of Bombay and was a member of Bombay Legislative Council and Central Legislative Assembly during the British Raj.

Background and early life

Rahimtoola was born in Bombay, the son of Ibrahim Rahimtoola, a prominent local politician. He was educated first at St. Xavier's School, and later gained his Bachelor of Arts from the St. Xavier's College. After this he proceeded to Poona Law College for his Bachelor of Laws.

Career

After graduating he initially joined the family business but later started taking part in local politics. Rahimtoola became member of the Bombay Legislative Council by the 1920s followed by the Bombay Legislative Assembly with which he was closely attached till after independence. He was also member of the Central Legislative Assembly from 1925 till the early 1930s.

In December 1928, Rahimtoola became Secretary of the All-India Muslim League Conference held in Delhi under the Presidentship of Sir Aga Khan III.

Fazal Rahimtoola remained Sheriff of Bombay during the same period. He remained President of the Indian tariff Board in 1935. During the Second World War, Rahimtoola served as Director of the National War Front and National Food Council.

In the 1960s, he served as president of the, St. Xavier's College Association, in Bombay. He died in Bombay in 1977.

Business affairs

On the business front Sir Fazal served as director on companies including the auto sector, cotton, shipping among others. He was a permanent Director of Tata Iron and Steel and Tata power.

Personal life

He was married to Zainab Fazalbhoy and had three sons and five daughters from marriage. His younger brother Habib Rahimtoola was active in the Pakistan movement and is regarded as one of the founders of Pakistan. His uncle Jafar Rahimtoola and a cousin Hoosenaly Rahimtoola both served as Mayor of Bombay.

Honours

He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) in the 1939 New Year Honours list, and was knighted in the 1946 Birthday Honours, thus becoming Sir Fazal Ibrahim Rahimtoola. On 20 July 1946, he was invested with his knighthood at the Viceroy's House (now Rashtrapati Bhavan) in New Delhi, by the Viceroy, Lord Wavell.

References

1. "Indian News Parade No. 94". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
2. "Sir Fazal Ibrahim Rahimtoola vs Appabhai G. Desai on 8 March, 1949". Indian Kanoon. M Chagla. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
3. "Supplement to the London Gazette, 1946" (PDF). The London Gazette. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
4. "All-India Muslim League: Split and Reunification" (PDF). NIHCR. Abdul Razzaq Shahid. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
5. "Text of Memorandum submitted by 14 Muslim leaders of India". iKashmiri. Narender Sehgal. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
6. "Reception: Governor of Maharashtra". Times Content. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
7. "No. 34585". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1938. p. 6.
8. "No. 37598". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 June 1946. p. 2757.
9. "No. 37690". The London Gazette. 16 August 1946. p. 4130.

• 1895 births
• 1977 deaths
• Sheriffs of Mumbai
• 20th-century Indian politicians
• 20th-century Indian businesspeople
• Tata Group people
• Indian Ismailis
• Gujarati people
• Businesspeople from Mumbai
• St. Xavier's College, Mumbai alumni
• Indian Knights Bachelor
• Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire
• Khoja Ismailis