Role in Independence
After fall of Mughal Empire in 1857, Mian Family was among few Muslim families in Sub-Continent who realising ground realities encourage their next generation learning English. Many young members went abroad for 'Bar at Law', later played prominent role in defending rights of Indian Muslims. Family supported Sir Sayed Ahmed Khan's educational movement (1863-70s) and helped in the fomation and consolidation of All India Muslim League (1905-06).
Key Events:
- 1878 - Family actively supported Muhammadan Association founded by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan to promote political co-operation amongst Indian Muslims from different parts of the Sub-continent.
- 1889 - Mian Shah Din founded Anjuman-i-Islamiya joining Sir Abdul Rahim and others. This was the first Muslim organization in the United Kingdom and Shah Din was elected its Vice-President.
- 1891 - Mian Shah Din established Young Men Mohammedan Association at Lahore.
- 1904 - Mian Shah Din raised the need of establishing central political organisation of Muslims.
- 1906 - Mian Muhammad Shafi organized a Muslim Association in Baghbanpura, Lahore (Mar'1906).
- 1906 - Mian Muhammad Shafi and Mian Shahdin nominated member of the Simla Deputation in 1906.
- 1906 - Sir Mian Muhammad Shafi suggested name "All India Muslim League" at the occasion of annual All India Muhammadan Educational Conference held in Dhaka (Dec'1906).
- 1907 - Family under leadersip of Mian Muhammad Shafi and Shah Din held meetings and convinced muslims not to participate in anti-Colonisation riots but to organise themselves at common platform (Apr'1907).
- 1907 - Muslim Association founded earlier in Baghbanpura declared first active provincial branch of All India Muslim League (Mar'1907).
- 1907 - Mian Muhammad Shafi elected General Secretary of Punjab Provincial Muslim League (Nov'1907).
- 1907 - Mian Shah Din was elected president of All India Muslim League, Punjab (Nov'1907).
- 1908 - Mian Shah Din elected President of All India Muslim League (Mar'1908).
- 1908 - Mian Shah Din elected first muslim Judge of the Punjab Chief Court (Oct'1908.
- 1909 - Sir Mian Muhammad Shafi and Justice Mian Shah Din were taken on the Punjab Council alongwith Umar Hayat Tiwana and Chaudhary Shahab-ud-din. It had championed the Pan-Islamic Movement which emerged in 1911 even at the cost of displeasing the government. It felt betrayed at the annulment of the Partition of Bengal, and claimed ‘Islam to be in danger’.
- 1909 - Sir Mian Muhammad Shafi nominated to the Provincial Legislative Council.
- 1911 - Sir Mian Muhammad Shafi nominated member of the Imperial Legislative Council. Later renominated agian in 1914 and 1917.
- 1912 - Sir Mian Muhammad Shafi re-nominated to the Provincial Legislative Council second time.
- 1913 - Presiding over the Lukhnow session of the All India Muslim League, Sir Mian Shafi apposed joint electorates.
- 1919 - Sir Mian Muhammad Shafi became a member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council during 1919-24. His tenure as Education Member was marked by many important developments, including the setting up of the Muslim University of Aligarh. He was also acting Vice-President of the Governor-General's Execultive Council 1922-25. He was Council's member for education, health and later also for Law; also, he was knighted in 1925 with the KCSI.
- 1922 - Mian Shah Din launched monthly magzine "Humayon". It was part of struggle to spread knowllege across masses. Allama Iqbals poem "Humayon" is also about Mian Shah Din and his Magzine.
- 1927 - Begum Shah Nawaz succeed in organising 'All India Women Conference'.
- 1927 - Mian Abdur Rashid officiated as Government of Punjab's Advocate.
- 1927 - When Simon Commission visited India Sir Mian Muhammad Shafi played key role. Later Muslim League led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah decided to boycott the Commission.
- 1929 - Begum Shah Nawaz was the first woman to be elected as vice-president of the 422nd social reform conference held at Lahore.
- 1930 - Sir Mian Muhammad Shafi played important role during First Round Table Conference (1930-31).
- 1932 - Begum Shah Nawaz was nominated by the Viceroy as one of two representatives of Indian women at the Round Table Conference. Later she also worked as vice-president of provincial executive and member of the All India Indian General Committee of the Red Cross Society.
- 1935 - Begum Shah Nawaz founded the Punjab provincial Muslim Women's League.
- 1937 - Mian Iftikharuddin was elected member of Punjab Provincial Assembly (MPA).
- 1937 - Begum Shah Nawaz was elected a member of the Punjab legislative assembly, and was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Medical Relief and Public Health.
- 1939 - Begum Bashir Ahmed was taken on the working committee of the Punjab provincial Muslim Women's sub-committee and was later elected its president.
- 1942 - The Government of India appointed Begum Shah Nawaz as a member of the National Defense Council.
- 1945 - Mian Iftikharuddin made his last attempt but failed to convince All Indian Congress to settle their issues with Muslim League to avoid partition of Indian Sub-continent.
- 1945 - Mian Iftikharuddin bravely called out for people in the NWFP and other eastern areas of India, where Muslims were in a majority, to make their own decision whether to join the Indian Union or Pakistan.
- 1946 - Begum Shah Nawaz and Mian Iftikhar-ud-din were elected a member of the Punjab Assembly (MPA).
- 1946 - Mian Iftikharuddin led the civil disobedience movement against the Unionist government for denying Pakistan to the Muslims.
- 1946 - Begum Shah Nawaz went on a goodwill tour to the United States to campaign for Pakistan.
- 1946 - Mian Iftikhar-ud-din founded daily 'Imroz' in Urdu language.
- 1947 - Qaud-i-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, took augth for Governer General of Pakistan from Sir Mian Abdur Rashid, senior most muslim judge.
- 1947 - Sir Mian Abdur Rashid being senior most muslim judge appointed as first Chief Justice of Pakistan.
- 1947 - Mian Iftikhar-ud-din joined Punjab Cabinet as Minister in Charge for Rehabilitation of Refugees.
- 1947 - Begum Shah Nawaz was among two women in the Pakistan Constituent Assembly and Central Legislature.
- 1949 - Sir Mian Abdur Rashid was elevated as the Chief Justice of Pakistan (1949-1954).
- 1948 - Mumtaz Shahnawaz nominated to represent Pakistan at the UN General Assembly, the first woman in Asia to preside over a legislative session.
- 1948 - Mian Iftikhar-ud-din founded first nation-wide English daily 'The Pakistan Times'.
- 1949 - Begum Shah Nawaz and Begum Ra'ana Liaqat Ali founded All Pakistan Women's Association (APWA), a non-profit and non-political organization whose fundamental aim was the furtherance of the moral, social and economic welfare of the women of Pakistan.
- 1952 - Begum Shah Nawaz became first woman in the world who chaired the National Assembly session (Speaker of the house).
- 1953 - Sir Mian Abdur Rashid acted as Governor General of Pakistan for nine months.
- 1956 - Mian Iftikhar-ud-din warned against the one unit scheme which he thought would poison Pakistan into ethnic conflict, and he rejected the 1956 constitution for being against both national interest and Islam.
- 1958 - Family elders openly opposed first millitary coup in Pakistan. Daily 'Pakistan Times' and 'Imroz' owned by Mian Iftikharuddin urged army 'go back to baracks' arguing that this act will open door for series of future marshal-laws which could eventually destroy the political maturity process in Pakistan.
- 1964 - Like all other companions of late Quad-e-Azam, family supported his sister Miss Fatima Jinnah for presedency against General Ayub Khan's marshal-law; resulted nationalisation of 'Shalimar Gardens', 'Daily Pakistan Times' and 'Daily Imroz'. Pakistan Times (English) and Imroz (Urdu) were the only nationwide newspapers at that time.
- P.S. Since 1964, Mian family has never participated in politics again. They believe the politics today has been highjacked by corrupt elements of society.