Nawab Mohammad Ismail Khan was born in 1884 in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh.His grandfather Nawab Mustafa Khan Shaifta was an emminent poet. Nawab Mohammad Ismail Khan completed his school education in India and moved to England. After obtaining degree in Law, he returned to India and started legal practise.

At that time, Nawab Mohammad Ismail Khan, came into contact with Muhammad Ali Jinnah and joined All India Muslim League in 1910. Nawab Mohammad Ismail Khan became the member of Muslim League working committee.He was elected as the member of the United Provinces Legislative Assembly.Later Nawab Mohammad Ismail Khan won the election to the Central Legislative Assembly.He served as the president of All India Khilafat Committee. Nawab Mohammad Ismail Khan raised his voice against civil disobedience movement of Indian National Congress.

Nawab Mohammad Ismail Khan was appointed as the member of the foundation committee of Jamia Millia Islamia.He was the leader of the U. P. Muslim League and the chairman of the All India Muslim Civil Defence Association. Nawab Mohammad Ismail Khan held the post of vice-chancellor of Aligarh University. He was selected as the member of the Constituent Assembly of India. After independence he opted to live in India. Nawab Mohammad Ismail Khan passed away on June 28, 1958 in his hometown Meerut.