Mohammad Usman

Mohammad Usman, also known as Khan Bahadur Sir Mohammad Usman, KCSI, KCIE, Kt, was appointed as the acting Governor of Madras Presidency in the year 1934. He was also a well known Indian politician and socialite. He acted as the Minister of Home for the Madras Presidency for the Justice Party government under Raja Sri Ravu Svetachalupati Sir Ramakrishna Ranga Rao KCIE, the Raja of Bobbili.

Early Life of Mohammad Usman
Mohammad Usman was born in the year 1884 in Tanjore (now Thanjavur) in British India. He successfully completed his graduation from Madras Christian College. Later he became a member of the South Indian Liberal Federation and the Justice Party. He also practiced Unani medicine and became an efficient physician.

Career of Mohammad Usman
Khan Bahadur Sir Mohammad Usman was elected to the Madras Legislative Council. He was also elected to the executive council of the Governor. He also acted as the Minister of Home in the cabinet of Raja of Bobbili. Mohammad Usman was appointed as the Acting Governor of the province of Madras on 16 May 1934 and was preceded by Lieutenant Colonel Sir George Frederick Stanley GCSI GCIE CMG. He was the first Indian to act as the Governor of Madras Province.

The Madras Presidency, also known as the Presidency of Fort St. George and Madras Province, was an administrative sub division of British dominated India. The territory included most of southern India, such as the modern states of Tamil Nadu, the Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh, Lakshadweep Islands, the Malabar region of North Kerala, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangapur and Gajapati districts of southern Orissa and the Bellary, Ganjam, Dakshina Kannada, Rayagada and Udupi districts of Karnataka. Usman served in office till 16 August 1934.

Later he served as a Member of the Executive Council of the Viceroy of India and held the post from the year 1942 to 1947. He also acted as the Vice Chancellor of Madras University from the year 1940 to 1942.

Khan Bahadur Sir Mohammad Usman died at the age of 76 years, on 1 January 1960, in Madras (now Chennai), India.

Honours of Mohammad Usman
Mohammad Usman was knighted with Knight Commander of The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India (KCSI) on 14 June 1945 and Knight Commander of The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE) in the New Year Honours of 1933. He was also promoted to the rank of Knight Bachelor (Kt) in the year 1928.