Zakir Husain served as the third President of India, holding the office from 13 May 1967 until his death on 3 May 1969. As the first Muslim to occupy the nation’s highest constitutional post, his tenure was the shortest in the country's history and marked the first time a sitting president died while in office.
Academic Foundations and Early Career
Born in 1897 in Hyderabad, Husain pursued an extensive education that spanned both domestic and international institutions. After attending schools in Etawah, he studied at the University of Allahabad and the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in Aligarh. He later traveled to Germany, earning a doctorate in economics from the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin in 1926. His early professional life was defined by a strong commitment to education, during which time he was affiliated with the University of Calcutta and became deeply involved in institutional leadership.
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Husain transitioned from academia into high-level governance during the mid-20th century. He served as the governor of Bihar between 1957 and 1962, a role that preceded his elevation to the national stage. In 1962, he was elected Vice President of India, serving in that capacity for five years. His career in public affairs was recognized with major honors, including the Padma Vibhushan and the Bharat Ratna, the latter of which was conferred upon him in 1963.
Legacy and Burial
Following his death in New Delhi in 1969, Husain was buried in India within the campus of the Jamia Millia Islamia. His contributions as an educator and politician remain acknowledged through various civic memorials. Throughout his life, he remained a practitioner of Islam and demonstrated linguistic proficiency in both English and Pashto. His legacy continues to be observed through the institutions and public infrastructure bearing his name.
Fast facts
- Born: 1897, Hyderabad
- Died: 1969, New Delhi
- President of India: 1967-1969
- Vice President of India: 1962-1967
- Governor of Bihar: 1957-1962
- Bharat Ratna recipient: 1963
- Education: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Religion: Islam
Questions readers ask
Was Zakir Husain the first Muslim President of India?
Yes, he was the first Muslim to hold the office of President of India.
Did Zakir Husain finish his term as president?
No, he died in office in 1969, marking the shortest tenure of any Indian president to date.
