Akbar Hydari


 * To be distinguished from his son who was the Governor of Assam, Muhammad Saleh Akbar Hydari.

Sir Muhammad Akbar Nazar Ali Hydari, Sadr ul-Maham, PC (1869–1941) was an Indian politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Hyderabad State from 18 March 1937 to September 1941.

Early life
Hydari was born on 8 November 1869 into a Sulaymani Bohra community of Muslims. His father was Seth Nazar Ali Hydari, a businessman based in Bombay.

Career
Hydari served in the Indian Audit and Accountancy Service before moving to Hyderabad State where he became the finance minister and later the prime minister. He was largely responsible for the restoration of the Ajanta Caves. He also represented Hyderabad at the First Round Table Conference held in London during November 1930 – January 1931.

In January 1936, he was appointed a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. In 1941, he was appointed as a member of the Viceroy's Executive Council.

Hydari was pivotal in the foundation of the Doon School, working to obtain the former estate of the Forest Research Institute, in Dehradun, from the government on favourable terms for the site of the school. Of the four original houses Hyderabad House was named after Akbar Hydari, who secured a contribution from Nizam of Hyderabad's government.

Family
He was the father of Muhammad Saleh Akbar Hydari through his wife Amina Hydari of the Tyabji family. His grand daughter, Habiba Hydari married the Goan painter, Mario Miranda. His grand-granddaughter is actress Aditi Rao Hydari.

Honours
Hydari was knighted by the British government in the 1928 Birthday Honours. and was formally invested with his knighthood at Hyderabad on 17 December 1929 by the Viceroy, the Lord Irwin.